What do the letters indicating speed on car tires mean?
3 Answers
Car tires indicating speed letters refer to the speed at which the tire can carry a specified load under specified conditions, with different letters representing different speed ratings. For example: W represents a speed of 270 kilometers per hour, and V represents a speed of 240 kilometers per hour. The higher the tire speed rating, the better the temperature resistance performance, as it must withstand the heat generated by the tire itself and the external environment at the highest speed rating. The sidewall of a car tire is marked with a lot of information, including tire size and speed rating. The tire size is represented by numbers, which is more intuitive and can be directly seen.
I've been driving for decades, and the speed letters on the side of tires are particularly important—they indicate the maximum safe speed of the tire. For example, H stands for 210 km/h, and V represents 240 km/h, which is the highest speed the tire can handle without bursting. These letters usually appear after the tire size code, like in '215/45 R17 91V,' where the V is the speed rating. I once experienced an issue when I replaced my car's original V-rated tires with cheaper H-rated ones. During a high-speed run at 220 km/h, the tires overheated, nearly causing an accident. Speed ratings range from Q (160 km/h) to Y (300 km/h). When choosing tires, always match the vehicle's manual recommendations—don’t downgrade just to save money. Ensuring your tires have a high enough speed rating reduces the risk of accidents during high-speed driving. I recommend checking the sidewall info during every maintenance check. In short, safety first—never overlook these details.
Safe driving is my top priority. Those tire letters like S, T, H, etc., are internationally standardized speed symbols. S represents 180 km/h, and T is 190 km/h. This means the tires can maintain stability at the speed limit without overheating and bursting. If you install lower-grade tires, for example, using H-grade tires on a car that can reach 240 km/h, driving at 210 km/h might lead to loss of control. I would like to remind everyone to check the sidewall codes of the tires, such as the H in 225/55 R16 98H, ensuring they are neither old nor damaged. On highways, tires are the only part of the car in contact with the ground, and their speed rating directly affects braking and handling. Regularly check tire pressure and wear, and if the letter corresponds to a lower speed, replace them promptly to avoid danger.
