Tire Speed Rating Chart
| Speed Rating Symbol | Speed (mph) | Speed (km/h) |
| A1-A8 | <25 mph | <40 km/h |
| B | 31 mph | 50 km/h |
| C | 37 mph | 60 km/h |
| D | 40 mph | 65 km/h |
What is the best tire speed rating?
30 rows · May 25, 2021 · Tire Speed Rating Chart A speed rating chart is used to indicate the standard maximum ...
What is the highest speed rating for a tire?
30 rows · Tire Speed Rating Chart In this page you will find tire speed rating chart with maximum ...
How important is it to match tire speed ratings?
Tire speed rating chart Using the chart, we can see the tire is rated to withstand sustained ...
What are the tire speed ratings?
Tire speed ratings range from A (the lowest) to Y (the highest). But the chart is not completely in alphabetical order. For example, H is between U and V, with the common perception that H stood for “high performance” at one time. As manufacturers continue to add speed to their vehicles, tire speed ratings evolve to match the speeds.
What is a good speed rating for tires?
A Y-speed rating on the tire is an indication that it is safe to use the tire for a vehicle with a top speed of 186mph, while (Y)-speed rating specifies that the tire is perfect for a vehicle with a top speed of 186mph.
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). It is important to note these markings and stay within those speed limits.
Does tire speed rating matter?
One of the most important aspects of any tire is its speed rating. The wrong tires with a less-than-adequate speed rating for your vehicle can cause safety issues, including tire failure and a loss in fuel efficiency.
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.
Can you mix T and H 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 tyres?
Letters ranging from A to Z represent the speed rating. Each letter denotes the maximum speed a tyre can sustain under its recommended load capacity. In our example, “H” is equivalent to a maximum speed of 130 mph (209 kph).
Can I use a tyre with a lower speed rating?
Can I fit tyres with a lower speed rating? No, you should NEVER do this. Using a tyre with too low a speed rating for the car increases the risk of tyre failure at high speeds. Also, doing this can potentially invalidate your insurance.
What happens if you exceed the speed rating of a tire?
What happens if you exceed your tire's speed rating? If you drive faster than the rated speed for your tires you are risking damage to the tires that could cause safety and performance problems down the road.
Can I put lower speed rated tires on my car?
SPEED RATINGS REFER TO MORE THAN JUST SPEED 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 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.
Can I use W rated tires instead of V?
V means that vehicles can safely use the tire with a top speed higher than 149mph. The rating W shows that the tire is safe to use for a vehicle with a top speed of 168mph.
What does V or W mean on tyres?
H: 130mph. V: 149mph. Z: 150+ mph. W: 168mph. Y: 186mph.
What is a speed rating of T?
Q — Up to 99 mph. R — Up to 106 mph. S — Up to 112 mph. T — Up to 118 mph. H — Up to 130 mph.
What does t mean on tires?
Sometimes, letters precede the first number. A "P" stands for p-metric, which is a tire used primarily on passenger cars. An "LT" indicates a light-truck tire. A "T" means it's a temporary spare.
What is load range H?
From a G to an H Truck tires typically come in two load ratings: G and H. Load range G is a 14-ply configuration, while load range H tires have 16 plies. The heavier-rated tire will usually add between 700 pounds and 1,000 pounds more load-bearing capacity per tire (see "How Much is Too Much," next page).
What does 111h mean on tires?
· 3 years ago. 117H is the load and speed rating of the tire. 117 means that tire has a maximum rated load of about 2833 lbs, while the maximum rated load of a 111 is 2403 lbs. On the other the letter is the speed index, a tire with a speed index has a maximum rated speed of 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...
WHY IS SPEED RATING SO IMPORTANT?
The speed rating essentially reflects the ability of a tire to withstand or dissipate heat at high speeds.
IS A HIGHER SPEED RATING BETTER?
Tires with a higher speed rating usually, but not always, handle, corner and stop better, even at lower speeds (although many other factors, like t...
WHAT HAPPENS IF YOU EXCEED YOUR TIRE’S SPEED RATING?
If you drive faster than the rated speed for your tires you are risking damage to the tires that could cause safety and performance problems down t...
CAN I MIX DIFFERENT SPEED RATED TIRES?
It is always best to avoid mixing tires with different characteristics, including speed rating. Tires with different speed ratings may grip and han...
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!
How to find tire speed rating?
How to find your tire’s speed rating. To find the speed rating your vehicle’s manufacturer recommends for your tires, look in your owner’s manual. The actual speed rating of the tires currently fitted on your vehicle are molded onto the sidewall of your tire at the very end of your tire’s size code, following the load index.
What factors affect the speed of a car?
The actual safe driving speed depends on many other factors, such as laws, weather and road conditions, and your car’s mechanical capabilities and condition. If a tire is old, worn down, underinflated or overloaded, the speed rating is no longer relevant.
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 ...
How to find tire speed rating?
You can find your tire's speed rating by reading the size code on the tire’s sidewall. Typically following the load index, your tire rating is represented by a letter that directly corresponds to the tire’s max speed.
What is the Z rating on a tire?
The "Z" rating may appear on any tire rated above 149 MPH. Tires with "Z" ratings were originally thought to be to the highest rated tires a vehicle would require. However, the development of faster vehicles led to the production of two new speed ratings, "W" and "Y." These two ratings provide a better indicator of the tire's capacity for speeds higher than 149 MPH. The "Z," "W," and "Y," ratings appear on tires for sports cars, exotics, or other vehicles engineered for ultra-high speeds.
When did the speed rating system start?
Tire speed ratings first originated in Europe in the 1960s, as a way to make sure increasingly faster vehicles were equipped with appropriate safe tires. These early speed ratings set the foundation for the current speed rating system used by the DOT and tire manufacturers. During laboratory testing, a technician places a properly inflated tire ...
What does speed rating mean on a tyre?
The speed rating of a tyre shows you the top speed that the tyre can safely be driven at. It’s a legally approved limit and tyres are only rated after they’ve been tested in a lab. The safest top speed applies as long as the tyre isn’t being driven with too much weight loaded. Often, the tyre speed rating will be a faster speed than your car's able ...
How to keep on top of tyre safety?
One way to keep on top of tyre safety is to make sure that the tyres on your car have the right tyre speed rating. We’ll explain what a tyre speed rating is, why it’s important and how to check it for your car.
About Tyre Speed Ratings
Depending upon the different width, height, diameter and load, tyres are provided with relative speed ratings. These speed ratings are based on laboratory tests conducted by the engineers who run the tyre at about 10 km/hr steps, in 10-minute increments, until the requisite speed has been met.
When Is Speed Rating Applicable
The speed rating awarded by the original equipment manufacturer only applies to a tyre, when it is not damaged, altered, under-inflated or overloaded. Likewise, many of the tyre makers maintain that a tyre no longer preserves the tyre manufacturer’s original speed rating if it has witnessed a cut or puncture, though it has been repaired.
What does speed rating mean on tires?
What Does Tire Speed Rating Mean on Tires? The durability of a tire varies depending on the tire’s speed rating, which refers to the maximum speed a tire can safely carry the vehicle’s weight and payload in ideal conditions. Tire speed ratings come in the form of a letter that follows the load index value of the tire.
What does the P stand for on a tire?
The ‘P’ stands for “passenger vehicle, ” which means the tire can fit sedans, hatchbacks, minivans, and light-duty pickup trucks. The letter can vary, depending on whether the tire is for light trucks, a temporary spare, or for special trailer uses —in which case it could be LT, T, and ST, respectively.
Why are tires important?
Tires are essential in keeping your vehicle maneuverable on the road. They’re made of vulcanized rubber—which is rubber that has been hardened and cooked—so that they can grip the ground and provide suitable traction on various road surfaces. They typically differ in terms of vehicle, driving, and weather applications.
What is the wheel diameter?
Tire or wheel diameter is the overall measurement of the tire from two opposing outer tread points. The letter in between the aspect ratio and tire diameter refers to the internal construction of your tire. There are three different tire constructions, namely radial (R), bias-ply/diagonal (D), or belted (B).
What are the different types of tires?
There are three different tire constructions, namely radial (R), bias-ply/diagonal (D), or belted (B). Radial is the most common tire construction of the three and features cord plies oriented at 90 degrees to the direction of travel. Bias-ply tires have cords that extend diagonally at 30 or 40-degree angles.
What is the goal of ECE?
The goal is to meet or surpass the Economic Commission for Europe (ECE) standards. Some tires even undergo more rigorous tests to comply with the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE). In an ECE test, the tire is inflated to the factory-recommended PSI on a wheel attached to a testing machine.
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.