" V " speed rating?

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ChiTDI

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Had to replace tires on 4cyl Toyota camry (2005), and didn't think much of it until the options presented themselves. 215/60/16 but V speed rated. This is on a 4cylinder ! Used basically for an urban commuter.
Lipless alloy wheels (tape on wheel weights) and the XLE package and I'm looking at $125-$175 tires that aren't going to last much over 40k miles!

Who designed this one ??
 
TireRack allows H-rated tires on this car, and I doubt it's going to go above 130 mph, so H is probably OK if you don't want to go with V.
 
But even in V-rated category, you can find tires with high treadwear index. Yokohama Avid V4S costs $89 on TireRack, has a 500 treadwear index (not that it means much), and comes with a 60k mile treadlife warranty.
 
I'm looking for a way around having to tell this poor woman she needs to buy racing tires for her commuter car.
I don't how to circumvent the problem. Anyone else?
 
Of course the V4S isn't ranked very highly when it comes to winter performance. But if she's in Chicago proper where they plow the streets pretty fast, it may be passable.

I only have personal experience with Yoko H4S, but in Florida, so I can't confirm nor deny. I did like their dry and wet traction and comfort though.
 
Lots of options with the H rated ones and I'll try that avenue first. If not, those Avids will do as well as others costing twice that.
 
I'm confused as to why this car needs V or even H rated tires. Is this a safety requirement? I thought the load index was the main thing to worry about.
 
Historically, Camry was always criticized for handling like a boat and having poor steering response. Maybe Toyota wanted to improve things by fitting higher speed-rated tires that usually have stiffer sidewalls. Then again, they could have just tweaked the suspension instead. On the other hand, most people who buy Camry aren't really performance-oriented, so I don't see why handling like a boat needed fixing in the first place.

I agree that this V-rated speed index is strange here. My '00 Accord V6 also came with V-rated 205/65/15 tires from the factory. I don't know what the top speed was on that car. If it was above 130 mph, then I guess the V-rating was safety/lawsuit-related.
 
Originally Posted By: VeeDubb
I'm confused as to why this car needs V or even H rated tires. Is this a safety requirement? I thought the load index was the main thing to worry about.


My point entirely. She bought the "XLE" model Camry and with that comes a plastic fin on the rear deck lid, sunroof, alloy wheels that make wheel balancing a nightmare (no lip), and Vrated tires.

All the aftermarket people "insist on matching OEM requirements". Like putting slicks on a tricycle.
 
No offense, but if she bought the XLE model, then she should have thought about certain replacement costs. There shouldn't be any issues with an "H" vs "V" as we are only talking a 19 mph difference. If she doesn't drive over 80, she can get away with an "S" or "T". It probably won't handle or stop for squat but she'll save lots of money.

Camry or Econobox. If the tires are spec'd a certain way, don't mess with it. If those "V" rated OEM tires (probably not the greatest anyway but that's not the topic) help my loved one stop 1 INCH shorter than whatever they're about to hit, then that extra price was worth it. If those "V" tires hold the road and allow my loved one to avoid an accident by responding faster and with more authority, then that extra money was worth it.
 
Originally Posted By: wantin150
If the tires are spec'd a certain way, don't mess with it. If those "V" rated OEM tires (probably not the greatest anyway but that's not the topic) help my loved one stop 1 INCH shorter than whatever they're about to hit

Does higher speed rating = shorter stopping distance? I don't know, I'm just asking.
 
The reason for V rated tires is they set the top speed is 135 MPH. H rated tires only go to 130MPH. It is a legal thing.

You can find V-rated tires that last as it does not indicate anything to do with longevity. I would suggest in your case using H-rated tires which there will be many more choice that last in the 50k-60k range.
 
215/60R16 is a common size and you can get anything from S-rated to V-rated, so what's the problem? Do you only buy V-rated tires for all your tire purchases or does she take the car to the track?

rjundi, V-rated is 149 mph.
 
Originally Posted By: rpn453
215/60R16 is a common size and you can get anything from S-rated to V-rated, so what's the problem? Do you only buy V-rated tires for all your tire purchases or does she take the car to the track?

rjundi, V-rated is 149 mph.


For clarity the top speed of Camry is 135MPH so H-rated(130MPH) are not acceptable on the vehicle for legal purposes. They use H-Rated(130MPH) as they can sustain the speed that is all.


Most car makers limit the top speed to 112MPH or 130MPH electronically so they can equip with S-rated or H-rated tires.
 
Dont you love it???? $145 tires on a vehicle that is supposed to be such a "smart" purchase??? And that will never beused near the limits.

While I agree with what rjundi says, the choice of a speed rating has a lot to do with the stiffness of the typical tire in that range, and its effects on handling and suspension behavior, which is more relevant to the normal driver than going 130 MPH.

JMH
 
Originally Posted By: rjundi
For clarity the top speed of Camry is 135MPH so H-rated(130MPH) are not acceptable on the vehicle for legal purposes. They use H-Rated(130MPH) as they can sustain the speed that is all.

Most car makers limit the top speed to 112MPH or 130MPH electronically so they can equip with S-rated or H-rated tires.


Sorry, rjundi. I misread that.

For legal reasons, it does make sense for a manufacturer to equip their vehicles with tires that are capable of handling its top speed. That doesn't affect how I intend to drive the car and what tires are appropriate for me though.
 
Originally Posted By: wantin150
Camry or Econobox. If the tires are spec'd a certain way, don't mess with it. If those "V" rated OEM tires (probably not the greatest anyway but that's not the topic) help my loved one stop 1 INCH shorter than whatever they're about to hit, then that extra price was worth it. If those "V" tires hold the road and allow my loved one to avoid an accident by responding faster and with more authority, then that extra money was worth it.


What speed ratings and aspect ratios do your tires have? I assume all the tires you own are Z-rated and provide a full g of grip on dry pavement, or are you sacrificing the safety of yourself and your loved ones? You do realize that you're also endangering your family if you're not running low profile tires to provide optimum handling, right?
 
OEM was 215-50-17 Firestone SZ 50 (Z w/ no service description). Current set is Eagle F1 A/S in a 225-45-17. And yes, they are "Z" rated, "Y" to be exact. One g on dry? DOn't know now but stock is high .8's. My wife's car (a lowly Scion xD) is spec'd to an odd 195-60-16 H. When the time comes, it will have a 205-55-16 in a "V" or "Z" if I can find it.

If you feel comfortable running T or S or H on a V spec'd car, do so.
 
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