As a car owner or mechanic, it is prudent that you know about tire sidewall information. There are plenty of details denoted by numbers and letters. It brings us to our main subject, what does the T or H mean on tires?
The two letters indicate the tire speed rating. This is a crucial element of the tire, indicating the optimal speed that it can maintain. Back to the two letters, what do they stand for? To quench your curiosity on this topic, we will have a comprehensive look at it.
The Meaning of T and H On Tires
As earlier mentioned, the T and H on the sidewalls show you the tires’ speed value. It is essential to know this value, as it will help you understand your speed on various terrains. So, we know what element they represent, but what are the respective values that they stand for?
What Does T Mean On Tires?
Let us start with the letter T on the tire sidewall. You will find this letter mostly on passenger vehicles and light truck wheels. It conveys that the tire can manage a speed rating of up to 118 miles per hour or 190 kilometers per hour.
When you look at the tire speed rating chart, you get the picture that it is a standard rating, suitable for most small vehicles. It is pretty hardy and will have your back on different terrain, though it performs better on highways. Looking at its suitability, it ranks on top of other tire letters, like R and S.
Can I use T tires on racecars? Racing needs immense speed, meaning the tires should have a higher speed rating. 118 miles per hour is relatively slow for racecars and other sports-oriented vehicles. Y and Z ranked wheels will do an excellent job in such settings. They have a speed rating of 186 and 150+ miles per hour.
If you use T tires on such cars, they will wear out quickly and cost you a lot in replacements.
What Does H Mean On Tires?
On the other side of the discussion, we look at what does H means on tires. As earlier mentioned, the letter denotes the speed rating of the tire. H ranks higher than T in supported speed limits, with a value of 130 miles per hour or 210 kilometers per hour.
You will spot tires with H on the sidewall on sedans, SUVs, and crossover SUVs. Such vehicles have a high horsepower, which translates to more speed. You will also see them on luxury vehicles. According to automobile pundits, H tires are on the lower end of sports cars. You may use these tires for amateur racing or beginner stages due to their low-speed support value.
Can I use H tires for racecars? H tires are suitable for high-performance vehicles, though it lies at the bottom end of the spectrum. You may use it for amateur racing or sports. Additionally, such tires are excellent for grand touring.
Can I use H-rated tires instead of V? V tires go to the same type of vehicles as the H-rated ones. However, the V-rated ones have a high-speed support value than H, at 149 miles per hour. If you decide to use H tires, you have to keep up with a 130 miles per hour speed for the best service.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Are H Or T Tires Better?
When selecting between H vs T tires, there are several things you have to consider. If you have a standard sedan, like a family car, T tires are excellent. H tires are ideal for high-performance vehicles, such as SUVs, crossovers, and grand touring cars.
When looking at which one is the better, H-rated ones take the win. They have a higher speed rating, making them versatile as you can have them on various vehicles.
Q: Can I Mix H and T-Rated Tires?
Mixing tires with varying speed rates is not advisable as it may lead to tire wear. However, you can mix the tires in desperate situations, like needing a spare wheel. If you use H and T-rated tires, you will have to maintain the speed levels of the latter. It cannot reach the high-speed limits of H tires without degrading.
Q: What Is The Speed Rating Of T?
The speed rating refers to the top speed a wheel can handle without breaking apart. Tires have different speed ratings, denoted by letters. Here, you will find ratings of L, M, N, P, Q, R, S, T, U, and H, going up to Z. The higher the letter is on the tire speed rating chart, the higher is its rating.
T is a rating that you will find on most sedans and light trucks. It has a maximum rating of 118 miles per hour of 190 kilometers per hour.
Q: What Does XL Mean On A Tire?
Tire sidewalls contain relevant information about the tire, particularly its suitability for the car and driving conditions. The details are in alphanumerical form. You may notice that some tires have XL printed on the sidewall. It means Extra Load, and the tire sidewalls can support the massive vehicle weight, including its load.
Tires with this symbol are common on trucks, SUVs, vans, and other large vehicles.
Q: What Does 98H Mean On Tires?
When getting a tire, you should be keen on the information depicted on the sidewalls. For instance, if you see 98H, the number represents the tire load index, while the letter shows the speed rating. The tire load index is the weight your tire can support when adequately pressurized.
You need to check on the tire load rating chart to see the supported weight. In the case of a 98 index, the weight the tire holds is 1653-pounds. You can use this value to determine your vehicle’s maximum load-carrying capacity by multiplying it by 4 to represent the other tires.
For the 98H tire, you multiply 1653 by 4, giving you 6612-pounds.
Wrapping Up
A look at tire sidewalls, and you will find its details portrayed in alphanumeric form. In this piece, we look at what T or H means on tires. As we conclude, you should know that the letters represent the speed rating. Never drive past the tires’ speed support limit.
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