Tyre speed ratings and markings explained - Which? (2024)

FAQs

Tyre speed ratings and markings explained - Which? ›

Tire Ratings

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.

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.

V. A V rating indicates the tire is approved for speeds up to 149 mph (240 km/h) under optimal conditions. 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).

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.

Are you a “spirited” driver with a high-performance vehicle? You may be happier with V, W or Y tires. Light truck drivers should look for symbols N, P, Q, R, S, T or H. If you're replacing tires and think you may want a lower- or higher-speed-rated tire, it's best not to mix and match.

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.

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.

You can fit tyres with a higher speed rating than recommended by your vehicle's manufacturer. If you do this, you don't need to advise your insurance company and you won't face any penalties for doing so.

What happens if you go over your tire speed rating? ›

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.

What Does LT Mean on a Tire? An “LT” on your sidewall before that long string of numbers and letters denoting your tire size signifies the tire is a "Light Truck-metric" size; it was designed for use on a vehicle that carries heavy cargo loads or tows a large trailer.

Traction (the safety rating)

A traction grade tells you how well your tire can stop in wet conditions. The highest traction grade is AA, followed by A, B, and C. Tires with an 'AA' traction rating should stop at a much shorter distance than a tire with a 'C' rating.

SPEED RATING Z

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).

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.

S and T are primarily for family saloons and vans. U is primarily for saloons and coupes. H is primarily for sports saloons and coupes. Tyres with larger diameters often also have a higher speed rating because they are intended for use on higher-performance cars so need to be able to handle higher speeds.

They are speed ratings for the tires. “H” means the tire is safe up to 130 mph. The “T” rating means the tire is safe up to 118 mph. There is an “S” rating which is safe to 113 mph, and a “V” rating which means the tire can safely go to 160 mph.

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.

102T and 102H are service descriptions. 102 is the Load Index, what this means is, the tire is capable of carrying weight up to, 1,874 lbs per tire. The T and H are speed Ratings, this indicates that a tire is capable of speeds up to, 118 mph and 130 mph (respectively).