What does the letter at the end of a tire size mean?

The letter is the speed rating, or the maximum speed the tire is built for. As an example, a tire rated 90R could safely carry 1,323 pounds and travel at 106 mph. Consult a load and speed index to find out what your tire's specific rating means.

What does the last letter in a tire size mean?

G: SPEED RATING The last letter is the tire speed rating. This indicates the top speed it's safe to travel at for a sustained amount of time. A tire with a higher speed rating can handle heat better and provide more control at faster speeds.

What does the D and R mean on tires?

R indicates the construction used within the tires casing. R stands for radial construction. B means belted bias and D stands for diagonal bias construction. 16 The last dimension listed in the size is the diameter of the wheel rim, which is most often measured in inches.

What is the letter in tire size?

The final figure in a tire size sequence is the speed rating, which is indicated by a letter: P225/70R16 91S. Just as your load index number corresponds to a specific load, your speed rating letter corresponds to a particular speed capability based on a standardized laboratory test.

What do tire size numbers and letters mean?

The two-digit number after the slash mark in a tire size is the aspect ratio. For example, in a size P215/65 R15 tire, the 65 means that the height is equal to 65% of the tire's width. The bigger the aspect ratio, the bigger the tire's sidewall will be.

How to Read a Tire Size

What does the T or H mean on tires?

The “T” or “H” on tires pertain to their speed ratings. A T-rated tire can withstand top speeds of up to 118 mph (190 km/h), while an H-rated tire can support up to 130 mph (210 km/h). It is important to note these markings and stay within those speed limits.

What does H and W mean on tires?

The most common ratings are S and T (sedans, minivans, light trucks); H (some passenger cars, sports cars, coupes, some light trucks); N, P, Q and R (light trucks); and V, W and Y (high-performance and some electric vehicles). Most winter tires have Q, S or T speed ratings.

What does XL mean on a tire?

XL (or Reinforced) tyres are 'extra load' tyres – they indicate that a tyre is reinforced to be able to withstand a higher load than other tyres of the same size.

Does the P matter in tire size?

There are two major size designations commonly used for passenger car tires, called P-metric and Metric sizing. If you see a “P” in front of the tire size displayed on a tire's sidewall it is a P-metric tire. If there's no P, it's a Metric tire (also called Euro-metric or Hard-Metric).

What does 94v mean on a tire?

A 94 will support 1,477 pounds. V is a speed rating, or the maximum speed tires are designed to be driven for extended periods. Any V-rated tire will perform well while traveling at 149 miles per hour for an extended time — certainly fast enough for this writer.

What is better R or D on a tire?

Radial tires are more resistant to punctures. Radial tires provide better fuel economy because they have less rolling resistance. Modern ST radial tires are reinforced and designed for heavy loads.

Can I mix R and D tires?

Expert Reply: It's fine to use a radial-type tire as a spare (a tire with "r" in its size code) with a trailer that has Bias ply "d" tires but for a short distance in the event of a flat tire. But mixing tires is not recommended for everyday use because their internal construction is different.

What's better load range D or E?

Expert Reply: Load range D has a capacity of 1,220 lbs at 65 psi, whereas load range E has a capacity of 1,520 lbs at 80 psi. Basically the only difference between the two is the weight capacity.

What does R mean on a tire?

“R” stands for the construction method of the tire indicating the tire is a radial tire. The following two numbers (16) indicate the diameter of the wheel rim in inches. The next two or three numbers (94) indicate the load index of the tire. In the example, 94 means the tire can carry 670kg.

Does higher speed rating mean better tire?

A tire's speed rating indicates the optimal speed that the tire can safely maintain over time. In short, it's 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.

What's the best speed rating for tires?

UNIQUE SPEED RATINGS

In this system, tires with a Z rating would be the fastest rated tires out there. And at one time, Z rated tires were thought to be the highest rated tires a vehicle would need.

What is difference between P and LT tires?

An LT tire is built more robustly than a P-Metric tire to handle heavy loads under adverse conditions. Heavier body plies and larger bead bundles allow LT tires to be inflated to higher pressures, thereby increasing the tire's load capacity. It is the air inside the tire that carries the load.

Are LT tires bigger than P tires?

The cords in a LT tire are a larger gauge than P-metric tires so the tire can carry heavier loads. Very often LT tires will have an extra steel belt, a deeper tread and thicker rubber in the sidewall for more protection vs a p-metric tire. LT tires are usually 8-ply (Load Range D) or 10-ply (Load Range E).

Do I really need LT tires?

Vehicles like ¾ ton or larger pickup trucks, work vans and trucks, and other large vehicles that regularly carry heavy loads or pull heavy trailers will need Light Truck (LT) tires.

Do XL tires ride rough?

XL tires produce more noise than standard tires. It can lead to an uncomfortable driving experience.

What does RF mean on a tire?

RF stands for Reinforced. XL stands for Extra Load.

Is it worth getting XL tyres?

It is a good idea to buy reinforced tyres if:

You have a vehicle with a powerful engine: XL tyres will then provide greater stability on corners and a better reaction to both acceleration and braking at high speed.

What are Z rated tires?

A “Z” rating can mean different things. While it nearly always means a high performance tire for high-performing sports cars, “Z” may actually appear in the middle of a tire's size information. When it does, it represents either a maximum speed of more than 149 mph (240 kph) or 186 mph (300 kph).

Should I get H or V rated tires?

If you feel the need to drive at or above 130 mph then you should get a “V” speed rated set of tires. If you don't plan on driving that fast, then an “H” speed rated set is the better option.

Can I use W rated tires instead of V?

V means that vehicles can safely use the tire with a top speed higher than 149mph. The rating W shows that the tire is safe to use for a vehicle with a top speed of 168mph.