H Rated Tires

[nate2010]

I was told by the place that I get tires that the Protege 5 needs H rated tires. Is this true?

Nate

 

[ccrunner2011]

H rated tires are good to up to 130 MPH. I don't think many people go 130 MPH in their P5's. You can go lower if you don't expect you'll be driving that fast. But that's what is recommended for the car from what I've seen.

Here's a page if you scroll down it explains speed ratings. scroll down a bit until you see a chart with the MPH on the right side as the rating.
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tiretech/techpage.jsp?techid=35

 

[nate2010]

I understand speed ratings. What is currently on the car are 86V's and 87V's in the back. What I am wondering is if the tire guy knows what he is talking about. He said that they couldn't use the tires they had in stock because I needed H rated tires. Then once I get them on they are actually V rated. Most passenger vehicles take H rated. I'm just wondering if there is a requirement for the Protege 5 that would require H or in my case V rated tires. The tire guy said it was a liability issue. The tires weren't any more expensive and they are definitely a nice tire so I don't think money was the motivation.

 

[pkane]

I have not heard of this issue with speed rating, but I have had with load index. I tried to order some smartcar tires for my VW karmann ghia. They called me and cancelled the order because the tires would not handle the weight. I tried to explain I was only using up front, but they would not sell them to me. They explained that the weight must be handled by 2 tires (which makes sense if front and back, but pretty hard to pull a reverse wheelie. (boom06)

 

[ccrunner2011]

I have H rated on my P5 and on my miata. I believe most people do have H rated. If they aren't anymore money go with the V rated. They're rated for 149mph versus 130 mph. I don't think you'll be doing 130+.

 

[nate2010]

Well I am matching up the fronts with the same that is on the back. They will be here next Friday. They will be 86V's. I suppose the tire guy was confused either way they are better tires and so far the ones that are the back are good. Thanks for the input.