Tire Speed Ratings
If you are looking to buy tires, it is essential to know which type is best for your vehicle and lifestyle. One of the most important metrics to consider when deciding on tires is its speed rating.
WHAT IS TIRE SPEED RATING?
A tire's speed rating measures the fastest speed a tire can handle before it no longer performs optimally. The higher the speed rating, the more control you'll have over your vehicle at higher speeds.
If you exceed a tire's speed rating, it may lead to diminished traction, which makes it more difficult to maintain control and increases the likelihood of an accident. So as you are shopping for tires, you will want to find ones with a high tire speed rating. The mechanics at Canfield Auto Repair Service can help you figure out the right speed rating and tires for your car.
THE SPEED RATING SYSTEM
This rating system shows the top speed a tire is certified for. It does not represent the total capability of a tire, but it does offer a threshold for speed to ensure optimal performance and safety.
HOW IS TIRE SPEED RATING MEASURED?
Tires are rated using designations, which consist of one or two characters. These indicate the top speed at which the tire can safely travel. The first character is a letter of the alphabet and represents a speed between 5 km/h (3 mph) and 300 km/h (186 mph).
The lowest rating is the A1 designation, which indicates a maximum speed of 5 km/h (3 mph). The highest rating is the ZR designation, with a capability 300 km/h (186 mph). Tires that have a maximum speed capability over 240 km/h (149 mph) sometimes include "ZR" in the size designation, but if a tire has a maximum speed capability higher than 300 km/h (186 mph), a "ZR" in the size designation is required.
Personal use sedans and vans typically have tire speed ratings of S (180 km/h, 112 mph) or T (190 km/h, 118 mph).
TIRE SPEED CAPABILITIES
|
Symbol Speed |
Speed km/h |
Speed mph |
|
A1 |
5 |
3 |
|
A2 |
10 |
6 |
|
A3 |
15 |
9 |
|
A4 |
20 |
12 |
|
A5 |
25 |
16 |
|
A6 |
30 |
19 |
|
A8 |
40 |
25 |
|
B |
50 |
31 |
|
C |
60 |
37 |
|
D |
65 |
40 |
|
E |
70 |
43 |
|
F |
80 |
50 |
|
G |
90 |
56 |
|
J |
100 |
62 |
|
K |
110 |
68 |
|
L |
120 |
75 |
|
M |
130 |
81 |
|
N |
140 |
87 |
|
P |
150 |
94 |
|
Q |
160 |
100 |
|
R |
170 |
106 |
|
S |
180 |
112 |
|
T |
190 |
118 |
|
U |
200 |
124 |
|
H |
210 |
130 |
|
V |
240 |
149 |
|
W |
270 |
168 |
|
Y |
300 |
186 |
|
ZR |
>300 |
>186 |
WHERE CAN I FIND MY TIRE SPEED RATING?
You can find your tire's speed ratings either in the owner's manual, on the glove box door, on the hatch of your car's gas tank, on the driver-side door jamb, or your tire's sidewall.
The speed rating is usually the last item in a sequence of characters indicating your tire's size code.
Below is an example that explains what each character in a tire's description means. You can see that the speed rating is the last character in the sequence (V).
Tire description: 205/60R15 91V
205 = Section Width in Millimeters
60 = Aspect Ration
R = Radial Construction
15 = Rim diameter in Inches
91 = Load Index
V = Speed Symbol
If you have any questions about tire speed ratings or want to make your car safer by getting tires with higher ratings, give Canfield Auto Repair Service a call. You can also set an appointment with our friendly auto experts here: https://carscanfield.com/having-car-issues-contact-us.html
