What makes tire speed ratings so important and why do you need to know about them? Well, it all comes down to your safety on the road. This guide will answer any questions you may have about tire speed ratings including:
- What Is a Tire Speed Rating? - How Are Tire Speed Ratings Determined? - How Do You Find Your Tire’s Speed Rating? - What Are the Most Common Tire Speed Ratings? - Why Do Tire Speed Ratings Matter?
A tire’s speed rating is a letter designation that indicates the fastest speed a tire can handle before it no longer performs as designed. The higher the speed rating, the better control and handling you’ll have at higher speeds on the road.
The speed rating system is meant to help manage the safe performance of tires at standardized speeds. It works by assigning each tire’s certified speed rating a letter from A to Z, ranging from 3 mph to above 186 mph.
Tire speed ratings were first established in Europe with the purpose of balancing tire speed capabilities with vehicle capability. This was a necessity on Germany's Autobahns, which had no speed limits — the safety of those inside the car would have been severely compromised if their tires exceeded the maximum speed capability by a significant amount. Nowadays, speed ratings are used to inform automakers and vehicle owners of the maximum speed that a tire can travel.
NOTE: Tire speed ratings DO NOT imply that your vehicle may safely be driven at the maximum speed capabilities — especially under adverse weather or road conditions.
Speed ratings are determined through laboratory tests with simulated speeds and loads. In order to receive a rating, a tire must demonstrate its capability for sustaining a certain speed.
However, it’s important to note that a lab cannot simulate every possible condition. This means you should consider your tire’s speed rating as an indicator of the product’s capability only under perfectly controlled conditions such as fully inflated tires, a well-maintained vehicle, and optimal weather conditions. Your tire’s actual speed capability may be lower than its rating given that it will be affected by factors like inflation, wear, vehicle condition, driving conditions, and how long you maintain a certain speed.
NOTE: Speed ratings DO NOT apply to tires that have been damaged, altered, under-inflated, overloaded, or repaired.
If you want to know what tire speed rating your vehicle’s manufacturer recommends, you should be able to find it in a handful of different places — your owner’s manual, driver’s side door jamb, glove box door, and gas tank hatch.
Now how do you find the speed rating of a specific tire? It should be easy to find because it’s usually the last item in your tire’s size code along the sidewall. For example, in the tire code “P205/60R16 82S,” S is the speed rating.
NOTE: The tire speed rating IS NOT the same thing as a recommended travel speed. The rating will nearly always exceed maximum highway speed limits, but no tire or vehicle manufacturer advises driving faster than the law allows.
The speed ratings on the chart below are the ones you’re more likely to encounter, including everything from spare tires to exotic sports cars.
Speed Rating S
With a max speed of 112 mph, you will usually find “S” rated tires on family sedans and minivans.
Speed Rating T
“T” speed ratings have a max speed of 118 mph that you’ll typically find on family sedans and minivans — similar to the “S” speed rating.
Speed Rating U
With a max speed of 124 mph, “U” tire speed ratings can usually be found on sedans and coupes.
Speed Rating H
With a max speed of 130 mph, the “H” rating is commonly found on sport sedans and coupes. This rating is a little different in that it doesn’t fall in alphabetical order, but instead between “U” and “V.” Because “H” used to stand for “high-performance” in an earlier version of the rating system, it now holds an unusual position.
Speed Rating V
“V” used to be the highest speed rating, representing a max speed of 149 mph or more. However, these days it means 149 mph but no higher and is commonly found on sports cars.
Speed Rating Z
Like “V” rated tires, “Z” rated tires also once used to be considered the highest rated tires a vehicle would need at a maximum speed of 149 mph or more. But the development of faster vehicles brought about two new speed ratings: “W” and “Y” rated tires.
Speed Ratings “W” and “Y”
Both of these ratings are for higher speeds than “Z” despite their earlier placement in the alphabet. “W” and “Y” offer more precise indicators of a high performance tire’s speed over 149 mph. “W” speed ratings have a max speed of 168 mph while “Y” speed ratings have a max speed of 186 mph.
Typically, the Z, W and Y ratings appear on summer tires or competition tires commonly found on sports cars, tuners, exotic cars and other vehicles built for ultra-high performance (UHP).
Tire speed ratings matter because your safety matters!
Different speed ratings can cause tires to behave differently. That’s why it’s so important to always choose the speed rating that corresponds with your vehicle manufacturer’s specifications, and ensure all four tires have the same rating. Downgrading the speed ratings of the tires intended for your vehicle could ultimately affect cornering and overall vehicle control.
Wonderland Tire is committed to providing a level of service and care beyond what you would expect from your average tire center. From our friendly, customer-driven employees to our broad selection of products, we want to make sure you get the care you deserve so that you stay safe on the road.
Have any questions about tire speed ratings? Or are you looking for a new set of tires with the right speed ratings for your vehicle? Reach out and let us know how we can help or talk to us in person at a Wonderland Tire location near you!
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