Van Tyres vs Car Tyres: Load Ratings and Why They Matter

A van tyre can look almost identical to a car tyre of the same size. It is not the same thing, and fitting the wrong one to a working van is one of the easiest ways to wear tyres out early, handle badly when loaded, and run into trouble with your insurer or the MOT.

Here is how to read a van tyre, and what to check before you buy.

The "C" on the sidewall

Look at the size on a typical van tyre and you will see something like:

215/65 R16C 109/107T

• 215 is the width in millimetres.
• 65 is the sidewall height as a percentage of the width.
• R16 means a radial tyre for a 16-inch wheel.
• C means commercial. The tyre is built with a stronger carcass and sidewall to carry heavy loads at higher pressures.
• 109/107 is the load index, and there are two numbers. More on that below.
• T is the speed rating.

A car tyre in 215/65 R16 without the C is designed for a lighter vehicle. Even an "XL" or "reinforced" car tyre is usually not a substitute for a C-rated van tyre where the van calls for one.

Why there are two load numbers

Van tyres often carry a dual load index, such as 109/107. The first number is the maximum load per tyre when it is fitted singly, as on most vans. The second applies when tyres are fitted in pairs on twin rear wheels, as on some larger panel vans and chassis cabs.

Load index numbers correspond to a weight per tyre. For example, 109 means 1,030kg per tyre and 107 means 975kg. You do not need to memorise the table. What matters is that the replacement tyre’s load index is at least what your van’s manufacturer specifies.

What happens if the load rating is too low

• The tyre overheats under load. Heat is what destroys tyres. A tyre carrying more than it was built for flexes more, gets hotter, wears faster and is more likely to fail, especially on a long, hot run with a full load.
• Handling suffers. Softer sidewalls make a loaded van feel vague and wallowy, particularly on bends and in crosswinds.
• Insurance. Fitting tyres below the manufacturer’s specification can give an insurer a reason to dispute a claim.
• The MOT. A tyre whose load rating is clearly too low for the vehicle can fail the test.

Pressures matter more on a van

C-rated tyres run at much higher pressures than car tyres, and the right pressure depends on how heavily the van is loaded. The figures are usually on a plate inside the driver’s door frame or in the handbook, often with separate figures for a light load and a full load. A van tyre run soft with a full load is a tyre that will fail early.

Check pressures at least every couple of weeks, cold, and every time the van is about to carry something heavy.

Tread and the legal limit

For vans up to 3,500kg the legal minimum tread depth is the same as for cars: 1.6mm across the central three-quarters of the tread, all the way round. Vans that work hard, especially on rural lanes, building sites and gravel, also pick up cuts, bulges and stones in the tread, so it is worth a look round every week.

All-season tyres for vans

For vans that work through the winter on rural roads, all-season van tyres are worth considering. They carry the same C rating and load index, but use a compound and tread pattern that grips better in cold and wet conditions than a summer tyre. Look for the three-peak mountain snowflake symbol if you want proper cold-weather performance.

Our Van Centre

Our Lymington Van Centre is a separate unit on the same site as our Car Centre, set up for vans and light commercials: Class 7 MOTs, servicing, brakes, suspension and repairs, with the aim of getting working vehicles back on the road quickly. We have written about van servicing and Class 7 MOTs separately. For tyres, search by size on our tyre page or call and tell us what is on the van now.

Frequently asked questions

Can I put car tyres on my van?

Only if they meet the load index and speed rating your van’s manufacturer specifies. For most panel vans, that means C-rated commercial tyres.

What does 109/107 mean on a van tyre?

It is the load index: 109 is the maximum load for a tyre fitted on its own, 107 for one of a pair on twin rear wheels.

What tyre pressure should my van run?

Check the plate in the driver’s door frame or the handbook, and use the figure for how heavily the van is loaded.

Is the legal tread depth different for vans?

Not for vans up to 3,500kg. It is 1.6mm, the same as for cars.

Van tyres and servicing in Lymington

Book online at bestgarages.co.uk or call Lymington on 01590 674776. On the Isle of Wight, call Newport on 01983 533360, and in the Avon valley, Fordingbridge on 01425 561504.