Speed Rating V vs H

V rated tires have the maximum speed of 149 mph compared to 130 mph of H rated tires. You can go for V rating tires if you are looking for a tire with better cornering stability, and regularly drive on tracks. However, H type speed rated tires are your call if you want to drive more comfortably and are looking for a longer tread life for the tires. 

Now, you need to know if your vehicle is even compatible with the tires. To know that, let’s get started with the article.   

Difference Between V and H Rating: Quick Overview

Tire Speed rating is the indication of the speed up to which the tire can sustain. The difference between V and H speed rating is quite significant and the difference is shown on the table below. 

Factors	V Tire Rating	H Tire Rating
Maximum Top Speed	149 mph or 240 km/h	130 mph or 209 km/h
Driving Conditions	Good for summer and race track driving conditions	Good for all weather conditions
Longevity	48,260 miles	49,180 miles
Comfort	Less Comfortable	More Comfortable
Fuel Efficiency	More efficient	Less efficient
Vehicle Compatibility	High Performance Vehicles, Electric Vehicles	Passenger Car, Sports Car, Coupes, Light Trucks
Price	$65 – $230	$65 – $273

Difference Between V and H Rating: Detailed Overview

The next step is to go through the detailed difference between the V and H speed rating tires. Following are some of the key parameters to consider. 

Maximum Top Speed

The key difference between the two tires is in the maximum top speed it can endure. H type tires can get to a maximum of 130 mph or around 209 kph whereas V type tires can get to the maximum of 149 mph or around 240 kph. 

Driving Conditions

Here the focus is on the different driving conditions for the V and H rated tires. 

V VS H Rated Tire On Summer

V type tires provide excellent grip and cornering ability during summer conditions. The major characteristic of V type tires is the cornering stability. It has a stiff sidewall, less roll and a large contact surface which makes it good for cornering. However, H rated tires are relatively less heat resistant and offer less gripping.

So, choose V type tires for its better traction and steering response on summer roads. 

V VS H Rated Tire On Winter

Overall neither V or H rated tires are the best options for winter performance. If you want a tire with good biting edges in deep snow then choose Q,R,S and T rated tires. 

But between V and H, H rated winter tires are normally more compatible and will perform better in winter conditions. This is because H rated tires having lower speed rating means that it has harder rubber compound and is more stiffer. So, it will offer a smoother ride in colder conditions.

Another factor is the tread depth. Normally, as the tires get higher in speed rating its tread depths get lower and it becomes less capable of providing traction during winter. That means V rated tires have shallower tread depth and it is not good enough for winter.  

So, due to tire rubber construction and tread depth, H rated tires are a better choice for winter. 

Summary:

Go for H type tires if you will regularly use your tires during winter. V type tires can also be used if you are using a high performance vehicle but the traction won’t be as good as H type tires.  

Longevity

H type tires have better longevity and tread life compared to V type tires. Normally, higher rated tires are made with softer rubber compound and stiffer construction which makes V rating tires have lower longevity.

Based on Consumer Report’s 16,000 mile wear test the V rated tires can sustain up to 48,260 miles but H rated tires perform slightly better through 49.180 miles. 

Summary: Choose H type tires if longevity is a concern for you. However, if you are looking for tires that sustain longer then go for even lower rated tires. 

Comfort

Tire’s comfort performance depends on its construction. Normally, stiffer construction means that the sidewall is stiff. V rated tires are more stiffer in construction and that means even though the steering response will be quick, it will not be able to absorb vibration properly. 

However, H rated tires have softer sidewall construction and that means it can absorb vibration more efficiently. So, go for H type tires if you are looking for a more comfortable experience with your tire. 

Vehicle Compatibility

Following are the list of vehicles compatible for H type speed rated tires

1. Passenger Car
2. Sports Car
3. Coupes
4. Light Trucks

Following are the list of vehicles compatible for V type speed rated tires

1. High Performance Vehicles
2. Electric Vehicles

Fuel Efficiency

V type tires have better fuel efficiency compared to H type tires. This is because of the relatively lower rolling resistance of the tires. Rolling resistance depends on the tread design and a simpler tread pattern means it will have less rolling resistance. Normally with higher rated tires you need lower rolling resistance so that it can sustain through extreme speed. 

V type tires are higher rated and it can sustain higher speed. Along with that V rated tires are made with simple tread design and that means it has less rolling resistance compared to H rated tires. So, the fuel efficiency is better.  

However, you should remember that tire speed rating is a minor factor when it comes to fuel efficiency. Tire size is the major tire characteristic that determines the fuel efficiency. 

Summary:

Go for V type tire speed rating if you want more fuel efficient tires. 

Should You Mix V and H Tire Rating?

No, you should not mix V and H tire rating. This is because both the speed ratings are different in quality and performance requirement. A higher speed rating will have better heat dissipation rate and grip however it will lag behind in tread life. 

So, if you want to mix the tire setting in your car, the performance requirement will not be met. H type tires will have better longevity but they will not grip as good as V tires.

Therefore, always maintain the recommended tire rating from your manufacturer. But if you absolutely have to mix the tire rating then make sure to put the H tire rating on the front axle and V rated tire on the rear axle. It doesn’t matter if it is 4WD, RWD or FWD. 

Can You Use H Rated Tires Instead of V ?

No, you cannot use H rated tires instead of V rated tires. First there is the obvious difference of the speed rating. With V rated tires you can endure up to 149 mph but if you replace it with H rated tires, a tire that can sustain up to 130 mph, you are at a risk of blowout.  

V rated tires have stronger sidewall and better heat dissipation rate compared to H type tires. Therefore, it can sustain high speed driving without any blowout. However, H rated tires are typically made with harder rubber compound and its tread patterns are suited for all weather conditions and provide it better tread life. So, there is a major difference between the two tires. 

Besides, H type tires are mainly for passenger vehicles whereas V type tires are mainly for performance cars. So, the target vehicle for these two tires are drastically different.

This is why you can not use H rated instead of V. 

FAQs

Conclusion

Hopefully, that clears out all the questions regarding Speed rating V VS H. Look for the requirement based on the car user manual and choose the right tire. Keep in mind about the information regarding interchanging and mixing the V and H tires. Finally, remember the cost associated with each and your requirement.