Tyre speed rating and labelling guide

Many people have no idea what the labels say on the sidewall of their tyres, and why should they? Punctures and blow-outs are pretty rare these days, and if their worn tyres are changed routinely by the garage it’s reasonable to expect the correct replacements.
It’s a bit different if you want to shop around for new tyres without relying on the garage. Ringing around all your local tyre fitters for best prices is a waste of time unless you know exactly what y