TIRE SPEED RATING
All Toyo Tires passenger, light truck, and truck tires have a maximum
speed rating based on size and type. Tires must never be operated in
excess of their rated speed limit! Consult your tire dealer or contact Toyo
Tires at 1-800-442-8696 (Pacific Time) or 1-888-444-8696 (Eastern Time) if
you are not sure about the maximum speed rating of your tires.
WARNING!
No tire, regardless of its design or speed rating, has an unlimited
capacity for speed. Exceeding the tire’s speed capability could cause
overheating and sudden tire failure, possibly leading to loss of
vehicle control and serious personal injury or death.
Toyo Tires does not endorse the operation of any vehicle in an unsafe or
unlawful manner. Obey all local speed limits.
Tire speed ratings do not imply that a vehicle can be safely driven at the
speed for which the tire is rated. Speed ratings are based on laboratory
tests and relate to performance on the road, but are not applicable if tires
are underinflated, overloaded, worn out, damaged, or altered.
WARNING!
High-speed driving with underinflated or overloaded tires may
result in immediate tire failure, possibly leading to loss of vehicle
control, which could cause an accident, including serious personal
injury or death.
TOYO TIRES – LIMITED WARRANTY
244
EXPLANATION OF TIRE SPEED SYMBOLS
A speed rating is designated by a letter that indicates the maximum
speed capability of a tire. The speed rating of a tire is based on standards
for reaching and sustaining a specified speed, and is determined via
laboratory tests that simulate road performance at various speeds.
Tires may be marked with one of these speed symbols: M, N, P, Q, R, S,
T, U, H, V, W, Y, or (Y) to identify the particular tire’s speed rating.
Additionally, the letter Z may appear in the size designation.
When purchasing or replacing speed-rated tires, make sure to:
•Use the ranking in the following chart to compare the speed symbols
of all the tires.
• Follow the vehicle manufacturer ’s recommendations, if any, concern-
ing the use of speed-rated tires.
To avoid reducing the speed capability of the vehicle, replace a speed-
rated tire only with another tire having at least the same or higher speed
rating. Remember, the “top speed” of the “lowest rated” tire on the car
cannot be exceeded without risk of tire failure.
TOYO TIRES – LIMITED WARRANTY
245
The letter symbols and corresponding design speeds are:
Speed-Rated SymbolSpeed Category
M Upto81mph(130km/h)
N Upto87mph(140km/h)
P Upto93mph(150km/h)
Q Upto99mph(160km/h)
R Up to 106 mph (170 km/h)
S Up to 112 mph (180 km/h)
T Up to 118 mph (190 km/h)
U Up to 124 mph (200 km/h)
H Up to 130 mph (210 km/h)
V Up to 149 mph (240 km/h)
W Up to 168 mph (270 km/h)*
Y Up to 186 mph (300 km/h)*
ZR Over 149 mph (240 km/h)**
(Y) Over 186 mph (300 km/h)**
* Any tire with a speed capability above 149 mph (240 km/h) can, at the
tire manufacturer ’s option, include a “Z” in the size designation (e.g.,
245/40ZR18). If the load index and the speed symbol are not included,
the tire manufacturer must be consulted for the maximum speed capa-
bility (P245/40ZR18 speed capability is greater than 149 mph
[240 km/h]). If a service description is included with the size description,
the speed capability is limited by the speed symbol in the service
description (i.e., 235/45ZR17 97W = maximum speed 168 mph
[270 km/h]).
** Although no upper limit speed is specified, the indicated tires
nonetheless have limited rated speed capability. Call 1-800-442-8696
(Pacific Time) or 1-888-444-8696 (Eastern Time) for a referral for more
technical information.
mNOTICE!
Tire speed symbols do not imply that vehicles can be safely driven at the
maximum speed for which the tire is rated, particularly under adverse road
and weather conditions, or if the vehicle has unusual characteristics. Never
operate a vehicle in an unsafe or unlawful manner.
TOYO TIRES – LIMITED WARRANTY
246
These tires are marked with the “M&S” designation plus a mountain/
snowflake symbol . Even the best all-season tires will not provide
acceptable levels of traction if you drive too fast in snow or ice
conditions and if you do not allow more stopping distance on icy roads
compared to dry road surfaces. Your ability to safely maneuver your
vehicle in snow or ice conditions is considerably reduced if your tires
are too worn to provide adequate road grip.
SAFE USE OF TEMPORARY SPARE TIRES
WARNING!
The spare tire your car is equipped with may be of a different size
and construction from the other tires on your vehicle. When using
any temporary type spare tire, be sure to follow the vehicle
manufacturer ’s instructions. Failure to observe recommended
precautions could lead to erratic vehicle behavior and/or tire
damage, possibly resulting in an accident and serious personal
injury or death.
• The temporary spare tire is designed for temporary use only. It must
not be used continuously as a standard tire. The temporary spare tire
should be returned to the trunk as soon as it is convenient to have your
standard tire repaired or replaced.
• The temporary spare tire should not be used for speeds exceeding
50 mph.
• Never use chains on temporary spare tires, because it could cause
damage to your vehicle.
• When you replace the temporary tire, replace it only with the same
type of tire.
• A full-size spare tire in your vehicle is intended for use as a spare when
needed. Please see the “Tire Rotation” section for the proper proce-
dures for including the same size construction and speed-rated tire (for
LT tires of the same size, type, and load rating) in the rotation pattern.
(Do not rotate a temporary spare tire.)
TOYO TIRES – LIMITED WARRANTY
249
WARNING!
•Check inflation pressure before using your spare tire. Failure to
have proper inflation pressure when using your spare tire may
cause loss of vehicle control, which could result in serious personal
injury or death. Maintain spare tire inflation pressures based on
the vehicle Owner ’s Manual or the Tire Information Placard.
•
“T” Type high-pressure temporary spare tires should not be used
with any other wheel, nor should standard tires, snow tires, wheel
covers, or trim rings be used on the high-pressure spare tire wheel. If
you fail to follow this warning, your vehicle’s handling characteris-
tics can be seriously affected. You could have an accident resulting in
serious personal injury or death. Consult your vehicle Owner ’s
Manual for the proper use of your “temporary use” spare tire.
•Do not operate your vehicle with more than one temporary spare in
use (this does not apply to a full size spare), and only operate it at
limited speeds and distances as indicated on the sidewall of the tire.
• The “T” Type temporary spare tire may lower ground clearance
when used. Avoid driving over large obstacles and other road
hazards. Check your vehicle Owner ’s Manual for other special
clearance precautions when using the “T” Type temporary spare
tire provided in your vehicle.
TIRE STORAGE
Tires should be stored indoors in a cool dry place where water cannot
collect inside the tires. The tires should be placed away from harmful
ozone-producing electric generators and motors and sources of heat such
as hot pipes. Storage surfaces should be clean and free of grease, gasoline,
or other substances, which can deteriorate the rubber.
COMPETITION TIRE STORAGE
The rubber compounds used in these tires have unique properties that,
when compared to other tires, can cause them to lose some of their
flexibility when used or handled in conditions below 15° F (-9° C). This
loss in flexibility can lead to potential cracking and other damage to the
tire. To minimize the chances of this happening, you are advised to follow
these instructions:
1. Do not move or operate the car with these tires in conditions below 15°
F (-9° C).
TOYO TIRES – LIMITED WARRANTY
250
WARNING!(Continued)
•LT-metric tires carry their load at higher inflation pressures and do
not always have adequate load capacity to replace P-metric tires of
the same size.
• After reducing a P-metric tire’s load rating by dividing by 1.1 for
fitment on a Light Truck, the P-metric tire may not offer sufficient
load capacity to replace an LT-metric tire of the same size.
• Contact your Toyo Tires dealer or Toyo Tires Technical Service for
help determining how to choose a proper replacement size.
• Driving with underinflated or overloaded tires may result in
immediate tire failure, which can cause an accident and could lead
to serious personal injury or death.
When a P-metric or metric tire is installed on a light truck (SUV, pickup,
minivan), the load rating is reduced by dividing by 1.1. (This load
reduction factor is prescribed by Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards
(FMVSS) and is based on the expectation that passenger-type tires may
experience more severe loading and usage conditions when applied to
light trucks.) For example, 305/50R20 has a maximum load capacity of
3086 lbs. If this tire is fitted to a light truck, the actual allowable load for
the tire is 2805 lbs. (3086 lbs. divided by 1.1).
Consult the load and inflation charts that can be found at
www.toyotires.com. Contact Toyo Tires Technical Service with any tire
replacement questions: 1-800-442-8696 (Pacific Time) or 1-888-444-8696
(Eastern Time).
TOYO TIRES – LIMITED WARRANTY
253
VEHICLES WITH MODIFIED SUSPENSION
WARNING!
ROLLOVER HAZARD
Large-diameter tires and modified suspensions that increase ground
clearance will alter vehicle handling.
•The vehicle may become more likely to roll over.
• Braking distances may increase.
• Slower speeds may be required to maintain control.
Drive with extreme caution until you become familiar with how
your vehicle handles. Always wear your seat belt.
Some modifications may be illegal in your state. Consult your
Owner ’s Manual, the instructions for this product, and state law
before modifying your vehicle.
USEFUL TIRE INFORMATION
There is a lot of useful information molded into the sidewall of a tire. It
shows the name of the tire, its size, if it is tubeless or tube type, the
maximum load and maximum inflation, and important safety warnings.
The sidewall markings on passenger and light truck tires are slightly
different.
TOYO TIRES – LIMITED WARRANTY
254