TyreSafe says such shoppers need to make sure they put the right tyres as specified for their car. They need to be aware of the speed symbol on their original equipment tyres, and get the same one with the new ones.
Many motorists hold the misconception that their choice of speed symbol should be determined by how fast they drive. But a tyre’s speed symbol is not just a measure of the tyre’s maximum speed capability, it also provides an indication of overall performance, even at lower speeds.
"While many motorists may be feeling the pinch in the current economic climate," says Stuart Jackson of TyreSafe, "we would encourage them not to compromise on road safety. Driving on tyres with a lower speed symbol than recommended may seriously compromise vehicle handling, putting the driver and other road users at risk. It could also cause irreversible damage through exaggerated wear or sidewall cracking.”
A tyre’s speed symbol is denoted by a letter and appears immediately after the load index on the tyre sidewall.
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