Tyre Load Index & Speed Rating Chart – South Africa
Use this South African tyre load index and speed rating chart to choose road-legal tyres for your car, bakkie or SUV. The load index tells you how much weight a tyre can safely carry; the speed rating is the maximum sustained speed the tyre can handle. Fitting tyres with the correct load and speed keeps handling sharp, insurance valid and wear under control.
Tip: never go below your vehicle’s door-placard specification (you may fit a higher speed rating). Examples like 82T, 91H and 109S are decoded in the tables below.
- Official charts: load index (kg) and speed rating (km/h) used in SA
- Decode any size: e.g. 175/65R14 82T (width / aspect / construction / rim / load / speed)
- Safety & compliance: match or exceed the placard—especially for towing, tools and roof loads
Load Index — what it means
The load index is the tyre’s maximum supported weight at the correct pressure. Always match or exceed the number on your door placard/owner’s manual. XL/Reinforced construction can help with heavy use, but the actual capacity is the index number—trust the index, not just “XL”.
| Load Index | Max Load (kg) | Load Index | Max Load (kg) | Load Index | Max Load (kg) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 60 | 250 | 80 | 450 | 100 | 800 |
| 61 | 257 | 81 | 462 | 101 | 825 |
| 62 | 265 | 82 | 475 | 102 | 850 |
| 63 | 272 | 83 | 487 | 103 | 875 |
| 64 | 280 | 84 | 500 | 104 | 900 |
| 65 | 290 | 85 | 515 | 105 | 925 |
| 66 | 300 | 86 | 530 | 106 | 950 |
| 67 | 307 | 87 | 545 | 107 | 975 |
| 68 | 315 | 88 | 560 | 108 | 1000 |
| 69 | 325 | 89 | 580 | 109 | 1030 |
| 70 | 335 | 90 | 600 | 110 | 1060 |
| 71 | 345 | 91 | 615 | 111 | 1090 |
| 72 | 355 | 92 | 630 | 112 | 1120 |
| 73 | 365 | 93 | 650 | 113 | 1150 |
| 74 | 375 | 94 | 670 | 114 | 1180 |
| 75 | 387 | 95 | 690 | 115 | 1215 |
| 76 | 400 | 96 | 710 | 116 | 1250 |
| 77 | 412 | 97 | 730 | 117 | 1285 |
| 78 | 425 | 98 | 750 | 118 | 1320 |
| 79 | 437 | 99 | 775 | 119 | 1360 |
Example: 225/45R17 94W → 94 is a load index of 670 kg per tyre (≈ 2 680 kg for four).
- Match or exceed your placard load index
- Consider passengers, tools, towing and roof loads
- Maintain pressures (laden values when loaded)
- Drop below the specified load index
- Mix different load indices on the same axle
- Ignore torque/re-torque after fitment
Speed rating — what it means
The speed rating is the highest sustained speed the tyre can handle under load (e.g., T=190 km/h, H=210, V=240, W=270, Y=300). You may select a higher rating than OEM, but never lower.
| Speed Symbol | Max Speed (km/h) | Speed Symbol | Max Speed (km/h) | Speed Symbol | Max Speed (km/h) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| L | 120 | S | 180 | V | 240 |
| M | 130 | T | 190 | W | 270 |
| N | 140 | U | 200 | Y | 300 |
| P | 150 | H | 210 | (Y) | 300+ |
| Q | 160 | V | 240 | ZR | 240+ |
| R | 170 | W | 270 | – | – |
Example: 225/45R17 94W → W means up to 270 km/h.
Why the ratings matter
- Safety: prevents tyre failure under heavy loads or high speed.
- Performance: preserves braking, grip and stability.
- Compliance: meets manufacturer and legal/insurance requirements.
- Durability: reduces heat build-up and uneven wear.
How to choose correctly
- Match or exceed the OE load index and speed rating on your door placard.
- Consider real-world use: passengers, towing, roof racks and off-road gear.
- Maintain correct pressures (laden pressures when loaded).
- Replace in axle pairs; avoid mixing indices on the same axle.
Need assistance?
Our team will confirm the right tyre specification for your vehicle:
- Expert fitment advice
- Fast nationwide delivery
- Competitive prices from trusted brands
Contact Precision Wheel Solutions | WhatsApp +27 79 108 9737 | Call +27 79 108 9737
Can I fit tyres with a higher speed rating?
Yes — it’s safe, but never go lower than the OEM recommendation.
Where can I find my tyre’s load index?
It’s printed after the size on the sidewall, e.g., 82T.
Do bigger tyres always carry more load?
Not necessarily. Always check the load index number.