How to Determine the Maximum Speed Rating of Car Tires?
2 Answers
Generally, tire specifications can be described as: tire width in mm/percentage of tire thickness to width, R rim diameter (in inches), load index, speed symbol. For example: 195/65R15 88H, where H represents the maximum speed rating. More information about car tires is as follows: 1. Car tires limit the vehicle speed. Different tires have varying speed requirements. Drivers must strictly adhere to the tire's speed limits during operation; otherwise, it will significantly reduce the tire's lifespan and increase the risk of blowouts. 2. Tires with different speed ratings have different applicable ranges. P-T rated tires (maximum speed 150-190 km/h) are suitable for small and compact cars, U-V rated tires (maximum speed 200-240 km/h) are for mid-to-high-end sedans, while W-Z rated tires (maximum speed 240-300 km/h) offer better performance and are more commonly used in large luxury cars and supercars.
I've been driving for over 20 years and often get asked how to check a tire's maximum speed rating. Simply put, look at the small black lettering area on the tire sidewall - there's a combination code ending with a letter like T, which is the speed symbol. T represents a maximum of 190 km/h. You'll need to check a chart or search online for specifics - common letters like H mean 210 km/h, V means 240 km/h. But don't just rely on this rating in actual use - maintain proper tire pressure at the recommended value. Too low or too high, and even high-speed rated tires can blow out easily. I remember checking my tire pressure before a highway trip last time - drove smoothly at 150 km/h; another time I neglected it, the tires wore out fast and nearly caused an accident. So always verify the code when changing tires or during maintenance, matching your vehicle manual's recommendations - safety first. Exceeding speed limits isn't just illegal, your tires might fail and cause serious accidents.
