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Maintenance + Repair By Kevin Fleming

Tire Speed Ratings Explained

If you have ever looked closely at your tires or

even purchased tires online, you have noticed
that tires have distinct speed ratings imprinted
on them, amongst many other imprints.
Typically, these ratings are delineated by two
letters, such as HR, ZR, etc. What do these
ratings mean and how do they affect you, the
driver? One might assume that all tires are the
same: they are rubber and round. However,
the diversity of tires (and companies for that
matter) on the market mirrors the milieu of
cultures and peoples around the world. Even
though there are many tire manufacturers out HOT SEARCHES
there, the rating system for tires is universal; Green Cars Hybrid Vehicles
hence, it applies to every tire made. Specifically Car Tune Up Used Cars
then, let us take a closer look at tire ratings and Buy a Car Engine Oil
what they mean to you, the consumer. Common Car Problems Tire Pressure

What Is The Point Of A Tire Rating?

Besides the vast quantities of information found on tires, a distinctive speed rating is printed on
the tire with the letters M through Z. Part of the reason why speed ratings are affixed to tires has
to do with the famous super highway, the autobahn, which is located in Germany. For those out
there who are not familiar with the autobahn’s “rules of the road,” there are a series of lanes that
have their own distinctive top speed posting. The top speed posting is not a speed limit, but
rather, the minimum speed in which motorists are required to travel in this lane. What we would
term as excessive speeding, is the norm on the autobahn, as mid triple digit speeds are common.

When a man named Adolph Hitler built the autobahn in the 1930s, tire science was not exactly
what it is today. Your vehicle may have had the potential to hit an incredible top speed, but your
tires may not have been able to handle the top speed for long without blowing out and causing a
catastrophic accident. Tire manufacturers caught on to this after a while and began to
manufacture different grades of tires for different types of vehicles. For example, would you
rather have a tire with a speed rating designed for a Pinto on a Ferrari or a tire with a speed
rating suited for Ferrari? In reality, it is as simple as that.

Speed Ratings Explained

Many of us in Canada and the United States do not exactly travel to and from place to place at
break neck speeds like those found on the autobahn. However, we do have access to the
multitude of different tires with different speed ratings. In other words, it is up to you (and your
coffer) if you want to travel in excess of the posted speed limit if your tires can support the
speed. If you look at one of your auto’s tires, you will see something similar to 225/50R16 (89S).
What we are looking at here in this article is the letter found within the parenthesis, the S (some
tires do not have the speed rating in parenthesis). With that said, here is the system in which
tires are rated for speed (top speeds):

- M: 81mph or 130 km/h

- N: 87 mph or 140 km/h
- P: 93 mph or 150 km/h
- Q: 99 mph or 160 km/h
- R: 106 mph or 170 km/h
- S: 112 mph or 180 km/h
- T: 118 mph or 190 km/h
- U: 124 mph or 200 km/h

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Tire Speed Ratings Explained http://www.driversense.com/driversense/column/357

- H: 130 mph or 210 km/h

- V: 149 mph or 240 km/h
- Z: in excess of 149 mph or 240 km/h plus
- W: 168 mph or 270 km/h
- Y: 186 mph or 300 km/h

You will notice that the Z rating is for speeds in excess of 149mph or 240km/h, but there are two
different ratings below it. When Z rated tires were introduced, there was a lack of street legal
autos that were able to obtain speeds that high or higher. Hence, it was believed that future
vehicles would be unable to or would be manufactured so that they could hit those break neck
speeds. However, as we know now, there are countless vehicles that can easily zoom past
149mph or 240 km/h, especially autos classified as exotic cars. This is why the W and Y ratings
were eventually introduced.

Not that there are many out there who are concerned with Y rated tires (our vehicles typically
come with H rated tires), but if you see a rating on a tire such as 285/35ZR19 (99Y), that means
that the tire has been tested in excess of the above-mentioned top speed.

Buyer Beware

If you ever search an online tire seller’s website, you may notice that they may have a bargain or
two in concern to Z and above rated tires. In most cases, unless you prefer these tires or your
vehicle calls for such a tire, stay away from them. If you look above, as the top speed increases,
the longevity of the tire decreases. This is why most vehicles are equipped with stock H rated
tires; no one really needs to go that fast and they last longer than say, V or Z rated tires. On the
other hand, if you purchased a sports car that came stock with Z rated tires, you can most
definitely “downgrade” to a cheaper (in most cases) and longer lasting H rated tire. This is, of
course, unless you prefer break neck speeds and speeding tickets!

Sources:
Tirerack.com

HOT SEARCHES
Green Cars Hybrid Vehicles
Car Tune Up Used Cars
Buy a Car Engine Oil
Common Car Problems Tire Pressure

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Comments post comment email
Axanis says print
Here is a link to a very useful site for information on tires. facebook
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tiretech/techpage.jsp?techid=35 digg
Axanis (parts And 2nd Apprentice) says
Okay there good info. Chris the speed limit is there for your safety to
think otherwise is ignorance but hey I'm always up for a thinning of
the gene pool. Trying to actively critize useless points actually
deadends your credibility (the Adolf remark was a pointless
observation on your part) As to the speed ratings for vehicles that
the manufacturer recommends is just them covering their legal
behinds if you will, what it generally means is that yes if you plan on
pushing the car to its limits that is the tire that will be able to support
doing that. Otherwise yes you can and most regulary do and I mean
most tire shops/parts stores will recommend the lower ratings.

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