Tires: LT tires, studded snow tires, metric system of measurements

Question
I purchased two studded snow tires for my Ford Ranger tonight. I called ahead for price and availability and clearly asked for size LT235-75R15. This is the stamp on my other snow tires and since I have a 4X4 - I understand it is better to run studs on all four tires - hence the addition of two more tires.  The tire shop installed them and I drove home. When I got home I checked out the new tires.  The do NOT have an LT preceding the tire size.  But they don't have a P preceding either..so how do I know if they are equivalent to LT tires? Should I insist on an LT stamped tire or could they be perfectly acceptable as an LT rated tire would be?

Answer
Kim,

First. 4X4's ought to have 4 identical tires - the same make, the same model, the same state of wear.  If your 4X4 doesn't have 4 identical tires, then there is a risk of breaking the drivetrain when in 4X4 mode - very expensive.

Second, unless there is the letter "C" immediately following the size, then you have "metric sized" tires.  These are the equivalent to a "P" type tires from countries where the metric system of measurements is the norm.   They are NOT LT type tires.

Your truck is OK with "P" type tires (or metric type tires), and it is not OK with mixed tires regardless of the fact that mixing LT's and P's is not a good idea.