Speed rating on winter tires

[Thehonger8]

I am wondering what speed rating has to do with the tire. I am looking at some Yokohama ice Guard IG721. It has a speed rating of Q. I wont be going more than 160kms. What else does it affect. Does anyone have the Yokohama ice Guard IG721?

Thanks

[Tuner1]

What kind of car do you want to install them on and what size?

Rob

[TegLover]

i don't see the point of having "high performance" winter tires hahaha

anyways

M 81 mph 130 km/h
N 87 mph 140km/h Temporary Spare Tires
P 93 mph 150 km/h
Q 99 mph 160 km/hStudless & Studdable Winter Tires
R 106 mph 170 km/h H.D. Light Truck Tires
S 112 mph 180 km/h Family Sedans & Vans
T 118 mph 190 km/h Family Sedans & Vans
U 124 mph 200 km/h
H 130 mph 210 km/h Sport Sedans & Coupes
V 149 mph 240 km/h Sport Sedans, Coupes & Sports Cars

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tiretech/techpage.jsp?techid=35

[lilmira]

It's nice to have the option. ;)

[max_boost]

Originally posted by Thehonger8
I am wondering what speed rating has to do with the tire. I am looking at some Yokohama ice Guard IG721. It has a speed rating of Q. I wont be going more than 160kms. What else does it affect. Does anyone have the Yokohama ice Guard IG721?

Thanks

Tires with a lower speed rating are generally a softer tire. Q-T and designed to grip really well in the deep snow and more for family oriented cars/minivans.

U-V tire is a performance winter tire that you can drive pretty aggressively in. More for sporty coupes, sedans, and roadsters.

[Supa Dexta]

it's also that winter tires have a heavier thicker tread, so you don't want it flying off.. They have to keep the weight down as well, so it's not as if they make the whole tire bulky to handle the burly tread, making it even worse..

[Thehonger8]

Thanks for the info. So the lower the speed rating the softer the tires and also easier wear, but better traction? I drive a 350z. I am wondering if it would be okay to use low speed rating tires. I am mainly doing city driving.

[Annoyingrob]

Yes it will be fine. Honestly, you're not going to be going super fast on icy roads are you? I think last winter I went highway speeds once. And like I said, that was highway speeds (like 120km/h). I would be an idiot to try to speed on winter tires, on winter roads.


I used to run some Michellin X-Ice 205/55s on my Supra in the winter. They were insanely soft tires. Still last a few seasons though.

[rc2002]

There are hardly any days when there's actually snow on the ground. 90% of winter driving in Calgary is on dry pavement anyway.

I've had all kinds of winter tires and I've notcied the V-rated ones are slightly better but handling still sucks.