The numbers and letters on a car tire may seem confusing, but they're actually relatively simple once you understand them.

Choosing the right tires is important to getting the most out of your car. Just because tires all look more or less alike doesn't mean they all perform the same, especially when it comes to speed.

Tire speed ratings look like tiny letters buried in a sidewall code, but they shape how a car steers, stops, and feels long before anyone gets near the limit on the speedometer. Matching that rating ...

The speed ratings of tires are more than just about the maximum allowable speed that the rubber can carry a load before failing, exploding, and causing a massive accident. It's one of the many numbers ...

Different tire compounds excel in different areas, which is why tires have speed ratings — not all materials can handle the extra heat and stress that come with high-speed driving. However, upgrading ...

Tire speed ratings basically tell you how fast you can go before your tires turn into shrapnel. Your everyday grocery-getters can get away with, say, inexpensive S-rated tires that will hold together ...