Speed rating
Tire speed ratings were originally developed in Europe as a way to assist high performance vehicle owners when choosing replacement tires to match the speed capabilities of their vehicles.
Tire speed ratings should never be associated with the ability of the vehicle to handle the speed for which the tire is rated.
Today's tires are marked with letters to indicate their speed rating. In the above example,
H is the speed rating. Speed ratings are based on laboratory tests which relate to performance on the road. Tires may be marked with one of these speed symbols, M, N, P, Q, R, S, T, U, H, V, W and Y to identify the particular tire's speed rating. Additionally, the letter Z may appear in the size designation (see chart below).
When a replacement of your tires is required, consult the vehicle manual or tire placard for proper size and speed rating (if required).
If the vehicle manual placard specifies speed-rated tires, the replacement tires must have the same or higher speed rating to maintain vehicle speed capability.
If tires with different speed ratings are mounted on the same vehicle, the tire or tires with the lowest rating will limit the tire-related vehicle speed.
Tire speed ratings do not imply that vehicles can be safely driven at the maximum speed for which the tire is rated, particularly under adverse road and weather conditions, or if the vehicle has unusual characteristics. Never operate a vehicle in an unsafe or unlawful manner.
The speed symbol is made up of a single letter or an A with one number. It indicates the maximum speed at which the tire can carry a load corresponding to its Load Index.
Speed rating
| Code |
mph |
km/h |
| Code |
mph |
km/h |
|---|
| A1 |
3 |
5 |
| L |
75 |
120 |
|---|
| A2 |
6 |
10 |
| M |
81 |
130 |
|---|
| A3 |
9 |
15 |
| N |
87 |
140 |
|---|
| A4 |
12 |
20 |
| P |
94 |
150 |
|---|
| A5 |
16 |
25 |
| Q |
100 |
160 |
|---|
| A6 |
19 |
30 |
| R |
106 |
170 |
|---|
| A7 |
22 |
35 |
| S |
112 |
180 |
|---|
| A8 |
25 |
40 |
| T |
118 |
190 |
|---|
| B |
31 |
50 |
| U |
124 |
200 |
|---|
| C |
37 |
60 |
| H |
130 |
210 |
|---|
| D |
40 |
65 |
| V |
149 |
240 |
|---|
| E |
43 |
70 |
| Z |
over 149 |
over 240 |
|---|
| F |
50 |
80 |
| W |
168 |
270 |
|---|
| G |
56 |
90 |
| (W) |
over 168 |
over 270 |
|---|
| J |
62 |
100 |
| Y |
186 |
300 |
|---|
| K |
68 |
110 |
| (Y) |
over 186 |
over 300 |
|---|
Prior to 1991, tire speed ratings were shown inside the tire size, before the "R" character. The available codes were SR (112 mph, 180 km/h), HR (130 mph, 210 km/h), VR (in excess of 130 mph, 210 km/h) and ZR (in excess of 149 mph, 240 km/h). The ZR code is still in common use, often combined with a W or Y speed code.
Tires with a speed rating higher than 186 mph (300 km/h) are indicated by a Y in parenthesis. The load rating is often included within the parenthesis, e.g. (86Y).
Note: We have all kinds of tires available. If you do not see the specific tire that you need listed on our website please GIVE US A CALL at 678-47-8048 we'll get it for you.