Tires: H rated tires vs T rated, vw passat, speed capability

Question
Hi,

I have a VW passat wagon and need 2 new tires.  I currently have Kelly chargers ( H rated) and they have been discontinued.  I've been told I can replace the 2 tires with t rated tires with no problem. Do I want to mix ratings?  I'm totally confused.  It's a station wagon not a formula 1 racer.

Thanks,

Laurie

Answer
Laurie,

There are a couple of things about higher speed ratings.

1)  Higher speed ratings tend to handle and grip better.  Therefore they are safer.

2)  The higher speed capability also makes less prone to failures.  Therefore they are safer.

So I am a fan of at least H speed rated tires regardless of the application.

I would recommend that you get 2 H rated tires similar to what you have.  That way you avoid the problem of where to put the new tires.   

The best tires are supposed to be on the rear - and that means the newer tires or the higher speed rated tires - and if there is a conflict with this, then it makes very difficult to determine which should go where.