What do the "R" / "Z" / "V" letters mean on tyres?
 

Looking at tyres for my car, I need 205 / 55 R16.

In Continental Sportcontacts, I can get 205 / 55 R16 R, or R16 Z, or R16 V --but they are all different prices.

What do the R / Z / V mean?

Ta, Craig

Speed ratings.

Hi ya - not sure - I think they may be the rating of the tyre. I had Sportcontacts on my Golf that were a Z. I think it works the higher the letter the better the rating? No doubt someone will correct me if I'm wrong!

Do a google on "tyre speed ratings" and it will tell you all about it

For the lazy

Speed Symbol "N" For vehicles with a speed capability not exceeding 140 Km/h (88 Mph)
Speed Symbol "P" For vehicles with a speed capability not exceeding 150 Km/h (94 Mph)
Speed Symbol "Q" For vehicles with a speed capability not exceeding 160 Km/h (100 Mph)
Speed Symbol "R" For vehicles with a speed capability not exceeding 170 Km/h (106 Mph)
Speed Symbol "S" For vehicles with a speed capability not exceeding 180 Km/h (113 Mph)
Speed Symbol "T" For vehicles with a speed capability not exceeding 190 Km/h (119 Mph)
Speed Symbol "U" For vehicles with a speed capability not exceeding 200 Km/h (125 Mph)
Speed Symbol "H" For vehicles with a speed capability not exceeding 210 Km/h (130 Mph)
Speed Category "VR" For vehicles having speed capability over 210 Km/h (e.g. 195.50 VR 15)
Speed Category "ZR" For vehicles with a speed capability over 240 Km/h (e.g. 205.40 ZR 17)
Speed Symbol "V" For vehicles with a speed capability not exceeding 240 Km/h (e.g. 225.55 R 15 91V)
Speed Symbol "W" For vehicles having speed capability not exceeding 270 Km/h (e.g. 225.60 R 15 96W)
Speed Symbol "Y" For vehicles having speed capability not exceeding 300 Km/h (e.g. 275.40 R 18 94Y)
ZR+ Speed Symbol "W" Tyres marked with both designations for vehicles with speed capability over 240 Km/h but not exceeding 270 Km/h
ZR+ Speed Symbol "Y" Tyres marked with both designations for vehicles with speed capability over 240 Km/h but not exceeding 300 Km/h

R = Really Expensive

V = Very Expensive

Z = Zillion Pound Mortgage Required

Pete

ps. mine are 205/50 ZR 16, would 205/55 ZR 16 make any odds??

Other than the profile being larger, thus making your speedo inaccurate and your tyres more likely to scrub your arches over bumps, no, not much.

Yes Pete; it would cause you speedometer to read innacurately and more importantly it would cause your brakes to be less effective. As Im sure that a nuclear scientist wont need an explanation for this I'll explain for everyone else: larger diameter wheel, brake disc diameter remains the same = greater moment so the brakes are less effective. People with pimped-up big wheels take note.

Simon

Approx. 20mm increase in diameter