{"id":3929,"date":"2025-12-16T13:18:28","date_gmt":"2025-12-16T21:18:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.vernfonk.com\/blog\/?p=3929"},"modified":"2025-12-16T13:19:31","modified_gmt":"2025-12-16T21:19:31","slug":"what-are-tire-speed-ratings","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.vernfonk.com\/blog\/tips\/what-are-tire-speed-ratings\/","title":{"rendered":"What Are Tire Speed Ratings (And Why Should You Care)?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>A tire speed rating is a code\u00a0you\u2019ll\u00a0find on your\u00a0tire\u2019s\u00a0sidewall that tells you how fast you can go with that tire \u2014 in other words, the maximum speed that it can safely handle without exploding all over the side of the interstate. It\u00a0doesn\u2019t\u00a0just tell you how fast the tire can go in a lab. It also ties into how your vehicle handles, brakes, and grips the road in real life. So even if\u00a0you\u2019re\u00a0not planning to push your car to the limit on I-5,\u00a0it\u2019s\u00a0still worth understanding, especially as it relates to\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.vernfonk.com\/auto-insurance\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">auto insurance in Washington<\/a>.\u00a0Let\u2019s\u00a0drive right in so you can get\u00a0tire\u00a0speed ratings explained in simple terms.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Decoding the Letters on Your Tire<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>So&nbsp;what do all the letters on your tire mean? What is tire speed rating in terms of actual English? You&nbsp;won\u2019t&nbsp;just find one or two characters \u2014 usually&nbsp;it\u2019s&nbsp;a combination of tire letters and numbers meaning \u2026 something. In fact, though, there is a method to&nbsp;the madness.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Where to Find Your Tire\u2019s Speed Rating<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Look at the sidewall of your tire.&nbsp;You\u2019ll&nbsp;see a code that looks something like \u201cP215\/60R16 94H.\u201d On the very end of that blurb, in this case, the letter \u201cH,\u201d&nbsp;that\u2019s&nbsp;your speed rating. You may find matching codes on the driver\u2019s side door jamb (usually a sticker, or in some cases a plate), in your owner&#8217;s manual, or on the fuel door. If&nbsp;you\u2019re&nbsp;using this as a car tire replacement guide,&nbsp;that\u2019s&nbsp;where you check what tires the car was designed to use.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>How to Read the Tire Sidewall<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Going back to that&nbsp;previous&nbsp;example.&nbsp;Let\u2019s&nbsp;say you have a gander at your tire sidewall and see that code: P215\/60R16 94H.&nbsp;Don\u2019t&nbsp;worry.&nbsp;It\u2019s&nbsp;not an ancient language. But it is a specific piece of information your manufacturer is trying to convey. To break it down:&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>P<\/strong>: Passenger vehicle\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>215<\/strong>: Tire width in millimeters\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>60<\/strong>: Aspect ratio (sidewall height as a percentage of width)\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>R<\/strong>: Radial construction\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>16<\/strong>: Wheel diameter in inches\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>94<\/strong>: Load index (how much weight it can carry)\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>H<\/strong>: Speed rating (you already know this one)\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>For the purposes of the speed rating,&nbsp;you\u2019re&nbsp;looking at that last letter: \u201cH.\u201d&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>What Do Tire Speed Ratings Mean?<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Every letter&nbsp;indicates&nbsp;a specific speed you can go on that tire until you begin to run into durability problems. If&nbsp;you\u2019re&nbsp;familiar with the Myers-Briggs personality type (for example, are you \u201cINTJ?\u201d),&nbsp;it\u2019s&nbsp;kind of the&nbsp;same thing.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>How Speed Ratings Are Determined<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Manufacturers test tires in a lab on a special machine that spins them at increasing speeds while under load.&nbsp;The tire has to survive without failing for a set period at its rated speed (and often at higher temperatures) to earn its letter.&nbsp;Higher rating =&nbsp;generally better&nbsp;high-speed stability and handling, but not always longer life.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Why They Matter for Safety and Handling<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Higher-speed-rated tires usually have a stiffer construction. That means&nbsp;sharper&nbsp;steering response and better grip on corners. It also means that the rubber compounds and construction that handle higher speeds help you to stop faster&nbsp;and more&nbsp;safely. If you downgrade your rating \u201cto save a few bucks,\u201d&nbsp;you\u2019re&nbsp;trading away some of the safety and performance your car was designed around. Not ideal, especially in PNW rain, potholes, and surprise freeway slowdowns. Tire safety tips mostly revolve around choosing the right tires for your usual driving conditions.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Tire Speed Rating Chart (From Slowpokes to Speed Demons)<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table is-style-stripes\"><table class=\"has-fixed-layout\"><tbody><tr><td><strong>Speed Rating<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/td><td><strong>Maximum Speed (MPH)<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/td><td><strong>Typical Vehicle Type<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/td><td><strong>Best For<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>S&nbsp;<\/td><td>Up to 112&nbsp;<\/td><td>Family sedans, minivans&nbsp;<\/td><td>Everyday commuting&nbsp;<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>T&nbsp;<\/td><td>Up to 118&nbsp;<\/td><td>Sedans, small SUVs&nbsp;<\/td><td>Balanced comfort &amp; safety&nbsp;<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>H&nbsp;<\/td><td>Up to 130&nbsp;<\/td><td>Passenger cars, crossovers&nbsp;<\/td><td>Higher performance daily driving&nbsp;<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>V&nbsp;<\/td><td>Up to 149&nbsp;<\/td><td>Sports sedans, performance cars&nbsp;<\/td><td>Drivers who like a little extra \u201czoom\u201d&nbsp;<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>W\/Z&nbsp;<\/td><td>168+&nbsp;<\/td><td>Sports &amp; luxury vehicles&nbsp;<\/td><td>High-speed performance&nbsp;<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Do Tire Speed Ratings Affect Car Insurance?<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Here\u2019s&nbsp;the annoying but honest answer: Your tire\u2019s speed rating is not usually listed as a separate factor on your policy (it\u2019s&nbsp;not part of typical&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.vernfonk.com\/blog\/car-insurance\/car-insurance-requirements-washington\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">car insurance requirements in Washington<\/a>). But it can still&nbsp;matter for&nbsp;risk, and risk is what insurance companies care about. If you put wildly inappropriate tires on your car and that contributes to a crash,&nbsp;don\u2019t&nbsp;be shocked if there are questions. Insurers want your vehicle to be in a safe, roadworthy condition.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>How Safety Features Can Impact Your Premium<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Think about it from the insurer\u2019s point of view. What do they like? Well, they want a car, really, that&nbsp;isn\u2019t&nbsp;going to&nbsp;freakin\u2019 crash into the nearest Douglas Fir at 150 mph. In other words, good brakes, stability, good tires, and modern safety tech all make the difference. All of that reduces the chance of a claim. While most companies&nbsp;won\u2019t&nbsp;say, \u201cYou have H-rated tires, here\u2019s a discount,\u201d they absolutely consider the overall risk picture.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full is-resized\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1000\" height=\"665\" src=\"https:\/\/www.vernfonk.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2020\/07\/Vern-Fonk-tire-speed-ratings-explained-2.jpg\" alt=\"Funny tire shop employee having fun at work with tire speed ratings explained.\" class=\"wp-image-5497\" style=\"width:588px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.vernfonk.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2020\/07\/Vern-Fonk-tire-speed-ratings-explained-2.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/www.vernfonk.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2020\/07\/Vern-Fonk-tire-speed-ratings-explained-2-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.vernfonk.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2020\/07\/Vern-Fonk-tire-speed-ratings-explained-2-768x511.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.vernfonk.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2020\/07\/Vern-Fonk-tire-speed-ratings-explained-2-800x532.jpg 800w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>When Upgrading Tires Might Be Worth It<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Spending a bit&nbsp;more for&nbsp;properly rated, higher-quality tires can be worth it when you drive on the highway regularly, own a high-performance vehicle, live in an area with fast traffic and rapid slowdowns, and need some help with the elements. Remember, it rains a&nbsp;lot up&nbsp;here, and high traction matters. Avoiding accidents is the key. Both for your safety and for your bank account, when it comes to insurance costs.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>How to Choose the Right Tires for Your Vehicle<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Think of this as the real-world choosing the right tires guide: not \u201cwhat looks cool,\u201d but \u201cwhat actually fits your car and your life.\u201d&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Matching Speed Ratings to Driving Style<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Stick with your car\u2019s original rating or higher. Dropping below the manufacturer&#8217;s specifications is not recommended. S, T, or H are satisfactory for most city and suburban driving situations, but V, W, and Z may be better for a muscle car or something that can&nbsp;\u201cvroom&nbsp;vroom\u201d fast.&nbsp;Don\u2019t&nbsp;cheap out \u2014 you&nbsp;don\u2019t&nbsp;want to do the car equivalent of&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.vernfonk.com\/blog\/car-insurance\/bare-minimum-car-insurance\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">wearing flip flops in a snowstorm<\/a>.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>When to Consult a Pro (or Your Car\u2019s Manual)<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Yes, you&nbsp;should absolutely&nbsp;read the owner\u2019s manual at least once in your life. The tire section is a good place to start. Check the recommended tire size, speed rating, and seasonal maintenance \u2014 especially if you need&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.vernfonk.com\/blog\/car-insurance\/are-all-season-tires-good-for-winter-driving-in-washington-state\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">all-season tires for winter driving in Washington<\/a>. Still confused?&nbsp;That\u2019s&nbsp;when you call a local tire shop. Tell them your car type, how you drive, and where you drive. Between that and the manual,&nbsp;you\u2019ll&nbsp;get a solid recommendation without needing a PhD in tire science.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Keep Your Car Rolling Safe (and Cheap)<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Vern Fonk auto insurance is built for real people with real budgets, not imaginary perfect drivers who never miss a maintenance appointment. If&nbsp;you\u2019re&nbsp;upgrading your tires, changing vehicles, or just realizing your coverage might be as worn as your old tread,&nbsp;it\u2019s&nbsp;a smart time to&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.vernfonk.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">get a quote on our website<\/a>, give us a call at&nbsp;<a href=\"tel:8004558276\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">(800) 455-8276<\/a>, or visit us today at one of&nbsp;our&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.vernfonk.com\/locations\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Washington offices<\/a>!&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>FAQs<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Can I Use a Tire with a Lower Speed Rating?<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Technically, you can buy them. But you&nbsp;generally should&nbsp;not go below your vehicle\u2019s original speed rating.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Do Higher Speed-Rated Tires Last Longer?<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Not necessarily. In fact, high-speed performance tires often wear out faster because they use softer rubber for&nbsp;grip.&nbsp;A properly chosen&nbsp;S, T, or H tire for a commuter car might last longer than an aggressive W- or Z-rated performance tire driven hard.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>What Happens If I Exceed My Tire\u2019s Speed Rating?<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>You\u2019re&nbsp;rolling the dice. At speeds beyond the rating, the tire can overheat, lose structural integrity, and in extreme cases, fail. Even if it&nbsp;doesn\u2019t&nbsp;explode dramatically, heat and stress can cause internal damage you&nbsp;can\u2019t&nbsp;see \u2014 which sets you&nbsp;up for&nbsp;problems later.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:30px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-content-justification-center is-layout-flex wp-container-core-buttons-is-layout-1 wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link has-very-light-gray-color has-vivid-red-background-color has-text-color has-background wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/www.vernfonk.com\/auto-insurance\/\" style=\"border-radius:22px\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Get a Quote<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:30px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-content-justification-center is-layout-flex wp-container-core-buttons-is-layout-2 wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link has-very-light-gray-color has-vivid-red-background-color has-text-color has-background wp-element-button\" href=\"tel:1-800-455-8276\" style=\"border-radius:22px\">Call Us<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:30px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-content-justification-center is-layout-flex wp-container-core-buttons-is-layout-3 wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link has-very-light-gray-color has-vivid-red-background-color has-text-color has-background wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/www.vernfonk.com\/locations\/\" style=\"border-radius:22px\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Find Your Office<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>A tire speed rating is a code\u00a0you\u2019ll\u00a0find on your\u00a0tire\u2019s\u00a0sidewall that tells you how fast you can go with that tire \u2014 in other words, the maximum speed that it can safely handle without exploding all over the side of the interstate. It\u00a0doesn\u2019t\u00a0just tell you how fast the tire can go in a lab. It also [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":8,"featured_media":5498,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"inline_featured_image":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[25],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-3929","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-tips"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.vernfonk.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3929","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.vernfonk.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.vernfonk.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.vernfonk.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/8"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.vernfonk.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=3929"}],"version-history":[{"count":7,"href":"https:\/\/www.vernfonk.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3929\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":5500,"href":"https:\/\/www.vernfonk.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3929\/revisions\/5500"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.vernfonk.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/5498"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.vernfonk.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=3929"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.vernfonk.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=3929"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.vernfonk.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=3929"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}