Your tires take you safely from point A to point B, but have you ever looked closely at them? If so, you might notice a letter and numbers on the side. The letter designates the speed rating of the tires. However, a speed rating encompasses more than just the recommended speed of the tire. Here, the expert team at Hillis 66 Service, the trusted one-stop auto repair shop in Lincoln, NE, explains speed ratings below, along with why you should pay attention to them the next time you get new tires.

The Basics of Tire Speed Ratings

What Are Speeding Ratings & What Do They Mean?

Speed ratings are a measure of how a vehicle will drive on the road. While they indicate the recommended maximum speed of the tires, they also represent a tire’s smoothness, corning capability, and general performance. A higher speed rating usually means better cornering, higher performance, a more comfortable ride, and better stopping ability. The letter on the tires’ sidewalls indicates the speed rating.

Why Are They Placed on Tires?

Tire speed ratings were originally formulated in Germany, where the Autobahn doesn’t always have legal speed limits. Instead, the maximum speed was determined by the top speed of the tires.

The ratings range from A to Y, with A being the lowest speed rating and Y being the highest speed rating. However, the ratings are not in alphabetical order. For example, some ratings, such as H, designated “high performance” in the past. Due to the increased speed capabilities of cars over the years, tire manufactures had to add more speed ratings. An H rating is now between the U and V rating. In addition, Z was once the highest rating, but has been replaced by W and Y due to the evolution of exotic sports cars.

What Speed Ratings Are Best for My Car?

When you purchase new tires, they should have matching speed ratings. However, if you can’t replace all four tires, the ones with the lower speed rating should be placed on the front of the car. Your maximum speed is then that of those lower-rated tires. Your owner’s manual should recommend which type of tires are best for your vehicle. For example, if you drive a family sedan or a van, you should stick to S- or T-rated tires. If you drive a sedan or a coupe, the manufacturer might recommend U or H tires. If you drive an exotic sports car, then consider W, Y, or (Y) tires.

Do you need new tires on your car, or want to double-check that you have the right ones? Hillis 66 Service in Lincoln has an inventory of both used and new tires and will install them for you. They also provide a wide variety of auto maintenance tasks, such as oil changes, tire rotations, and tuneups. With over 44 years of experience, they always deliver high-quality results to help your vehicle last as long as possible. Give them a call at (402) 474-2891 or visit their website to learn more about their affordable auto maintenance and tire services.