Car tyres: everything you need to know

Опубликованно 15.09.2020 00:50

As the only component on your car that actually makes contact with the road surface, tyres are critical for safety when driving. In this comprehensive guide, we outline everything you need to know about car tyres, from reading and setting pressures to working out what size tyres you need. Following the advice laid out here will save you money, minimise hassle and - most importantly - keep yourself and others safe out on the road.  

What are tyre speed ratings?

A tyre speed rating is the maximum speed a particular tyre is legally approved for. The rating is represented by a letter displayed on the tyre sidewall. It will always be the last letter in the sequence. If the sidewall reads 205/55 R16 W 91, for instance, the speed rating is W. Each letter has a corresponding maximum speed, so in the case of a tyre with a W speed rating, that tyre is approved for speeds up to 168mph.  

For safety reasons, it’s important your car’s top speed does not exceed the tyre’s speed rating. A full list is shown below.  

N - 87mph

P - 93mph

Q - 99mph

R - 106mph

S - 112mph

T - 118mph

U - 124mph

H - 130mph

V - 149mph

Z - 150mph+

W - 168mph

Y - 186mph

What is the UK legal tyre limit?

The minimum tread depth required by law in the UK is 1.6mm. This applies to the central three-quarters of the tyre’s width and its entire circumference. Many car manufacturers, however, advise changing your tyres once the tread is down to 3mm to be on the safe side.  

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