Tire Speed Rating Chart
| SPEED SYMBOL | SPEED (mph) | SPEED SYMBOL | SPEED (mph) | SPEED SYMBOL |
| A1 | 3 | E | 43 | S |
| A2 | 6 | F | 50 | T |
| A3 | 9 | G | 56 | U |
| A4 | 12 | J | 62 | H |
Does a higher speed rating mean a better tire?
Typically, the higher the speed rating, the better the grip and stopping power, but the lower the tread life. You can always increase the speed rating of the tires on your vehicle for improved performance, but can never decrease it without reducing the vehicle top speed to that of the lower speed rating selected.
What is the best tire speed rating?
You can glean a bit of info from the tires by reading this rating:
- 500 - The durability rating of a tire, compared to a control tire with a treadlife of 100. ...
- A - This is the Traction rating of a tire, which indicates how well a tire stops in wet conditions. ...
- A - The second letter in the UTQG is the Temperature rating, which indicates how well a tire holds up to extreme heat. ...
Which is better h or T rated tires?
“H” is better than “T” as it gives better mph. But more speed rating tires give far better mph than the “H.” What do H and T mean on tires? “H” and “T” mean the speed rating on a tire. “H” stands for 130mph, and “T” stands for 118mph. Is H speed rating higher than T?
What are the best high performance tires?
There are four sub-categories to performance tires:
- Grand Touring Summer Tires: Best suited for use on luxury cars or sports sedans. ...
- High-Performance Summer Tires: A step up from Grand Touring tires, but aren’t as focused on noise and comfort. ...
- Ultra High-Performance Summer Tires: Prioritize handling and response, offering a sharper feel on the road alongside added grip in dry and wet conditions.
Is Z the highest speed rating for a tire?
SPEED RATING Z While it nearly always means a high performance tire for high-performing sports cars, “Z” may actually appear in the middle of a tire's size information. When it does, it represents either a maximum speed of more than 149 mph (240 kph) or 186 mph (300 kph).
What is the best speed rating for tires?
Everyday passenger vehicle tires can be S speed rated, but S tires often prioritize specific performance or function. An M speed rating indicates the tire has been approved for speeds up to 87 mph (140 km/h) and an N is approved for speeds up to just 81 mph (130 km/h) under optimal conditions.
Should I get H or V rated tires?
If you feel the need to drive at or above 130 mph then you should get a “V” speed rated set of tires. If you don't plan on driving that fast, then an “H” speed rated set is the better option.
Which is better T or H speed rating?
The “T” or “H” on tires pertain to their speed ratings. A T-rated tire can withstand top speeds of up to 118 mph (190 km/h), while an H-rated tire can support up to 130 mph (210 km/h).
What is W or Y speed rating?
TIRE SPEED RATINGS SAFETYSpeed RatingMaximum SpeedVUp to 149 mphWUp to 168 mphYUp to 186 mphZ149 mph and over19 more rows
What is Load Range E?
Therefore load range simply tells how tough the tire is and the allowable PSI. For example, an “E” load range indicates that a tire is equivalent to a 10-ply construction tire. In realitly, this tire is not built with 10 plies, but rather one or two plies of equivalent strength.
Can I use ZR tires instead of R?
R indicates that the structure is RADIAL. So, VR indicates that the tyre has a RADIAL structure and a speed index equal to V. There is therefore no difference between a ZR or an R tyre with the same speed index.
What are Z rated tires?
While a Z-speed rating still often appears in the tire size of some tires, such as 225/50ZR16 91W, the Z in the size signifies a maximum speed capability in excess of 149 mph; the W in the service description indicates the tire's specific 168 mph maximum speed.
What Is Tire Speed Rating?
A tire’s speed rating indicates the optimal speed that the tire can safely maintain over time. In short, it’s the fastest speed a tire can handle b...
Why Were Tire Speed Ratings developed?
The speed rating system used today was developed in Europe in response to the need to control the safe performance of tires at standardized speeds....
Where Can I Find My Tire Speed Rating?
You can find your tire speed rating in a number of places, typically in the owner’s manual, driver’s side doorjamb, glove box door, and gas tank ha...
HOW TO FIND YOUR TIRE SPEED RATING
If you’re wondering what tire speed rating your vehicle manufacturer recommends, simply look in the manual. You might also find it in the driver’s side door jamb, the gas tank hatch, or inside the glove box door – anywhere that lists the right tire code for your vehicle.
DETERMINING TIRE SPEED RATING
Speed ratings are the product of laboratory testing – with simulated speeds and loads. To receive any kind of rating, a tire must demonstrate that it’s capable of sustaining a particular speed. Industry standards govern the process of reaching and maintaining a given speed during a test.
TIRE SPEED RATING SYSTEM QUIRKS AND ANOMALIES
Today’s speed rating system uses letters A through Z. Each letter corresponds to a specific speed. In general, that speed goes up as the rating advances alphabetically. For example, a tire rated “L” is good for a lower maximum sustained speed than one rated “N.”
COMMON TIRE SPEED RATINGS CHART
The following speed ratings are those you’re most likely to encounter for ordinary vehicles. They begin with a maximum speed of 118 mph (190 kph) and increase from there.
Where to find speed rating on tire?
The speed rating is usually simple to identify as it appears as the last item in the tire’s size code. Car manufacturers recommend specific speed ratings that are included in the car manual. Speed ratings can be found on other locations that bear tire size codes for the car, including the driver’s side door jamb, gas tank hatch or inside the glove door hatch. Speed ratings on tires are usually inscribed on the sidewall of the tire. For instance, for a tire coded as 225/70R16 85S, S represents the speed rating, with maximum speed capabilities of 112 mph.
What is a speed rating chart?
A speed rating chart is used to indicate the standard maximum speed capacities for different types and sizes of tires under optimal operating conditions. Speed ratings are designated using alphabetic symbols, A to Z, with the exclusion of I, O, and U. A rating corresponds to maximum performance speeds of 3 mph, and Z corresponds to speeds above 186 mph.
Where is the speed rating located on a tire?
You can find a tire’s speed rating on the sidewall, where one will typically see a string of numbers and letters. These are several important codes, such as radial construction, aspect ratio, tire load and speed rating. The speed rating is typically the last letter listed on the sidewall (coming after the load index, which is a number).
What do the letters mean?
Speed ratings go from A1 to Y, with A1 having the lowest rating and Y being the highest, but there are some anomalies. There are eight different A ratings. There are no X, O, or I ratings, and H rating is in the “wrong” place. Also, the ZR rating isn’t truly its own rating, but includes both W- and Y-rated tires.
Does tire speed rating matter?
Yes, it matters because your speed rating indicates how much heat a tire can handle safely. Not following those guidelines can lead to faster wear on the tread, decreased steering response, decreased stopping power and poor driving capabilities in colder conditions.
What are the most common tire speed ratings?
Most commuters and consumers will want either an H, S or T tire. Light trucks may need a tire between the N and T ratings. Sports cars may get better handling with a ZR tire.
What is speed rating?
SPEED RATINGS REFER TO MORE THAN JUST SPEED. Contrary to the name, speed ratings aren’t just about speed. They’re also about ride comfort, wear and cornering ability. Typically, the higher the speed rating, the better the grip and stopping power, but the lower the tread life. You can always increase the speed rating of the tires on your vehicle ...
What does 99 mean on a tire?
99 = 1,709 pounds. A tire with a higher load index than that of the Original Equipment tire indicates an increase in load capacity . A tire with a load index equal to that of the Original Equipment tire indicates an equivalent load capacity. A tire with a lower load index than the Original Equipment tire indicates the tire does not equal ...
What is a higher speed rating?
A higher speed rating is generally accompanied by a firmer ride, lower tread life and poor cold weather performance. Recent developments, especially in tread compounds, have reduced some of the tradeoffs, but V, Z, W and Y-rated tires are usually better suited to high performance vehicles and warmer temperatures.
How fast can a Z speed tire go?
While Z-speed rated tires are capable of speeds in excess of 149 mph, the Z rating did not specify how far above 149 mph. The introduction of exotic sports cars with extremely high top speeds ultimately caused the creation of the W and Y speed ratings to identify tires that meet the needs of such vehicles.
Why does a tire not retain the manufacturer's speed rating?
In addition, because the tire manufacturer cannot control the quality of the repair, a tire that has been cut or punctured does not retain the tire manufacturer’s speed rating, even after being repaired.
Why use a lower speed tire?
Using a tire with a speed rating lower than the vehicle’s original tires reduces the vehicle’s top speed limit to that tire’s speed rating . They also argue that tires with higher speed ratings generally have better steering response and cornering grip than lower-speed rated tires.
Why did auto manufacturers spend millions testing the car?
After all, tiremakers reason, the auto manufacturer spent millions testing the car with that specific configuration of tires, suspension and braking systems and a downgrade in speed ratings could result in poor handling and unpredictable steering. Advertisement.
Where did speed ratings come from?
The Early Days. Since speed ratings originated in Europe, initially they were only found on foreign tires. American tires had no such labels, although car and tire manufacturers worked together to specify tires that were (usually) appropriate.
Can you replace a speed rated tire with a lesser speed rating?
However, at least some agree (seemingly reluctantly) that if a customer never drives at speeds near the limits of their speed-rated tires, they may safely choose to replace them with tires having a lesser speed rating.
Why performance tires are better than all-season tires
All-season tires offer winter or cold weather traction to get through light snow conditions. The ability to withstand freezing temperatures gives drivers who commute through all four seasons the option to roll with one set of tires year-round.
Why you must swap out summer tires in the winter
Performance tires of any caliber have little to no traction in cold, wintry conditions below 45 degrees and should never be driven in near-freezing temperatures. Their soft compound becomes rigid in cold temperatures and thus is unsafe for driving in slush, snow or ice.