| Term | Definition |
| LATERAL FORCE |
Force the causes a tire to move from side-to-side. During cornering, lateral force transfers weight from the inside of the tire, to the outside.
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| LIGHT TRUCK HIGH FLOTATION SYSTEM |
Light truck high flotation is identical to the Light Truck Numeric System, but with the addition of the diameter of the full tire added to the beginning. Example: 31x10.50R15LT – 31 = overall diameter of the tire, in inches; 10.50 = section width, in inches; R = radial; 15 = rim diameter, inches; LT = light truck. See LIGHT TRUCK METRIC SYSTEM, LIGHT TRUCK NUMERIC SYSTEM.
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| LIGHT TRUCK METRIC SYSTEM |
Similar to the P-Metric tire sizing except the letter “P” is replaced with “LT” for light truck. Example: LT215/85R16. LT = light truck; 215 = the tire’s section width, in millimeters; 85 = the tire’s aspect ratio; R = radial; 16 = rim diameter. See LIGHT TRUCK NUMERIC SYSTEM, LIGHT TRUCK HIGH FLOTATION SYSTEM.
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| LIGHT TRUCK NUMERIC SYSTEM |
This older sizing system is still used on older commercial vehicles. Example: 9.50R16.5SLT/D – 9.50 = the tire’s section width in inches; R = radial construction; 16.5 = the rim diameter in inches; LT = light truck; D = load range. See LIGHT TRUCK HIGH FLOTATION SYSTEM, LIGHT TRUCK METRIC SYSTEM.
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| LOAD INDEX |
A number that corresponds to the maximum load, in pounds, that a tire can support when properly inflated. Example: If a tire has a load index of 97, it can support 1,609 pounds (see chart below). Multiply … 1,609 x 4 = 6,436 pounds – the vehicle’s maximum load-carrying capacity. Because the maximum tire load capacity is branded on the tire's sidewall, the load index is used as a quick reference.
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| LOW VOID RATIO |
A tread pattern design that features a low degree of grooves and sipes, thus a higher amount of tread in contact with the road suface. Low void ratios are found on summer or three-season performance tires. See VOID, VOID RATIO, HIGH VOID RATIO.
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