First, there is no such thing as the best tire for any particular vehicle.
The best tire is based on the driving habits of the DRIVER.
That said, there are a couple of questions you need to ask yourself:
1. How aggresive a driver are you? (BE HONEST)
2. In what sort of application are you driving? (Commuter vehicle, weekend toy, occasional track/AX use)
3. What sort of environmental conditions play a role? (Weather? Lots of snow and ice? Dry conditions? Mix?)
General Information:
When considering the above questions keep these things in mind:
Tire technology has progressed significantly over the last few years. More and more "all season" tires have come into the market. Be careful with your consideration of this class of tire.
1. The higher the speed rating of a tire is NOT indicative of how well a tire handles. It is not necessarily an indicator of superior handling.
The speed rating is a measure of how well a tire dissipates heat throughout the carcass/construction and across the tread surface.
The DOT requires that ALL new cars come equipped from the factory with a tire that meets the advertised capability of the vehicle. Simply stated, if the car is capable of XX speed, then the tire mated to the vehicle must be able to accomodate the speed. This is the reason for high speed ratings on tires for performance cars. It doesn't mean that everyone who owns them will use the car at the limit of the vehicle's capability.
The problem that a lot of us face is that we are restricted to lower aspect ratios (sidewall height- 215/45/ ? R17) which limits selections. Usually the H through Z rated tires. Identical brand/model tires with differing speed ratings handle virtually the same.
So, how often do you do 149 MPH + in a car that is drag or electronically limited to 134 MPH or lower?
The correct answer is NEVER in a street application.
So, opt for the lower speed rating and save some cash.
2. Tread wear ratings.
There is no standard for tread wear ratings or determination. These vary by manufacturer and are internal comparisons to their product offerings. This is NOT an indicator of how long a tire will last.
For example, a Goodyear tire with a tread wear rating of 20 (hypothetical) will not necessarily wear out faster than a Pirelli tire with a rating of 100 (hypothetical). Regardless of what a salesperson may tell you, it is not an accurate comparision if you are basing your selection solely on tread wear rating. Don't be fooled by this during your selection process.
3. Performance vs. longevity trade - offs.
If you are looking for a tire that has durability, then steer clear of the higher speed rated tires or "ultra performance" categories. Because of the higher speed rating, the rubber compound is softer (not stickier) and does not last as long. The grip is better - when compared to an all season, but that has more to do with overall tire design vs. rubber compound.
Conversely, lower speed rated tires are more durable because of harder rubber compounds and typically handle better in inclement weather because they are more resistant to fluctuations in temperature. They do not handle as well in in dry conditions when compared to a performance tire.
Performance and "ultra-performance" tires will leave you in awe of their grip, but leave you frustrated at how quickly they wear out. Add to that the typically underwhelming performance in adverse conditions such as rain or snow. These are, for the most part, dry weather application tires.
4. Budget.
Tires are not something to be considered lightly. Along with brakes, they are your best investment for safety. Buy the best that you can afford.
5. Care and Feeding.
Remember too that the key to getting the most enjoyment and use of your tires is proper care and rotation.
As a general rule, rotations should be done every 6,000 miles. A good way to remember is every other oil change (conventional oil).
Balancing should be done at a minimum of once per year or as needed if vibration presents itself.
_______
When you answer the questions above and balance them against the information above, it will narrow your selection process. Chances are that you will be faced with making a decision between 4 or 5 tire manufacturers that all offer similar tires instead of 20-30.
They key is purchasing the tire that best meets YOUR NEEDS!!! [thumb]
The best tire is based on the driving habits of the DRIVER.
That said, there are a couple of questions you need to ask yourself:
1. How aggresive a driver are you? (BE HONEST)
2. In what sort of application are you driving? (Commuter vehicle, weekend toy, occasional track/AX use)
3. What sort of environmental conditions play a role? (Weather? Lots of snow and ice? Dry conditions? Mix?)
General Information:
When considering the above questions keep these things in mind:
Tire technology has progressed significantly over the last few years. More and more "all season" tires have come into the market. Be careful with your consideration of this class of tire.
1. The higher the speed rating of a tire is NOT indicative of how well a tire handles. It is not necessarily an indicator of superior handling.
The speed rating is a measure of how well a tire dissipates heat throughout the carcass/construction and across the tread surface.
The DOT requires that ALL new cars come equipped from the factory with a tire that meets the advertised capability of the vehicle. Simply stated, if the car is capable of XX speed, then the tire mated to the vehicle must be able to accomodate the speed. This is the reason for high speed ratings on tires for performance cars. It doesn't mean that everyone who owns them will use the car at the limit of the vehicle's capability.
The problem that a lot of us face is that we are restricted to lower aspect ratios (sidewall height- 215/45/ ? R17) which limits selections. Usually the H through Z rated tires. Identical brand/model tires with differing speed ratings handle virtually the same.
So, how often do you do 149 MPH + in a car that is drag or electronically limited to 134 MPH or lower?
The correct answer is NEVER in a street application.
So, opt for the lower speed rating and save some cash.
2. Tread wear ratings.
There is no standard for tread wear ratings or determination. These vary by manufacturer and are internal comparisons to their product offerings. This is NOT an indicator of how long a tire will last.
For example, a Goodyear tire with a tread wear rating of 20 (hypothetical) will not necessarily wear out faster than a Pirelli tire with a rating of 100 (hypothetical). Regardless of what a salesperson may tell you, it is not an accurate comparision if you are basing your selection solely on tread wear rating. Don't be fooled by this during your selection process.
3. Performance vs. longevity trade - offs.
If you are looking for a tire that has durability, then steer clear of the higher speed rated tires or "ultra performance" categories. Because of the higher speed rating, the rubber compound is softer (not stickier) and does not last as long. The grip is better - when compared to an all season, but that has more to do with overall tire design vs. rubber compound.
Conversely, lower speed rated tires are more durable because of harder rubber compounds and typically handle better in inclement weather because they are more resistant to fluctuations in temperature. They do not handle as well in in dry conditions when compared to a performance tire.
Performance and "ultra-performance" tires will leave you in awe of their grip, but leave you frustrated at how quickly they wear out. Add to that the typically underwhelming performance in adverse conditions such as rain or snow. These are, for the most part, dry weather application tires.
4. Budget.
Tires are not something to be considered lightly. Along with brakes, they are your best investment for safety. Buy the best that you can afford.
5. Care and Feeding.
Remember too that the key to getting the most enjoyment and use of your tires is proper care and rotation.
As a general rule, rotations should be done every 6,000 miles. A good way to remember is every other oil change (conventional oil).
Balancing should be done at a minimum of once per year or as needed if vibration presents itself.
_______
When you answer the questions above and balance them against the information above, it will narrow your selection process. Chances are that you will be faced with making a decision between 4 or 5 tire manufacturers that all offer similar tires instead of 20-30.
They key is purchasing the tire that best meets YOUR NEEDS!!! [thumb]