What’s the difference between
P-Metric/Passenger tires and
LT/Light Truck tires?

It all comes down to what the vehicle is designed to do. Passenger Tires are for vehicles that are designed for personal use – like hatchbacks, sedans, coupes, and crossovers. Many SUVs, minivans, and smaller pickup trucks (under ¾ ton) also use passenger-rated tires.

Vehicles like ¾ ton or larger pickup trucks, work vans and trucks, and other large vehicles that regularly carry heavy loads or pull heavy trailers will need Light Truck (LT) tires. These tires are built differently than Passenger Tires – they’re built with more material and have sturdier sidewalls to handle the weight of the vehicle.

The key is to make sure the tire’s load carrying capacity is sufficient for the vehicle’s weight, including any cargo.

When you shop for tires on TireBuyer.com using your vehicle make, model, and style, we’ll always show you tires that are properly matched to your vehicle’s purpose and weight.

Can I use Passenger Tires on my truck or do I have to use Light Truck tires?

Here at TireBuyer.com headquarters, our sales reps are frequently asked this question. Many people are interested in using Passenger Tires because they’re less expensive than Light Truck tires and generally offer a smoother ride.

But again, it’s very important to remember the intended purpose of your vehicle. If you have a ¾-ton or 1-ton pickup truck, you need Light Truck tires, because they offer the proper load carrying capacity for your heavy vehicle and its cargo. Passenger tires simply aren’t built to handle the weight of large vehicles, and using them for this application could potentially be dangerous.

Some people ask us the opposite question – if they can put LT tires on their small SUV or pickup. This can also cause some issues. LT tires are built for heavy vehicles, so their stiffness can give your vehicle a harsh ride, and since they require higher tire pressure, they can throw off your vehicle’s TPMS (Tire Pressure Monitoring System, a safety feature that alerts you to improper pressure in your tires). For these reasons, we don’t recommend using LT tires if your vehicle doesn’t require them.

Want help deciding between Passenger and Light Truck tires?

If you have questions, you can always call our tire experts at (866) 961-8668. They’ll help you identify which type of tires you need, and can show you plenty of options that work for your vehicle’s requirements, as well as the way you like to use it.

Photo credits: lungstruck (1), olavgg (2)