Maintenance
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Tires and wheels
Light truck (LT) tire A tire desig-
nated by its manufacturer as pri-
marily intended for use on
lightweight trucks or multipurpose
passenger vehicles.
Load ratings The maximum load
that a tire is rated to carry for a
given inflation pressure.
Load Index An assigned number
ranging from 1 to 279 that corre-
sponds to the load carrying capacity
of a tire.
Maximum Inflation Pressure The
maximum air pressure to which a
cold tire may be inflated. The maxi-
mum air pressure is molded onto
the sidewall.
Maximum Load Rating The load rat-
ing for a tire at the maximum per-
missible inflation pressure for that
tire.
Maximum Loaded Vehicle Weight
The sum of curb weight; accessory
weight; vehicle capacity weight; and
production options weight.
Normal Occupant Weight The num-
ber of occupants a vehicle is
designed to seat multiplied by 68 kg
(150 pounds).
Occupant Distribution Designated
seating positions.
Outward Facing Sidewall The side of
a asymmetrical tire that has a par-
ticular side that faces outward
when mounted on a vehicle. The
outward facing sidewall bears white
lettering or bears manufacturer,
brand, and/or model name molding
that is higher or deeper than the
same moldings on the inner facing
sidewall.
Passenger (P-Metric) Tire A tire
used on passenger cars and some
light duty trucks and multipurpose
vehicles.
Ply A layer of rubber-coated parallel
cords.
Pneumatic tire A mechanical device
made of rubber, chemicals, fabric
and steel or other materials, that,
when mounted on an automotive
wheel, provides the traction and
contains the gas or fluid that sus-
tains the load.
Production options weight The
combined weight of installed regular
production options weighing over
2.3 kg (5 lbs.) in excess of the stan-
dard items which they replace, not
previously considered in curb weight
or accessory weight, including heavy
duty brakes, ride levelers, roof rack,
heavy duty battery, and special
trim.
Recommended Inflation Pressure
Vehicle manufacturer's recom-
mended tire inflation pressure and
shown on the tire placard.