Tyre speed ratings (VW Passat B6)

Speed index (eg "T") after the tire size marking (eg 185/ 65 R 14 86T) indicates the maximum speed allowed (vmax) for a given tire.

Tyres for the respective vehicle must be selected so that their maximum permissible speed is greater than the maximum ("design-dependent") speed of the vehicle.

If in a specific case we are talking about a vehicle that has a domestic operating permit, then the maximum speed of the vehicle is calculated as follows.

Formula for cars with Vmax up to 150 km/h.

Vmax = 1.03 V + 3.5 km/h.

Example: the specified maximum speed V = 145 km/h.

Vmax = 1.03·145 km/h + 3.5 km/h = 152.85 km/h.

In this case, it is necessary to use a tire with the index "Q" or with a higher speed index.

Formula for cars with Vmax from 151 km/h.

Vmax = 1.01 V + 6.5 km/h.

Example: the indicated maximum speed V = 163 km/h

Vmax = 1.01·163 km/h + 6.5 km/h = 171.13 km/h.

In this case, it is necessary to use a tire with the index "S" or with a higher speed index.

Vehicles with EU type approval.

If in a specific case we are talking about a vehicle with an EU type approval, then the maximum speed is calculated for all vehicles using the formula.

Vmax = 1,05·V.

Example: the indicated maximum speed V = 172 km/h.

Vmax = 1.05·172 km/h = 180.60 km/h.

In this case, it is necessary to use a tire with the index "T" or with a higher speed index.

The use of tires with a higher speed index is permitted. The same applies to tires with a higher load index.

Note: Instead of the letter "v" you should substitute the maximum speed specified in the vehicle registration document in column 6. This transformation is necessary because all vehicles, for technical reasons, develop different maximum speeds within the limits of the legally permissible tolerance.

Tire size explanation

Tire	Speed, km/h	1*	2*	3*	4*	5*	6*	7*
Summer tires	up to 240	195	65	R	15	91	V	-
Winter tires	up to 160	195	65	R	15	91	ABOUT	M + S
Winter tires	up to 190	195	65	R	15	91	t	M + S
High speed tires	over 240	225	50	ZR	16	91	—	-

• 1* - Tire width
• 2* - Cross-sectional ratio in %
• 3* - Letter designation of the tire construction "R" (means radial tire)
• 4* - Disc diameter designation
• 5* - Load index (LI)
• 6* - Letter designation of the speed index
• 7* - Winter tyre/designation also for all-season tyres

Speed index letter designations / maximum permissible speed

Letter designation of speed index	Maximum speed, km/h
L	120
M	130
N	140
R	150
Q	160
R	170
S	180
T	190
and	200
n	210
V	240
ZR	more than 240
W	270
Y	300

• Load index/Loadindex (LI)
• The load index is located on the sidewall of the tire. It indicates the maximum load that the tire can withstand.
• The load index is indicated in the tire size designation, e.g. 195/65 R 15 91T. It is indicated on the tire in accordance with the ETRTO standard as a numerical code. The following table shows the load indices used by VW with the corresponding tire loads.

Tire load index

Load index	Maximum load per tire, kg
75	387
78	425
79	437
80	450
81	462
82	475
83	487
84	500
85	515
86	530
87	545
88	560
89	580
90	600
91	615
92	630
93	650
94	670
95	690
96	710
97	730
98	750
99	775
100	800
101	825
102	850
103	875
104	900
110	1060
112	1120