Tyre marks decoded

THE speed rating is not a measure of the tyre's handling, steering or braking capacities, it's a measure of the speed the tyre will withstand without coming apart. A Z rating tells us the tyre will withstand speeds above 240km/h, but you need to look at the sub-rating identification shown with the load rating. That may be a W, which says the tyre is rated for 270km/h, or Y which means 300km/h. A V rating says it is rated for speeds up to 240km/h. The 95 you see means the tyre has a load-carrying capacity of 690kg.