Migraine Posted January 30, 2006 Share Posted January 30, 2006 Could someone be so kind to explain the speed rating on tires? For instance is "T" rated tire going to fail at 118mph or is it going to fail beyond that. I know a "T" rated tire is much lower than "V" that's stock, but I doubt my Outback will ever see the century mark. Mainly because in AZ if your caught at the century mark your license is suspended, car is impounded and you get an all expenses paid week vacation in the county jail. I'm looking at putting BFGoodrich Traction T/A's. I've had good luck with these tires on my other vehicles. But they don't make an "H" or "V" rated tire in 225/55/17. They do make 245/45/17 which is almost the same diameter. But I doubt they would fit without modding the fender. Here's a good tire calculator I found http://www.1010tires.com/TireSizeCalculator.asp Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rao Posted January 30, 2006 Share Posted January 30, 2006 It means that the tire has been tested to that speed and can be driven at that speed for extended periods of time. It does not mean that the tire will explode the instant you exceed that speed. Sort of like load ratings; the tire is tested to support that weight and you are pushing your luck if you exceed that amount. Rob IF YOU CARE ABOUT YOUR CAR YOU SHOULD NEVER DRIVE IT Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Migraine Posted January 30, 2006 Author Share Posted January 30, 2006 rao, thanks for the explanation. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
drifterx Posted January 30, 2006 Share Posted January 30, 2006 i thought it was speed while turning and driving on? i thought it was like busting a turn at a certain speed Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Xenonk Posted January 30, 2006 Share Posted January 30, 2006 ^ huh?? Keefe Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trabbic Posted January 30, 2006 Share Posted January 30, 2006 Here is specific information about each rating (and load rating): http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tiretech/techpage.jsp?techid=35 Remember the rating is for SUSTAINED speed (like rao said), your tire will not blow up if you exceed that rating, but it will not be able to dissipate or handle the heat at sustained speeds above that number, and will eventually fail... The Stock RE92's are Z rated (149+) My vB Garage How to Install Steering Wheel Radio Controls Cubby Gauge Mounting Solutions Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
silverfool Posted January 30, 2006 Share Posted January 30, 2006 Here is specific information about each rating (and load rating): http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tiretech/techpage.jsp?techid=35 Remember the rating is for SUSTAINED speed (like rao said), your tire will not blow up if you exceed that rating, but it will not be able to dissipate or handle the heat at sustained speeds above that number, and will eventually fail... The Stock RE92's are Z rated (149+) then why do they suck so much? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
schwinn Posted January 31, 2006 Share Posted January 31, 2006 i thought it was speed while turning and driving on? i thought it was like busting a turn at a certain speed then why do they suck so much? Speed ratings have nothing to do with rating the traction capability of the tire - simply has to do with the ability of the tire to handle the heat of high speed travel, as well as the forces during such operation. IE - a Z-rated tire isn't necessarily gripper on a turn (or straight) than a lower-rated tire. Just that the Z-rated tire will handle higher speeds without falling apart more than a lower rated one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
krzyss Posted January 31, 2006 Share Posted January 31, 2006 If you overload the car, underinflate tires then higher speed rated tire might survive abuse better then lower rated tire. Would you like to use good enough tire or better one? Check with victims of Ford/Firestone tragedy. Krzys Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EL PAALO Posted January 31, 2006 Share Posted January 31, 2006 ford/firestone was not a tragedy ....... it was poor drivers jerking the wheel, imo. yes, there was an issue with the tires/inflation, but it was blown way out of proportion and mainly due to poor driving. tests by independents (magazines/tv shows) showed that it was controllable like "normal" blowouts. This is the tire calculator I prefer for simple/quick stuff: http://www.discounttire.com/dtcs/infoTireMath.dos Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Xenonk Posted January 31, 2006 Share Posted January 31, 2006 ford/firestone was not a tragedy ....... it was poor drivers jerking the wheel, imo. yes, there was an issue with the tires/inflation, but it was blown way out of proportion and mainly due to poor driving. tests by independents (magazines/tv shows) showed that it was controllable like "normal" blowouts. This is the tire calculator I prefer for simple/quick stuff: http://www.discounttire.com/dtcs/infoTireMath.dos it's also a cause of drivers/owners not checking their tire pressure as well. Keefe Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
krzyss Posted February 1, 2006 Share Posted February 1, 2006 You guys remember that Ford recommended pressure was 26 PSI. It left no margin. Krzys http://www.thecarconnection.com/Auto_News/Daily_Edition/September_25_2000.S173.A727.html Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vet Posted February 2, 2006 Share Posted February 2, 2006 According to TireRack they make those tires in T, H, & V speed ratings. The T rated tire falls in the Standard Touring category while the H & V versions are in the High Performance All Season category. Since the H & V versions are in a higher performance category you would expect them to provide characteristics of higher performing tires such as stiffer side walls, higher levels of traction, and crisper steering response. Keep in mind that if the 245-45-17 size will fit it will require a wider wheel than stock. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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