# Same tire size but different speed rating? **URL:** \ **Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\ **Created:** [February 27, 2016, 4:32am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/same-tire-size-but-different-speed-rating/92639 "2016-02-27T04:32:32Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Rusty](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/f17d59/32.png) [@Rusty](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Rusty)\ **Post date:** [February 27, 2016, 4:32am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/same-tire-size-but-different-speed-rating/92639/1 "2016-02-27T04:32:32Z")
I have a 2011 Hyundai Sonata GLS with 65k miles…it has a 2.4 liter motor (4 CYL), auto transmission. The car currently has 205-65-R16 tires on it with a 95H speed rating. They all have worn down to the wear bars so it’s time for replacement. On my previous cars, I’ve always had Uniroyal Tiger Paw touring tires because I love how they ride. I found the same tire size for my Sonata. However it has a different speed rating…95T. The only difference is the letter “T”. Can anybody tell me if it will be a big deal? Thanks all! EDIT: It currently has Nexen N5000 tires and I bought the car with these tires already on…crappy tires…worn down in only 30k miles. ---
**Author:** ![Sloepoke](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/da6949/32.png) [@Sloepoke](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Sloepoke)\ **Post date:** [February 27, 2016, 4:54am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/same-tire-size-but-different-speed-rating/92639/2 "2016-02-27T04:54:11Z")
If you go online & look for tires the sites will ask for make , model , etc of your vehicle & show you the tires they have for your vehicle . I did that with yours & a couple brands they listed had a T speed rating . Several brands had the H speed rating . ---
**Author:** ![db4690](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/db4690/32/2583_2.png) [@db4690](https://community.cartalk.com/u/db4690)\ **Post date:** [February 27, 2016, 5:25am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/same-tire-size-but-different-speed-rating/92639/3 "2016-02-27T05:25:26Z")
H is a higher speed rating than T H rated tires are typically slighly more expensive than T rated tires You need to look in your owner’s manual. If H rated tires are called for, I’d stick with that ---
**Author:** ![texases](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/texases/32/862_2.png) [@texases](https://community.cartalk.com/u/texases)\ **Post date:** [February 27, 2016, 5:31am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/same-tire-size-but-different-speed-rating/92639/4 "2016-02-27T05:31:27Z")
I’d stick with H rated tires, they are often a significant step up from T regarding handling. ---
**Author:** ![VOLVO-V70](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/8e8cbc/32.png) [@VOLVO-V70](https://community.cartalk.com/u/VOLVO-V70)\ **Post date:** [February 27, 2016, 5:36am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/same-tire-size-but-different-speed-rating/92639/5 "2016-02-27T05:36:57Z")
There are some tire shops that will not put a lower rated tire on your vehicle and some that require a signed waiver. ---
**Author:** ![Tester](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/tester/32/15976_2.png) [@Tester](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Tester)\ **Post date:** [February 27, 2016, 5:55am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/same-tire-size-but-different-speed-rating/92639/6 "2016-02-27T05:55:34Z")
The 95 indicates the load capacity of the vehicle. The T and H indicates the speeds that the vehicle can driven at with that load capacity. T=118 MPH H =130 MPH. So how often are you going to be driving the vehicle at 130 MPH with the vehicle fully loaded? Or at 118 MPH for that matter? Tester ---
**Author:** ![bloody\_knuckles](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ee7513/32.png) [@bloody\_knuckles](https://community.cartalk.com/u/bloody_knuckles)\ **Post date:** [February 27, 2016, 6:26am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/same-tire-size-but-different-speed-rating/92639/7 "2016-02-27T06:26:41Z")
@Tester - That is the MAXIMUM speed the tire should be driven. But it is also an indicator of the handling characteristics and safety margin of the tire. I personally would never use a tire on any of my vehicles that had a lower speed rating than recommended by the manufacturer. NOTHING is more important to your safety than tires and brakes. You should NEVER scrimp on either one. Not when the lives of everyone in your vehicle are at stake. ---
**Author:** ![Tester](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/tester/32/15976_2.png) [@Tester](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Tester)\ **Post date:** [February 27, 2016, 6:34am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/same-tire-size-but-different-speed-rating/92639/8 "2016-02-27T06:34:02Z")
The OP asked about speed ratings. When someone asks a simple question, you provide a simple answer. Tester ---
**Author:** ![VOLVO-V70](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/8e8cbc/32.png) [@VOLVO-V70](https://community.cartalk.com/u/VOLVO-V70)\ **Post date:** [February 27, 2016, 6:49am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/same-tire-size-but-different-speed-rating/92639/9 "2016-02-27T06:49:21Z")
Rusty-the tires you have may not be crappy tires but may have performed as they should have. Tires have load rating-speed rating-wear rating and they are all not rated the same. Do a search for tire ratings and find a chart showing how to read the sidewall numbers and letters. For instance the tires we have on one vehicle if they last 30,000 miles I will be surprised. ---
**Author:** ![Mustangman](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/mustangman/32/44130_2.png) [@Mustangman](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Mustangman)\ **Post date:** [February 27, 2016, 7:37am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/same-tire-size-but-different-speed-rating/92639/10 "2016-02-27T07:37:37Z")
Tells you all about load and speed ratings right here; [http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tiretech/techpage.jsp?techid=35](http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tiretech/techpage.jsp?techid=35) If Tirerack is not a sponsor of this site (@cdaquila), it darn well should be! And Rockauto and a buncha other sites we use again and again as reference material. ---
**Author:** ![Rusty](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/f17d59/32.png) [@Rusty](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Rusty)\ **Post date:** [February 27, 2016, 7:51am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/same-tire-size-but-different-speed-rating/92639/11 "2016-02-27T07:51:52Z")
So you all recommend sticking to the same rating of H? Thanks all for your advice!! I am a daily reader of this forum…sure learned a lot ---
**Author:** ![Sloepoke](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/da6949/32.png) [@Sloepoke](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Sloepoke)\ **Post date:** [February 27, 2016, 8:51am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/same-tire-size-but-different-speed-rating/92639/12 "2016-02-27T08:51:04Z")
> **[Original Equipment Tire Guide - Hyundai Sonata](https://tiresetc.com/oem-original-equipment-tires-hyundai-sonata)** > > The Tires Etc Original Equipment (OEM) Tire Guide can help you determine what make, model, size, speed rating, and load index tires originally shipped with your vehicle. Maybe this will help . ---
**Author:** ![the\_same\_mountainbike](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/c89c15/32.png) [@the\_same\_mountainbike](https://community.cartalk.com/u/the_same_mountainbike)\ **Post date:** [February 27, 2016, 9:27am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/same-tire-size-but-different-speed-rating/92639/13 "2016-02-27T09:27:10Z")
These speed ratings are not that much different. The respective tread and carcass designs, as well as the type (summer vs. all weather) will have much more of an effect than the speed rating difference. If you were going to a Z rating, the compound would be softer and the carcass design would be designed differently, and that affects rolling resistance, but I don’t see that as being a likely significant factor between the ratings you’ve asked about. You may want to go to [Tirerack.com](http://Tirerack.com) and do some research there. They have good consumer feedback sections, and a lot of good technical advice. ---
**Author:** ![JoeMario](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/3bc359/32.png) [@JoeMario](https://community.cartalk.com/u/JoeMario)\ **Post date:** [February 27, 2016, 6:16pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/same-tire-size-but-different-speed-rating/92639/14 "2016-02-27T18:16:42Z")
Here is some of CapriRacer’s valuable input on the topic: [http://www.barrystiretech.com/speedratings.html](http://www.barrystiretech.com/speedratings.html) ---
**Author:** ![jtsanders](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/c2a13f/32.png) [@jtsanders](https://community.cartalk.com/u/jtsanders)\ **Post date:** [February 27, 2016, 8:29pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/same-tire-size-but-different-speed-rating/92639/15 "2016-02-27T20:29:04Z")
It does seem odd that a car like a Sonata would have H and V rate tires only, especially V rated tires on a hybrid. What’s up with that? ---
**Author:** ![the\_same\_mountainbike](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/c89c15/32.png) [@the\_same\_mountainbike](https://community.cartalk.com/u/the_same_mountainbike)\ **Post date:** [February 27, 2016, 9:00pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/same-tire-size-but-different-speed-rating/92639/16 "2016-02-27T21:00:49Z")
It had H and T, not H and V. V is a 150mph max rating. ---
**Author:** ![jtsanders](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/c2a13f/32.png) [@jtsanders](https://community.cartalk.com/u/jtsanders)\ **Post date:** [February 27, 2016, 10:13pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/same-tire-size-but-different-speed-rating/92639/17 "2016-02-27T22:13:35Z")
I wasn’t addressing the specific question that the OP posted, but the OEM tire specs from @Sloepoke’s URL. It rated the GLS and hybrid as H (optional V for hybrid) and V for Limited, hybrid Limited, and SE models. ---
**Author:** ![db4690](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/db4690/32/2583_2.png) [@db4690](https://community.cartalk.com/u/db4690)\ **Post date:** [February 27, 2016, 10:42pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/same-tire-size-but-different-speed-rating/92639/18 "2016-02-27T22:42:56Z")
@jtsanders It’s extremely common for manufacturers to spec H rated tires for family cars, nowadays My 2005 Camry has H-rated tires . . . that’s what the book calls for When it comes time to replace them, I’ll stick with H-rated I will not downgrade to T-rated ---
**Author:** ![jtsanders](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/c2a13f/32.png) [@jtsanders](https://community.cartalk.com/u/jtsanders)\ **Post date:** [February 27, 2016, 11:06pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/same-tire-size-but-different-speed-rating/92639/19 "2016-02-27T23:06:44Z")
I know it is standard, and I wonder why it is. It seems like soon, the only OEM tires will be H and V unless they start requiring higher speed ratings. ---
**Author:** ![oldtimer-11](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/e79b87/32.png) [@oldtimer-11](https://community.cartalk.com/u/oldtimer-11)\ **Post date:** [February 28, 2016, 3:11am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/same-tire-size-but-different-speed-rating/92639/20 "2016-02-28T03:11:30Z")
Some companies make exactly the same tire with the exception of tread depth in both S and H rated tires. The difference is the H rated tire has less weight of rubber pulling at the belt and cords and has a higher price and a lower mile rating and warranty. I think every one who doesn’t drive like Robert Gift should chose the cheaper tire, [Next page](https://community.cartalk.com/t/same-tire-size-but-different-speed-rating/92639.md?page=2)