Speed Rating and Tires

[tacklebox]

There's alot of opinions out there regarding the speed rating on tires. Everyone has an opinion but no one gives any real world 75mph freeway commute experience.

I'm looking to get Hankook optima 727's. Consumer reports best all season tire for snow and ice, 100k mi warranty, $93x4 with a $40 rebate. Extremely well reviewed online as well. Given that my 8-14 yr old kumho, goodyear, firestone balding mix of tires performs just fine dry and in the rain. I'm most concerned with adding some winter traction. I can't afford 2 sets of tires, so snow tires aren't really an option.

Getting to the point. The Hankooks are speed rated H, (113mph). Book calls for V rated. I don't beat on my car and rarely go over 80mph, let along 133. Tirerack is giving me a little pushback about ordering lower rated tires than oem suggests.

Given the OEM Eagle RS-A's are crap, I can't imagine I could be any worse off with better tires but a lower speed rating.

What are your thoughts?

 

[LaserSVT]

There should be no "opinion" on what a speed rating means. They are universal!

L 75 mph
M 81 mph
N 87 mph
P 93 mph
Q 99 mph
R 106 mph
S 112 mph
T 118 mph
U 124 mph
H 130 mph
V 149 mph
W 168 mph
Y 186 mph


Z rating just means the tire is good for over 149 MPH.
That why a tire like: 285/35ZR19 99Y is actually a Y rated tire (186+) and not just a Z rating of 149.




As to what you should get, get a tire that matches your driving style. If you dont go fast then you dont need a tire that can handle it at the cost of longevity, ride comfort and noise controll.

A lower speed rated tire will be quieter, ride better and last longer but will not grip well for acceleration or corners and wont be able to handle high speeds without distorting.

 

[ratdog442]

cooper zenon zpt 245 50 16...nice tire for the money found online for $100 a piece with road hazard delivered.

 

[baggedtaco]

The Hankook 727 is a nice tire and being H-Rated I doubt that many would notice any differance between an H-Rated tire and a Z-Rated tire if they had no idea the tires had differant ratings. An H-Rated tire is still very responsive.

Nothing replaces a good Snow tire. If you get a fair amount of snow I would urge you and anyone else to find a way to get some snow tires. Its like buying insurance. Which would you rather spend $500 on...Snow tires or your insurance deductable because you didnt have said snow tires?? =)

*Soap Box Off* haha

Brad

 

[topher5150]

I have some snow tires and snow rims I'm trying to get rid of