So the tread on my tires are going bad. I need new ones -duh. But the thing is I dont want the same tires that are on there. They have got to be the worst ever. So I called around to a couple of tire companies and apparently it is almost impossible to find my kind of tire. 195/50/16 V Rated. They can find H Rated. But according to the tire places the engineer specifically states that our cars MUST have the V Rated. Now I asked the guy what all this rated stuff means. The V rated is just for higher speeds and long times versus the H rated is for like 130 mph so I guess V rated is for 200 mph? (sarcasm) anyways enough of my rambling... I guess my question is do I really need this V rated? or can I go for the H rated and be just as safe?

also... I thought about goin up to 205/50/16 how exactly will I benefit from upgrading??

 

IMO, since the Protege OEM tire carries a V rating you should not consider an H rated tire. In addition to having a higher speed rating, the V tire is constructed somewhat differently having stiffer sidewalls and a different tread compound compared with an H tire of the same brand and type. An H tire is probably fine for a snow tire because speeds are lower. For normal performance driving, I think you should stick with the V.

I have no experience with this but a number of people have suggested going to a 205/50-16 tire because many more choices are available. This will probably give you somewhat better handling but at the expense of a small speedometer error and perhaps a slight decrease in acceleration.

02 DX Millenium Red
MP3 Strut Tower Bar kit
Kartboy Shifter Bushings
Suvlights Heavy Duty Wiring Harness
Osram Silverstar H4 Bulbs
Red Line MT-90 Gear Oil (stick now moves like an eel in oil)
5Zigen FNO1R-C 16" Wheels
Yokohama AVS ES 100 205/45-16's
Modified OEM Air Intake

 

Hmmm, I've heard two schools of thought on tire speed rating. The first one is never use a lower speed rating than OEM, because your handling, ride, etc. will be negatively affected due to the different construction of the tire.

Then there's the school of thought I subscribe to. A tire SPEED rating is just that, a rating as to how FAST a tire can safely go without blowing out. What is more important in a replacement tire is the construction of it, a lower speed rating can give you better handling, ride, or whatever it is that you are after over a higher speed rated tire.

If I were you, I'd go to www.tirerack.com and check out the reviews posted by owners of the various tires, then pick out something that suits how you'll be using them.

One other thing to consider, while your ES may have come with V-rated, other Proteges with the same 2.0 engine came with H-rated. Take that for whatever it's worth.

 

I agree with multipath 100%

Further, the speed rating indicates what the tire has actually been TESTED for - that is, the same tire may carry two different speed ratings at different times in it's production life cycle if the manufacturer decides to do a different set of testing. Take the Z rating for example, is for over 149 mph, but the W and Y ratings are for set speeds above 149 mph. Concveivably, a tire could be z rated, then later on after further testing is done, be a W. Not saying that manufacturers do this, but they could.

FWIW, the Proteges don't have a speed limiter, and according to people that are willing to take their car to top speed, 130 mph is about it. An H rated tire is rated for 130 mph continuous use. You would be OK with an H rated tire.

It is logical that the higher speed rated tires may be stiffer as a result of being higher speed rated, but not necessarily. However, the reverse may be true - if you find the V rated tires too stiff a ride and you are willing to compromise some handling for a softer ride, a lower speed rating may be in the cards for you.

Also, most winter tires are Q rated....

Tirerack has some good info on the different tire ratings
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tirete...eral/speed.htm