Do I need van tyres?
It is important to note that small vans may need passenger tyres, whereas larger commercial vehicles tend to need specific van tyres. Consult your user manual to understand which dimensions are approved by the vehicle manufacturer for your van. You will be able to recognise commercial van tyres thanks to their ‘C’ label, which notes that they are designed specifically for vans. Car tyres which have been reinforced are labelled ‘RF’ or those adopted to transport heavier weights are labelled ‘XL’. Car tyres and van tyres are not made to be interchanged.This new European tyre label applies to passenger car tyres (C1), light truck tyres (C2) and heavy truck tyres (C3).Tyre Markings – Unlike a passenger rated tyre which may only be required on some smaller vans, a commercial van tyre can be identified as having the letter C after the rim size, and will also have 2 load indexes. E. G. R16C 109/107 T EFFICIENTGRIP CARGO.Such letters could be : P: Passenger Car. LT: Light Truck. C : Van commercial tyre. XL, HL or Reinforced : Tyres with a higher load capacity than normal for their dimension.
Are van tyres different?
Strength and durability Van tyres will undergo a lot more as they tend to be transporting heavier loads, so they are designed with resilient quality and a reinforced sidewall to withstand the strain. You may notice that many van tyres are described as Reinforced (RF) or Extra Load (XL). The key difference between van tyres and standard car tyres lies in the way they’re designed, rated and built. Unsurprisingly, van tyres tend to be much more rugged and durable than normal summer, winter or all-season tyres designed for use on passenger cars.Van tyres for sale online will usually be listed as either 6-ply or 8-ply, an increase over many budget tyres for cars. The precise method of cord weaving and ply layout will affect both the overall strength and durability of the van tyre. It will also define its ability to support the full weight of the vehicle.Summer tyres versus winter tyres Equally, using summer tyres in winter is not recommended, as these tyres are not designed to withstand cold temperatures. Without the deeper tread and additional grooves of winter tyres, summer tyres can struggle to grip the roads in icy or snowy weather.Vans, even car derived vans, usually require specific tyres which are designed to cope with the payload of the vehicle. Car tyres are often not suitable for vans. If in doubt, speak to a local tyre retailer for specific advice on the most appropriate tyre your needs and load requirements.
Can you put normal tyres on a van?
Although they may look similar at a glance, a van tyre is specifically engineered for the work it needs to carry out. Not only could it be unsafe to fit a car tyre to a van, but it could also be illegal. Knowing your vehicle and how you intend to use it is the first step. As we have emphasised above, only van tyres are suitable for the heavy loads and more rigorous demands placed on these vehicles. XL tyres are great for larger passenger cars such as SUVs and 4x4s but won’t cut it for vans.Specific Tyre Requirements Car tyres are often not suitable for vans. If in doubt, speak to a local tyre retailer for specific advice on the most appropriate tyre your needs and load requirements.
Are car tyres the same as van tyres?
While van and car tyres may look the same to the untrained eye, upon closer inspection there are numerous subtle variations in their strength and durability levels. For starters, van and LCV tyres are designed to handle harsher conditions and more uneven road surfaces. Safe whatever the weather – All-terrain tyres are great options for van drivers whatever the weather. The tread is specifically designed to provide excellent grip in cold and wet conditions.
When to replace van tyres?
A tyre’s braking performance at 1. This can lead to increased breaking distances and an increased risk of aquaplaning. Therefore, it’s important to replace your tyres as soon as you can see that the tread depth is getting low. The legal limit for the minimum depth of the tread on your tyres is 1.You can also look out for tread wear indicators to check if your tyre tread is legal. These are usually small bars, about 5 mm wide, built into the base of the tyre’s main grooves. If the tyre tread is level with the top of the wear indicator, it means your tyres have reached the legal limit of 1.A tread depth gauge will give you an exact measurement, usually in 32nds of an inch. Most new tires have a tread depth of 10/32″ or 11/32″. A tire is considered unsafe and should be replaced when the tread depth reaches 2/32″.