It should be like Germany when it comes to installing tires that don't meet that standard for that rated speed.

Most accidents do have speed as a factor, but it's usually just one part of the cause and not the actual trigger. It's when someone is drunk and speeding, or texting and speeding that avoidable collisions occur...also weather. Street racing crowds aren't helping the cause either. Roads can be built to permit unlimited speeds, but then again, moving violations are a huge money maker.

Most of those cheap tires for passanger cars are S-Rated (112 mph) or higher. I would really watch out for the guys full sized pick-up, especially in Texas where it seems everybody has one. Not something that's in abundance on the Autobahn. You also reduce that speed rating if the tire ever had a puncture and was repaired.

______________________
L
75 mph
120 km/h
Off-Road & Light Truck Tires

M
81 mph
130 km/h

N
87 mph
140km/h
Temporary Spare Tires



P
93 mph
150 km/h


Q
99 mph
160 km/h
Studless & Studdable Winter Tires

R
106 mph
170 km/h
H.D. Light Truck Tires

S
112 mph
180 km/h
Family Sedans & Vans



T
118 mph
190 km/h
Family Sedans & Vans

U
124 mph
200 km/h

H
130 mph
210 km/h
Sport Sedans & Coupes

V
149 mph
240 km/h
Sport Sedans, Coupes & Sports Cars

(Y) rating or bust.

Likewise I can cross over 2 states to Los Angeles, California (12 hour drive)

Or I can just take a 12 hour ride to beaumont, TX and never leave the state :roflpuke2:

I remember the first time I drove to Texas I noticed the mile-marker on I-10 when I crossed over from Louisiana. I was like :icon14:

Luckily I was only driving to Houston.

The shops I use actually still check most of that stuff. Except maybe headlight alignment and how much brake pad I have left. They definitely check lights, turn signals, brake lights and tire life for me.

But I do agree, a comprehensive check once a year is a must for keeping the vehicles on the road in working order. After all, we are driving 1 to 2 ton missiles...

The US freeway system was designed in the 1950's to be driven at 85 MPH in a 1950's vehicle. I think it will work out in Texas.

Yeah 85 would be a bad idea. When the speed in NJ was raised in some areas from 55 to 65. The average speed in those areas went from 65 to 75.

The roads may have been designed for 1950s cars going 85 but there are a lot more cars on the roads today. When I started driving the highway by my parents would be empty during rush hour now its packed.

I don't know how people in Texas drive but here in NJ on the turnpike I see people doing very dumb things all the time at 75mph+. One example I got passed while doing 75 by a 90's Dodge caravan pulling a small uhaul trailer with the little wheels probably not ment for doing ~80mph. And that van was is bad shape, if they cheap out on replacing the van what else are the cheaping out on, tires, breaks, alignments?

Luckily you are not driving from Beaumont, TX to El Paso, TX.

I heard & read that & your vehicle goes to auction too.

No we do not have any underground subways. I know in Houston we have tunnels where there is a lot of fast food & restaurants under downtown Houston.

Yeap...... You are looking at about 870 miles from that point to El Paso & would take you a good 13-15 hrs possibly, but depends on speed & a lot of other variables too.


Cmike2780, we also have W which is rated at 168 mph & Y which is rated at 186 mph. Z rated tires are the way to go, but you will pay the most for them as well.

I wish here in Houston we had 80 or 85 mph speed limits. One has to remember to that the faster you go the more you are doing to burn through your gas. If speed limit is 80 (or 85) & you are going at a constant speed, then you should do ok on gas.

checks in shortpants........................









yup

Before everyone goes into cardiac arrest worrying about the population of Texas going extinct from an 85 mph speed limit, keep a few things in mind:

1. where most limits are above 70 mph, the traffic is not very dense;
2. there is no real correlation between an increase in posted speeds and an increase in traffic accidents;
3. when speed is an issue, it's the disparity in the speed of the subject vehicle relative to surrounding traffic.

Freeway speed limits are set at 60 mph in metro Houston and other large TX metropolitan areas. As you move away from those areas, the speed limit increases progressively. In the case of Houston - San Antonio for example, it eventually rises to 75 mph.

I don't know how many of you guys drove (or were even alive) during the days of the "double nickel", but it was a nightmare. It was actually MORE dangerous due to the aforementioned difference in the speeds driven.

When radar detectors first came out; e.g. the "Fuzzbuster", you basically had a free pass before the cops countered with instant on radar. From there it was a technology race between speeders and the authorities.

You are just as likely to get taken out by a P.O.S. 1984 Dodge Caravan at 65 mph as you are at 85 mph.

I'll gladly take my chances on a brand new toll road at 85 mph versus I-610 in Houston at 60 mph with some of the kamikazzee lane (un) discipline I've witnessed in the 14 months I've lived in Houston. I doubt if it's much different on the East and West Coast. I've driven on both I-95 and I-5, and never felt any safer.

Try driving in I-95 merging with I-495 & I-395 up in the DC and to the North. A total nightmare!

i am sure china can mold any alphabet you want on the sidewall to get you on the road for cheap... :ugh2:

Sounds like a congestion issue, not necessarily a speed issue.