Understanding the tyre speed rating, tread wear, traction and temperature resistance

I have just changed my car tyres to Hankook Ventus V2 concept2 (H457) all-season with the following ratings:

• Speed rating: H
• Tread wear: 500
• Traction: AA
• Temperature resistance: A

Out of curiosity, I have done a search in the Internet to find out the meaning of these ratings, and below is what I've learnt.

The tread wear, traction and temperature resistance ratings are measured following the standard as defined in the Uniform Tyre Quality Grading (UTQG) system.

Speed Rating

The speed rating is the maximum speed capability of a new tyre, denoted by an alphabet as below:

• L = 120km/h
• M = 130 km/h
• N = 140 km/h
• P = 150 km/h
• Q = 160 km/h
• R = 170 km/h
• S = 180 km/h
• T = 190 km/h
• U = 200 km/h
• H = 210 km/h
• V = 240 km/h
• W = 270 km/h
• Y = 300 km/h

Tread Wear

The tread wear grade is a comparative rating based on the wear rate of the tyre when tested under controlled conditions on a specified test track.
Tyres with lower tread wear grade are generally softer, run quieter, but wear off faster, whereas tyres with higher tread wear grade are generally harder, run noisier especially on concrete road surface, and wear off slower (generally more durable).

Most tyres nowadays have tread wear grade between 300-500, therefore tread wear grade of 500 is comparatively harder and wear off slower.

Traction

The traction grade represents the tyre's ability to stop when braked on wet pavement as measured under controlled conditions on specified test surfaces of asphalt and concrete.

There are altogether 4 traction grades for tyres approved to be used on the road:

• AA - the best rating
• A
• B
• C

Most tyres nowadays have traction grade A, so AA is considered as an above average grade.

Temperature Resistance

The temperature grade represents the tyre's resistance to the generation of heat when running. It is tested under controlled conditions on a specified indoor laboratory test wheel.

Note that sustained high temperature can cause the materials of the tyre to degenerate and thus reduce its life, and excessive temperature can lead to tyre failure.

There are altogether 3 temperature resistance grades for tyres approved to be used on the road:

• A - the best rating
• B
• C

Most tyres nowadays have temperature resistance grade B, so A is considered as an above average grade.