Tyres and speed rating is it important?

pault123

My current tyres are all ZR speed rated (think this is 149 mph rated)

Is it paramount to get new tyres which are also ZR speed rated?

I'm looking at replacing the back tyres and read you should never put lower speed rated tyres than are currently fitted. (but for all I know the stock car could have come with Q rated tyres and previous owner upgraded)

My speed would never be over 90mph and car is a VW Passat Estate.

Pew_Pew_Pew_Lasers!

You should fit the tyre size recommended by the manufacturer. They will be listed at the back of your manual.

Tyres aren't just about speed, weight, wheel size and dimensions are all important.

balsingh

The speed rating of a tyre is based on the maximum speed the car can do, regardless of how slow or fast the driver will actually drive the car.

banger9365

are shaw it should have a Q rating that seem a little low (99mph) the lowest i can find is T for that car (118mph)
look here http://www.kwik-fit.com/tyre-search.asp
not the best put a guild

vaio

balsingh wrote: »

The speed rating of a tyre is based on the maximum speed the car can do, regardless of how slow or fast the driver will actually drive the car.

It’s also about the forces a car puts into the tyres when accelerating or braking hard which most cars spend much more time doing than driving at top speed

steveo3002

the insurance will be void if you fit lesser spec tyres....find out what the owners handbook suggest for your engine size

pault123

The actual size 205/55/16 i'm matching to the tyres on the car now. This size can be purchased with various speed ratings.

There is no mention of speed rating in the manual, I presume as it covers a plethora of different models under the Passat badge.

I may be taking the top speed thing too literally and not factoring the max speed of car on paper and forces exerted as mentioned.

Thanks any more advice much appreciated.

LandyAndy

You should use the speed rating used by the manufacturer.

The easiest way to find this out is to call a VW dealer's parts department and ASK.

AdrianHi

ZR does not sound like a speed rating to me, however I do see 205/55ZR16 91V on my car tyres. The R in ZR means radial tyres, don't know what the Z means.
Here is a full explanation of tyre sidewall markings:
http://www.blackcircles.com/general/sidewall
The speed rating is the very last letter on the markings after the numeric load rating.
You kind find the correct speed rating for your car by looking up your car's top speed on the table at this web site.
Some people I here of save money on tyres for their Porches my buying a lower speed rating "because I will never do 160mph+" and then find their car's don't grip so well on corners.