tyre speed ratings?

[gaz1234]

bought an H (i think) rating tyre online for my GF to fit this morning at national tyres autocenter (or close to) and they said that the tyre is a speed rating too fast and could invalidate her insurance.
i text her to say fit it or leave as a spare. not sure what she has done as yet..

Just wondered if the garage is correct or not?

tyre 185x70x14

[SonicShadow]

As long as the speed rating is the same or higher than OEM, then it's fine as far as I know.

[carl_w]

SonicShadow said:

As long as the speed rating is the same or higher than OEM, then it's fine as far as I know.

This.

[Riley Blue]

Ask your GF for the number of the tyre fitting centre and speak to them yourself.

[Laurel Green]

gaz1234 said:

bought an H (i think) rating tyre online for my GF to fit this morning at national tyres autocenter (or close to) and they said that the tyre is a speed rating too fast and could invalidate her insurance.
i text her to say fit it or leave as a spare. not sure what she has done as yet..

Just wondered if the garage is correct or not?

The only way it could invalidate her insurance, is, perhaps, by not notifying the insurance company of the 'modification' by fitting of the upgraded tyre. IMO.

[Raize]

Fast speed rating suggests you intend to speed.
Speeding will cause an accident and a claim.
Therefore your insurance is invalid.

[Riley Blue]

Raize said:

Fast speed rating suggests you intend to speed.
Speeding will cause an accident and a claim.
Therefore your insurance is invalid.

Quoted for posterity 'cos my 50 year old Riley has tyres rated to 130mph.

[shakindog]

As long as speed ratings are the same or higher than what's fitted will be fine. Also must be same speed/load rating on the same axle

[750turbo]

Raize said:

Fast speed rating suggests you intend to speed.
Speeding will cause an accident and a claim.
Therefore your insurance is invalid.

"Jesus Christ"

[leafspring]

Riley Blue said:

Raize said:

Fast speed rating suggests you intend to speed.
Speeding will cause an accident and a claim.
Therefore your insurance is invalid.

Quoted for posterity 'cos my 50 year old Riley has tyres rated to 130mph.

Ditto for our 1960 Land Rover with tyres rated at 112mph

Edited by leafspring on Saturday 7th September 15:08

[Laurel Green]

750turbo said:

Raize said:

Fast speed rating suggests you intend to speed.
Speeding will cause an accident and a claim.
Therefore your insurance is invalid.

"Jesus Christ"

I think the above was said with a tad of tongue-in-cheek. At least I hope it was.

[750turbo]

Laurel Green said:

750turbo said:

Raize said:

Fast speed rating suggests you intend to speed.
Speeding will cause an accident and a claim.
Therefore your insurance is invalid.

"Jesus Christ"

I think the above was said with a tad of tongue-in-cheek. At least I hope it was.

It was, it was...

[littleredrooster]

God almighty. I despair at the utter twaddle spouted on PH these days.

Insurance companies cannot dictate what an owner puts on his car; incorrect speed ratings on tyres do not in themselves invalidate cover - the only requirement is the minimum tread depth.

[kambites]

As above, there's no such thing as the speed rating being "too high". If it was too low and she had an accident as a result of a tyre failure, they'd probably (reasonably enough) refuse to pay out.

[Riley Blue]

littleredrooster said:

God almighty. I despair at the utter twaddle spouted on PH these days.

Insurance companies cannot dictate what an owner puts on his car; incorrect speed ratings on tyres do not in themselves invalidate cover - the only requirement is the minimum tread depth.

I don't think you're correct about tread depth being the only requirement regarding tyres but I'll leave you to check whether you're writing utter twaddle or not.

[Who me ?]

shakindog said:

As long as speed ratings are the same or higher than what's fitted will be fine. Also must be same speed/load rating on the same axle

What a tyre fitter at local branch of a nationwide tyre place told me . I had only had mine a few weeks when I found a sidewal bulge on the front . New tyre needed . He was amazed to see that origonals were lowest rating.( OK- that was still over NSL limit) That was two new ones at a higher rating. He NEVER stocked my rting. His advice was to aa few ratings higher .Same price ( possibly a few pounds more) , but IMHO worth it . Shame VAG don't think so .

[hedges88]

[quote=Who me ?]
What a tyre fitter at local branch of a nationwide tyre place told me . I had only had mine a few weeks when I found a sidewal bulge on the front . New tyre needed . He was amazed to see that origonals were lowest rating.( OK- that was still over NSL limit) That was two new ones at a higher rating. He NEVER stocked my rting. His advice was to aa few ratings higher .Same price ( possibly a few pounds more) , but IMHO worth it . Shame VAG don't think so .

[/quote]


Americans take this very seriously, a cars top speed is limited to it's tyre rating.

I found that VAG in Europe at least only fit an adequate speed rated tyre, I have seen examples of Skoda Octavia's on tyres rated at roughly the top speed of the vehicle. I have not found ones rated below this yet though

[jon-]

Speed rating can be lower or higher than OE. Insurance companies can't do a thing.

Load rating is the important one. If the load rating is below the OE specification then the insurance companies can take issue.

This was discussed last year at depth in the winter tyre thread, and confirmed by the governing body.

[gaz1234]

as i thought...
load of bks

[Riley Blue]

gaz1234 said:

as i thought...
load of bks

Not if the new tyre has a different speed rating from the one on the other wheel on that axle.

Edited by Riley Blue on Sunday 8th September 15:55