In terms of speed ratings, how big of a deal is this? I was looking at H-rated tires (Falken Ziex ZE-512) and was wondering if thesewould be okay? I am just doing daily drivng and highwau driving on the car. No track time at all.

Thanks :-)

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by onyx00 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">In terms of speed ratings, how big of a deal is this? I was looking at H-rated tires (Falken Ziex ZE-512) and was wondering if thesewould be okay? I am just doing daily drivng and highwau driving on the car. No track time at all.

Thanks :-)</TD></TR></TABLE>

Thanks to Vulcan tire: http://www.vulcantire.com

Speed ratings signify the safe top speed of a tire under perfect conditions.
Vulcan Tires Sales specifies the speed rating of a tire in two ways:

1.) Listed inside the size of the tire before the "R" Example: 195/65HR15, the preceding size is an "H" speed rated tire.

2.) Listed in the comparison header at the top of a description page of a tire. (To the right of the picture of the tire.)

NOTE: The speed rating of a tire has nothing to do with the actual size of the tire. So a 195/65HR15 tire can be substituted for a 195/65SR15 tire. However, to maintain the performance characteristics of the vehicle it is recommended that a higher speed rating be substituted.

NOTE 2: Light truck tires are not required to have speed ratings.

Common speed ratings are:

Q=99 MPH, 160km/h

S=112 MPH, 180km/h

T=118 MPH, 190km/h

U=124 MPH, 200km/h

H=130 MPH, 210km/h

V=149 MPH, 240km/h

W=168 MPH, 270km/h

Y=186 MPH, 300km/h

Z=149 MPH, 240km/h and over

 

You haven't said whether or not you intend to exceed 130 mph.

Here's what the Tire Rack website says about speed ratings:

Speed Rating

In Europe, where selected highways do not have speed limits and high speed driving is permitted, speed ratings were established to match the speed capability of tires with the top speed capability of the vehicles to which they are applied. Speed ratings are established in kilometers per hour and subsequently converted to miles per hour (which explains why speed ratings appear established at “unusual” mile per hour increments). Despite the tire manufacturer’s ability to manufacturer tires capable of high speeds, none of them recommend the use of their products in excess of legal speed limits.

Speed ratings are based on laboratory tests where the tire is pressed against a large diameter metal drum to reflect its appropriate load, and run at ever increasing speeds (in 6.2 mph steps in 10 minute increments) until the tire’s required speed has been met.

It is important to note that speed ratings only apply to tires that have not been damaged, altered, under-inflated or overloaded. Additionally, most tire manufacturers maintain that a tire that has been cut or punctured no longer retains the tire manufacturer’s original speed rating, even after being repaired because the tire manufacturer can’t control the quality of the repair.

Over the years, tire speed rating symbols have been marked on tires in any of three ways shown in the following examples:

225/50SR16 225/50SR16 89S or 225/50R16 89S

Each of these was an acceptable method of identifying speed ratings.

Early tires had their speed rating symbol shown “within” the tire size, such as 225/50SR16. Tires using this type of branding were not to have been produced after 1991.

225/50SR16 112 mph, 180 km/h
225/50HR16 130, 210 km/h
225/50VR16 in excess of 130 mph, 210 km/h

Beginning in 1991, the speed symbol denoting a fixed maximum speed capability of new tires must be shown only in the speed rating portion of the tire’s service description, such as 225/50R16 89S. The most common tire speed rating symbols, maximum speeds and typical applications are shown below:

N 87 mph 140 km/h Temporary Spare Tires
P 93 mph 150 km/h
Q 99 mph 160 km/h Studless & Studdable Winter Tires
R 106 mph 170 km/h H.D. Light Truck Tires
S 112 mph 180 km/h Family Sedans & Vans
T 118 mph 190 km/h Family Sedans & Vans
U 124 mph 200 km/h
H 130 mph 210 km/h Sport Sedans & Coupes
V 149 mph 240 km/h Sport Sedans, Coupes & Sports Cars

When Z-speed rated tires were first introduced, they were thought to reflect the highest tire speed rating that would ever be required, in excess of 240 km/h or 149 mph. While Z-speed rated tires are capable of speeds in excess of 149 mph, how far above 149 mph was not identified. That ultimately caused the automotive industry to add W- and Y-speed ratings to identify the tires that meet the needs of new vehicles that have extremely high top-speed capabilities.

W 168 mph 270 km/h Exotic Sports Cars
Y 186 mph 300 km/h Exotic Sports Cars

While a Z-speed rating still often appears in the tire size designation of these tires, such as 225/50ZR16 91W, the Z in the size signifies a maximum speed capability in excess of 149 mph, 240 km/h; the W in the service description indicates the tire’s 168 mph, 270 km/h maximum speed.

225/50ZR16 in excess of 149 mph, 240 km/h
205/45ZR17 88W 168 mph, 270 km/h
285/35ZR19 99Y 186 mph, 300 km/h

Most recently, when the Y-speed rating indicated in a service description is enclosed in parenthesis, such as 285/35ZR19 (99Y), the top speed of the tire has been tested in excess of 186 mph, 300 km/h indicated by the service description as shown below:

285/35ZR19 99Y 186 mph, 300 km/h
285/35ZR19 (99Y) in excess of 186 mph, 300 km/h

As vehicles have increased their top speeds into Autobahn-only ranges, the tire speed ratings have evolved to better identify the tires capability, allowing drivers to match the speed of their tires with the top speed of their vehicle.

 

Yeah, i have read that all. I am just wondering how big of a deal going with a H rated tire versus the higher speed ratings.

Definately not doing over 130. 100 tops. Tickets are expensive :-(

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by onyx00 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Tickets are expensive :-(</TD></TR></TABLE>

:thinks about making a smart comment about radar detectors:

-Aaron -who remembers how fun that thread got!

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by BrewCityR &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

:thinks about making a smart comment about radar detectors:

-Aaron -who remembers how fun that thread got! </TD></TR></TABLE>

Yea, that was a good one, but lets not bring the debate back to life.

I would say stick with V or better, lower ratings tend to have a sloppy wheel/softer sidewall.

 

&lt;--- Doesn't believe in radar detectors.

 

since we are on this topic, i'm always wondering tires which is the same model but different speed rating. how are they different in their tire construction? are they supposed to be better in every way?

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by BrewCityR &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">:thinks about making a smart comment about radar detectors:

-Aaron -who remembers how fun that thread got! </TD></TR></TABLE>

Damn VA.
They can pull you over for just a radar detector over here!

But more to the point, I'd say if you're just looking for a good cheap tire and don't plan on exceeding 100 or so (hehe ), and H speed rating should be fine. Ed