tyre speed rating

Anonymous · Post by **Anonymous** » Wed Dec 15, 04 10:26 pm

looking at getting some new rubber for the charger over the winter, but dont know what speed rating i need, i'm guessing at 'h', but the goodridge t/a's i've looked at are 'r' rated according to northhants tyres w/site, or have i read it wrong?

also where do you stand mot wise, is this an issue for testing or not? i know in my trade it's the first thing the insurance blokes do is check the tyre type, an tread depth on inspection.

Holly · Post by **Holly** » Wed Dec 15, 04 10:31 pm

Not an MOT issue, the ratings are to do with the temperature they can withstand, and going 'up' in the scale won't make any handling difference at the speeds you'll be doing.

Post by **MattH** » Wed Dec 15, 04 10:46 pm

The ratings are for speed, I have a list at work of what they all mean, and you need to have a rating higher than the top speed of the car or the tyres may fall apart at speed. The numbers after are the load index which is how much weight the tyre will take. Not an issue for most of our cars, but stretch limos ofetn run on tyres unsuited due to the load ratings.
There we go, work comes in handy sometimes.
Anyone want to know about tachos??

Pete · Post by **Pete** » Wed Dec 15, 04 11:44 pm

Definately Matt - I love Mexican food

Anonymous · Post by **Anonymous** » Thu Dec 16, 04 2:42 pm

the 'r' on the tyre stands for radial usually, i have never heard of an 'r' rated tyre.
't' is about 112 mph
'h' is 120 somthing mph
'v' is around 140 mph
'w' and 'z' are above 140 mph

i think these are the rough speeds. its been while since i used to change tyres. iv'e got 't' rated tyres on the front of my barracuda, really should change them soon

Dave-R · Post by **Dave-R** » Thu Dec 16, 04 2:53 pm

Forget about the speed rating. It is just to cover their backs in case someone had one fail and tried to sue them.
I am pretty sure these ratings are for sustained speeds. If you do 100mph+ for long lengths of time you would be better to get a higher rating but for short bursts over 100 to 140 mph even the lower speed ratings are fine.

I have been over 140mph on my Radial T/As a few times now.

On my private closed course dual carrageway of course.

Come to think of it I did a constant (indicated) 135mph for 200miles in a Ford once. Normal tyres. I once did a steady 110mph through the night in my old Charger on T/As once too. Those were the days when speed cameras didn't exist and policemen were either tucked up in each others wives beds or sitting drinking tea in hospital canteens. (No offence Matt)

Holly · Post by **Holly** » Thu Dec 16, 04 5:43 pm

Yeah, the speed is just an indicator of the temperatures the rubber it made to keep together at. Over the speed rating on a hot summers day they'll blister ... I got V rating on the Shelby

Anonymous · Post by **Anonymous** » Thu Dec 16, 04 7:53 pm

thanks for the feedback guys i spoke to one of the guys at northhants tyres to day, and he told me that s rated is up to 118 mph t is sustained,
h up to 130 which is the same as the bike stuff i use at work, most of the bikes at work use zr rated tyres, put a dunlop d 208 on a guys bike today ?129 for the tyre ?25 fitting and balance, and we'el see him again in less than 2000 miles!!!!

Anonymous · Post by **Anonymous** » Thu Dec 16, 04 9:34 pm

all 3 of the Michelins on my plymouth blew emselves to bits when i went over 65, (not a nice experience) wont be buying that make anytime soon, or Pirellis for that matter.

BFG's are one of my faves, as are Avons and Yokohamas

did you know all tyres have a year stamped into them when they were made. (in code)

i just bought some GENERAL tyres for my General, how appropriate!

Anonymous · Post by **Anonymous** » Thu Dec 16, 04 9:57 pm

that must have been well scary, were you alone or did you have anyone else in with you?
i think bfg's are looking good at the moment, along with cooper cobra g/t's gonna phone sintons tomorrow for pricing also have you seen the datsun for sale at brockers beauties?this is the company where i got my charger from

Ashley · Post by **Ashley** » Thu Dec 16, 04 10:02 pm

Hey Trev
Do you have a Tyre Man brance were you are.
Just ordered a set of cooper cobra's from them.
They were ?40 cheaper than Sintons.

Jon · Post by **Jon** » Thu Dec 16, 04 10:14 pm

I had a cooper cobra let go on me once, mind you I was fairly shifting at the time, it went when I slowed to about 90 (on my private test track of course 8) )lots of smoke and noise but the car pulled up pretty straight, there was a hole in it I could get my hand in

Dave-R · Post by **Dave-R** » Fri Dec 17, 04 9:18 am

I must be lucky because the only time I ever had a tyre explode was with a cheap and worn re-mould on one of my my Dad's old Mk3 Cortinas. Of course I was doing 75 in the outside lane on a Motorway at the time. The bloke behind must have seen something (maybe the tube pushing out?) because he flashed me. I was just looking in my rear mirror wondering why he had flashed me when it went. How I got it through to the hard shoulder and stopped I don't know. I could hardly move my right arm the next day and had a bad back from it too.

Anonymous · Post by **Anonymous** » Fri Dec 17, 04 10:01 pm

ashley not that i know of, maybe you could post me his contact number as that,s a fair saving.
jon these kind of stories are why i want to get things right, as i will be carrying the family around i dont want any mishaps because of poor selection, or being a tight wad,

Ashley · Post by **Ashley** » Fri Dec 17, 04 10:10 pm

Trev
Tyre man's number is 01482 505526.
Dont know if they will deliver see what they say.