The main difference between the two speed ratings is obviously the speed. An “H” rated tire is designed to operate at a maximum speed of 130 mph. A “V” rated tire on the other hand is designed to operate at a maximum speed of 149 mph, almost twenty miles an hour more than the “H” rated tire.
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. ...
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 does V or h mean on tires?
What happens if I fit tyres with a different speed or load index?
- Speed Rating. The speed rating on a tyre converts to a maximum speed that the tyre is manufactured to travel at, in conjunction with a specified weight.
- Load Rating. The load rating on a tyre converts to a maximum weight that each tyre is manufactured to support at a specified speed.
- Still unsure which tyres are suitable for your vehicle? ...
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 does V rating mean on tires?
SPEED RATING V Once the highest speed rating a tire could have, “V” used to represent a maximum of 149 mph (240 kph) or more. Nowadays, it means 149 mph but no higher.
What is the difference between 91h and 91v tires?
The letter is the speed rating. It indicates the maximum speed of the tyre. V tyres have a top speed of approximately 149 mph (240 km/h) and H tyres, approximately 130 mph (210 km/h).
Can I mix V 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 91V mean on a tire?
Speed rating Speed rating corresponds to the maximum speed that a tire can sustain when it is carrying the recommended load capacity. The rating system uses letters from A to Z. Here, you can see that a tire with a 91V mark can them run at a maximum speed of 149 mph while carrying 615 kilograms or 1,356 pounds load.
What is the best tire speed rating?
As manufacturers developed bigger and better tires, it became necessary to regulate performance at standardized speeds to ensure safety. The "Limited V" category of 250 km/h (149 mph) was then created, and eventually the "Z" speed rating was added as the top speed rating.
Should I get tires with a higher speed rating?
Remember, a tire's speed rating is considered “ideal conditions” in most cases your actual safe top speed will be less than that of your speed rating. You should also never mix and match tires with different speed ratings. This is because this can affect your traction, especially in wet conditions.
Can I use lower speed rated tires?
We certainly don't recommend it, but 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. This is to prevent a potential oversteer condition.
What happens if you mix speed ratings on tires?
“If tires of the different speed ratings are mixed on the same vehicle, remember that the tires may vary in ride, handling or other performance characteristics. Thus care should be taken when mixing tires of different speed ratings on the same 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.
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 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.
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.
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.
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!
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 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 each rating mean?
Indicated by a letter, each rating corresponds to a specific speed.
Can a tire lab simulate a condition?
However, it’s important to remember that the lab can’t simulate every conceivable condition. Think of your tire’s speed rating as an indicator of the product’s capability under controlled conditions (i.e. fully inflated, vehicle running properly, good weather conditions). Your tires’ actual speed capability may be less than its rated speed, since it is affected by factors such as inflation, wear, vehicle condition (including alignment), driving conditions and the duration at which speed is maintained. Speed ratings do not apply to tires that have been damaged, altered, under-inflated, overloaded or repaired.
Which is better, V or H tires?
The V speed rating tires have better handling. H tires cost somewhat less, last more miles, & have less rolling resistance, thus better gas mileage. There is a performance difference other than just top speed.
What is the speed of a V rated tire?
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.
What does a higher speed rating mean?
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 is 91V in tires?
The markings 91V are the load index and the speed rating, or the service description. The load index (91) is the assigned numerical value for the tire size to compare relative load carrying capabilities. The table below shows the load indexes of the tires that are commonly used in passenger cars and light trucks.
How fast can a H rated tire go?
Identification. 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.
How long do H rated tires last?
Furthermore, do H or V rated tires last longer? Consumer Reports found that some H- and V-rated tires didn't last as long as those rated for lower speeds, wearing out closer to 50,000 miles than 60,000 miles.
What does H/T mean in a tire?
H/T - means Highway Terrain. This tire is made for paved roads. Most SUVs come originally equipped with H/T tires are they are usually quiet, comfortable and long lasting. Perfect for daily urban driving. A/T – means All Terrain tire.
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 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 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 is the tire number on an Audi A3?
In the doorjamb image above (belonging to an Audi A3), the car’s tire information is: 225/45R17 94H. In this example, 94H is the service description, with the 94 indicating load index, and the H indicating speed rating.
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.
How fast can an Audi tire go?
Going back to our Audi, the H speed rating is equal to 130 miles per hour, meaning that under optimal conditions, the tire can perform at speeds up to 130 mph. The speed rating doesn’t imply the vehicle can drive that speed, but the tires are capable of supporting the car at that speed.
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.
Why use H rated tires?
Go with H rated for softer ride since their sidewalls are less stiff, and because you don’t do spirited driving.
Do CR tires last long?
Based on what I’ve experienced, I would have to say those CR reviewers are absolutely correct, in that the tires just don’t last long
Is Michelin Defenders a good tire?
CR highly recommends the Michelin Defenders as a top-rated all season tire (with 90k tread life!), but the customer reviews don’t add up (there were numerous complaints from reviewers that the Michelin Defenders only lasted 35 or 40k, and that Michelin was less than helpful when it came to the warranty).
Is there a difference between H and V tires?
V speed rating. Tread designs are often identical, the difference is in the tire’s ability to handle the heat generated at extremely high speeds.
Is 91H on there now?
Yeah, 91H is what’s on there now. And really, I have to say, whatever kind of Firestones are on there now, they’ve worn really really well.
Does Pirelli have a positive to negative rating?
With the Pirelli’s, it seems that they had a bigger ratio of positive to negative reviews.
Can a V rated tire last longer than a H rated tire?
To run a little cooler, the tread rubber will not be as thick on a V rated tire as on a H rated tire. Therefore they won’t last as long…The treadwear rating will be lower…In some cases considerably lower…You can save money and get better tire life from an H rated tire all things being equal…
What does a speed rating on a tire mean?
The speed rating on a tire indicates the fastest speed a tire can handle before it affects the tire’s performance. Lower speed ratings (such as A8 or B) will mean that you won’t have good control or handling of the car at highway speeds. Higher speed ratings, like H or ZR, can handle far beyond a normal highway speed. For example, “H” would translate to a tire that can only handle speeds up to 130 mph (or 210 km/h).
Where to find tire speed rating?
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). For example, if you see “M+S 235/45 R18 94V” on the side of the tire, the last letter, V, is your speed rating.
What is the speed limit for a T tire?
T-Rated Tires: This tire is often recommended for family sedans and vans. It’s rated for up to 118 mph. That’s well below the speed limit of most states, unless you’re planning on bringing your commuter on the Autobahn.
What is a ZR tire?
ZR-Rated Tires: The ZR rating (or Z rating) indicates anything above the V rating (168 mph), so it includes both the Y and W speed rating. Sports cars will often get the best handling with these tires.
Is a L rating better for off road tires?
It’s not necessarily the case that the higher the speed rating, the better the tire; there are exceptions. For instance, many off-roading tires are powerful and girthy, working perfectly in mud and sand, but they might only have a speed rating of L, meaning that you’ll not want to bring those tires on the highway.
Does speed rating matter on tires?
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. Tire manufacturers conduct tests to meet the Society of Automotive Engineer’s standards, running the tire for a full hour in a machine in a room that’s heated to 100 degrees. This testing is done in a controlled environment, however, and so many other variables might affect your tire’s safety, like the size of the load, the weather and the wear. Since it can have an impact on your stopping power, a tire’s speed rating is not the tire rating code to ignore.