Which is better T or H speed rating?
Tyres are crucial to the comfort, safety, and performance of a car. Selecting the correct tyres that optimise these three elements is extremely important because incorrect or unsuitable tyres can cause numerous problems. All tyres have a number of significant and often different characteristics. A tyre's 'sticky' label will give its rating in terms of fuel economy, wet-grip performance and noise levels. The markings that are stamped on a tyre's sidewall also give a considerable level of information about the tyre, including, but not only, speed rating, diameter and height, construction type, and load index.
Tyre speed rating
The speed rating of a tyre is the maximum speed at which it can safely transport a load in ideal conditions, for an extended period of time. Tyre manufacturers use special testing equipment to calculate a tyre's capacity for speed and ability to deal with friction/heat.
Tyre speed ratings are given as a letter which on its own doesn't give any information but corresponds to a specific speed. This speed is the maximum 'safe' speed at which these tyres can be driven.
The most common tyre speed ratings for standard passenger cars are S, T, and H. S corresponds to a maximum speed of 112mph (180 km/h), T corresponds to a maximum speed of 118mph (190km/h), and H corresponds to a maximum speed of 130mph (210km/h). The highest speed rating is Y (ZR) which corresponds to 186mph. This is for sports/race cars.
T rated tyres
Tyres with a T speed rating can support maximum speeds of 118mph. Driving faster than this on these tyres is dangerous. T-rated tyres are best for slower driving and generally do not provide optimum cornering, handling, or braking performance. These are also not a sensible choice for road surfaces that have high friction.
H rated tyres
Tyres with an H speed rating can cope with speeds of up to 130mph. These tyres are a good choice for people who drive at mid-range speeds and they offer solid handling, cornering, and braking performance.
So which speed rating is best for cars?
In the battle of T and H ratings, H is generally perceived as being better. H-rated tyres are effectively able to cope with 12mph faster speeds, can cope with greater friction at all speeds, and have significantly more capacity for heat resistance. Overall, H-rated tyres are able to deliver better handling, braking, cornering, and faster acceleration than their T-rated counterparts.
Other tyre markings
As we mentioned above, there are a number of other markings found on a tyre's sidewall. As an example, let's say the code on the tyre is 205/80 R16 104T M+S.
The first number (205) represents the width of the tyre from sidewall to sidewall (in millimetres).
The second number is the aspect ratio as a percentage, which is used to give the height. In the example, the height is, therefore, 80% of the width, which would be 164mm.
The letter that follows indicates the type of construction. R stands for 'Radial' construction which means it is built for use on cars and light trucks.
The number after the letter is the diameter of the rim (in inches). In the example, the tyre has a diameter of 16 inches.
The next number is the load index. This is the maximum load that the tyre can carry safely when inflated to the correct pressure and driven at optimum speed in good conditions. Somewhat confusingly, the number given is not the weight limit but a number that corresponds to a 'real' weight. In the example, the load index is 104, which means a maximum load of 900kg.
The letter following this is the speed rating. We have covered this previously, but it is worth mentioning that there are speed ratings as low as 3mph and as high as 186mph. In this example, the speed rating is T which corresponds to a maximum speed of 118mph.
The final code in this example is M+S. This stands for Mud and Snow, and means that this tyre is suitable for use in the winter.
Can you mix and match tyres of different ratings?
No, you shouldn't mix and match tyres with different speed ratings or load indexes. Doing so can cause serious issues. A car with tyres of different speed ratings will not handle well and can be difficult to control. Mixing load ratings can compromise the overall performance and safety of a vehicle
Protyre: the tyre experts
At Protyre, we stock a huge range of tyres to suit all vehicles and budgets. This includes tyres from premium manufacturers such as Michelin, Pirelli, Goodyear, and Bridgestone; mid-range tyres from brands including Falken and Sumitomo; and low-cost options from manufacturers such as Autogrip, Budget, and Ovation. All Protyre garages are staffed by experienced mechanics and qualified fitters.
Get booked in
You can buy your tyres online and book a tyre-fitting appointment at your nearest Protyre either online or over the phone. You can find the closest Protyre to you by entering your postcode into the online search function on our website.
Not just tyres
In addition to tyre fitting, Protyre garages also offer MOTs, servicing, and free vehicle safety checks bookable online or over the phone.