Tires are an important part of any vehicle, and understanding the markings on them is critical to maintaining your car or truck. The two most common letters seen on tires are V and W. Here's a look at what these letters mean.
The letter V on a tire indicates that the maximum speed rating for that tire is 149 miles per hour. This speed rating is only for use on dry pavement; wet or icy conditions will lower the maximum speed. The V speed rating was introduced in 1987, and is still in use today.
The letter W on a tire stands for 168 miles per hour - this is the highest possible speed rating for a tire. Tires with this rating are designed for high-performance vehicles such as sports cars and luxury sedans. Like the V rating, the W rating is only meant for use on dry pavement; driving at high speeds in wet or icy conditions can be dangerous.
So there you have it - the meaning behind those pesky letters on your tires! Now you can rest assured that you're driving safely within the limits of your tires' capabilities.