Tyre Speed Ratings - New
Tyre Speed Rating
Know Your Limits
That single letter on your tyre sidewall is one of the most important safety specifications on your car. It tells you the maximum sustained speed your tyre is engineered to handle — and fitting the wrong rating can be catastrophic.
Shop Tyres by Speed RatingWhat Is a Tyre Speed Rating?
The speed rating is a letter code moulded into your tyre's sidewall, always found at the end of the tyre size designation. It represents the maximum sustained speed the tyre is certified to handle under load.
Take a tyre marked 215/65R16 98H — the H at the end is the speed rating. It tells you this tyre is rated for sustained speeds up to 210 km/h. Exceed that speed for any length of time and you risk heat build-up, structural failure, and tyre blowout.
Speed ratings are determined through rigorous laboratory testing where engineers run the tyre at progressively higher speeds in 6.2 mph (10 km/h) increments, each held for 10 minutes, until the required speed is maintained without failure.
It is critical that you never fit a tyre with a lower speed rating than your vehicle's original specification. A higher rating is always acceptable — but going lower puts you and your passengers at risk.
mm
Ratio %
Diameter"
Index
Rating
H rating = 210 km/h maximum sustained speed
Always match or exceed your vehicle's original speed rating
The Science Behind Speed Rating Testing
Speed ratings aren't arbitrary — they're the result of controlled laboratory testing conducted under strict international standards. Every tyre must pass these tests before it can carry a speed rating designation.
Tyre Speed Rating Table
All standard speed rating codes, their maximum speeds in both miles per hour and kilometres per hour, and typical vehicle applications.
| Speed Rating | Max Speed (mph) | Max Speed (km/h) | Typical Application |
|---|---|---|---|
| 87 mph | 140 km/h | Spare / temporary use tyres | |
| 93 mph | 150 km/h | Spare / temporary use tyres | |
| 99 mph | 160 km/h | Light trucks, 4WD, winter tyres | |
| 106 mph | 170 km/h | Light trucks, heavy-duty vehicles | |
| 112 mph | 180 km/h | Family sedans, vans, everyday passenger cars | |
| 118 mph | 190 km/h | Family sedans, minivans, everyday passenger cars | |
| 124 mph | 200 km/h | Sedans and coupes | |
| 130 mph | 210 km/h | Sport sedans, coupes — one of the most common NZ ratings | |
| 149 mph | 240 km/h | Sport and performance cars | |
| 150+ mph | 240+ km/h | High-performance sports cars (see W or Y for specific limits) | |
| 168 mph | 270 km/h | Exotic and high-performance sports cars | |
| 186 mph | 300 km/h | Exotic and ultra-high-performance sports cars |
* Swipe sideways on mobile to see all columns. Always check your vehicle's owner's manual or door placard for the minimum required speed rating.
Choosing the Right Rating for Your Car
Speed ratings fall into three broad categories based on vehicle type and intended use. Here's how to think about which category applies to you.
Everyday Driving
S and T ratings cover the majority of everyday passenger cars, family sedans, and vans. These are the most common ratings on NZ roads and are perfectly suited to highway speeds and daily commuting.
Sport & Performance
H and V ratings are found on sport sedans, coupes, and performance-oriented vehicles. H is one of the most common ratings in NZ. V-rated tyres offer additional high-speed capability for spirited driving.
Ultra-High Performance
W and Y ratings are reserved for exotic and high-performance sports cars. These tyres are engineered for extreme speed capability and typically feature stiffer sidewalls and specialised compounds.
Why Speed Rating Is a Safety Critical Spec
Speed ratings exist because tyres generate heat as they roll. The faster the speed, the more heat builds up inside the tyre. A tyre rated for its application is engineered to dissipate that heat safely — one that isn't will eventually fail.
In New Zealand, fitting a tyre with a lower speed rating than specified can also affect your vehicle's WOF compliance and your insurance cover in the event of an accident. It's not worth the risk.
- Never fit a lower speed rating than your vehicle's original spec
- A higher rating is always safe to use as a replacement
- Check the door placard or owner's manual for your minimum rating
- All four tyres should have the same speed rating
Speed Rating FAQs
Yes, absolutely. Fitting a tyre with a higher speed rating than your vehicle's minimum requirement is always safe. You may pay a slight premium, and in some cases higher-rated tyres may have a firmer ride, but there is no safety or mechanical downside. Many customers choose to go one rating higher for added peace of mind.
Fitting a lower-rated tyre is a serious safety risk. At sustained highway speeds, the tyre may overheat, leading to tread separation or catastrophic blowout. It can also affect your WOF compliance and may void your insurance cover in the event of an accident caused by tyre failure. Never go below your vehicle's minimum speed rating.
ZR is an older designation that simply means the tyre is rated for speeds above 240 km/h. Modern tyres in this category will also carry a W or Y rating to specify the exact limit — for example, a tyre marked 225/40ZR18 91W has a ZR construction designation and a W speed rating (270 km/h maximum). Always refer to the specific letter rating (W or Y) for the precise speed limit.
Yes — and this is often overlooked. A tyre that is significantly under-inflated generates far more heat than a correctly inflated tyre, which can effectively compromise the tyre's ability to perform at its rated speed. Always maintain the correct tyre pressure as specified on your vehicle's door placard, especially before long highway journeys.
There are three places to check: the tyre size sticker on the inside of the driver's door jamb (the door placard), your vehicle's owner's manual, or the sidewall of your current tyres. The letter at the end of the tyre size — after the load index number — is the speed rating. If you're unsure, call our team on 09 580 2403 and we'll look it up for you.
