Does tyre speed rating affect insurance?

Does tyre speed rating affect insurance?

You can invalidate your car insurance by fitting new tyres that have a lower speed rating than the manufacturer’s original fit. Generally speaking, there’s no problem with fitting new tyres that have a higher tyre speed rating – just note that it will probably cost you more and there may not be any significant benefit.

What does speed rating on tyres mean?

maximum speed
Tyre speed ratings tell you the maximum speed that particular tyre is legally approved for. This measurement ensures that the tyre you buy is appropriate – and safe – for the speed of the car it’s fitted on.

Does the speed rating of a tyre matter?

It’s important to choose the right speed rating for your vehicle and the conditions. Tyres with higher speed ratings may give better grip and stopping distances, but they might not perform as well in the cold and could wear out faster.

What happens if you exceed tire speed rating?

If you go way over the rating, or if you stay above the rating for more than a few minutes, the tire may fail, losing tread or blowing out. The speed rating is an estimate of how much heat the tire can handle before it is damaged. The heat buildup comes from the speed combined with the load.

What does W and Y mean on tyres?

Confusingly, W-rated tyres are rated at a higher speed in excess of 168mph. Y-rated tyres are rated in excess of 186mph. See the full list below. Tyre speed ratings should be matched to the official top speed of your car.

Can I fit a lower speed rated tyre?

It is both illegal and dangerous to drive with tyres that are lower than the recommended speed rating. This can result in poor handling and unpredictable steering. There is no problem installing a higher speed rated tyre on your vehicle, as it can improve your cornering response.

How is tire speed rating determined?

Tire manufacturers determine a tire’s capacity for heat and speed using a testing machine. Starting at a speed 40 km/h lower than the proposed rating level, the tire is spun for 10-minute increments at higher and higher speeds, until it reaches the target speed. The tire spins for 10 minutes at the target speed.

Can I use V-rated tires instead of W?

Nissan, Cadillac, Toyota, and Honda are currently using higher original equipment or V-rated tires on approximately 70% of their brand new vehicles. A V rating represents 149 mph but no faster. W, on the other hand, means the tires can achieve maximum speeds of up to 168 mph.

How do you read a tire rating?

The first two digits (87S) represent the tire’s load index and are followed by a single letter (87S) identifying the tire’s speed rating. “Using a P195/60R15 87S tire size as our example, the 87S at the end of the size represents the tire’s service description.

What does the speed rating on tires mean?

In other words, it’s the fastest speed a tire can handle before it does not perform as designed. Tire speed ratings do not imply that the vehicle may safely be driven at the maximum speed for which the tire is capable, particularly under adverse weather or road conditions.

How do tyre speed ratings affect car insurance?

Tyre speed ratings should be matched to the official top speed of your car. If you fit cheaper, lower-speed-rated tyres, it could affect your car insurance. Some tyre organisations offer vehicle registration number (VRM) tyre-finder services, which will automatically choose the correct tyres, with the correct speed rating, for your car.

What is the maximum speed of a T rated tyre?

With a maximum speed of 118 mph190km/h, you usually find tyres with speed rating “T” on family sedans and minivans. If you recall from earlier, the “H” speed rating doesn’t appear after “G” but between “U” and “V.” It represents a maximum speed of 210 km/h and is commonly found on sports sedans and coupes.

What do tytyre speed ratings mean?

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: If you are unsure of what speed rating your car requires, you should refer to the vehicle handbook.