What do the speed rating letters on tires mean?
2 Answers
J represents 100 kilometers per hour, K represents 110 kilometers per hour, L represents 120 kilometers per hour, M represents 130 kilometers per hour, N represents 140 kilometers per hour, P represents 150 kilometers per hour, Q represents 160 kilometers per hour, R represents 170 kilometers per hour. Related information: 1. Service life of vehicle tires: Vehicle tires can be used for 6~8 years, but the actual mileage should be taken into consideration. If the mileage is too high, the tires should be replaced earlier. 2. Importance of vehicle tires: Tires are the only components that make direct contact with the ground, playing a crucial role. Once there are issues with the tires, it will directly affect the driving safety of the vehicle, which must be noted.
The letters on the sidewall of a tire represent the maximum safe speed, just like character levels in a game. Q stands for 160 km/h, R is 170, S is 180, T is 190, H is 210, V is 240, and W goes up to 270. These ratings are based on high-temperature and high-pressure tests conducted by manufacturers. For example, a V-rated tire must continuously run at 240 km/h for several hours in the lab to pass certification. Once, I didn’t pay attention when changing tires and installed T-rated ones. As a result, the tires felt unstable during high-speed cornering, and I later realized I had exceeded their speed rating. When replacing tires, never downgrade the rating to save money—at least match the original factory specification.
