The weight of a tire can range from 14 to 176.5 pounds or even more. Tires come in different sizes, brands and parameters for different vehicles, which is why their weights vary.
This begs the question; which structure on a tire weighs more? Does the weight of a tire affect its performance? Are heavier models superior?
Read on to find out how much does a tire weigh and why tire weight is a vital parameter for motorists.
What Is the Ideal Tire Weight for Your Vehicle?
The right weight for your vehicle’s tire depends on various factors. But the two most important ones are the tire designer’s choice of material and internal construction solutions for each product.
Every tire manufacturer has an obligation to respect the laid down parameters for each brand of tire. This is where the weight comes in to determine the structure, size and final outlook of different tire models.
The size plays a crucial role when a particular brand of tires is under production in different places. That is why all tires of a given size and design look similar. Now the question is, how much does a tire weigh for different sizes? The weight depends on individual tires and where they are going to be used.
Again, what is the best tire weight for you? The most likely answer is lower weight as opposed to a higher tire weight. A lower weight for a tire has considerable advantages, with the most important one being the rolling-resistance. This parameter plays an active role in lowering the fuel consumption rate for your vehicle.
Similarly, it contributes to a decrease in unsprung weight, leading to optimal performance for your car when accelerating, braking or during precision steering maneuvers. Most importantly, it offers a longer suspension lifespan and better driving comfort.
Due to these advantages, quite a number of tire manufacturers strive to reduce the weight for every successive generation. At the same time, they incur lower production costs in terms of materials and time spent making each tire.
On the flip side, producing high-performance tires with lower weights can be costly. These tires need advanced technologies and top-quality materials to manufacture them. As a result, the high cost of production makes them more expensive than other brands, regardless of their light weight.
How Much Does a Tire Weigh on Average?
The market has all types of tires to cater to different kinds of automobiles. That’s why you are likely to come across tires designed for small cars, sports cars, SUVs, trucks, tractors and many more.
Their diverse nature is the driving force behind the large number of sizes available today. For instance, 13-inch tires are built for city cars, while those measuring more than 20 inches work best on SUVs or sports cars.
They also vary in weight, as shown below:
- 155/70 R13 weighs up to 14.3 pounds.
- 185/70 R13 weighs from 15.4–15.9 pounds.
- 175/65 R14 weighs from 14.3–15.9 pounds.
- 195/65 R15 weighs from 18.7–19.8 pounds.
- 20-inch tires weigh up to 33 pounds.
Most sports cars need heavier tires with wide grooves and thick treads to enhance grip and traction. These three factors determine the performance of such cars on the race track. As you may know, the tread contributes so much to the weight of tires.
Below are the additional tire weights for the different vehicles used today.
The Average Weight for Passenger Car Tires
At this point, you should understand that there is no one-size-fits-all category for passenger car tires. Instead, there are several sizes for different cars. Therefore, it becomes almost impossible to categorize the average weight of tires for passenger cars.
The multiplicity of options out there makes this task a daunting one for many motorists when purchasing tires for their cars. But there is a better solution to this problem. The solution lies in the numbers marked on every tire’s sidewall.
These numbers aren’t just there for fun. Their primary purpose is to convey vital information about the specification of a given passenger car tire. These sidewall markings indicate the brand name, the size of the tire and the model. Most significantly, they tell you the weight of that particular tire.
The Average Weight for Truck Tires
Truck tires are heavier than car tires, and for a good reason. These models cannot be lightweight because they have to withstand more abuse, roll on challenging terrains and take more load.
The average weight of a truck tire ranges from 66 to 176.5 pounds. But it all depends on each tire’s diameter. A 24-inch truck tire will be heavier than a 17-inch tire of the same type of vehicle.
Here’s a summary of a few selected truck tires and their parameters:
- 17-inch tires weigh up to 77 pounds.
- 22.5-inch tires weigh approximately 132 pounds.
- 24-inch tires weigh up to 176.5 pounds.
The Average Weight for Miscellaneous Tires
Tires are not just meant for cars and trucks alone. There are also those manufactured for tractors, lorries, motorcycles, ATVs, RVs/motorhomes, commercial vans and trailers.
For a tractor, the front and rear tires differ considerably in size and weight. The rear ones weigh around 198.4 to 396.8 pounds. Some may be lighter, while others may weigh more than 400 pounds.
When it comes to monster truck tires, the situation is different. These tires are referred to as “beasts” due to their large size and weight. Most of them weigh between 799 and 899 pounds. A good number of them are manufactured by companies such as Firestone and Goodyear.
On average, they stand at almost 6 feet tall and about 3 to 4 feet wide. One of these beasts can cost you around $2600.
Motorcycle tires have different weights as well. Tires for cruiser motorbikes weigh upwards of 30 pounds. Smaller bikes such as dirt bikes have tires that weigh from 10 pounds to 20.1 pounds.
A small percentage of tire manufacturers roll out models that are only fit for domestic use. The tires they produce are usually fit for in-house and household applications. A practical example of where those tires are used is the lawnmower, golf carts and pulleys.
Below are the average weights for miscellaneous tires:
- Lawn mower tires weigh at least 5.5 pounds.
- Trailer tires weigh from 198–253.5 pounds.
- ATV tires can weigh between 35–70.5 pounds.
- Motorcycle tires weigh up to 30.9 pounds.
- Golf cart tires weigh up to 9.9 pounds.
- Tractor or farm tires weigh between 198–396.8 pounds.
Tire Weight Comparison
Different tire models show significant differences in terms of individual sizes and mass. These two factors come into play when a single model offers more than one solution. What this means is that some tires are built to provide different performance for several types of vehicles. Also, the same tires can withstand a wide range of loads and different speeds.
For instance, tires with extra load (XL) will weigh more than the ordinary or standard size tires. XL tires are equipped with more components to strengthen their construction in addition to giving them their massive structure.
Reduction of Tire Weight
As technology advances, many tire manufacturers shift to reducing the respective weight of these commodities. This is to improve tire performance, lessen production time and come up with different sizes. They are doing it gradually with every new model they bring to the market.
Most of them use the following methods:
Tire Slimming
This technique entails the reduction of an individual component’s weight. The most crucial components, in this case, include the tread, tapered banding and tire front.
Use of Lighter Materials
Manufacturers are applying the concept of lighter tire construction through the use of lighter materials, such as textile or steel cords from lightweight fibers.
Weight plays a leading role during the production process of any tire. This parameter helps to maintain the pre-established standards for different models. It enhances the quality of each tire, although there’s a possibility of minor variations from one product to another.
These limitations are nothing to worry about since they are part of the accepted tolerance. They only matter during the tire approval process. As a customer, this issue shouldn’t worry you because the only tires that will reach you are compliant ones that have passed the many tests required to make it to production.
Too many or too few weight variations may suggest a shortage of certain components used in making tires. Also, they could indicate the use of unauthorized compounds, lack of stability in the production process or the presence of foreign elements.
Important Tire Components
Now it’s time to find out the weight of each component in a tire.
All radial tires for passenger cars should have elements such as:
- Wires.
- Filler.
- Butyl cap.
- Textile layer or warp.
- An alloy belt.
- Tread.
- Headbands (comprises steel bands and zero degree belt).
Various elements are included in the structure of a tire, depending on the following factors:
- The intended use of the tire.
- Speed and tire load index.
- Manufacturer’s construction concept.
- Production process.
However, the element’s share in the overall weight of a tire is always less than the basic components. The share does not exceed a certain percentage of the maximum tire weight.
Basic elements boast the tread as the largest share. Its weight in a tire takes approximately 35 percent of the maximum weight. A practical example is a 205/55 R16 tire, which weighs between 6.2 and 7.1 pounds. Based on the 35 percent total weight concept, this 13-inch tire will have a tread weight oscillating around 4.4 pounds.
For low-profile tire models, the tread weight may exceed 40 percent of the total weight of the tire. This happens due to low sidewalls, significant circumference and wide forehead on a given tire model.
The percentage shows that the tread is the only variable component when it comes to the use of tires. This component wears naturally, starting with the top layer moving inwards. With time, it reduces the weight in relation to its initial weight at the time of manufacture.
Why Tires Weigh So Much
Most tires are heavy and dense for several reasons. A good number of them are manufactured from a solid rubber material to provide enough traction on different terrains. The solid rubber helps them keep your vehicle safe, stable and comfortable.
This heavy material lowers the rate of wear and tear for the longest duration. Also, the thick rubber maintains the structure and durability of the tires for an extended long time.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Is the Importance of Multiple Components in a Tire?
The main function of multiple components in a tire is to provide the necessary strength and longevity. These components combine to offer an impressionable impact that improves the handling while slowing down wear and tear. They also ensure the tire achieves both traction and cornering capabilities. They include the tire casing, belt system and tread.
Why Do Monster Truck Tires Weigh More?
The weight of monster truck tires helps them to withstand the heavy load that comes with these trucks. Most of them weigh as much as 10,000 pounds, which is much higher when compared to passenger cars, which weigh around a quarter of this.
Why Is the Belt System Part of the Tire Components?
A belt system on a tire impacts the stability of the tread. It also promotes the tire’s traction and grip on different surfaces.
To Wrap Up
Tires come in different sizes and models, which means they vary in weight. Their weight also depends on the components used in making them.
Passenger car tires weigh less than trailer, tractor or monster truck tires. Their weight falls within the range of 22 pounds, while monster truck tires can go as high as 899 pounds or more.
