XL (or Reinforced) tyres are 'extra load' tyres – they indicate that a tyre is reinforced to be able to withstand a higher load than other tyres of the same size. This is done through a number of ways, but most usually by adding strengthening material to either the tyre's bead or face.
Car owners have the choice of Standard Load (SL) or Extra Load (XL) tires. Both tires are the same size. The difference comes in the weight of cargo that the tire can carry safely. The XL tire is able to carry a heavier load without compromising safety.
Disadvantages of XL Tyres
XL tires produce more noise than standard tires. It can lead to an uncomfortable driving experience. These tyres consume more fuel because of rolling resistance and reinforcement.
XL tires are also often manufactured for performance vehicles, as the special reinforced internal structure and tire compound offer greater traction and endurance for high speed driving. Standard load tires would not be able to endure the pressure and could potentially be dangerous in those situations.
The XL refers to the weight of the car itself. Standard tyres of various sizes have recommended vehicle weights that they can carry. These tyres are marked SL. XL tyres by contrast, tend to be fitted on high end family saloons, performance cars, 4X4s, SUVs and so on - because these vehicles tend to be heavier.
You should also consider the price of the tyres, as heavy load tyres can be more expensive than regular tyres.
Essentially, XL tyres aren't 'extra large' tyres, but 'extra load'. So they're used when you anticipate your car needing to carry more weight. Now, it's unusual to switch between a set of 'normal' tyres and a set of XL tyres, but it depends on whether you regularly carry heavy loads or not.
These tyres normally require higher air pressure, so be sure to check the recommended measurement. More hard-wearing - When compared to standard tyres, reinforced tyres are less likely to be damaged by potholes or by hitting the curb at an awkward angle. This is due to a stronger internal structure.
The load capacity of a reinforced tyre also decreases with decreasing air pressure, so XL tyres need higher air pressure. This is the only way to ensure a higher load-bearing capacity. The stipulated tyre speed rating and load index of your XL tyres can normally be found in the last characters on the sidewall.
Larger tires decrease your fuel economy because they are heavier, while smaller tires increase fuel efficiency. Bigger tires also have a higher rolling resistance than smaller tires which means they require more resistance and effort to get them rolling.
If your car came equipped with XL tires, there's most likely an important reason. The XL stands for eXtra Load and means the sidewalls of the tire are stronger and capable of handling heavy load requirements.
If you don't see a Load Range or Ply Rating, you might find the letters P (passenger rated, which is 4-ply rated or lower), LT (light truck, which is 6-ply rated or higher), or XL (extra load is typically 4-ply rated with a higher-than-standard Load Index) stamped on the tires.
XL tires have more than enough load capacity to handle the gross vehicle and axle weight ratings of the Tundra. People like E rated tires for the added sidewall stiffness, that will make the truck feel more stable through turns and when trailer sway may pull the truck around on the road.
High-profile tires with plenty of space for air are more comfortable than wide, low-profile tires. From a safety point of view, both types have their good sides: On a dry road, wider tires will offer more grip than narrow ones, but the risk of aquaplaning will be higher with wide tires.
Up-sizing, or installing a taller tire, will lead to a speedometer reading that is slower than your actual speed. This is because a taller tire will have a larger overall circumference, causing it to need to travel more distance per revolution than the original equipment tire.
Primarily, you should avoid mixing different tyre brands and different tread patterns. There are rare exceptions for approved mixed-tyre fittings, but in general, manufacturers do not recommend tyre mixing at all.
Recommended tire pressures vary with the size of the car and its tires. Based on normal tire sizes for each segment, small-sized car are usually 30 psi, medium-sized cars are 36 psi, and large cars are 42 psi. Keep in mind that warm tires normally exceed recommended cold tire pressures by 4-6 psi.
What happens if you inflate your tires to the max PSI? Your tires' max PSI almost always exceeds the recommended pressure. It isn't advisable to fill your tire to this pressure for everyday driving. At max PSI, your car does not handle as well, braking is impaired, and you could risk dangerous blowouts.
Chances are your SUV, crossover, or light truck came standard with a set of H/T tires built for highway driving. If you don't plan on going off-road, and want a tire that's great for dry and wet road conditions, then an H/T tire is probably a good option.
They most often choose between the cheapest models from Asian manufacturers or second hand - used or retreaded tyres. It is true that tyres from China are most often made with less advanced technologies and poorer rubber compounds.
Extra-load (XL) tyres are suitable for smaller vans, but larger commercial vehicles may require C-type or LT tyres. C-type tyres are suitable for commercial vehicles with loads of up to 3.5 tons. LT stands for “light truck” and are for small to medium lorries.
Understanding the tire ply rating system helps you understand how your tires support the weight of your vehicle (called load range or load index). If you drive a ¾ ton, one ton or even larger pickup or SUV (or haul a trailer) then you require 10-ply tires.
12-ply tires are built to be stronger and longer lasting than 10-ply tires and are shown in many aspects, including durability, performance, range, puncture resistance, heavy loads, and more. The thicker the additional layers, the stronger the tire wall is, enhancing its resistance to load range.
“Additionally, load provisions are specified for tires designed with reinforced constructions, typically described as XL (extra load) tires for passenger, or higher load range symbols for LT (light truck),” Toth said.