What Are Euro-metric Commercial Vehicle Tires?

Compact and full-size cargo/passenger vans are typically based on global chassis originally developed in Europe and imported into the United States. Examples include the Nissan NV200, Ram Promaster and Ford Transit. Many of the Original Equipment (O.E.) tires fitted to these vans are Euro-metric Commercial Vehicle tires.

Euro-metric Commercial Vehicle tires are identified with a C adjacent to their size designation's rim diameter, such as 235/65R16C. It is very important the C suffix NOT be mistaken as the more traditional Load Range C used in conjunction with LT-metric tires.

Euro-metric Commercial Vehicle tires typically use high tire inflation pressures and are rated to carry more load than the dimensionally equivalent LT-metric sized tires popular in North America. Even traditional LT-metric Load Range F tires in the same dimension are not rated to carry as much load.

As an example, some Ram Promaster vans use 225/75R16C 121/120R-sized Euro-metric Commercial Vehicle tires. While the tire's basic dimensions (225/75R16) appear familiar, it is important to confirm the presence of the C suffix and the O.E. application's required Load Index (121/120).

It's also important to note that some Euro-metric Commercial Vehicle tire sizes are available with multiple constructions/maximum inflation pressures resulting in multiple load carrying capacities.

Unfortunately, the European Tyre and Rim Technical Organization (ETRTO) does not assign any Load Range identification/class designation to Euro-metric Commercial Vehicle tires, so the only way to confirm/compare their maximum load capacity is by the tire's Load Index.

NOTE: Not all European-derived vans use Euro-metric Commercial Vehicle tires. Certain Mercedes-Benz Sprinter and Nissan NV1500, NV2500 and NV3500 vans use traditional LT-metric Load Range E sized tires.