The Pros and Cons of Reinforced Tyres

The Pros and Cons of Reinforced Tyres

Wondering what a reinforced tyre is and how to decode its markings? Don’t worry! It’s easy! In this article, we discuss the conditions in which such tyres should be used as well as their advantages and disadvantages.

Reinforced tyres can be used not only on commercial vehicles

The term “reinforced tyres” leads many motorists to immediately assume that they are more robust and resistant to punctures and other mechanical damage than standard tyre versions. This type of tyre obviously has a stronger structure, but it is manufactured primarily for increased load capacity, and often also for high speeds. So what are these so-called XL (reinforced) tyres? How do you recognise them? And what distinguishes them from standard models of the same size?

Reinforced tyres – what are they?

All tyres have defined speed and load indices for specific sizes. This way, drivers know whether a particular model can be used in their cars. The value of this parameter is strictly defined by technical organisations of tyre manufacturers, such as the ETRTO (European Tyre and Rim Technical Organisation).

Higher load capacity is a characteristic feature of reinforced tyres. What does that mean in practice? This type of tyre is designed for loads and pressures higher than those specified for the standard version of the size in question. They are designed for conditions where additional load capacity above the standard is required.

Want to know more about the load index? Read the following article: Load index – what is it, and how to choose the right one?

The Structure of Reinforced Tyres

During the production of reinforced (XL) tyres, manufacturers apply additional layers of rubber and carcass, and sometimes they also use a more robust belt. This translates into more weight but better durability and load capacity compared to standard models.

But what do load capacity and durability have in common? The permissible maximum load per wheel is always related to the number of bars in the tyre, and the more air the tyres can absorb, the stronger their design. If your vehicle is homologated for reinforced tyres, information on the recommended pressure will be stated in the log book.

In order to illustrate this relationship, the following table shows tyre pressures and their corresponding permissible loads. The size 205/55 R16 was chosen as an example. The standard load index for this size is 91, allowing a maximum load of 615 kg per wheel. XL versions of this size usually have an index of 94, which increases the maximum load per wheel to 670 kg.

It is worth bearing in mind that usually (with the exception of C tyres designed for commercial vehicles) a higher load capacity of the tyre also means better performance at high speeds. Imagine, then, that for a given model in a given size, several speed ratings are present. What does the XL on the tyre signify in this situation? It symbolises the version with the highest load and speed indices.

For more information, please visit Jiatong，felt wheel supplier.