I am about to replace my worn out Goodyears with 225/55 R17 Continentals, which have the best owner ratings of all tires on Tirerack, etc. Continental makes several 225/55 R17 tires and the best rated is the H speed version called the TrueContact. It beats the V and W speed versions in pretty much every category, especially in traction, handling, noise, and wear. I don't intend to drive my G37 anywhere near the H rating limit of 130 MPH, so is there any reason for me to not get the H-rated tire? Anyone have experience with this "slow", yet superior tire?

BTW, on Amazon, I get a message that the H speed 225/55 R17 Continentals don't fit my G37's 17 inch rim. Well, they do dimensionally, but I suspect the H rating is what is raising the "does not fit" flag. I contacted Continental and they too rejected their own H tire for the G37. It looks like Continental, and Amazon, are trying to avoid lawsuits by not endorsing putting an H tire on a car capable of moving at V speeds. However, as I said, I don't plan to go near 130 MPH, so 149 MPH is never going to happen. For me, H is not a limitation. On the other hand, better traction, handling, and ultra quiet tires with a UTQG of 800 AA sound like an amazing value. http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires....omCompare1=yes

 

By law, tire installers are supposed to allow only equal or better speed rating.

 

Its not also about how fast your going to go but affects how the tire handles. The compound of tire is different if that explains it any better.

A tire receives its speed rating by the U.S. Government through meeting minimum standards for reaching and sustaining a specified speed. What does that mean to you? Well, in general, a higher speed rating will result in better car handling.

Two important notes when considering speed rating:
We do not recommend downgrading the speed rating of your tires. This may result in poor handling and unpredictable steering. However, if you want better cornering response, there is no problem installing a higher speed rated tire on your vehicle.
Never mix and match tires with different speed ratings on your vehicle. This will cause serious problems with the handling of your vehicle.
Below is a list of speed ratings along with the corresponding speeds they represent. Remember, the speeds are test speeds, not recommended speeds.

B - Up to 31 mph
C - Up to 37 mph
D - Up to 40 mph
E - Up to 43 mph
F - Up to 50 mph
G - Up to 56 mph
J - Up to 62 mph
K - Up to 68 mph
L - Up to 75 mph
M - Up to 81 mph
N - Up to 87 mph
P - Up to 94 mph
Q - Up to 100 mph
R - Up to 106 mph
S - Up to 112 mph
T - Up to 118 mph
U - Up to 124 mph
H - Up to 130 mph
V - Up to 149 mph
W - Up to 168 mph
Y - Up to 186 mph
Z - 149 mph and over

 

The better handling of a higher-rated tire is an unintended consquence. Speed rating is about, well, speed.

Higher speeds require generally stiffer construction, which translates into better handling. Beating on lower-rated tires can kill them even if you stay well below their maximum speed.

 

I wish what you say were true, but that's the irony of the Continental tires. Based both on feedback from owners and in tires tests, the H-rated tire handles better than the higher speed rated versions Continental makes, which by the way, the higher speed versions are very well rated themselves. But, bottom line, if I'm driving between 1 and 130 MPH, the H tire handles better, grips better, is quieter, and lasts a lot longer, so why would I want the V or higher speed tires, if they don't rate as well as the H tires?

 

Thanks for the information also. I was just going what other installers told me which is obviously wrong.

 

I've never heard of a law that governs what speed rating a tire installer offers to their customers. Is this a TX state law? I've seen over the years many car owners choose lower speed rated tires than offered on OEM for financial reasons. Thanks.

UCLAg37

 

According to a lot of reading I have done, there is no law that says that. Sometimes there may be store policies prohibiting that, and I would bet the main reason it prohibits it is cost. Higher speed rated tires generally cost more than lower rated tires. Basically, they want those sale numbers.

Also take into account that some cars come with higher speed rating tires than the car itself can even attain. This is usually done more for the handling capabilities of the tires than the speed ratings. If a car can't do 150 mph then putting something other than Z rated tires on it will not hurt anything.

Generally myself, I buy my tires online, then take them to my buddies shop and pay him to mount and balance for me. I still save over going to other tire shops and I get the tire I want.

A bigger factor in my opinion than speed rating is load rating. That is something you definitely need to match or beat.