5 ms·
Lower speed rating also usually means lighter construction and a 'harder' compound, both of which reduce cost and improve fuel milage.
by mbell 8y ago
Lower speed rating also usually means lighter construction and a 'harder' compound, both of which reduce cost and improve fuel milage.
- sliken 8y agoActually it's the opposite I believe, at least for the same family of tires. Sure there are high efficiency tires with harder compounds and are more efficient. But if you get the sporty tire from whatever brand the higher speed ratings generally have the less flexible/harder material. The limiting factor being the heat generated from the flexing builds up. So generally a 150 mph rated tire gets less traction, costs more, and is worse when it's cold than a 112 mph rated tire. So even on a fairly sporty car and tire you are best off getting the lowest rated tire that will accommodate your max speed.
- mbell 8y agoConceptually that may be true, but it's next to impossible to get performance tires in speed ratings under W and within any particular model it often varies only by 1, rarely 2, speed ratings.