Tires: Tires for 2001 Nissan Altima GXE, nissan altima gxe, nissan altima

Question
I am told, the OEM tires for my 2001 Nissan Altima GXE are
P195 65R 15. While shopping around, I noticed a number and letter on the sidewall, later learning they are load and speed ratings. (ex...load -82, speed-H).

What are the pros/cons of the load/speed ratings.

Thanks in advance for the info.
D. Grant


Answer
David,

Long answer:

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Tire Rack did a good job on this subject:

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tiretech/techpage.jsp?techid=35

Here I discuss the load index thing:

http://www.geocities.com/barrystiretech/loadtables.html

Here I discuss the speed ratings:

http://www.geocities.com/barrystiretech/speedratings.html

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Short answer:

Load Index:  In your case, just go by the tire size.  The Load Index is of little consequence.

Speed Rating:  The higher the speed rating, the more capable the tire, and the less likely it is to fail, so the safer it is.  But many folks don't think they need high speed ratings - and I can understand that, but I don't think anyone should use less than an H rating.