Your Pocket Guide to Tyre Speed Ratings

Are you truly passionate for driving? If you like to drive your vehicle at great speeds, you would be familiar with the top speed of your vehicle. Just as vehicles have a speed limit, tyrestoo have a maximum speed limit. This is specified by the tyre speed ratings.

The sidewalls of your tyres have a plethora of information such as the wheel diameter, the depth of the sidewall and tyre width. Tyre speed rating is also present on it which is depicted by a single letter at the end. It is an indicator of the maximum speed at which you can drive safely. Speed ratings fall in a range of N (87 mph / 140 kmph) up to Y (186 mph / 300 kph) and is one of the best measure to ensure the safety of your tyres.

When your vehicle is at high speed, wheels turn faster and generate more heat. So, it's important that the chosen tyre should be such which can bear the extra heat as well as the stress involved. At the same time, running a tyre with a low speed rating carries risk of failure of the tyre at higher speeds.

When the tyre treads are worn out, it simply implies that you need a new set of tyres. If your vehicle has a 'V' tyre speed rating, it means it can handle speeds of 240km/h, whereas a 'U' speed rating denotes a maximum speed of 200km/h. So it is important that you buy tyres onlinethat can match your vehicle’s performance.

If you feel that you need to change your car/bike tyres, you can use new ones that have a higher speed rating than your present tyres. However, it is advisable that you shouldn't fit tyres which have a lower speed rating as compared to the manufacturer's original fit. Also, it is important to note that speed ratings only comply with tyres that are not damaged, altered, under or over-inflated.

Are tyre speed ratings only about speed?

As a matter of fact, NO. Speed ratings also play an important role in traction, ride comfort and tread wear. A higher speed rating implies better grip as well as stopping power, but also has a lower tread life. That's the reason V, Z, W and Y-rated tyres are better for high performance vehicles in hotter climates.

Here is a look into the speed ratings and tyre codes -

tyre speed ratings

You can increase the speed rating of your vehicle's tyres for enhanced performance but you should not lessen it without reducing the top speed of the vehicle.

Is it advisable to mix speed ratings on the vehicle’s tyre?

It is not a good option to mix speed settings. Even if you do so, ensure that the lower-rated tyres are on the front axle, no matter your vehicle is front or rear wheel driven. It is also important for you to bear in mind that the tyre should be a perfect fit for the vehicle and you should in no case drive faster than your lowest rated tyres.

With time, tyre speed ratings have transformed and they now identify the tyre's capability, thereby allowing you to match the tyre speed with the vehicle speed.

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