Tyrepower Bayswater
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What are tyre speed and load ratings?

First thing’s first, understanding where to find tyre speed and load rating markings. You can locate these markings on the sidewall of your tyre or your vehicle's placard. It's important to know your speed and load ratings to keep your vehicle safe and ultimately maximise the life of your tyres.

Speed and load rating markings can easily be found on the sidewall of your tyre, vehicle placard or with your tyres manufacturing data.

Your standard passenger tyre has a test speed range of 0-279 km/h. These speeds have been performed in a controlled environment and under the supervision of experienced drivers, technicians and designers.

Speed rating chart

The chart shows a list of speed ratings, along with the corresponding speeds they represent. Remember, the speeds are test speeds, not recommended speeds.

For a speed rating beyond 279 km/h then specific high-performance tyres can be purchased like the Michelin Pilot Sport 4 or Pirelli P Zero where the latest vulcanised version of the P Zero is rated for speeds up to 370km/h. These tyres have been designed for extreme situations that require a high level of rolling resistance.

Tyres must be inflated to the manufacturer's recommended PSI to be the safest it possibly can be. An underinflated tyre can be extremely dangerous when travelling at high speeds or under heavy loads.

Load rating chart

The load capacity of a tyre determines what payload each tyre can carry. It is vital that you check with your manufacturer what capacity should be put on your car. Insurance can be void if you select the incorrect tyres.

It's important to stay within the recommended load ratings provided by the product manufacturer.

For more information on speed and load rating of a particular tyre, it is recommended you talk to a professional. Tyrepower’s staff and service centers are experienced and knowledgeable professionals in the tyre industry and with over 50 stores across Western Australia, there’s one near you.

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