Tyre speed rating

[James FR]

Can someone tell me the minimum legal speed rating for the tyres?

SEAT IBIZA TDI 1.9 FR (130)

205/45/16

came with W (168mph) on, but can I change them to a V (149mph) as the cars top speed is only about 130 - the handbook dosen't mention speed rating at all....


Cheers

 

[techathy]

Look in your handbook or use the registration search from www.mytyres.co.uk. Speed rating of the tyres isn't just about the maximum speed the car can do, it's also about the torque output of the engine & the weight of the vehicle, the more torque or heaver the vehicle the higher the speed rating required.

 

[Seat Adam]

Yeah that shouldn't be a problem. Just make sure the tyres being removed are not extra load side walls. Doesn't usually make a difference, it didn't on my ZR when I had that, but I know Renault Lagunas rip the side walls.
It won't make any difference though I wouldn't have thought.

 

[Ultra_Joel88]

They come out of the factory with a W for a reason. Change it to V at your own risk. Personally I wouldnt

 

[teepee4bh]

Yeah that shouldn't be a problem. Just make sure the tyres being removed are not extra load side walls. Doesn't usually make a difference, it didn't on my ZR when I had that, but I know Renault Lagunas rip the side walls.
It won't make any difference though I wouldn't have thought.

NO

You can go up a rating but not down.

There is a code also such as 91V - the number is sidewall strength and letter speed rating.
NEVER GO BELOW OEM SPEC

 

[techathy]

NO

You can go up a rating but not down.

There is a code also such as 91V - the number is sidewall strength and letter speed rating.
NEVER GO BELOW OEM SPEC

^^ the bit I managed to lose posting my post!

If you down spec & have an accident you'll find your insurance is void if anyone notices, if you declare down speced tyres you'll probably find most insurance companies won't go near you. Someone played a nasty trick with this, they went for a common tyre size but up-speced the speed rating in a deal with one tyre manufacture, this meant for a while if you wanted tyres for your car you were tied into the OE supplied tyre.