Service Description
In addition to the Tyre Size Designation a tire may be identified by a Service Description consisting of a Load Index (or two in the case of single/dual fitment) & a Speed Symbol.

Speed Symbol
Indicates the speed at which the tire can carry a load corresponding to its Load Index (except for loads at speed above 210km/h) under service conditions specified by the tire manufacturer.

Speed Category
Indicate tire speed capabilities:
- above 210 km/h for VR tires
- above 240 km/h for ZR tires
& are included within the tires size designation
e.g. 215/50 ZR 15
 

Generally Service Description is not shown on such tires.
For actual speed capabilities & load capacities, consult the tire manufacturer concerned.

Car Tyres - speed limits

 

Marking	Characteristics
Speed symbol "V"	Designed for fitment to vehicles with a speed capability not exceeding 240 km/h (e.g. 225/55 R 14 91 V)
Speed category "ZR"	Designed for fitment to vehicles with a speed capability over 240 km/h (e.g. 195/50 ZR 15)
Speed category "VR"	Only for a transitional period. For Vehicles having speed capability over 210 km/h (e.g. 185/60 VR 13)
Speed symbol "W"	Designed for fitment to vehicles having speed capability not exceeding 270 km/h (e.g. 225/55 R 14 91 W)
Speed symbol "Y"	Designed for fitment to vehicles having speed capability not exceeding 300 km/h
ZR + Speed symbol "W"	Only for a transitional period. Tyres will be marked with both designation for fitment vehicles with speed capability over 240 km/h but not exceeding 270 km/h (e.g. 195/50 ZR 15 82 W)
ZR + Speed symbol "Y"	Only for a transitional period. Tyres will be marked with both designation for fitment vehicles with speed capability over 240 km/h but not exceeding 300 km/h (e.g. 195/50 ZR 15 82 Y)
ZR + Load index/Speed Symbol "Y"	Tyres will be marked with both designation for fitment vehicles with speed capability over 240 km/h & exceeding 300 km/h (e.g. 195/50 ZR 15 82 Y)

Passenger Car Tyres

Load Capacities & Speed Limits

Percentage of Load capacity (%)
versus Speed (1)
 

Speed Capability of the vehicle (km/h)	Speed Symbol H %	Speed Symbol V %	Speed symbol W %	Speed symbol Y%
210	100	100	100	100
220	-	97	100	100
230	-	94	100	100
240	-	91	100	100
250	-	-	95	100
260	-	-	90	100
270	-	-	85	100
280	-	-	-	95
290	-	-	-	90
300 (2)	-	-	-	85

 

(1) For intermediate maximum speeds, linear interpolations of the tire load capacity is permitted.
(2) For speed capabilities over 300 km/h, the load capacities & the relevant inflation pressures will be agreed between vehicle & tire manufacturers (or their national associations) taking in to consideration the vehicle characteristics & the type of service. The load capacity quoted in the Standard Manual is the maximum load "per tire" permitted for speed "up to & including 210 km/h".
For speed in excess of 210 km/h, the maximum load per tire shall not exceed the following percentages of the load capacity quoted in the tables, depending on the type of tire & on the speed capability of the vehicle.
For ZR Tyres, where no Service Description is shown, the actual speed capabilities, load capacities & the relevant inflation pressures will be agreed between vehicle & tire manufacturers (or their national associations) taking into consideration the vehicle characteristics & type of service.
In the absence of such agreement, it is recommended that for speed capabilities between 240 & 270 km/h, the load capacities & the relevant inflation pressures of ZR tires be the same as for tires "W" speed symbol.