What does V and W mean on tires?

H: 130mph. V: 149mph. Z: 150+ mph. W: 168mph.

What is the difference between V and W rated tires?

This means that a tire with a V-rating, for example, can be driven at 149 miles per hour until it wears out! Less frequently seen ratings are Q 99 mph and R 106 mph- used in some light truck tires. The W rating replaced what was once Z, which was anything above 149 at the time, and is now limited to 168 mph.

Can I mix V and W rated tyres?

Mixing tyre speed ratings isn't recommended. If you are in a situation where you must mix tyre speed ratings (after an emergency puncture, for example) then make sure the lower-rated tyres are on the front axle to prevent turning more sharply than you intended (oversteering).

Are W rated tires better than V-rated?

Nissan, Cadillac, Toyota, and Honda are currently using higher original equipment or V-rated tires on approximately 70% of their brand new vehicles. A V rating represents 149 mph but no faster. W, on the other hand, means the tires can achieve maximum speeds of up to 168 mph.

What does W mean on a tire?

The letter W denotes the maximum speed rating, which translates 168 mph—not something intended for mom's minivan. See our list of speed ratings below, which range from a low of "L" (just 75 mph for some off-road tires) to a high of Y (186 mph).

How To Make Sure Your Tyres Will Work With Your Wheels

What does V mean on tires?

SPEED RATING V

Once the highest speed rating a tire could have, “V” used to represent a maximum of 149 mph (240 kph) or more. Nowadays, it means 149 mph but no higher.

Are W rated tires all season?

Standard all-seasons are usually rated S (up to 112 mph) or T (118 mph). Climbing up the scale are the letters H (130 mph), V (149 mph), W (168 mph), Y (186 mph), and ZR (149+ mph).

Can I put lower speed rated tires on my car?

MIXING SPEED RATINGS

We certainly don't recommend it, but if tires of different speed ratings are mounted on a vehicle, the lower speed-rated tires should be placed on the front axle regardless of which axle is driven. This is to prevent a potential oversteer condition.

Does tire speed rating matter?

One of the most important aspects of any tire is its speed rating. The wrong tires with a less-than-adequate speed rating for your vehicle can cause safety issues, including tire failure and a loss in fuel efficiency.

What is 91W tire?

A Z speed rating still appears on some tires sizes (ex: 225/50ZR16 91W). In this case, “ZR” designates a maximum speed capability of more than 149 mph, while W indicates that the tire's maximum speed is 168 mph.

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.

Is a higher load rating better?

The higher the load rating number, the stronger the tyre. Tyres with a higher load rating can take a greater amount of air pressure, which means they can also carry heavier loads. Take note - the maximum weight that the load rating refers to is in kilograms.

Can I use a tyre with a lower load rating?

Can you use a tire with a lower load index? No. A tire with a lower load index than your OE specifications can't properly support the weight of your vehicle and its load (passengers and ski equipment, for example)—or the forces applied to the tire in emergency manoeuvres.

What happens if you exceed tire speed rating?

What happens if you exceed your tire's speed rating? If you drive faster than the rated speed for your tires you are risking damage to the tires that could cause safety and performance problems down the road.

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 the difference between 94V or 94h?

The H speed rating means good up to 130 MPH (for 10 minutes without damage). The V speed rating is good up to 149 MPH . The OEM tires that come on a TCH are rated 94V (the 94 means load up to 1477 pounds).

How long are tires good for?

On average, people drive between 12,000 to 15,000 miles a year, which means the average good quality all-season tire will last somewhere between three and five years, depending on maintenance, driving style and conditions, etc.

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.

Which is better all-season or all-weather tires?

Generally speaking, all-seasons are intended for use only in warm, dry, and mild wet conditions. All-weather tires, on the other hand, are suitable for mild winter conditions with heavy rain, snowfall, and slush.

Are all-weather tires noisy?

All of these tires are a bit noisier than premium all-seasons, and because they may be a higher speed rating than you normally use, the ride may be stiffer.

Can all-weather tires be used in snow?

While a set of all-season tires can offer some traction in light snow and the occasional winter storm, they're not designed for deep snow, ice, and cold weather (when temperatures stay below ~45º F). Winter or snow tires are designed for prolonged winter conditions, including snow, ice, and slush.

What does the H mean on tires?

“H” represents the speed rating, which is how fast the tires can go based on their load capacity. This rating ranges from A – Z. “H” indicates a speed rating of up to 130 mph.

How do I choose tire load rating?

To roughly determine the load range capacity for each individual tire, take the vehicle's gross weight and divide by four. If the vehicle gross weight is 4,500 pounds, each tire should be able to safely support at least 1,125 pounds.