Tire Speed Rating Chart
| Speed Rating Symbol | Speed (mph) | Speed (km/h) |
| H | 130 mph | 210 km/h |
| V | 149 mph | 240 km/h |
| ZR | Above 168 mph | Above 270 km/h |
| W | 168 mph | 270 km/h |
Full Answer
Should I get h or V rated tires?
Which tire to choose? First piece of advice, depending on your budget: try to get the best possible tire ... For example, don't try to substitute V-speed rated tires (which are always more ...
What is the difference between H and V tires?
V Rated Tires
- History. The letters "H" and "V" represent speed ratings. ...
- Types. There are two ways the speed rating will be indicated on the tire sidewall. ...
- Considerations. Car manufacturers optimize the suspension and handling characteristics of a car for the type and size of tires originally installed.
- Benefits. ...
- Warning. ...
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.
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. ...
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...
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 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 an H speed rating?
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. H speed ratings are common in the grand touring all-season tire category. W.
What is a T rating?
A T rating indicates the tire is approved for speeds up to 118 mph (190 km/h) under optimal conditions. T ratings are most associated with standard touring tires, and everyday passenger vehicles like family sedans and minivans.
What does a W mean on a car?
A W means the tire is approved for speeds up to 168 mph (270 km/h) under optimal conditions. W speed rated tires land firmly at the performance end of the speed rating spectrum. Ws are suitable for performance coupes and sedans, and even street driven exotic sports cars.
What is the speed rating of a tire?
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. H speed ratings are common in the grand touring all-season tire category.
How fast can a Q tire go?
Q tires are approved for speeds up to 99 mph (160 km/h) under optimal conditions. Tires toward the low end of the speed rating range often prioritize a particular function or unique performance over maximum speed rating. Some studdable and studless winter tires, for example, are Q speed rated.
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 before it no longer performs as designed. The higher the speed rating, the better control and handling you’ll have at higher speeds.
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. When the rating system was originally developed, the "Unlimited V" category of over 210 km/h (130 mph) was the top speed rating possible.
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 hatch. Recent standardization has changed so all ratings except "Unlimited ZR" incorporate the speed symbol and load index as part of every tire’s service description on the tire’s sidewall.
ZR Designation
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.
Tire Speed Rating Chart
For tires with a maximum speed capability higher than 240 km/h (149 mph), a "ZR" may appear in the size designation. Tires with a maximum speed capability higher than 300 km/h (186 mph), require a "ZR" in the size designation. Consult the tire manufacturer for maximum speed when there is no service description.
Turn to Tires Plus for Help
Need help understanding the speed rating on tires? Our technicians have got you covered. Bring your vehicle by your local Tires Plus and we’ll help you understand your tire numbers, tire size, and more!
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 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 is the difference between H rated and V rated tires?
H-rated tires will have rubber compounds and tread designs optimized for all weather performance and long tread life . Performance tires, including many V-rated models, are optimized for dry road traction and handling. A driver who likes to drive aggressively and test the performance levels of his car would be happier with V-rated tires. H-rated tires are suited for a driver looking for long tire life and a comfortable, safe ride.
What does the letter H mean on a tire?
The letters "H" and "V" represent speed ratings. Speed ratings originated in Germany in the early 1980s to give consumers information on how fast they could safely use the tires on the autobahn. Passenger speed ratings are designated L, M, N, P, Q, R, S, T, U and H, stepping in rated speed from 120 kilometers per hour up to 210 kph. V rating is the next step for speeds up to 240 kph. Z, W and Y are ratings for speeds over 240 kph. The rating is the speed the tire has been tested to for continuous safe driving. The English equivalent speed for H-rated tires is 130 mph and V-rated tires are good for up to 149 mph.
How fast can a H rated tire go?
The rating is the speed the tire has been tested to for continuous safe driving. The English equivalent speed for H-rated tires is 130 mph and V-rated tires are good for up to 149 mph.
What should be considered when selecting tires?
Car make and model, tire size, driving style and the local weather conditions should all be considered when selecting tires. Tires have information and ratings that assist the consumer in selecting the best-suited tires.
Why are tires important?
Tires are a critical component of your car. They have a tremendous effect on the safety and handling of a vehicle. When it is time to buy new tires, several factors need to be considered before making a selection.
Can you put lower speed tires on a car?
In many European countries, it is illegal to install lower speed-rated tires .
Can you switch from H rated tires to V rated tires?
Switching from H-rated tires to the higher speed V-rated ones may require the selection of a different size tire. There can also be a significant price difference between similar tires as the speed rating increases.
How fast can a H rated tire go?
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.
When were tire speed ratings invented?
Tire speed ratings were first established in Germany in the 1980s to help drivers pick the correct tires for the high speed autobahns. The speed ratings were initially in kilometers per hour, making the conversion to miles per hour somewhat odd for certain speed ratings like 149 mph for the V rating.
Why is it important to have a tire rating system?
The tire rating system makes it easier to compare different tires and pick the right ones.
What is the load rating of a tire?
The load rating is the most difficult to understand. Every tire is rated for the amount of weight it can support, but the rating is based on an index rather than the actual weight. For example, a load rating of 92 on a typical tire for a full-size sedan corresponds to 635 kilograms (not quite 1,400 pounds).
What is tread wear rating?
The tread-wear rating is supposed to tell you how long the rubber tread will last. It is based on actual driving over a set number of miles and then extrapolated to determine the life of the tire. The number is indexed to a baseline of 100.
How fast can a tire go?
With an S tire, the lowest rated in common use, motorists should be able to go 112 mph safely-or at least be confident that the tire will not fail at that speed. A T rating certifies the tire to 118 mph, H to 130 mph and Z to 149 mph and higher, according to industry manuals.
What is a standard 109 tire?
Standard 109 requirements. Every tire must meet tests for temperature, traction and tread life under Standard 109. And every tire is rated for speed, load and dimension under industry standards set in this country by the Tire and Rim Assn.
What does B rating mean?
Achieving a “B” temperature rating should mean that every tire of a particular model should meet the minimum specification for that rating. But variances in the manufacturing process will mean that a tire designed to just meet that rating will leave a certain percentage below the specification.
How fast can a tire go in a C rating?
A “C” rating is given if a tire can withstand a test that runs it on a machine against a steel roller at 50 mph for two hours, 75 mph for half an hour, 80 for half an hour and then 85 for yet another half-hour. The test was devised in 1968.
Is it easy to get a grip on tire ratings?
Getting a grip on tire ratings is no easy task. The arcane-seeming letter rating system means little to the average consumer. Tire industry experts say that American motorists are generally far too complacent about tire quality—that when buying tires, they seldom take into consideration easily obtainable information about important design ...