What is the difference between 97V and 97H tires?
2 Answers
H and V represent the speed ratings of tires, which indicate the maximum speed a tire can carry a specified load under defined conditions. The specific differences between the two are as follows: 1. Different properties: The 97H tire indicates the load index and speed rating of the tire. 97V represents the load index and speed rating of the vehicle tire. 2. Different characteristics: 97H means the tire can withstand a maximum vehicle speed of 210 km/h. 97V means the maximum speed this tire can withstand is 270 km/h. 3. Different maximum load capacities: 97H indicates that the maximum weight a single tire can bear is 650 kg. The 97V tire does not have this specification.
I also struggled with this issue when I last changed tires and found that the main difference between 97V and 97H lies in their maximum speed tolerance. The H stands for a maximum speed of 210 km/h, while V can handle up to 240 km/h. Although the load index is the same at 97 (meaning a maximum load capacity of 730 kg per tire), the tire construction differs. V-rated tires use stronger materials and special rubber compounds, offering better temperature control at high speeds. If I frequently drove on highways or owned a performance car, I'd definitely choose V-rated tires for peace of mind, especially since tire temperatures can reach 120°C during summer high-speed driving. However, for city commuting, H-rated tires are perfectly adequate and even save you a couple hundred bucks. Recently, I noticed that some brands' H-rated tires actually have a higher treadwear index. If you mainly drive in urban areas, there's really no need to spend extra money unnecessarily.
