What speed does V represent for tires?
1 Answers
The speed rating V on tires represents a maximum speed of 240 km/h. The speed rating indicates the maximum speed at which a tire can carry a specified load under defined conditions. Different tires display their speed ratings using English letters on the sidewall, representing certified speed ratings ranging from 4.8 km/h to 300 km/h. The further back the letter representing the tire's speed rating is in the alphabet, the better the tire's performance and the higher its price. Tires with different speed ratings are suitable for different applications. P—T rated tires (maximum speed 150—190 km/h) are suitable for small and compact cars; U—V rated tires (maximum speed 200—240 km/h) are suitable for mid-to-high-end sedans; while the highest-performance W—Z tires, which can withstand maximum speeds between 240—300 km/h, are typically used in large luxury cars and supercars. The higher the speed rating, the better the tire's heat resistance, as it must endure the heat generated by the tire itself and external environmental heat at the highest speed levels. From the perspective of tire design and material requirements, generally, for the same brand and size, tires with higher load indexes and speed ratings offer better performance and are more expensive. To better mitigate tire deformation and heat generation, high-speed-rated tires feature reinforced shoulders and tread patterns. This not only reduces deformation during rolling but also ensures more stable contact performance with the road surface. Generally, tires with higher speed ratings provide better grip during vehicle cornering and superior handling performance.
