Re: Falken Tires and general tire questions

["Jim Haseltine" <Jim_Haseltine@email.msn.com>]

-----Original Message-----
From: Andrew_Chang@providian.com <Andrew_Chang@providian.com>

>Don't think I'll ever drive that fast so...what are the benefits of having
>the higher speed rating? Better road feel? Stiffer sidewalls? Better
>cornering traction/greater tire wear/more frequent replacement? Is there
>that much difference between a V and Z rating?


H < 130
V < 150
W < 168
Z >150

The recommended tyre rating for a vehicle is not just speed dependent, its
also to do with the load index that the drive/suspension geometry can
subject the tyres to. Fitting higher rated tyres than specified will not
make a vehicle perform any better but fitting lower rated ones can have
disastrous results - it is also technically illegal in many countries such
as the UK and parts of Europe although I have never heard of anybody being
prosecuted.

Jim Haseltine.