Can I put higher speed rating tyres on my car?

tl dr – There is absolutely no worries about putting a higher rated tire on your vehicle. It just means you can drive your car faster if the car is capable (and the speed limits will allow). You will gain nothing in any other aspect of the tire, such as tire life, treadwear, or what have you.

What happens if you go faster than tire speed rating?

Safety advocates and tire experts say that habitually driving faster than a tire’s rated speed can generate excessive heat that damages the rubber, with potentially catastrophic results. Tires were a factor in 198 of those crashes and 223 deaths.

Do I need ZR tires?

For tires with a maximum speed capability higher than 240 km/h (149 mph), a “ZR” may appear in the size designation. Tires with a maximum speed capability higher than 300 km/h (186 mph), require a “ZR” in the size designation. Consult the tire manufacturer for maximum speed when there is no service description.

What does the V stand for on a tyre?

speed rating
The code found on the sidewall of a tyre gives quite a lot of information, including the diameter, height, width of the wheel, and the load index rating. The single letter at the end of the code represents the tyres speed rating. For example, if the code is 205/55R/16/91V then it is the V that is the speed rating.

Does higher speed rating mean better tire?

The speed rating tells you the speed the tire can safely maintain over time. A higher speed rating usually means you will have better control and handling at higher speeds – and that the tire can take the extra heat. As a general rule, tires with higher speed ratings also handle better at slower speeds.

Can I mix V and Y rated tyres?

You can invalidate your car insurance by fitting new tyres that have a lower speed rating than the manufacturer’s original fit. Mixing tyre speed ratings isn’t recommended.

Should I get H or V rated tires?

To support running at higher speeds, V-rated tires will have a stiffer sidewall and slightly firmer ride than H-rated tires. For normal driving conditions the H-rated tire will provide a more comfortable ride and the V-rated should give slightly better handling.

What does Y mean on tires?

Speed rating
Speed rating The final letter, in this case “Y,” corresponds to the maximum speed at which the tire can safely travel for an extended period of time. “Y” is the highest rating and it means the tire can handle speeds of up to 186 mph.

What is the difference between Zr and R rated tires?

The Z in ZR corresponds to an old label used by manufacturers to indicate that the speed index is higher than V, i.e. 150 mph. Thus, a ZR tyre has a speed index of V, W, or Y. R indicates that the structure is RADIAL. There is therefore no difference between a ZR or an R tyre with the same speed index.

What is the best speed rating for a tire?

Everyday passenger vehicle tires can be S speed rated, but S tires often prioritize specific performance or function. An M speed rating indicates the tire has been approved for speeds up to 87 mph (140 km/h) and an N is approved for speeds up to just 81 mph (130 km/h) under optimal conditions.

Should all 4 tyres be the same?

Primarily, you should avoid mixing different tyre brands and different tread patterns. For optimal safety and performance, we recommend fitting the same tyres to every wheel position on your car, so you should have the same brand, size, tread pattern, load index and speed rating on the front and rear tyres.

What does H and T mean on tires?

The codes on the sides of tires are unfamiliar to most car and truck owners, but knowing what the codes mean is important to choosing the proper tires. The H/T on tires stands for highway/terrain.

Why are speed ratings and load ratings important?

Tires with different speed and load ratings handle differently. Maneuvering corners and general handling of the vehicle can be compromised by downgrading the speed or load ratings of the tires assigned to the vehicle. Cars that have higher speed ratings have different performance criteria.

What makes a car have a higher speed rating?

Cars that have higher speed ratings have different performance criteria. Many import manufacturers have tires with higher speed ratings assigned to their vehicles for performance reasons. Tire speed ratings are assigned to tires based on a series of test conditions.

Where do you find load index and speed rating?

Both speed rating and load index are part of a group of (three) digits at the tail end of the tire size information. Together these figures make up the tire’s service description.

Where do you find the speed rating on a tire?

The rating is molded on the tire sidewall, signified by a letter or two, usually after the load index number. Together, the load index and speed rating form the service description. Each letter in the speed rating represents a maximum speed based on a standard chart. The main things to know: