Tyre speed ratings? What do they mean?

[Somnophore]

My mum is replacing all 4 tyres on her 1999 1.6s Golf, kwikripoff tried to charge her £350 found some a lot cheaper elsewhere but don't know whether she needs T or H speed rating, what does this actually mean and how do I know?

[Noisy]

Normal practice is to fit tyres rated the same as the originals, if not sometimes insurance companies can play up if you have a accident.

Speed ratings for T are 119mph and H 130mph.

[j44esd]

The T and the H refer to specific speed ratings matched to the vehicle:

T = 118mph
H = 131mph

(From memory, 190kph/210kph)

They must be matched up to the cars original spec and should be in the owners manual (Or on the current tyre sidewall).

Look for the sidewall marking:

195/65 R 15 79H for example

Hope that helps!

Edited by j44esd on Sunday 12th December 18:46

[Somnophore]

Lol she's got H's on and that's what it specifies apparently, bit optimistic
as the car can only manage 118 new and not 131 for sure

[j44esd]

Somnophore said:

Lol she's got H's on and that's what it specifies apparently, bit optimistic
as the car can only manage 118 new and not 131 for sure

My advice would be to stick to the OE spec - as the other poster on this thread states, Insurance companies can be very fickle with regard to changes like this in the event of any incident - plus the difference in price between H & T rated should be negligible.

Remember, the tyre manufacturer worked with the car manufacturer to spec the tyres correctly for the car - so might be worth staying with?

What size are we talking here?

[Somnophore]

It's ok, weirdly the H's are cheaper than the T's so she's happy to replace
like for like.

She tends to get ripped off for tyres as nowhere stocks them they only did them on the mk4 gold 1.4 and 1.6

they are

175
80
14H (88)

[j44esd]

Ah yes, they are an odd size!

Try here:

http://www.event-tyres.co.uk/

They come out and fit at home/place of work and usually have good stock of everything, just had a quick look and they seem to offer a good choice in the size!

Happy tyre buying!

[hardcorehobbit]

I had very similar tyres on an Astra mk4. You're right that they are sometimes harder to find.

I now have 185/65/14H. Which is considerably more expensive than 185/60/14H, which I dislike.

Try blackcircles or camskill. Usuall the cheapest. Blackcircles quote one price for fitting and balancing at a local garage, of which there are loads.

[j44esd]

OP, also worth noting that Kwik-Fit offer an 'internet only' price, that is lower than their in store price - so check that out too.

[j44esd]

There is also a PH'er runs a tyre price comparison website - so hopefully he will see this thread and point you in that direction.

(Sorry, can't for the life of me remember it)