1. Home
2. Blogs

Tyre Speed Ratings in India: How Important are They for Your Safety?

• 
• 
• 
• 0
• 0

If you’ve often wondered how to maintain your car better, you should start by understanding the related terminology. One such term is tyre speed ratings.

Tyre Speed Ratings: Meaning and Significance

Tyre speed ratings comprise a set of codes that specify the maximum speed at which a tyre can safely work. Typically, the alphabets mentioned after the tyre size represent the tyre speed rating. For instance, in the tyre code 225/55R17 101W, W indicates a speed rating of 270kmph. Selecting tyres with the appropriate tyre speed rating is crucial to ensure safety while driving.

Using tyres of a lower speed rating than required by your car can cause them to overheat and further blow, leading to the driver losing control of the vehicle. In contrast, while tyres with a higher speed rating than required can result in better performance and handling, they may also wear out faster and cost you more.

A car's speed cannot be supported by tyres with a lower speed rating than advised. Insurance companies might see this as an alteration and declare the vehicle unfit for use on the road, nullifying the comprehensive car insurance.

Factors Affecting Tyre Speed Ratings

The primary factors affecting the tyre speed rating include:

Temperature

Tyres emit heat as they roll, but excessive heat can cause them to fail. Hot weather and extended driving time can also increase the tyres’ temperature.

Load Index

A tyre with a higher load index may have a lower speed rating.

Tyre type

Different types of tyres can have different speed ratings based on their intended use.

How Manufacturers Calculate Tyre Speed Ratings

Manufacturers consider various factors when calculating tyre speed ratings. These include:

- tyre material

- treads on the tyre

- tyre sidewall

How to Find the Tyre Speed Rating

To find the tyre speed rating:

- check the tyre sidewall

- identify the speed rating symbol

- check for additional symbols like ZR (indicative of a maximum speed of 240kmph) or a snowflake (implying the tyres are for winter use)

Conclusion

Aside from choosing tyres with an appropriate speed rating, having car insurance is also crucial for financial safety. While Indian laws mandate third party insurance, we suggest getting comprehensive car insurance for more extensive coverage. Consider buying car insurance online to eliminate intermediaries.

Disclaimer: The above information is for illustrative purposes only. For more details, please refer to the policy wordings and prospectus before concluding the sales.

RELATED ARTICLES

Understanding the Tyre Size of Your Vehicle

Tyres 101: Everything You Need to Know about Tyres

---

• 
• 
• 
•