It may be true that a tire with a higher speed rating is composed of rubber compounds that are optimized for higher traction( meaning softer compound and higher wear factor), BUT, the fact remains that how you use them will probably play a much bigger part in how ong they last than the rating of rubber compound used. This is just like the brake wear issue discussed on the board just below this thread. If you corner, brake and accelerate easy, you are putting less energy into your tires, and they will last longer. Increased acceleration, cornering forces, or braking will result in more wear.
The speed rating is for max SUSTAINED speed, and here in the USA, even a very modestly rated H tire is good enough, but I agree with others on the board who have written that you should never go down on the rating compared with the OEM supplied tires, and that you are largelt stroking your ego if you go up so you can have bragging rights about having the highest rated tires on the block. I have Dunlop SP 9000 Z's on my new Aero, and did so first and foremost because they are much quieter than the Michelins that Saab has been using till now. Chances are they will not last as long as the OEM Michelins, but I'll take that as the price I pay for a quieter ride. Do I need a Z rated tire? NO way. I generally drive the speed limit, and only tend to open the car up in situations where there is just about no one else on the road. Here in the Boston area, that means just about never. When you cn open it up, you can usually only do it for about a minute or so before State Police lockup paranoia sets in.
Bottom line on the tires for me is that even though I appreciate the stifer sidewall, better transient response and steering inputs of the high peformance tires, the speed rating is of little importance to everyday driving.

posted by 24.128.253...

• H vs. V-rated tires, Norm, Wed, 21 Aug 2002 03:39:52
  • Worried about tire expense on a $40K car??, John H, Fri, 23 Aug 2002 22:36:44
  • Re: H vs. V-rated tires, Jay, Thu, 22 Aug 2002 05:36:38
  • Tire wear vs. speed rating vs. driving style, Lou, Wed, 21 Aug 2002 15:46:49 <-- Viewing This Message
  • Read the thread below on "Z rated tires on 9-5 Wagon", Texron, Wed, 21 Aug 2002 09:59:38
  • Re: H vs. V-rated tires, Dino, Wed, 21 Aug 2002 09:47:54
  • Re: H vs. V-rated tires, Gary, Wed, 21 Aug 2002 09:09:20
  • Re: H vs. V-rated tires, Hammer, Wed, 21 Aug 2002 08:46:43

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