What are the tire speed ratings?

The higher the speed rating, the better control and handling you'll have at higher speeds. The speed rating system was developed to help control the safe performance of tires at standardized speeds. A tire's certified speed rating is given a letter from A to Z, ranging from 5km/h (3mph) to above 300 km/h (186 mph).

What is H or V rating on tires?

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.

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.

What are the different tire speed ratings?

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.

What does V or W mean on tires?

Then, as more manufacturers came out with tires that could handle speeds in excess of 149 mph but still hit a maximum speed at some point, “V” became limited (149 mph instead of 149+ mph) and “W” and “Y” speed ratings were added to the chart.

24 related questions found

Can I mix H and V rated tyres?

There's no problem mixing V & H as long as you don't exceed the H ratings max speed.

What does R18 mean on a tyre?

When it says R18, it means that it has a radial-ply construction and it fits an 18-inch rim. A tire can only be installed on a wheel that is identical to its inner diameter.

What does XL mean on a tire?

If you own a car that often carries heavy loads, or is a multi-purpose vehicle's, e.g. a minivan, it is possible that the vehicle manufacturer originally installed Extra Load (XL) or reinforced tires. These tires have stiffer sidewalls than normal tires, which allow them to support the weight of heavier vehicles.

What does Zr mean on tires?

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.

What does 75t mean on a tyre?

Radial construction.R stands for radial-ply construction. 387. 387 is the load index i.e. the maximum weight each tyre can carry at full speed. T is the speed rating i.e. the maximum speed for the tyre at full load.

What does HT stand for on a tire?

H/T (Highway Terrain) Tires for Daily Commute and Highway Driving. Chances are your SUV, crossover, or light truck came standard with a set of H/T tires built for highway driving.

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 105V mean on a tire?

The load index for your tyre can be found at the end of the tyre size string eg. 205 / 55 / R18 105V. This code indicates the maximum load that a tyre can carry and relates to the table below. For example, using the table, if a tyre has a load index of 105 then the maximum load would be 925kg.

What does speed rating Y mean?

Y speed 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.

Is R rated a 15?

For us Brits, that's pretty much a 15

For us Brits who don't know what that means, an R rating requires everyone under the age of 17 to be accompanied by an adult, usually translated in the UK to a 15.

What does 108t mean on tires?

Load index is the next number, 108 in our example. The maximum load this tire can carry is 2,205 pounds (1,000 kg). The higher the load index, the more weight it will take.

What does 98w mean on a tyre?

The letter W denotes the maximum speed rating, which translates 168 mph—not something intended for mom's minivan. See our list of speed ratings below, which range from a low of "L" (just 75 mph for some off-road tires) to a high of Y (186 mph).

Are XL tires louder?

XL tires produce more noise than standard tires. It can lead to an uncomfortable driving experience.

What does SL mean on tires?

However, you may find these tires marked as Standard Load (SL) or Extra Load (XL or Reinforced). Both have a 4-ply rating, but the Extra Load can support additional load at up to 42 PSI while the Standard Load is 36 PSI.

What does LT mean on a tire?

If a tire size reads, LT235/75R15 104/101S, the LT indicates that this tire is meant for Light Truck use. These tires are made for light-duty and heavy-duty pickup trucks (typically ½ ton, ¾ ton, or 1-ton load capacity), SUVs and vans.

What does 45 mean in tires?

45 (Aspect Ratio): The tire's sidewall is 45% of the tire's width, which means the sidewall is about 114 millimeters or just over 4 inches. R (Construction Type): Radial tire, the most common type of tire produced today.

What does 95 mean on a tyre?

The number after the rim diameter represents the load index. In our example, “95” is a code for the maximum load a tyre can support when fully inflated. Passenger tyres have load indices spanning from 75 to 105, where each numeric value corresponds to a specific load capacity.

What does 225 mean in tires?

The number “225” stands for the width of the tire in millimeters – so in this case the tire is 22.5 cm wide. The “45” that follows is the aspect ratio - the height of the tire sidewall as a percentage of its width.

Should all 4 tires have same speed rating?

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.

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