tire translator needed. clueless?

[theromanone10]

ok so I have nankang ULTRA SPORT NS-11 235/40 R18 95H M+S

question is.. what the heck do those numbers mean (they came from the dealer with 18" black/chrome driv vixen's), and are they decent tires?

I noticed a decent rear end kickout while driving on semi-snowy roads, is that curable by suspension upgrades (other than brushings) or should I get new tires and weights in the back for next winter?

[The Big D]

only rated to 130 mph, and it is a factory size

[Hummina]

welp, the 235 is the width of the tire.

40 is the sidewall height.

18 is the rim size.

no idea if they're good tires or not

[dsclark]

I'll only buy tires if they are made in Europe,Japan or the USA. Nankang is Chinese, so I wouldn't consider it.
The only thing keeping your car connected to the ground is the tires and I would trust anything from China or Korea with that job.

[ElCidAviator]

I think your kinda right. But from my reading the 40 is a ratio of sidewall height and width.....someone else needs to chime in with better knowledge

[04blackgmc]

Well they are Mud and snow tires heh...i need to start learning again on all these car tires so used to truck tires now.

[04blackgmc]

I think your kinda right. But from my reading the 40 is a ratio of sidewall height and width.....someone else needs to chime in with better knowledge
The 40 indicates that this tire size's sidewall height is 40% of its section width.

[LS2GTO05]

Your car needs a speed rating W the tire you have is H rated were the 95H is on your tire load index and speed rating 235 is the section with how wide the tire is 40 sidewall aspect rato R means radial tire 18 is wheel dia m+s means mud and snow the tire that you need stock 235/40ZR18 96w now in this size not much in m+s

[itslow]

The 'H' speed-rated tire is fine if he doesn't intend to frequently drive at speeds over 130 mph for extended periods (10-minute).

The Nankang NS-II is definitely not a tire that would work in mud+snow, despite what any labeling says.

[theromanone10]

The 'H' speed-rated tire is fine if he doesn't intend to frequently drive at speeds over 130 mph for extended periods (10-minute).

The Nankang NS-II is definitely not a tire that would work in mud+snow, despite what any labeling says.


I have to agree with this, the tranction is HORRIBLE in the snow here!

[tripower]

Go to www.tirerack.com as they have an explaination on the site translating sidewall markings.

[BAAADGTO]

Your car needs a speed rating W the tire you have is H rated were the 95H is on your tire load index and speed rating 235 is the section with how wide the tire is 40 sidewall aspect rato R means radial tire 18 is wheel dia m+s means mud and snow the tire that you need stock 235/40ZR18 96w now in this size not much in m+s

Bet he's more confused after reading that......

[BAAADGTO]

Also, if he never drives over 80mph why does he "need" a w speed rating? Speed rating depends entirely on how the car is driven. if he needs anything it's z rated which came on it. You just pick w out of the air?

[dsclark]

Also, if he never drives over 80mph why does he "need" a w speed rating? Speed rating depends entirely on how the car is driven. if he needs anything it's z rated which came on it. You just pick w out of the air?

Simple- tire construction quality improves with speed rating. Even if you don't do 80 mph, you have a tire that is less likely to seperate, blow out, etc. You drive a 3800lb car with 400lbs- do you really want to sacrifice safety and give up a huge hunk of handling performance to save a few hundred bucks?
A similar example is my wife's diesel jetta wagon. It came with H rated micheln tires.Even though she drives like a slug, rather than save a little money by buying some $hitty S rated chinese tires, I spend the big bucks to get another set of michelin H rated tires. Why? Because I think the safety of my wife and kids is worth it.
The same applies to the GTO.

[Merle]

235= 235mm of width
40= Sidewall height is 40% of 235mm width
18= 18" diameter wheel

Everyone alse explained what all the letters mean. Verstehen Sie?

[theromanone10]

Thanks everyone! Since these tires generally suck in every category, i'll probably get some good all season tires and keep those year round..

any suggestions from anyone? I'd like to not die next winter while not having such crappy tires that I lose to a mustang with better traction.