LOAD AND SPEED RATINGS

With few exceptions, new tyres are required by law to carry indications of the tyre’s load carrying and speed capabilities e.g. 205/55R16 91V.

These are moulded on the sidewall as a service description comprising a Load Index (e.g. ’91’ in table 1) for load carrying capacity and a Speed Symbol (e.g. ‘V’ in table 2) for speed capability. It is strongly recommended to always fit tyres that have a speed capability and load index at least equal to or higher than those originally specified by the vehicle manufacturer.

The only exception to this is when fitting winter tyres when it is common place to fit a tyre with a speed rating 1 fitment lower, for example dropping from a V speed rating to a H. This is usually reinforced in the vehicle manufacturer’s service book.

Load Ratings

Speed Ratings