An H speed rating indicates the tire is approved for speeds up to 130 mph (210 km/h) under optimal conditions. An H speed rating is at the low end, or at the start of the performance tire speed ratings. H speed rated tires are ideal for sport and luxury coupes and sedans, but not typically considered full-fledged performance vehicles.
What is h and T speed rating?
With a maximum speed of 118 mph, you usually find tires with speed rating “T” on family sedans and minivans. SPEED RATING H If you recall from earlier, the “H” speed rating doesn’t appear after “G” but between “U” and “V.”
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 a tire speed rating of H?
H-rated tires are rated for a maximum speed of 130 mph. The V rating is the next rating faster, and V-rated tires are good to 149 mph. Both H- and V-rated tires are considered to be performance-touring tires. To support running at higher speeds, V-rated tires will have a stiffer sidewall and slightly firmer ride than H-rated tires.
What does an H tire rating mean?
“H” represents the speed rating, which is how fast the tires can go based on their load capacity. This rating ranges from A – Z. “H” indicates a speed rating of up to 130 mph.
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 H or V rating on tires?
The most common ratings are S and T (sedans, minivans, light trucks); H (some passenger cars, sports cars, coupes, some light trucks); N, P, Q and R (light trucks); and V, W and Y (high-performance and some electric vehicles). Most winter tires have Q, S or T speed ratings.
Can I mix H and V rated tires?
Just remember, never mix and match tires with different speed ratings on your vehicle. This will cause major problems with the handling of your vehicle. If tires of different speed ratings are mounted on a vehicle, the lower speed-rated tires should be placed on the front axle, regardless of which axle is driven.
What does H mean on tires?
“H” represents the speed rating, which is how fast the tires can go based on their load capacity. This rating ranges from A – Z. “H” indicates a speed rating of up to 130 mph.
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...
What does the T or H mean on tires?
All these ratings cover speeds well above legal limits. The most popular, S, T, and H, are rated for 112, 118, and 130 mph, respectively. Traditionally, most family cars have used S- and T -rated tires, while tires rated H and higher have mostly been available only in sports cars or upscale sports sedans.
Which speed rating is better H or T?
As you probably already know, T tires are rated up to 118 mph and H tires are good to 130 mph.
Should I get H or V rated tires?
To support running at higher speeds, V – rated tires will have a stiffer sidewall and slightly firmer ride than H – rated tires. For normal driving conditions the H – rated tire will provide a more comfortable ride and the V – rated should give slightly better handling.
Does speed rating matter on tires?
The speed rating tells you the speed the tire can safely maintain over time. A higher speed rating usually means you will have better control and handling at higher speeds — and that the tire can take the extra heat. As a general rule, tires with higher speed ratings also handle better at slower speeds.
Are run flat tires worth it?
Run – flat tires can be great insurance against getting stranded due to a flat, allowing you to get to a safe, convenient location for a tow or a tire replacement. They save space and a little gas. Sure, they can be expensive to replace, but not significantly more costly than comparable modern non- run – flat tires.
How important is speed rating on tires?
The speed rating tells you the speed the tire can safely maintain over time. A higher speed rating usually means you will have better control and handling at higher speeds – and that the tire can take the extra heat. As a general rule, tires with higher speed ratings also handle better at slower speeds.
What does XL mean on a tire?
Reinforced or XL (Extra Load) tires are specially reinforced tires. They can carry heavier loads than tires of the same size.
What is a 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.
What does a speed rating mean on a tire?
Most modern passenger tires bear a tire speed rating, a designation indicating the tire’s designed speed capability. In other words, it’s the fastest speed a tire can handle before it does not perform as designed. Tire speed ratings do not imply that the vehicle may safely be driven at the maximum speed for which the tire is capable, particularly under adverse weather or road conditions.
What does Z mean on a tire?
Some tires carry “W” or “Y” speed ratings. Manufacturers may also insert “Z” into the size description (in the tire code data between aspect ratio and diameter) for these kinds of tires.
How fast can a tire go?
A relatively new addition to the speed rating chart, tires with speed rating “W” can achieve a maximum sustained speed of 168 mph (270 kph).
What does each rating mean?
Indicated by a letter, each rating corresponds to a specific speed.
Where to find speed rating on tire?
Speed rating is easy to locate because it’s usually the last item in the character sequence in the tire’s size code. For example in this tire code: “P205/60R16 82S,” S is the speed rating. To view the tire size code for your current tires, just look at the sidewall. Does the speed rating on each tire match what the manufacturer recommends? It should!
Is a tire speed rating the same as a recommended speed?
Also remember that the tire speed rating isn’t the same thing as a recommended travel speed. The rating will nearly always exceed maximum highway speed limits, but no tire or vehicle manufacturer advises driving faster than the law allows.
Why is the speed rating important?
The speed rating system was developed to help control the safe performance of tires at standardized speeds.
How to read tire speed rating?
If you’re reading your tire sidewall, the speed rating will be the last item in the character sequence in the tire’s size code. Below is an example of a the description on a tire’s sidewall: 2015/60R15 91V. Here, the tire would have a speed rating of V. V-rated tires can be driven at 149 MPH.
What does the tire rating mean?
This rating system (see below) shows the top speed for which a tire is certified. It does not indicate the total performance capability of a tire.
What is the maximum speed of a tire?
Tires having a maximum speed capability over 149 MPH may have “ZR” in the size designation. Tires with a maximum speed capability over 186 MPH are required to include “ZR” in the designation. Below are examples of tire sizes with a “ZR” speed rating.
How fast can a H rated tire go?
Opting for H-rated tires is fine – provided that you keep to the 130-mph top speed limit instead of the 149-mph limit supported by a V-rated tire. To add, make sure to use the same speed rating on all fours for best performance.
Where was the first speed rating system invented?
The system was first developed in Europe (specifically Germany’s Autobahn) in the ’60s and began with only three letters – S, H, and V. Eventually, the introduction of new speed classes and the development of tire technology led to utilizing most of the alphabet. Current speed ratings mostly appear in alphabetical order – except for the “H” rating, which retained its placement between “U” and “V.”
What does the T on a tire mean?
So, what does the T or H mean on tires? 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). It is important to note these markings and stay within those speed limits.
What is the aspect ratio of a tire?
The aspect ratio is the second pair of digits following the tire width. This number pair represents the sidewall height measured from the wheel to the top of the tread and displays in percentage.
Is 118 mph a good tire for a race car?
Using T-rated tires would be inadequate, as 118 mph is considered slow and too delicate for race cars and other high-performance, sports-oriented wheelers. Z-rated tires (or above) will serve the purpose better in such settings. For amateur racecars, the least you can go for is an H-rated tire.
Can you use different speed ratings on tires?
Vehicle owners are discouraged from doing this, as using tires with different speed ratings can result in premature tire degradation. Furthermore, it goes against one of the best practices for improving grip on slippery surfaces: putting tires that have the most tread at the rear.
Do H/T tires have longer tread life?
Based on mile wear tests carried out by Consumer Reports, T-rated tires are proven to have longer tread life compared to H-rated knobbies. This benefit somehow compensates for the lower top speed these tires can accommodate.
What is a speed rating?
Speed rating is established under controlled testing where – once again, under optimal conditions – the tire is verified as capable of safely running at (up to) the indicated miles per hour. Heavily worn, damaged, punctured, or repaired tires would all be considered sub-optimal, and no longer capable of safely accomplishing their max speed rating.
Why were speed ratings expanded?
But with the introduction of an increasing number of performance vehicles capable of approaching and even exceeding the 200 mph mark, speed ratings were expanded to give greater specificity to the actual top speed limitation.
What does a P mean on a tire?
A P indicates the tire has been approved for speeds up to 93 mph (150 km/h) under optimal conditions.
What does a Y rating mean on a tire?
Y rated tires have been tested at speeds up to, and in excess of, 186 mph (300 km/h) under optimal conditions. If Y speed rating is indicated without parentheses (as normal), this means the tire is rated up to 186 mph. If the Y speed rating is indicated inside of parentheses, this means that particular tire size and specification has been tested at speeds in excess of 186 mph. A Y speed rating denotes maximum tire performance.
What is the difference between a V and H tire?
H and V tires often go hand in hand. While the V rating technically allows for a higher maximum speed, practically speaking, this a distinction without much of a difference (in light of U.S. speed limits). Like H tires, Vs can deliver a taste of the performance attributes associated with high speed rated and high-performance tires (W, Y, and Z).
What is a W speed rated tire?
W speed rated tires generally offer plenty of performance for the street, including “spirited” (but responsible) drivers. At the same time, W tires don’t necessarily sacrifice everyday driving factors like comfort (ride quality, road noise), and treadlife warranty.
What is the speed restriction on a Z tire?
To understand the speed restriction of a Z speed rated tire, refer to the additional speed rating adjacent to the load index. In the case of a Z tire, the speed rating will either be W, Y, or (Y).
What is the highest speed rating on a tire?
There are different speed ratings, starting from A1, 3 miles per hour and not used in any car tire. It is shown as a measurement. The highest speed rating of a tire is (Y), which gives more than 186mph.
What does V mean on a car?
The speed rating “V” is sometimes considered the standard speed rating for any car, which means 149mph. You will see these speed rating letters at the side surface of the tire. Along with the letter, you will see a number. What does that mean? Let’s talk about it in our next point.
Is speed rating the only thing?
You may hear about debates like – Tire Speed Rating T vs. H as well. Well, a speed rating is not the only thing. It is also about performance rating. So, you should know what you are getting.
Is the H speed rating higher than the T speed rating?
Yes. The H speed rating is higher than T. And gives more mph as well. That means safer driving, cornering, braking and handling.
Is H or T better for tires?
In the discussion, we saw that “H” is better than the “T.” But the “ T” rating is also necessary for tires. Especially on a vehicle which is not meant to be driven so fast. So, choosing one between the above speed rating tires is totally up to your choice.
Can you change direction on H tires?
Now, you need to change direction as early as possible. In this case, “H” tires will change the direction right then and won’t fall you from the road as well.
Do all 4 tires have the same speed rating?
Yes, all four tires in a vehicle should have the same speed rating. Because each speed rating tires work differently. If you use different speed rating tires in one vehicle, you will get other performance. Mainly you will face massive problems in cornering and braking.
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 ...