Tire Store in Tucson: Tutorial of Tire Speed Ratings
When it’s time for them to visit their local tire store, Tucson-area drivers can’t just pick out a new set of tires at random. To find the right wheels for your vehicle, you’ll need to account for everything from the size of your tires to your driving habits. But there’s something else you should consider: the top speed your tires can handle safely.
Because of that, paying attention to your tire speed rating is crucial. Read on for everything you need to know about these ratings — and how to find new tires with the right speed rating for your vehicle.
What Are Tire Speed Ratings?
Tire speed ratings have been in use since the ‘60s when they originated in Europe. At this time, vehicles were getting faster than ever, and these cars needed tires that could stand up to their power and speed. Speed ratings made it easy for drivers to find the right tires for their vehicles, and that basic concept is still in use today.
These days, the process of giving a tire a speed rating involves placing a properly inflated tire in a drum. That drum rotates the tire at increasing speeds for 10 minutes at a time. By going through this procedure, mechanics can determine how fast a tire can travel before it starts to lose structural integrity.
Understanding Tire Speed Ratings
When buying new tires, you’ll need to ensure the speed rating matches or exceeds that of the tires that came with your vehicle. A tire’s speed rating is expressed as a single letter, which you can find on its sidewall. Typically, the further that letter is into the alphabet, the faster the tire in question can go (for example, tires with a speed rating of Z can travel much faster than tires with a speed rating of B).
That said, there are exceptions to this rule. For example, Z-rated tires aren’t actually the fastest tires available. While that was once the case, the arrival of even faster vehicles necessitated the introduction of W-rated and Y-rated tires.
With that in mind, here’s a handy speed-rating reference chart:
- B: 31 mph or less
- C: 37 mph or less
- D: 40 mph or less
- E: 43 mph or less
- F: 50 mph or less
- G: 56 mph or less
- J: 62 mph or less
- K: 68 mph or less
- L: 75 mph or less
- M: 81 mph or less
- N: 87 mph or less
- P: 93 mph or less
- Q: 100 mph or less
- R: 106 mph or less
- S: 112 mph or less
- T: 118 mph or less
- U: 124 mph or less
- H: 130 mph or less
- V: 149 mph or less
- Z: 149 mph and above
- W: 168 mph or less
- Y: 186 mph or less
Other Factors To Consider
Tire speed is far from the only factor you’ll need to weigh when shopping for tires. Before setting foot in a local tire store, Tucson residents should think about things such as:
- Your vehicle’s tire diameter. Of course, your new tires won’t be suitable for your car if they don’t fit it correctly. Like a tire’s speed rating, you can find its diameter on its sidewall.
- How you drive. Do you have a cutting-edge sports car and a need for speed, or are you just trying to make it to work and back? Either way, you need tires designed for your use.
- Local weather conditions. Some tires are better at dealing with specific weather conditions than others. That means your tires should be ready to handle the local climate.
- Where you spend time driving. Do you prefer driving on city roads or dirt trails? You’ll want to think about this before investing in a set of new wheels.
Once you’ve gathered all this information, it’s time to visit your tire shop of choice and find a tire variety that meets your needs. Some popular types of tires include:
All-Season Tires
All-season tires are an excellent fit for most weather conditions, including rain and sun. While they aren’t great at dealing with winter weather, these wheels can deliver fantastic handling at any other time of year.
High-Performance Tires
Do you drive a luxury vehicle? If so, you’ll need to use it along with the right wheels. High-performance tires are built with a shorter sidewall and a wider body than most other tires, and they function similarly to racing tires when it comes to high speeds and cornering.
All-Terrain Tires
The Arizona desert is perfect for off-roading, but you’ll need the right tires to enjoy this activity. All-terrain tires have the deep treads you need to navigate rough environments while still performing well on paved roads.
Visit the Tire Store Tucson Residents Trust
The tire-buying process can be overwhelming if you’re trying to find a set of tires that offers the correct speed rating while meeting all your other priorities. But you don’t have to shop for tires alone — instead, visit BRAKEmax Tire & Service Centers!
With help from the ASE-certified technicians at our tire shop, Tucson residents can find the tires they need with ease. The benefits don’t stop there, either — you’ll also be able to save with our online coupons and financing opportunities. Take the first step by exploring our selection of tires today!
