How2Day: Nankang NS 2 Specs

Nankang NS-2 tires are produced in Asia but available to the American market. Jeffrey Coolidge/Photodisc/Getty Images
Nankang is a Taiwanese company that produces automobile tires. NS-2 is a sport tire produced by Nankang. There are eight series of NS-2 tires manufactured in Taiwan, and nine series of NS-2 tires produced in China. Though these series have similar names --- for instance, a 30 series is produced in both countries --- specifications differ. Features of the NS-2 include a pair of circumferential grooves and V-shaped drainage sub-grooves, which together are designed to increase a vehicle's performance in wet conditions.

A tire's load index indicates its weight capacity. NS-2 tires of different series manufactured in different countries have varying load index ratings. The lowest capacity of any NS-2 tire is held by the 45 series, 16-inch, Taiwan-manufactured J2055, with a rating of 70, capable of supporting less than 760 lb. The highest capacity NS-2 is the 19-inch, 40 series, Taiwan-produced J2419 with a rating of 101, capable of supporting up to 1,819 lb. Most NS-2 tire models have a load index in the 90s, or within the 1,323 to 1,709 lb carrying capacity.

Speed index indicates how quickly a tire is capable of traveling. As with load index, the speed index of NS-2 tires differs from model to model. All NS-2 tire models have a speed rating of W, Y, H, or V. A speed index of H or V, as held by NS-2 models such as the 18-inch, Chinese-made, 40 series J2874 (H) or the 15-inch, 55 series, Chinese-made J1451 (V), indicates a high performance sports sedan or standard sports car. Maximum speed for the indices is 130 and 149 mph respectively. W and Y speed index ratings are reserved for sports cars, and indicate a maximum speed capacity of 168 an 186 mph respectively. W-rated NS-2 models include the 20-inch, 35 series, Chinese-made J2154. The 19-inch, 35 series, Taiwanese-made J1771is an NS-2 tire with a Y speed index rating.

Rim width on NS-2 sports tires is measured in half-inch increments. The narrowest NS-2 tire is the 14-inch 65 series J2167, which measures four and a half inches across. The smallest of RS-2 tires has a speed index rating of V and a load index rating of 75. A number of NS-2 tires, such as the 20-inch, 30 series, Chinese-manufactured J2994, have a width of 10 inches. NS-2 tires with a 10-inch width generally --- though not uniformly --- have high speed and load index ratings. Most NS-2 tires have a rim width of 6.5 to 10 inches.

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