Performance Ratings or 'Speed' Ratings: determined by the tire's maximum sustainable speed
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* S and T are the longvans and passenger cars.
* H, V, and Z are high performance and ultra high performance tires.
* H rated tires are starting to be standard on many cars.
** BMW, Volkswagon, GM, and Chrysler use high-performance Goodyear Eagle as their standard tire.
How Much Performance Do You Want?
Standard Tires (S and T rated)
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High and Ultra High Performance Tires
You don't need to own a high-performance tire, if it doesn't suit your needs. T and S rated tires are significantly cheaper, have a longer tread life and warranty, and a better quality ride.
Now that you understand speed rating, there are still a few more things to consider...
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* Make sure to match new tire specifications to those of your existing tire.
* You'll need a tire that fits your existing wheels and has the same or greater load rating for your vehicle.
* Be cautious when considering the latest trend, "plus-size" tires and wheels, which means larger sized wheels and shorter, wider tires than car really requires.
* You can find out what size tires are right for your vehicle by consulting your owner's manual.
* You can also look at your current tires for a sizing reference:
** The ratio is the width in mm over the percentage of that width that makes up the profile (distance between rim and outer edge), so a tire with a size of 215/60 16 is 215mm wide, 129mm (60% of 215) from the ground to the rim, and is intended for a 16-inch wheel.
