SVT Tire Rating

O

OTTOMATIC

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Discussion starter · #1 · May 20, 2002

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I read on another site (

) that the tire rating on their stock SVT tires was W. He was upset becasue all of Ford's literature states Z rated tires. Could some of you other SVT owners check your tires and see what the rating is?
Thanks very much.

 

OmniFocus

· Don't Call Me Gaga!

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#2 · May 20, 2002

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Why would he be upset? W is likely better than Z. Z is an old standard which W supercedes. Z is "149 and higher" which is being used less often now thanks to the W "168 MPH" and Y "186 MPH" ratings.

<blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><hr>From Tirerack.com:

Today, the Z-speed rating is the only speed rating that is still branded “within” the tire size, as in P225/50ZR16. All other speed ratings are shown in the tire’s service description.

When Z-speed rated tires were first introduced, they were thought to reflect the highest speed rating that would ever be required. Since that time the automotive industry has found it necessary to add W- and Y-speed ratings (indicated in the tire’s service description) to identify the tires that meet the needs of new vehicles that have extremely high, top speed capabilities.

Miles/Hour Kilometers/Hour
P225/50ZR16 149+ 240+
P225/50ZR16 91W 168 270
P225/50ZR16 91Y 186 300


While all Z-speed rated tires are capable of speeds of 149 mph and above, prior to the W- and Y-speed ratings were identified in the service, how far above 149 mph was not identified<hr></blockquote>

[ 05-20-2002: Message edited by: OmniFocus ]</p>

 

O

OTTOMATIC

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Discussion starter · #3 · May 20, 2002

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I was under the impression that Z rated tires were rated for the highest speeds

 

Peloton25

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#4 · May 20, 2002

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Omni's right

>8^)
ER

 

O

OTTOMATIC

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Discussion starter · #5 · May 20, 2002

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OK Z rated is 149MPH and up and W is up to 168.

So Z is still rated for higher speeds than a W tire. SVT claims the tires are Z rated.

It doesn't really matter because I can't see anyone going over 168 in the SVT Focus.

 

I

inteller

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#6 · May 20, 2002

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well I find it very interesting that a lot of W rated tires I see actually cost less than Z.....paying for something you aren't getting? In reference I'm speaking about Dunlops and Yokohamas.

 

OmniFocus

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#7 · May 20, 2002

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<blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by OTTOMATIC:
So Z is still rated for higher speeds than a W tire. SVT claims the tires are Z rated.<hr></blockquote>

Well.. Not exactly. Z rated could mean 149 or 156 or 199 or... It is an old rating. Technically a W or Y rated tire IS a Z rated tire. They haven't mislead anybody.

"149 or more" doesn't mean it can take infinite speeds!

I'll speculate that the tire was previously a Z rated tire that was subjected to the newer testing standards and rated properly as a W.

 

OmniFocus

· Don't Call Me Gaga!

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#8 · May 20, 2002

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Well... After a little more research, I find the tire to be available in W and Z ratings, which doesn't back up my speculation about the renaming.

Anyway... I'd bet that if anybody is "at fault" for the actual stampings being different from the literature, it is Continental and not SVT.

Since these ratings are still new, I expect to see more of this type of thing in the future as companies change from the "old" Z rating to the "new" Z rating.