Tyre speed symbols – have a need for speed?
Ever wondered how the rating of your tyres affects your vehicle’s speed and performance? Think that all tyres are made equal? Well, there’s actually a lot of difference between tyre types, especially when it comes to the speed symbol (the letter that comes at the end of your tyre specification).
Whether you’re looking for truck tyres, van tyres, car tyres, winter or high-speed tyres, you can be guided by the speed symbol marked on the side of the tyre. This tells you the top sustainable speed achievable with each specific rating of tyre. See the table below for details:
So for most cars, you’ll be looking for a speed rating of between S and Y, which gives you speeds of between 111mph and 186mph. For trucks, vans and winter driving, you’ll want a rating between J and R. And for higher speeds and high-performance cars, you’ll be looking for tyres rated VR or ZR. Ok, so you may be thinking: “When do I need to drive at 186mph?!” but this just means the maximum speed capable with the corresponding load weight.
Having the right speed rating for your vehicle will increase the performance of your car, and although it’s not illegal, you should never choose tyres with a lower rating than what is recommended in your user manual.