Besides enhancing the look of your car or truck, tires, play an important role in a vehicle’s performance. Tires with a performance rating, are high endurance tires designed to improve a car’s handling and overall balance. The tire is optimized for an enhanced grip in warmer conditions and can easily outdo all-season tires on a rainy day.
A tire with a performance rating, also has more traction. Thanks to the sticky additives that are added with a soft tread compound. They have shallow, straight tread grooves that increase the contact area of the tire with the road.
Performance Tire Rating and Buying Guide
When looking to buy a new tire the buyer should consider the specification of the tire in addition to the price. Understanding the numbers inscribed on a tire can be very helpful in getting a top-rated tire in performance.
An example of a tire numbering is 255/55R15 91V
- 255 The first number usually denotes the width of the tire’s surface in contact with the road.
- 55 Is the tire sidewall height from the rim to the tire surface and it’s a percentage (%) of the tire width/ surface in contact with the road.
- R is the radial construction, which is the design the manufacturer used to construct the tire. Most tires use steel cords intertwined and this letter denotes the build.
- 91V The last number-letter combination denotes the weight and speed rating of the tire consecutively
Tire Speed Chart
LETTER | (Mph) | (Km/h) |
---|---|---|
H | 130 | 210 |
L | 75 | 120 |
M | 81 | 130 |
N | 87 | 140 |
Q | 99 | 160 |
R | 106 | 170 |
S | 112 | 180 |
T | 118 | 190 |
U | 124 | 200 |
V | 149 | 240 |
W | 168 | 270 |
Y | 186 | 300 |
(Y) | 186+ | 300+ |
Z | 149+ | 240+ |
Tire Weight Chart
RATING | Lbs. | Kgs | RATING | Lbs | Kgs |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
0 | 99 | 45 | 28 | 220 | 100 |
1 | 102 | 46 | 29 | 227 | 103 |
2 | 105 | 48 | 30 | 234 | 106 |
3 | 107 | 49 | 31 | 240 | 109 |
4 | 110 | 50 | 32 | 247 | 112 |
5 | 114 | 52 | 33 | 254 | 115 |
6 | 117 | 53 | 34 | 260 | 118 |
7 | 120 | 54 | 35 | 267 | 121 |
8 | 123 | 56 | 36 | 276 | 125 |
9 | 128 | 58 | 37 | 282 | 128 |
10 | 132 | 60 | 38 | 291 | 132 |
11 | 136 | 62 | 39 | 300 | 136 |
12 | 139 | 63 | 40 | 309 | 140 |
13 | 143 | 65 | 41 | 320 | 145 |
14 | 148 | 67 | 42 | 331 | 150 |
15 | 152 | 69 | 43 | 342 | 155 |
16 | 157 | 71 | 44 | 353 | 160 |
17 | 162 | 73 | 45 | 364 | 165 |
18 | 165 | 75 | 46 | 375 | 170 |
19 | 171 | 78 | 47 | 386 | 175 |
20 | 176 | 80 | 48 | 397 | 180 |
21 | 182 | 83 | 49 | 408 | 185 |
22 | 187 | 85 | 50 | 419 | 190 |
23 | 193 | 88 | 51 | 430 | 195 |
24 | 198 | 90 | 52 | 441 | 200 |
25 | 204 | 93 | 53 | 454 | 206 |
26 | 209 | 95 | 54 | 467 | 212 |
27 | 215 | 98 | 55 | 481 | 218 |
Note that, the weight capacity of a vehicle is determined by the sum of individual tire weight ratings.
Before buying a tire it is important also to look out for the following
- DOT code (Tire size, manufacture year, plant code)
- UTQG code (Treadwear, traction, temperature)
- Tire, Warranty, noise rating, and effect on fuel economy.
What Performance Tires To Check Out.
Mastercraft Avenger G/T Performance Radial Tire
Hankook Ventus V12 evo 2 Summer Radial Tire
Mastercraft Courser HXT All-Season Radial Tire
General Altimax RT43 Radial Tire
Pirelli CintuRato P7 Season Run Flat Touring Radial Tire
FAQs
1- How often should I change my performance tires?
Tires usually last around 30,000 miles. Ideally any change should occur within this mileage or prior.
2- What does the warranty cover?
Warranty only covers manufacturing faults, such as unusual tread wear, bubbles, or lumps on the sidewalls. Tire rupture, and any other damage without being involved in an accident.
Conclusion
Performance tires are great for all-weather and almost all different types of terrains. If you’re looking to get high-quality performance tires to enhance your car’s handling and traction in tricky conditions, check out the list that we provided about the top-selling performance tires on Amazon and get the one that suits your needs.
Also, consider safety tools like the portable tire inflator to protect you when you get that unavoidable puncture.
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