H or V rating? - Subaru Outback

cowhorn · 02-15-2009, 06:30 AM

When I bought my 09 Outback at the end of last year I took the stock Potenzas off and sold them on Craigs list while replacing them with Bridgestone Blizzak's for the winter. Now I am researching tires to buy for the spring and summer season. Probably looking at the General Altimmax or Cooper CS4.

The Generals look to be only available in a "H" speed rated tire where the Coopers are both "H" and "V". Since the OEM specs of the Potenzas were "V" is there any problems putting the "H" on the vehicle. How will the "H" affect the performance?

OhBe1 · 02-15-2009, 07:06 AM

No problem in itself. Our H-rated GY Tripletreds are working just fine.

Blacky · 02-15-2009, 10:09 AM

Since there is no Autobahn nearby, H rated should be fine. In fact H rated tires tend to have longer tread life than V rated. They may not be quite as sticky performance wise but more than enough for an Outback.

Feilo · 02-15-2009, 06:45 PM

I concur. I went from V-rated Falkens 912's to H-rated General Altimax HPs for just that - longer thread life as I drive A LOT of miles for work. The performance dropped down a notch or two but I can live with that. Helps curb (pun intended) my enthusiasm on ramps and twisties ...

Button · 04-10-2009, 07:53 AM

Cowhorn,

Check out Kumho Ecsta LX Platinum. They are V Rated but offer H Rated Tread wear.

Regards,
~Button

**porcupine73** · 04-10-2009, 07:58 AM

Not sure, but some tire shops stateside won't install lower speed rating than came with the vehicle. Maybe it has to do with the electronic speed limiting, not how fast you normally go but how fast you could go.

CNY_Dave · 04-10-2009, 08:38 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by porcupine73
Not sure, but some tire shops stateside won't install lower speed rating than came with the vehicle. Maybe it has to do with the electronic speed limiting, not how fast you normally go but how fast you could go.

I just ran into this from tire-rack, they said that sometimes car companies select a speed-rating for certain handling characteristics, as opposed to just matching the cars speed capabilities.

I wanted to put 108mph T's onto my LL bean but subaru says the beaner needs 130mph H rated tires.

Dave

TomisinMd · 04-10-2009, 08:25 PM

phshaw...I got Michelin Harmonys for my Bean, and they arent H or V. Unless you plan on ripping up a highway somewhere, there's no need for them.

**porcupine73** · 04-10-2009, 08:47 PM

Not saying they're necessary, just saying some tire shops won't install lower speed rated tires than what came on the vehicle.

TomisinMd · 04-11-2009, 07:26 PM

Not saying they're necessary, just saying some tire shops won't install lower speed rated tires than what came on the vehiclSorry there, porc...I was replying to the original poster.
But I would chip in with the liability thing in some states.

02-15-2009, 06:30 AM	#1 (permalink)
cowhorn Recruit Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Western PA Car: 2010 OB 2.5 Limited Posts: 10 Feedback Score: 0 reviews	H or V rating? When I bought my 09 Outback at the end of last year I took the stock Potenzas off and sold them on Craigs list while replacing them with Bridgestone Blizzak's for the winter. Now I am researching tires to buy for the spring and summer season. Probably looking at the General Altimmax or Cooper CS4. The Generals look to be only available in a "H" speed rated tire where the Coopers are both "H" and "V". Since the OEM specs of the Potenzas were "V" is there any problems putting the "H" on the vehicle. How will the "H" affect the performance?

02-15-2009, 07:06 AM	#2 (permalink)
OhBe1 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Edgewater, AA, MD Car: '06 LOB, '03 Taco, '97 MX-5 Posts: 784 Feedback Score: 0 reviews	No problem in itself. Our H-rated GY Tripletreds are working just fine. __________________ Black '06 LOB 2.5i MT Unlimited, JDM RSB, GY TripleTreds, LGT Mufflers & Leather Wheel, SubiMomo Knob, Inalfa Moonroof, Bypassed Clutch Switch, De-DRL'd, De-Chimed, & Straightened Headrest.

02-15-2009, 06:45 PM	#4 (permalink)
Feilo OB Not-So-Noob Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Chitownland - N Lake Co. IL Car: '08 OB 2.5i MT Posts: 257 Feedback Score: 0 reviews	I concur. I went from V-rated Falkens 912's to H-rated General Altimax HPs for just that - longer thread life as I drive A LOT of miles for work. The performance dropped down a notch or two but I can live with that. Helps curb (pun intended) my enthusiasm on ramps and twisties ... __________________ '08 White Pearl OB 2.5i MT w/ STi SS, Momo Airleather Shiftknob, Whiteline 20 mm RSB, JVC HD Radio, RalliTEK 5MT Bushings, GE Nighthawks (summer), Fumoto Valve, Group A Crank Pulley

04-10-2009, 07:53 AM	#5 (permalink)
Button Registered User Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Canton, GA Car: My-'06 Outback 2.5 i Limited Wagon & Wife's '08 Outback 2.5 i Limited Wagon Posts: 703 Feedback Score: 0 reviews	Cowhorn, Check out Kumho Ecsta LX Platinum. They are V Rated but offer H Rated Tread wear. Regards, ~Button __________________ I yearn for Portsmouth & the White Mountains!-!-! R.I.P. '04 Gas Swillin' Chevy Hoe

04-10-2009, 08:25 PM	#8 (permalink)
TomisinMd Registered User Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Maryland Car: 2001 Outback LL Bean 3.0 H6 Posts: 64 Feedback Score: 0 reviews	phshaw...I got Michelin Harmonys for my Bean, and they arent H or V. Unless you plan on ripping up a highway somewhere, there's no need for them. __________________ "Tis better to be silent and thought the fool, than to speak and remove all doubt" A. Lincoln

02-15-2009, 10:09 AM	#3 (permalink)
Blacky Registered User Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Lac Ste. Marie, Quebec Car: 1997 SVX Bordeaux 2012 OBW 6 speed 1992 SVX Ebony 1992 SVX Claret Posts: 634 Feedback Score: 0 reviews	Since there is no Autobahn nearby, H rated should be fine. In fact H rated tires tend to have longer tread life than V rated. They may not be quite as sticky performance wise but more than enough for an Outback.

04-10-2009, 07:58 AM	#6 (permalink)
porcupine73 I :heart: SUBARU Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Buffalo, NY USA Car: '00OBW, '96&'94 Legacy Posts: 4,721 Feedback Score: 0 reviews	Not sure, but some tire shops stateside won't install lower speed rating than came with the vehicle. Maybe it has to do with the electronic speed limiting, not how fast you normally go but how fast you could go.

04-10-2009, 08:47 PM	#9 (permalink)
porcupine73 I :heart: SUBARU Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Buffalo, NY USA Car: '00OBW, '96&'94 Legacy Posts: 4,721 Feedback Score: 0 reviews	Not saying they're necessary, just saying some tire shops won't install lower speed rated tires than what came on the vehicle.

04-11-2009, 07:26 PM	#10 (permalink)
TomisinMd Registered User Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Maryland Car: 2001 Outback LL Bean 3.0 H6 Posts: 64 Feedback Score: 0 reviews	Not saying they're necessary, just saying some tire shops won't install lower speed rated tires than what came on the vehiclSorry there, porc...I was replying to the original poster. But I would chip in with the liability thing in some states. __________________ "Tis better to be silent and thought the fool, than to speak and remove all doubt" A. Lincoln

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