What Does The E Stand For On Tire Ratings? - It Still Runs

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What Does the E Stand for on Tire Ratings? by Mark KennanUpdated June 08, 2023 itstillruns article image

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The "E" in a tire's service rating refers to the load range of the tire. You should check your vehicle's manual to determine what load range is appropriate.

Function

The load rating shows how much air pressure the tire can contain and the strength of the sidewall.

Identification

The load range is identified by a letter of the alphabet, usually from A to F, which represents the ply rating and load pressure. A rating of "E" on the tire means the tire has a ply rating 10 and a load pressure of 80 psi.

Location

The load range letter, such as "E," is found in the middle of the tire service description. The letter will have spaces on either side of it.

Vehicle Type

The "E" designation for the load rating of the tires is only used on light truck tires, not passenger tires. You can identify whether a tire is a passenger tire or a light truck tire by looking at the start of the service description on the sidewall: passenger tires start with a "P" and light truck tires start with an "LT."

Significance

"E" signifies one of the highest load ranges available. You may need a tire rated this high if you carry heavy loads with your truck.

References

U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration: Tire Safety Brochure

Writer Bio

Mark Kennan is a writer based in the Kansas City area, specializing in personal finance and business topics. He has been writing since 2009 and has been published by "Quicken," "TurboTax," and "The Motley Fool."