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Preventative Maintenance
Air Pressure and Speed Ratings
Correct Air Pressure
Surprisingly, keeping air pressure in your tires at the correct level is just as important as giving your engine a tune up. Poor air pressure will cause poor gas mileage, loss of tire life, bad handling and the potential of vehicle overloading.
The economic benefits are great! With the correct amount of air pressure, your tires wear longer, save fuel, enhance handling and prevent accidents.
Speed Ratings
The speed rating of a tire is the measurement of the safe 'top-speed' the tire can carry a load under specified conditions. It is also an indication of how the tire will handle at lower speeds. A higher rated tire will give you better traction and improved steering response even at 50 mph.
Below is a listing of common speed ratings:
Q = 99 MPH, 160km/h
S = 112 MPH, 180km/h
T = 118 MPH, 190km/h
U = 124 MPH, 200km/h
H = 130 MPH, 210km/h
V = 149 MPH, 240km/h
Z = 149 MPH, 240km/h and over
W = 168 MPH, 270km/h
Y = 186 MPH, 300km/h
- Don't downgrade your tires to a lower speed rating than of that the OEM tires that came with your vehicle at the time of purchase. Doing so can effect the handling of your car and can be dangerous.
- Never mix tires with different speed ratings on your vehicle.