| Speed Rating | Maximum Speed |
|---|---|
| V | Up to 149 mph |
| W | Up to 168 mph |
| Y | Up to 186 mph |
| Z | 149 mph and over |
What is the difference between 95T and 95h tires?
What does 95T on a tire mean? Tire speed ratings, L thru Y and (Y), indicate the maximum speed the tire should be driven. L is for off road vehicles and indicates a maximum speed of 75 mph. The 95H tire has a higher speed rating compared to the 95T tire. The load index rating, 95, is identical.
What are considered the best tires?
What Tires is Best for the GMC Terrain?
- Goodyear Assurance Comfortred Touring. ...
- Best Tire for GMC Terrain (alternative)
- Continental Cross Contact LX 25. ...
- Best All-Season Tire for GMC Terrain
- Goodyear Assurance Weather Ready. ...
- Longest Lasting Tire for GMC Terrain
- Goodyear Assurance Max Life. ...
- Best All-Terrain Tire for GMC Terrain
- Falken Wildpeak AT Trail. ...
- Best Budget Tire for GMC Terrain
What is the best rated car tire?
The Best Tire Shine
- Meguiar’s Endurance Tire Shine Gel. The Meguair’s Endurance tire gel is probably one of the most frequent purchases in my detailing box and is by far the best tire ...
- Adam’s Polishes Tire Shine Spray. Adam’s tire shine is a premium option that contains a small amount of silicone to provide a wet but non-greasy shine.
- Autoglym Instant Tire Dressing. ...
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. ...
Is Y speed rating good?
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....Tire Speed Rating Chart.SPEED SYMBOLSV240149W270168Y30018626 more rows
What does the Y mean in tire?
Speed ratingSpeed rating “Y” is the highest rating and it means the tire can handle speeds of up to 186 mph. “S” is the lowest speed rating, which means the tire is safe for up to 112 mph.
What speed rating is Z?
SPEED RATING Z A “Z” rating can mean different things. 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 does 93 y mean on a tire?
There is also one special ultrahigh speed rating: If a Y-rated tire has parentheses around its service description, say, "(93Y)," that means the tire is rated for speed "in excess of 186 mph." There are also Z-rated tires, but when that designation came out, no one thought a speed rating in excess of 149 mph would ever ...
What is 95 y on a tire?
The number is the load index. The higher the number, the more weight the tires can handle. In this case, "96" means the tire can handle 1,565 pounds, while the "Y" indicates the tire is rated to be safe at speeds up to 186 miles per hour.
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 does Zr mean for tires?
The letters ZR on the sidewall relate to a tyre's speed rating, which in this case is 150mph. That means it should not be driven at speeds in excess of 150mph (240kmph) - of course, where such speeds are even legal! Before 1990, ZR was used for high-performance tyres.
What is 91W tire?
A Z speed rating still appears on some tires sizes (ex: 225/50ZR16 91W). In this case, “ZR” designates a maximum speed capability of more than 149 mph, while W indicates that the tire's maximum speed is 168 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 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.
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 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.
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 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 ...
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 ...
How does speed rating affect driving?
Speed ratings can affect the way you drive. To maintain your vehicle's original speed capability, you need to equip it with tires that meet or exceed the original equipment tire's speed rating. Mixing tires of different speed ratings can reduce your maximum safe speed. If you equip your vehicle with tires of different speed ratings, the lowest speed rating will determine your vehicle's maximum speed of which the tires can safely handle. Be aware of your original equipment tire's speed rating to avoid this reduction.
Why is a tire speed rating important?
So, what is a tire speed rating, and why is it so important? Given in letters, your tire’s rating determines its maximum safe operating speed. In short, speed ratings directly impact how fast you can drive.
What does the lowest speed rating mean on a tire?
If you equip your vehicle with tires of different speed ratings, the lowest speed rating will determine your vehicle's maximum speed of which the tires can safely handle. Be aware of your original equipment tire's speed rating to avoid this reduction. Look for a tire's speed rating by checking the end of its size code.
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.
What is tire speed rating?
Like the load index rating, a tire speed rating is another shorthand way to reference how fast a tire can go in ideal conditions. But rather than numbers, it uses letters in (mostly) alphabetical order. (More on that later.)
Why are tires with a lower load index rating more likely to overload?
Overloaded tires are more prone to damage, blowouts and premature wear. Read: How to Choose the Right Tires for Your Car.
What is load index number?
The load index number is a shorthand way to describe the total load capacity of the tire. To find out how much weight a tire can carry, you’ll need a tire load index chart, like the one below.
Where to find load rating on car tires?
If your car doesn’t have its OE tires, you can find the manufacturer’s recommended load rating in the owner’s manual or the placard on the driver’s side doorjamb. Most tire installers will not sell or install a lower load-rated tire than the OE recommendation due to liability concerns. This is because if you install tires with a lower load index ...
Can tires go up to a certain speed?
Note: Just because your tires can go up to a certain speed does not mean that your vehicle can nor that it is safe to do so. Please follow all posted speed limits. As mentioned earlier, speed ratings are in mostly alphabetical order, but there are a few anomalies.
Is the maximum load capacity of tires normal?
Note: The maximum load capacity of the tires may not be their normal capacity. This is because load index ratings are based on the maximum fill pressure of the tire, not the manufacturer’s recommended air pressure level, which is lower. When replacing your tires, always choose tires with the same or higher load index rating than ...
What Is Tire Speed Rating?
The tire speed rating indicates the maximum speed your tire can take before it poses a danger to your driving.
Why Were Tire Speed Ratings Developed?
The system of speed rating satisfies safe operation under standard circumstances.
Where To Look For Tire Speed Rating?
You can find tire speed ratings in various places, including the vehicle owner’s manual, the jam on the driver’s door, the glove box opener, and the batch on your gas tank.
ZR Designation
ZR is one of the top speed indicators as of right now. Tire dealers will have these tire ratings explained by telling you that the tire is capable of handling speeds greater than 240 km/h — 270, 300, and over 300 instead of saying the initials and numbers outright.
Tire Speed Rating Chart
To be more specific about this topic, you can check the tire speed rating chart below. It has listed all rating levels from A to Z with the corresponding 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 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!