Originally Posted By: stranger706
Load and speed ratings seem to be all over the place in this size. I see S, T and H speed ratings with 104-107 load ratings. All in different combinations.
There is a combination of things going on here.
Speed rating. Yes, there are offerings in S, T, and H in this size. It's nice to see more H-rated tires offered in otherwise "unsporty" sizes such as this one.
Load index. The standard load index for this P-metric size (P235/70R16) is 104. The standard load index for this size without the P- designation, sometimes called "E-metric" or "Euro-metric" (235/70R16) is 106. Then the eXtra Load (XL) version of the P-metric line has a load index of 107.
Surfing Tire Rack, I think nearly every combination is available. It's interesting that Firestone has chosen to make its Destination LE2 available only in the XL/107 version. There must be a vehicle out there that takes this size and that requires the 107 load index and they're trying to capture that market.
My hope for the tire industry is that they'll standardize on either P-metric or the "E-metric" (no P) size and load tables. My Honda CR-V technically takes E-metric tires (225/65R17). Other SUVs and minivans (such as the Equinox and Grand Caravan) take the P-metric P225/65R17. The P-metric load index is 100 and the E-metric load index is 102. So you have some tires out there in P225/65R17 100 and you have some tires out there im 225/65R17 102. Although many industry resources say that these tire sizes are essentially interchangeable, some tire websites force you to select whether or not your tires have that preceding P or not, and it ends up not showing you the available E-metric tires in your size (or vice versa).
CapriRacer, see what you can do about this...