How to Identify 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: 195/65-R15-88H, where H represents the maximum speed rating. More information about car tires is as follows: 1. Car tires limit the vehicle speed, and different tires have different speed requirements. It is crucial to strictly adhere to the speed limits of the tires during driving; otherwise, it will significantly reduce the tire's lifespan and increase the risk of a blowout. 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 suitable for mid-to-high-end cars, 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.
Here’s my routine for checking tires: The speed rating information is actually easy to find—just look at the sidewall of the tire, where a code like 205/55R16 91H is printed. The last letter, H in this case, indicates the speed rating, which represents the maximum safe speed the tire can handle. An H rating corresponds to around 130 mph (approximately 210 km/h). You can refer to a chart for different letters and their speed limits—for example, S is 180 km/h, V is 240 km/h, and so on. Don’t exceed this speed while driving, or the tire could overheat and blow out. For safety, inspect your tires monthly to check if the pressure is correct and if there’s any unusual wear, especially before long trips. This is crucial—tires are the only point of contact between your car and the road, so neglecting them is like playing with fire. Make sure the code is clearly visible; just wipe off dirt with a cloth.
