Tire Speed Rating Explained | Firestone Complete Auto Care (2024)

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Tire Speed Rating Explained | Firestone Complete Auto Care? ›

Speed rating is identified as a part of the tire's sizing or service description. For tires having a maximum speed capability above 240 km/h (149 mph), a “ZR” may appear in the size designation. For tires having a maximum speed capability above 300 km/h (186 mph), a “ZR” must appear in the size designation.

It might not seem to fit in our chart, but the tire speed rating “H” is rated for up to 130 mph. 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.

T — Up to 118 mph. H — Up to 130 mph. V — Up to 149 mph. W — Up to 168 mph. Y — Up to 186 mph.

Generally, the higher in the alphabet a tire is rated, the better it will manage heat and faster speeds. Your actual speed capacity may be less than a tire's rating. The rating indicates a new tire's performance in tightly controlled lab settings, not the open road.

Sticking with H-rated tires comes at a cost. While we found prices are similar to S- and T-rated tires, H-rated tires didn't last as long in our treadwear test--an average of 49,180 miles, versus 61,080 for our S- and T-rated tires. V-rated tires had an even shorter tread life of 48,260 miles.

Manufacturers recommend tires with a specific speed rating based on the way your vehicle was engineered to drive. When you change the speed rating, it affects how your vehicle handles braking, cornering and the heat generated from sidewall flexing.

I would recommend against mixing speed ratings, since there's a good chance there's a difference in grip levels between the T rated tires and the H rated tires, this can cause unpredictable handling characteristics in some situations. Tires and brakes are two areas where you should never cut corners IMHO.

Always choose the speed rating that corresponds to your vehicle manufacturer's specifications, and be sure all four tires have the same rating.

In this system, tires with a Z rating would be the fastest rated tires out there. And at one time, Z rated tires were thought to be the highest rated tires a vehicle would need.

Running a tire at speeds higher than its rating can shorten the tire's life and potentially lead to a tire damage which could result in an accident, so it is important to follow the manufacturer's speed rating recommendations when you are choosing tires.

Are 15 year old tires still good? ›

As they age, the rubber compounds deteriorate, causing them to be more prone to failure. As such, it is strongly recommended that vehicle owners replace tires that are over six years old and refrain from using aged tires, even if the tread depth appears to be optimal.

Some automakers suggest that tires be replaced as soon as they turn six years old. Some tire experts contend that tires can last anywhere from six to ten years if they're stored and cared for properly. We recommend replacing tires aged 6-10 years, no matter how much tread remains.

What is speed rating H and T in tyres? The letter "H" on a tyre indicates that it is rated for a maximum speed of 130mph. The letter "T" on a tyre indicates that it is rated for a maximum speed of 118mph.