Regardless of the weather, terrain, or road conditions, tires get you from point A to point B. To make sure every trip behind the wheel is safe, new tires must be compatible with your car. One part of compatibility is the tire speed rating, which can impact how your car handles. Here is a guide to tire speed ratings along with why you need to know about them when installing new tires.

Everything to Know About Tire Speed Ratings

What Are Tire Speed Ratings?

Tire speed ratings indicate the speed at which it’s safe to drive with the tires under normal conditions. The rating is calculated in a laboratory setting by varying speeds and loads. In addition to speed, ratings also represent how comfortable the ride is along with wear tendencies and cornering abilities. The ratings range from A to Y. A has the lowest speed rating while Y has the highest. However, the order is not alphabetical. For example, H was initially labeled as such due to its high performance capabilities, and it has a higher speed rating than tires rated U or V. 

What Do Tire Speed Ratings Mean?

The higher the speed rating, the more grip and stopping power your vehicle will have. However, tires with increased performance and effectiveness wear down faster. Give your vehicle the right tires so it can provide a safe and comfortable driving experience. For example, don’t put low-speed-rated tires on a foreign sports car since it won’t perform at its best. 

What Tire Speed Rating Should I Look For When Buying New Tires?

Determine which new tires to get by looking at the tire speed rating recommendations in your owner’s manual, on the gas tank compartment, or on the inside of the glove box. The speed rating will also be the last letter of the tire size code. Family vans will have tires with a speed rating of S or T, which offer a maximum speed of 112 or 118 MPH. On the other hand, sports cars often need V or Z-rated tires to achieve a maximum speed of 149 MPH or greater. The next time you need new tires, double-check the speed rating to purchase the right ones for your make and model.

Do you need new tires or want to make sure you have the right ones installed? Turn to Tire Warehouse Kauai in Lihue, HI. This company has provided quality, affordable tires to drivers on the island for more than 40 years. They’re proud to carry a wide variety of brands, including Michelin®, BFGoodrich® and Uniroyal®. In addition to tires, they also offer a number of maintenance services, such as oil changes, wheel alignment, and tire rotation. Give them a call at (808) 245-6754, or use their website to find the right tires for your car.