Tire load index vs softness — not the same

Tags: #tires

Tire load index (e.g., 94 for city driving, 98–102 for highway/sport use) does not directly correlate with tire softness or hardness. Load index relates to the thickness of the cord/carcass and the tire's rated load capacity, not its compound stiffness ¹². Tire noise comes primarily from tread depth and compound characteristics rather than load index; old tires (6+ years) become noisier as the compound degrades — one member described this as an "air micro-pulsing" effect ³⁴. Load-index selection should match the driving pattern (94H-class for city, 98+ for highway), but the actual ride feel depends more on the specific brand and model ⁵⁶.

Conflict: one member (Валерий) asserted that load index indicates tire softness; others in the thread disputed this. The consensus reached in the discussion is that load index is strictly a capacity rating, while softness is a separate material property set by the manufacturer's compound choice ⁷⁸.

Related pages

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• Tire sizing guide
• Tire size specifications and fitment
• Summer tire sizes and pricing (R17 wheels)
• 225/60/17 tire fitment on stock rims

Sources

This page is compiled from 8 community messages. Every fact carries a numbered reference to its original author and message.

Last updated: 2026-07-24