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bpost and others-tire speed ratings
jimdeere
Member, Moderator Posts: 26,290 ******
My grandson has an old Saturn Ion. The sticker on the door post calls for “H” rated tires and that’s what he’s been buying. However, he gets very poor mileage out of his tires. He’s not a hot rodder, every one kids him about driving like an old man.
The rears wear as fast as the fronts and wear evenly across the tread.
My question:
If he drops down a rating or two, will it be unsafe? Most of the websites say don’t do it, but won’t say why not.
It’s breaking him up buying new tires so often. He’s getting 20,0000 miles or less out of the “H” rated tires.
Comments
'An H speed rating indicates the tire is approved for speeds up to 130 mph (210 km/h) under optimal conditions. An H speed rating is at the low end, or at the start of the performance tire speed ratings.'
Not sure why anyone would feel the need for a 130 mph rated tire for normal driving
The ratings are a European thing where it is actually illegal to install a tire with a rating lower than the vehicles certified top speed. My BMW 540i had a limited top speed of 155 mph, which required V-rated tires. I had the limiter removed which meant an increase to ZR rated (168 mph maximum) tires. Forum members Trap55, crittergetter and whiteclouder (RIP) can attest to that during a high speed run in Reno.
Bottom line- those ratings are meaningless here in the States. I stopped running V-rated tires on my motorcycles long ago and began using H-rated rubber for increased mileage.
Or, he could try a set of "European" type tires (2 pancake-like pieces) that are glued together at the center of the tread, as opposed to the "American" type that have 8 radial sections glued together. "European" type tires include Michelin, Pirelli, Bridgestone, & Yokohama.
Neal
"You get what you pay for, sometimes less."
Tire brands have a LOT to do with mileage actually seen. If someone is not pushing the speed limits of tire capabilities then looking at the mileage ratings will MAYBE make a difference. Mileage ratings are determined by the maker, not a standard number set in stone. China tires are not going to help the bottom line longevity. Firestone, Continental, Cooper and Michelin USA made tires are consistent in quality for the most part. Front to rear axle alignments, proper tire pressure, carrying loads and cornering habits will impact the life of a tire a lot more than the speed ratings.
I have ran Firestone Transforce AT2's (265/75/16 Load range E) on my truck for almost 120,000 miles. The first set ran at 68-75 PSI lasted over 60K with heavy loads common. This current set, ran at 62-65 PSI ,with the same loads to improve ride will not make it to 50K, pressure matters, so does my butt comfort. Pressure is king when getting heat out of the tire, heat is enemy number one.
Tell him to (1) check pressures every 30 days.
(2) slow down in corners and top cruising speeds.
(3) rotate every 5-7K miles, no more.
(4) drive at no more that 80 MPH, EVER.
High performance cars induce high performance driving. NASCAR gets 75-100 miles out of a tire because they push the limits. Drive that same tire at 50 MPH and it will go 10,000 miles.
Tell him to get his alignment checked. 20k miles for a set of tires from a car that light, being driven carefully? Something is far wrong.
Or follow him down the road as he drives. I bet he's running along "crabbed" with the rear tires out of line with the fronts. Get that fixed and his gas mileage will improve dramatically too.
I put a new set of Coopers on my 88" Land Rover a year ago, and I haven't even worn the little "fingers" off where they injected the rubber into the mold. And I climb a 12% grade every day coming home in it. His tires should wear the same or better.
Brand MATTERS. You said what type he buys, but not which brands. As stated above, No need to get tires rated for 130MPH if he NEVER goes that fast. Get a solid brand and go from there, I suggest Michelin. Just my 2 cents.
with halfway decent tires, quality counts, if driving as you say, and regularly checking for proper tire pressure, rotating them at least every oil change, he should be getting AT LEAST 50,000 miles,.
sounds to me he may be buying a cheaper brand of tire without a decent tire mileage warranty.
The shop put S-rated on my truck by mistake in 2017. And recently replaced the fronts-only with S-rated. I've still got one original T, the spare rotated into the four in 2017.
S will be quieter. Rated at 112mph. Some shops will not mount them, though.
Make sure the weight rating matches. That is the number before the letter.
My OEM tire is the P245/70R17-108T. The 108 means load index is 2205 pounds per tire. My 5,000 pound truck [me, a full tank of fuel, and an 80# bag of mortar mix] sits on tires rated for 8,820 pounds.
Another warning, watch out for a tire rating of mileage estimates and an actual warranty for X amount of miles. A rating is supplied by the manufacturer and is unequal across brands. Michelin tires are indeed good tires but we have found of late that Firestone tires are balancing out better when installed. Get the highest quality US made tire he can get based upon the mileage warranty. Keep an eye on the small print for rotation and make sure he follows the requirements of the warranty.
Here you go on the NASCAR tires... they are light and bald.. Thank the gods for inner liners.
https://www.tireamerica.com/resource/nascar-tires
I have found the mileage depends on rubber compound. Soft compound wears fast. Hard compound last longer.
"I have found the mileage depends on rubber compound. Soft compound wears fast. Hard compound last longer."
A soft, sticky "performance" tire isn't meant to be a high mileage tire.
"I have ran Firestone Transforce AT2's (265/75/16 Load range E) on my truck for almost 120,000 miles. The first set ran at 68-75 PSI lasted over 60K with heavy loads common. "
YOU are one lucky guy. I currently have 2 full sets of that exact tire that DIL's Uncle has taken off with 25K and less than 1/2 tread left. He doesn't haul anything in his 3/4 ton Chevy and hardly ever drives on gravel but those tires don't last long. I relegate them to farm use and carry extra spares.