What does W mean on a tire?

A relatively new addition to the speed rating chart, tires with speed rating “W” can achieve a maximum sustained speed of 168 mph (270 kph).

What does W or Y mean on tires?

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).

Are W rated tyres better than V?

A higher speed rating generally offers better grip and stopping power, but it may have a lower tread life and reduced performance in cold weather. That's why V, Z, W and Y-rated tyres are usually better suited to high performance vehicles in warmer climates.

What is 105 W on a tire?

The next three digit number (105) is the load rating, or the maximum amount of weight that tire can support. Since cars have four wheels, each supports ¼ of the vehicle's gross weight. These ratings can range from 70 (739 lbs) to 126 (3748 lbs). In our case 105 means the tire can support 2039 lbs.

Can I mix V and W tires?

Just remember, never mix and match tires with different speed ratings on your vehicle. This will cause major problems with the handling of your vehicle. 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.

How to Read a Tire Size

What speed rating is W?

A relatively new addition to the speed rating chart, tires with speed rating “W” can achieve a maximum sustained speed of 168 mph (270 kph).

What is the best tire speed rating?

As manufacturers developed bigger and better tires, it became necessary to regulate performance at standardized speeds to ensure safety. The "Limited V" category of 250 km/h (149 mph) was then created, and eventually the "Z" speed rating was added as the top speed rating.

What does 100w mean on a tire?

The “18” that follows stands for the rim diameter in inches. The load capacity is identified using a numerical code “100” which in this case signifies 800 kg. With the “W” we come to the speed rating – “W” stands for 270 km/h.

What is 97h on a tire?

235/55R17 99H- The load index (99) is the tire size's assigned numerical value used to compare relative load carrying capabilities. The higher the tire's load index number, the greater its load carrying capacity. 97 = 1,609 pounds. 98 = 1,653 pounds. 99 = 1,709 pounds.

What does 12.50 mean on a tire?

In example "A" this reads 12.50, meaning the tire width is 12 and 1/2 inches. The final number simply is the wheel size or "diameter"of the wheel that the tire will fit on.

What is the difference between speed rating W and Y?

Z-rated high-performance tyres are rated for speeds in excess of 149mph. Confusingly, W-rated tyres are rated at a higher speed in excess of 168mph. Y-rated tyres are rated in excess of 186mph.

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's the difference between 95y and 95w?

95 is like 1500lb load rating per tire. W is 168mph roll rate limit Y is 186mph.

What does H mean on a tire?

“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.

What is 92w tire?

The 92 represents the maximum load the car can carry. The range of load ratings is vast and each number corresponds to a chart that shows how many pounds a single tire can carry. In this case, the 92 means it can support 1,389 pounds.

What does 112t mean on a tire?

Though not an absolute, the general rule is: The higher the speed rating, the better the tires will corner and stop, the faster they'll wear out, and the more they'll cost. Common speed ratings on tires are as follows: R=106 (mph) S = 112, T = 118, H = 130, V = 149, W = 169 and Y = 186.

What does 108t mean on a tire?

Load index is the next number, 108 in our example. The maximum load this tire can carry is 2,205 pounds (1,000 kg). The higher the load index, the more weight it will take.

Is a higher load rating better?

The load rating can be located on the sidewall of all tyres and is represented by a numerical value. 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.

What does 95w XL mean on a tire?

Some vehicles are equipped with "XL" tires. It doesn't mean that they're extra large, but it does mean that they are extra-load tires. The load index on these tires is much higher than a standard-load tire, which is why it is important to replace an XL tire with another XL tire.

What speed rating is H?

SPEED RATING H

If you recall from earlier, the “H” speed rating doesn't appear after “G” but between “U” and “V.” It represents a maximum speed of 130 mph (210 kph) and is commonly found on sports sedans and coupes.

What does V mean on a tire?

V - Speed ratings are represented by letters ranging from A to Z. Each letter coincides to the maximum speed a tire can sustain under its recommended load capacity. For instance, V is equivalent to a maximum speed of 149 mph.

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.

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 use ZR tires instead of R?

R indicates that the structure is RADIAL. So, VR indicates that the tyre has a RADIAL structure and a speed index equal to V. There is therefore no difference between a ZR or an R tyre with the same speed index.