What does 108H mean for car tires?

[GiaRose]

Tire 108H refers to the load index of the tire, where H indicates a speed rating of 210 km/h. The speed rating denotes the maximum speed at which the tire can carry a specified load under defined conditions. The number 108 represents a load index of 1000 kg, which is the maximum load a single tire can bear, expressed as a code in kilograms. When replacing tires, it's essential to understand the load index, speed rating, and specifications of the car tires. Tires are typically mounted on metal rims, supporting the vehicle body, absorbing external shocks, ensuring contact with the road, and maintaining driving performance. Tires often operate under complex and demanding conditions, enduring various deformations, loads, forces, and temperature extremes during use. Therefore, they must possess high load-bearing capacity, traction, and shock absorption properties. When selecting a tire's load index, it's necessary to calculate based on 1.5 times the vehicle's total weight. For example, a load index of 100 corresponds to 800 kg. A typical passenger car has four tires, multiplying by four gives 3200 kg. Calculating at 1.5 times, four tires with a load index of 100 can support a vehicle weighing up to 2133 kg. The speed rating should be chosen based on actual conditions and the vehicle's performance parameters, and this index is independent of the number of tires.

[JoannaFitz]

Last time when I changed my car tires, I specifically researched this code. 108H is actually the tire specification code, where 108 represents the load index, which translates to being able to bear around 1 ton of weight, and H is the speed rating, indicating a maximum speed of 210 kilometers per hour. The SUV I drive came with this specification as original equipment, and the mechanic said this combination is particularly suitable for family cars—it won’t cause premature tire wear due to insufficient load capacity, and the speed limit fully covers daily highway needs. When changing tires, make sure not to buy the wrong specification, as it could affect braking distance and fuel consumption.

[VanVincent]

As someone who frequently drives long distances, I pay special attention to the safety parameters of tires. In the marking '108H', 108 corresponds to a load index of 1000kg, and H indicates a maximum speed of 210km/h. What worries me most is seeing some car owners opt for lower-grade tires to save money. Last time, I saw a van using T-rated tires (190km/h) on the highway, and the tires were smoking. It's advisable to regularly check this code on the tire sidewall, especially for family vehicles often carrying full loads, to ensure the load capacity isn't exceeded.

[AlexRose]

The combination 108H is commonly found in mid-size car tires. The first three digits, 108, represent the load index, indicating an actual load capacity of 1000 kg. The letter H is the speed symbol, denoting a design limit of 210 km/h. Compared to the Y rating (300 km/h) used for sports cars, the H rating is more suitable for regular road driving. When selecting tires, I compare them with the original factory configuration of the same vehicle model to avoid mixing tires of different grades, which could affect traction.