Z Rated tire differences

[Sir Nuke]

There are a lot of people that really don't know the differeance, I have heard people tell me that ALL Z rated tires are the same as far as how fast they are rated for.... NOT TRUE...not even close. SO after hearing this a couple of times here, I wanted to set the record straight......amd if you don't want to take my word for it......please take the time and do a little research of your own and confirm what follows, you will find or can find mostof this information on TireRack.com as that is where I found it, but none the less, its good info:

When Z-speed rated tires were first introduced, they were thought to reflect the highest tire speed rating that would ever be required, in excess of 240 km/h or 149 mph. While Z-speed rated tires are capable of speeds in excess of 149 mph, how far above 149 mph was not identified. That ultimately caused the automotive industry to add W- and Y-speed ratings to identify the tires that meet the needs of new vehicles that have extremely high top-speed capabilities.

W rated 168 mph / 270 km/h Exotic Sports Cars

Y rated 186 mph / 300 km/h Exotic Sports Cars

While a Z-speed rating still often appears in the tire size designation of the tires below, such as 225/50ZR16 91W, the Z in the size signifies a maximum speed capability in excess of 149 mph, 240 km/h; the W in the service description indicates the tire's 168 mph, 270 km/h maximum speed.

225/50ZR16 in excess of 149 mph, 240 km/h

255/45ZR17 88W 168 mph, 270 km/h

While a Z-speed rating still often appears in the tire size designation of the tires below, such as 285/35ZR19 99Y, the Z in the size signifies a maximum speed capability in excess of 149 mph, 240 km/h; the Y in the service description indicates the tire's 186 mph, 300 km/h maximum speed.

Most recently, when the Y-speed rating indicated in a service description is enclosed in parentheses, such as 285/35ZR19 (99Y), the top speed of the tire has been tested in excess of 186 mph, 300 km/h indicated by the service description as shown below:

285/35ZR19 99Y 186 mph, 300 km/h

285/35ZR19 (99Y) in excess of 186 mph, 300 km/h

Here is a speed rating chart for tires, you only tires to perform the way you drive or for the intended use. Why spend more than you have to.

S- Up to 112mph
T- Up to 118mph
U- Up to 124mph
H- Up to 130mph
V- Up to 149mph
Z- 149mph and over
W- Up to 168mph
Y- Up to 186mph


I hope this will help someone when they are thinking of getting some new shoes for there Camaro, and not spending a lot of extra cash that really isn't needed.


http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tirete....jsp?techid=35

[2SSRS@Gen5diy]

good to know, can we make it a sticky

[Sir Nuke]

Originally Posted by 2SSRS

good to know, can we make it a sticky

I personnal would like that, it is accurate and good info. that people should know and take into consideration when buying performamce tires.

[Mr_Draco]

Still begs the question who will need tires rated as such on the Camaro? You will not reach such speeds in the 1/4 mile, most people will not reach such speeds on a road course, and if you reach such speeds on the street then obviously you don't care about anything much less what tires you have on the car.

[Sir Nuke]

Originally Posted by Mr_Draco

Still begs the question who will need tires rated as such on the Camaro? You will not reach such speeds in the 1/4 mile, most people will not reach such speeds on a road course, and if you reach such speeds on the street then obviously you don't care about anything much less what tires you have on the car.

This is exactly the point I was attempting to put into peoples heads, you can get good tires that will do job and cost a LOT less then what came on our cars.

[jpsuperman81]

Very useful info but the question i ask is why did they get out of alphabetical order. When Z first came out why wasn't it w or x or y? And where is X are they saving it for over 200mph.

[Sketti]

Originally Posted by Sir Nuke

There are a lot of people that really don't know the differeance, I have heard people tell me that ALL Z rated tires are the same as far as how fast they are rated for.... NOT TRUE...not even close. SO after hearing this a couple of times here, I wanted to set the record straight......amd if you don't want to take my word for it......please take the time and do a little research of your own and confirm what follows:

When Z-speed rated tires were first introduced, they were thought to reflect the highest tire speed rating that would ever be required, in excess of 240 km/h or 149 mph. While Z-speed rated tires are capable of speeds in excess of 149 mph, how far above 149 mph was not identified. That ultimately caused the automotive industry to add W- and Y-speed ratings to identify the tires that meet the needs of new vehicles that have extremely high top-speed capabilities.

W rated 168 mph / 270 km/h Exotic Sports Cars

Y rated 186 mph / 300 km/h Exotic Sports Cars

While a Z-speed rating still often appears in the tire size designation of the tires below, such as 225/50ZR16 91W, the Z in the size signifies a maximum speed capability in excess of 149 mph, 240 km/h; the W in the service description indicates the tire's 168 mph, 270 km/h maximum speed.

225/50ZR16 in excess of 149 mph, 240 km/h

255/45ZR17 88W 168 mph, 270 km/h

While a Z-speed rating still often appears in the tire size designation of the tires below, such as 285/35ZR19 99Y, the Z in the size signifies a maximum speed capability in excess of 149 mph, 240 km/h; the Y in the service description indicates the tire's 186 mph, 300 km/h maximum speed.

Most recently, when the Y-speed rating indicated in a service description is enclosed in parentheses, such as 285/35ZR19 (99Y), the top speed of the tire has been tested in excess of 186 mph, 300 km/h indicated by the service description as shown below:

285/35ZR19 99Y 186 mph, 300 km/h

285/35ZR19 (99Y) in excess of 186 mph, 300 km/h

Here is a speed rating chart for tires, you only tires to perform the way you drive or for the intended use. Why spend more than you have to.

S- Up to 112mph
T- Up to 118mph
U- Up to 124mph
H- Up to 130mph
V- Up to 149mph
Z- 149mph and over
W- Up to 168mph
Y- Up to 186mph


I hope this will help someone when they are thinking of getting some new shoes for there Camaro, and not spending a lot of extra cash that really isn't needed.

this is weird cause I was just reading the same info here.

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tirete....jsp?techid=35

[Sir Nuke]

Originally Posted by Sketti

this is weird cause I was just reading the same info here.

true enough, which is where the biggest part of it came from, its good info that a lot of people need or at least should be aware of, which is why I posted it up.

[Sir Nuke]

Originally Posted by jpsuperman81

Very useful info but the question i ask is why did they get out of alphabetical order. When Z first came out why wasn't it w or x or y? And where is X are they saving it for over 200mph.

There is NO trying to figure out what is in some engineers minds, kind of like trying to figure out what goes through a womans mind! LOL WONDERS NEVER CEASE.

[Doc]

Originally Posted by Sir Nuke

true enough, which is where the biggest part of it came from, its good info that a lot of people need or at least should be aware of, which is why I posted it up.

Just for future reference; if you're going to repost something written by someone else, acknowledge the source and provide links if possible to avoid plagiarism and/or possible copyright issues.

[CamaroSpike23]

modified and stickied

[Sir Nuke]

Thanks Spike, I figured that this question would come up sooner or later, or some of our novices wouldn't want to ask, or it might never cross their minds........Thanks for Stickying it.

[2SSRS@Gen5diy]

Thank you Spike it is good info for a lot of guys on this site.

[Temper]

But what tires are stock?