I'm a newbie and just bought my first Camaro. A used '98 Z. I'm wondering what speed rating denotes the fastest tire? I think Z rated tires are good for 149mph and over...but W and Y rated are rated much higher but only up to like say 186? So, does that mean the Z rated tires can go faster since they can go OVER 149....while the W or Y can only go UP TO 186?

 

The speed rating means you can drive at the the speed indicated for an hour and have no problems. Z-rated is 149+ you also need the traction letters also what compound it is to know what the tire can handle. Most people will not stay at those speeds for an hour. <img src="gr_grin.gif" border="0">



[ February 18, 2002: Message edited by: Toxic Texan ]</p>

 

Toxic Texan (cool name btw)...thanks for the chart. I take it then that Z rated tires are the fastest? <img src="graemlins/burnout.gif" border="0" alt="[Burnout]" />

 

Yes your ZR tires are the highest rated. <img src="gr_grin.gif" border="0">

 

Awesome! It's cool knowing while I'll probably never go that fast...I could if I had to.

Time to break out the "Z" dance <img src="graemlins/fluffy.gif" border="0" alt="[Fluffy]" />

 

It may be a little nit-picky, but Y-rated tires are UP TO 188mph, while Z rated tires are over 149mph, with no maximum. Believe me, you can feel the difference in Y and Z rated tires while accelerating in a turn after you passed your break loose point. Z rated tires hold corners like they're on rails.

 

<img src="graemlins/fluffy.gif" border="0" alt="[Fluffy]" /> <img src="graemlins/fluffy.gif" border="0" alt="[Fluffy]" /> <img src="graemlins/fluffy.gif" border="0" alt="[Fluffy]" />