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The speed rating of a car tyre indicates the top speed that a tyre is able to safely travel at. For both safety and legal reasons, it is crucial to ensure that your tyres are suitable for the speeds you will be travelling at.
Being aware of your tyre speed rating will help you to ensure that your vehicle is safe for use and road legal.
Where can I see my tyre speed rating?
With such a range of information displayed within your tyre markings, it can seem confusing. However, once you know where to look, it is easy to find out your speed rating for yourself.
The tyre speed rating will be the final letter, found after the wheel size details. For example, if your tyre reads 255/55 R 16 91V, then your tyre speed rating is ‘V’.
Tyre speed ratings are shown by a letter of the alphabet, with each letter representing a different top speed. The below table shows the max speed for each speed rating:
Speed Rating
Max Speed (Mph)
Max Speed (Kph)
Q
99
160
R
106
170
S
112
180
T
118
190
U
124
200
H
130
210
V
149
240
W
168
270
Y
186
300
If you are unsure of what speed rating your car requires, you should refer to the vehicle handbook. To find out more information on what the markings on your tyre mean, see our Tyre Markings Guide.
Why is tyre speed important?
At high speeds, car wheels will turn faster, generating more friction and therefore more heat. If a tyre’s speed rating is too low, then it will risk tyre failure and loss of control at fast speeds. So, for both your own safety and the safety of other motorists, it is vital to have suitable tyres fitted.
As well as safety reasons, having the correct speed rating is important from a legal perspective. Fitting tyres that have a lower speed rating than the manufacturer’s recommendation can invalidate your car insurance, so it’s worth brushing up on UK tyre law if you’re planning on making changes.
It is important to check your vehicle handbook and ensure that any new tyres match, or even exceed, your car's maximum speed. You should never fit a tyre with a lower speed rating than was originally fitted to your vehicle during production.
What does W or Y mean on tyres?
The letters W or Y on a tyre represents the speed rating, or the highest speed that the tyre was designed to withstand and maintain. The speed rating is typically denoted by a letter following the load index, which is a number that indicates how much weight the tyre can support.
What is speed rating H and T in tyres?
The letter "H" on a tyre indicates that it is rated for a maximum speed of 130mph. The letter "T" on a tyre indicates that it is rated for a maximum speed of 118mph.
Need some advice?
If you’re unsure whether your tyres are the right speed rating for your car, or if you have any other questions about car tyres, get in touch with your local Kwik Fit centre for tons of helpful advice. You can even book a free tyre check to make sure everything’s in tip top shape!
Your tyre size can be found on the sidewall of your current tyre and is a sequence of numbers and letters. The most common tyre size in the UK is 205/55R16 but there are many variations so it’s important to check your existing tyre first before searching for tyres.
Tip: Take a photo of your existing tyre sidewall to make it easier to identify your tyre size using the guide below.
The first three digits. This displays the width of the tyre in millimetres. A tyre marked 225 will measure 225mm across the tread from sidewall to sidewall.
Aspect Ratio
The fourth and fifth digits of the tyre code that immediately follow the tyre width. The aspect ratio or profile height of the tyre sidewall is expressed as a percentage of the tyre width. So an aspect ratio of 55 for example means that the profile height of the tyre is 55% of its width.
Rim Diameter
The next two digits represent the size of the wheel rim that the tyre can be fitted to. It is also the diameter of the tyre from bead to bead. So a tyre marked 16 will fit on a 16-inch wheel rim.
Speed Rating
The speed rating of a tyre is represented by a letter of the alphabet at the end of the tyre size code and indicates the maximum speed capability of the tyre. Tyres receive a speed rating based on a series of tests which measure the tyres capability to handle a set speed for a prolonged period of time.
Select your tyre speed rating to find out the maximum speed your tyres can maintain.
If you are unsure what speed rating you need, be sure to check your vehicle handbook. Choosing a lower speed rating than that recommended by your vehicle manufacturer could potentially invalidate your insurance.
Load Rating
The load index provides information on the maximum weight capability for the tyre. The load index is a numerical code that can be located just after the tyre size marking and before the speed rating.
Select your load index to find out the maximum load capability for your tyres.
Although not illegal, it is not advisable to have tyres with a lower speed rating or load index than the manufacturer recommended tyre specification for your vehicle, or to have a combination of different tyre construction types. Consult your vehicle handbook to confirm your vehicle’s tyre speed rating and load index as well as any additional requirements.
0800 75 76 77 You can reach our customer care team 6 days a week from 9:00am to 6:00pm on Monday and Thursday, 8:30am to 6:00pm Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday, 8:30am to 5:00pm Saturday, and 10:00am to 4:00pm on Bank Holidays.
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Select Tyre Size
Front Tyre Size
Rear Tyre Size
We endeavour to ensure we are displaying the correct tyres for your vehicle. However, we recommend all customers check the tyre size printed on the side wall of their tyres before proceeding with a tyre purchase as occasionally discrepancies do occur. By selecting the tyre sizes above and clicking 'Continue', you are indicating that you have checked your tyre sizes.
Please select your front and rear tyre size before clicking 'Continue'.
We have identified the tyre size(s) that may fit your {VEHICLE}. Please select your front tyre size and rear tyre size below before clicking 'Continue'.
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