What speed does the 'H' on a tire represent?
2 Answers
Tire 'H' represents a maximum speed of 210 km/h for this tire. The speed rating letters for passenger car tires include Q, R, S, T, U, H, V, W, and Y. The higher the speed rating of a tire, the greater the maximum speed it can withstand, and tires with higher ratings also tend to have better grip. However, tires with higher speed ratings are generally less durable than those with lower speed ratings, primarily because higher-rated tires are made of softer compounds that are less resistant to wear. It's not always better to have a higher speed-rated tire. Generally, the further the letter representing the tire's speed rating is in the alphabet, the better the tire's performance, but also the higher its price.
Hey, I'm just an average driver who knows a bit about tires. That 'H' on the tire means it's rated for a maximum speed of 210 km/h. I drive a family sedan, and these tires are commonly marked with this rating, mainly for highway use—but don’t actually drive that fast, safety first. I usually stick to the speed limit and keep it around 120 km/h for better stability. The tire speed rating is crucial because exceeding it causes friction and heat buildup, leading to faster aging or even blowouts, which can be dangerous. I check tire pressure and tread wear monthly to ensure there are no cracks or bulges. If the markings become unclear, it’s time to replace the tires. On long highway trips, I pay extra attention to tire condition—don’t let fatigue or speeding ruin them. Never overlook safety details; a small letter can mean life or death.
