Where in "Print" can I verify what the Volvo Specification for the Tire Speed Rating is for my 1994 940 Non-Turbo Wagon. I am in a discussions with the Tire Dealer that they put under rated (T) on my vehicle and I am contributing that to the premature wear.

Thankx

Kevin

I usually run "T" speed rated tires on my 740 non-turbo and on my 850 non-turbo. (Both cars came with "V" rated tires as OE) I typically get at least 40,000 to 50,000 miles on these tires with 50-50 city highway driving. I like the "T" rated tires on my Volvos because they usually me with a "less harsh" ride and they are usually less expensive. As the other reply mentioned, speed rating of a tire will affect it handling capability (more precise handling due to the stiffer sidewalls) and it's capability to run at sustained high speeds without falling apart. Technically, you won't convince the tire dealer that "T" speed tires would wear faster than "H" or "V" speed rated tires. It is usually the other way around. It's possible that a really cheap "T" rated tire could have a tread design with grooves that are not as deep as other higher priced tires, thus reducing the treadwear. If all four of your tires had this fast wear I would suspect that the tires had a fast wearing tread rubber. If only the front tires had this wear, I would suspect something in the suspension, alingnment, inflation, etc.
(Most American cars come with "S" or "T" speed rated tires to reduce the cost and reduce the rolling resistance due to the government's requirements for fuel economy. Most European cars come with higher ("H" or "V") tires because they usually drive more aggressively and don't have the fuel economy laws that we do.)

A higher speed rating does not necessarily correspond at all to wear. A tire with better traction will wear faster, but we're not talking about traction here.

We're talking about speed rating. And what happens at high speeds to a tire is that if it's too soft, it will start to deform because of the centripetal force created by the tire's high speed rotation.

The only thing that'll really happen from having an speed underrated tire on your car is that you won't be able to drive that fast safely.

In print, it is listed on the door sticker right after the tire size. The Volvos in my driveway: '95 turbo has H for 130MPH and the '95 na has T for 118MPH.
--
Tom F

I had looked at the car in questioned. I just also just went and looked at my "other" 1994 940 (sedan),,,,, Neither One give the speed rating;
185/65 R 15

Kevin

Sorry, it was on my two '95s. Nothing in the OM?
--
Tom F

Nothing in OM either. Case closed.... Sears has agreed to give me full credit on the "S" rated tire and I pay the differance to get into the "H". The only thing they had in their system/books was Turbo stuff, which stated "H". Good enough for me.

Kevin

Tire speed rating is more dependent on your driving habits than anything else. A slow, conservative driver in a Ferrari F40 would be just fine with S rated tires, for ex. My guess is that the lowest commonly available speed rating - S - would have been recommended by Volvo for your car.

Check out this link to Tire Rack for info on the various speed ratings. Generally speaking, a tire with a higher speed rating will tend to wear faster. The UTQG wear rating is more to the point, but it is only a relative figure, good for comparison within a specific manufacturer only.

Premature wear is most likely more a factor of inflation and suspension, (alignment, condition of shocks, etc).
--
'84 '285' rice-eater with lotsa hp & performance goodies