Safety Warning: Speed Rated Tires!

Introduction

The following is current information regarding speed rated tires. Please note that many of today’s vehicles are equipped with speed rated tires. It is NOT recommended that tires on these vehicles be replaced with tires which exhibit a lower speed rating than those specified by the vehicle manufacturer. 

Safety Rules for Selection, Mixing, Repairing, Retreading, or Alteration of Speed Rated Tires

It is important, for the safety of the consumer, that the following safety rules be followed in the selection, mixing, and servicing of speed rated tires.

A. When replacement of tires is desired, consult the placard (normally located on the door frame or glove box door) or the owner's manual for correct size. If the tires shown on the vehicle placard do not have speed ratings, the appropriate size tire with any speed rating may be applied, if desired. When the placard tire size nomenclature contains a speed symbol, for example P205/60HR15, the replacement tire must have the same or higher speed rating symbol if the speed capability of the vehicle is to be maintained. IF THE REPLACEMENT TIRE IS NOT SPEED RATED, OR HAS A LOWER SPEED RATING THAN INDICATED ON THE VEHICLE PLACARD, THE SPEED CAPABILITY OF THE VEHICLE IS LIMITED BY THE SPEED CAPABILITY OF THE REPLACEMENT TIRE. A Mickey Thompson produced dot tire without a speed rating has a max highway speed of 85 mph.

Follow the recommendations contained in RMA publications for other considerations in the selection of replacement tires.

B. Mixing

IF TIRES OF DIFFERENT SPEED RATINGS ARE MOUNTED ON A VEHICLE, THE TIRE WITH THE LOWEST SPEED RATING WILL LIMIT PERMISSIBLE TIRE RELATED VEHICLE SPEED. 

If any replacement tire is not speed rated, the speed capability of the vehicle is limited by the maximum speed of that tire (85 mph for Mickey Thompson produced tires). 

C. Retreading, Repairing, or Alteration of Speed Rated Tires 

SPEED RATING NO LONGER APPLIES TO A MICKEY THOMPSON PRODUCED TIRE THAT HAS BEEN ALTERED (for example, by retreading or repairing).

Read this and more at First Choice Wheels and Tires
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