zp

TECHNICAL BULLETIN
Aug 2018

TIRES ON CERTAIN GLOBALIZED (“EURO”) VANS
There has been an increase in the variety of vans sold in the North American market
that are based on platforms used around the world by vehicle manufacturers. These vans
are commonly used in commercial service and come in various sizes and configurations
with efficiency and cargo flexibility in mind.
This bulletin is a reminder about proper tire replacement guidelines, particularly as it
applies to globalized (“Euro”) vans and the differences in tire size designations that may be
applied to them.
Like all other vehicles, when considering tire replacement for Euro vans, carefully
determine the tire size designation for the original equipment tires and the recommended
replacement tires as specified on the vehicle tire placard, certification label, or in the vehicle
owner’s manual. Depending on the van and its configuration, it may be equipped with PMetric, LT-Metric, European Metric (Passenger), or European Commercial Metric tires.
Photo below are examples of placards from one of these increasingly popular model
vans. These placards show that European C-Type tires are specified (note the “C” at the
end of the tire size code).

Example Vehicle Certification Label (Above)
Example Vehicle Tire Placard (Below)

Tires with different size designations may not be interchangeable even if they have
similar dimensions. For example, an LT-metric tire may not be a suitable replacement for a
C-Type European Commercial Metric tire, even if the tires have similar section width, aspect
ratio, and rim codes. Such tires typically have significantly different load carrying capacities.
In other words: An LT225/75R16 is not the same as a 225/75R16C.
Tire Type
P-Metric
(Passenger)
European
Metric (Passenger)
LT-Metric
(Light Truck)
C-Type European
Commercial Metric

Maximum Load Capacity
at Rated Pressure

Size Code

Load Index and
Speed Symbol

Load
Identification

P225/75R16

104T

Standard Load

900 kg

240 kPa

225/75R16

104T

Standard Load

900 kg

250 kPa

LT225/75R16

115/112R

Load Range E

1215/1120 kg

550 kPa

225/75R16C

121/120R

Load Range E

1450/1400 kg

575 kPa

NOTE
The “C” at the end of the size designation as shown below identifies the tire as a C-Type
European Commercial Metric tire. The “C” is not a load range. The load range is marked
separately on the tire sidewall as shown in Figure 4.

Size and Service Description of an example C-Type European Commercial Metric Tire

Load Range, Max Load and Pressure Specifications for the Tire Photo Shown Above

PM 18-01

Michelin North America, Inc., One Parkway South, P. O. Box 19001, Greenville, South Carolina 29602-9001
Copyright © 2008 Michelin North America, Inc. All Rights Reserved.