What is life like with your car? Let us know and win £500 in John Lewis vouchers | No thanks

What do the letters such as V or H mean at the end of tyre sizes?

I am about to buy new tyres for my car but the one thing I am a little confused about is the end letter H or V etc. It is slightly cheaper by a few pounds to get the H. I don't go over 80 miles an hour but is the tyre makeup different for the V for example? Would I be better off buying the V instead of the H or S or T?

Asked on 26 November 2019 by graham mccormack

Answered by Honest John
If the car was originally fitted with V rated tyres then you have to fit V rated or get your insurer's permission to fit the lower-rated H tyres otherwise if you have a crash you could find yourself uninsured. Nothing to do with the speed you drive. Everything to do with the spec for the car.
Similar questions
Have been using Continentals and have had a few punctures and although the tread was hardly worn the side walls have perished due to usual short journeys, so garage said they were unsafe and not worth...
Do the Goodyear Vector tyres have as flexible sidewalls as Michelin Cross Climate? The ride in our Meriva is very hard and although I fitted the Michelin to our old Meriva I did not notice much of an improvement....
Yesterday I fitted four new CrossClimate tyres to my Volkswagen Golf SV. The original tyres were rated at H. The fitter had fitted three H and one V rated tyre. Today, the tyre alarm went off after 30...
 

Value my car

Save £75 on Warranty using code HJ75

with MotorEasy

Get a warranty quote

Save 12% on GAP Insurance

Use HJ21 to save on an ALA policy

See offer