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What Are Highway Tires?
How are highway tires different from all-terrain, off-road, and track tires? Highway tires are general-purpose tires that perform pretty well in most weather conditions. They're long-lasting, affordable, and generally soft riding.
Highway tires have more aggressive tread and larger voids than track tires but smaller and less aggressive tread blocks than off-road tires. They have enough grip for good acceleration and braking, deep enough tread for gravel, and wide enough voids for water shedding.
All-season tires, or A/S tires, are commonly referred to as highway tires. Most all-season tires are designed for summer, fall, spring, and mild winter conditions, though they're not the best choice for long sub-zero winters.
What Cars Use Highway Tires?
Virtually all kinds of cars, trucks, and SUVs come with highway tires, with the exception of certain high-trim off-road vehicles and sports cars. All-season highway tires are the standard choice in many parts of the country, except in some southern regions where summer tires are common.
Highway tires are most common on economy sedans and passenger cars, as they spend the vast majority of their time on pavement. Utility vehicles, such as trucks and vans, also use highway tires from the factory. Off-road vehicles like Jeeps come with highway tires or off-road tires, depending on the trim level.
Performance cars don’t always come with highway tires. Many high-end performance vehicles come with specialized tires which are better suited for high-torque applications. The same is true for electric cars, which wear out normal tires too quickly.
Best Tires for Highway Driving
A great highway tire is capable of all-season driving. Additionally, the best A/S highway tires have strong rubber compounds that stay pliable in light winter conditions and survive normal road conditions for a long time. Here are the best and most popular highway tires on the market today.
1. Continental Extreme Contact DWS 06
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Continental is well known for producing great all-season tires. The Extreme Contact DWS 06 is no exception, and this long-lasting tire is a top-rated and popular choice for all kinds of vehicles. These tires come with an excellent 50,000-mile warranty.
Unlike some other A/S tires, the Continental Extreme Contact DWS 06 is available in wide, short-sidewall variants for many new cars that utilize larger wheels and low-profile tires. Continental Extreme Contact DWS 06 tires feature asymmetrical tread, which increases traction and stability.
So, how does the Continental Extreme Contact DWS 06 stand out? Simply put, it's a great all-around daily driving tire for almost all climates. Additionally, it's long-lasting, strong, and fits on most vehicles with ease. The Continental Extreme Contact DWS 06 is an excellent value, as it's highly affordable.
The tire utilizes Continental's +Silane rubber compound, which performs well in wet conditions down to lower temperatures than standard summer highway tires. Additionally, these tires are known to handle well on all vehicle types.
You can purchase a set of Continental Extreme Contact DWS 06 tires from Discount Tire for between $95.00 and $307.00 each.
Best Uses:
The Continental Extreme Contact DWS 06 all-season highway tire is a great all-purpose tire with a long lifespan and an affordable price.
2. Firestone Firehawk All-Season Tires
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The Firestone Firehawk All-Season tire is another affordable option for all vehicle types, and it excels in highway driving and around the town. These tires are made by a company with a long history in the tire business, and they're designed for longevity.
Firestone Firehawk All-Season tires come with a 50,000-mile warranty, which is about 20,000 miles longer than a typical summer or off-road tire. Additionally, the tire performs well on gravel and wet roads, which sets it apart from other tires in this price range.
Channels cut into the tread help reduce hydroplaning on wet surfaces. Also, the tread is cut in such a way that it maintains excellent traction even as it wears out. The Firestone Firehawk All-Season has a deeper and more aggressive tread pattern than other A/S tires.
The new Firestone Firehawk A/S tire has a few notable improvements over previous designs. The most significant advancement is the addition of 20% more biting edges, which are useful in snowy conditions where standard tires simply slip around.
Firestone Firehawk A/S tires are available with multiple speed ratings. The entry-level tire is H-rated for up to 130 mph, whereas other models are available with a V-rating for up to 149 mph. This makes the Firestone Firehawk a suitable choice for high-performance vehicles.
Firestone Firehawk All-Season tires are available from Discount Tire for between $98.00 and $228.00 each, depending on the size, speed rating, and load range.
Best Uses:
Firestone Firehawk tires are long-wearing and have a high-speed rating, which makes them a great choice for fast cars and built trucks.
3. Pirelli Scorpion Strada All-Season Tires
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Pirelli is one of the best and most well-regarded tire manufacturers in the industry. They offer a wide range of affordable tires and an exceptional all-season highway tire in the Scorpion series. The Pirelli Scorpion Strada A/S tire is an excellent choice for all kinds of vehicles.
Pirelli tires are known for lasting a long time, and these are no exception. Pirelli Scorpion Strada A/S tires come with a 65,000-mile warranty, which is one of the longest warranties in this class of tire.
Though they're slightly more expensive than competing tires, the higher-quality rubber used is sure to contribute to a long and effective life. Pirelli Scorpion Strada A/S tires are also strong, as they utilize reinforced shoulder blocks for added stability and handling.
Pirelli Scorpion Strada A/S tires are designed for smooth and quiet handling on snow, wet pavement, and dry highways. They're also great for precision, thanks to their silica-enhanced tread compound and confident footprint.
Pirelli Scorpion Strada All-Season tires are available from Discount Tire for between $123.00 and $214.00 each, depending on the size you choose.
Best Uses:
Pirelli Scorpion Strada A/S tires are ideal for high-end vehicles and new cars that need a low-maintenance, long-lasting all-season tire.
4. Continental Vanco 4 Season Tires
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Continental Vanco 4 Season tires are heavy-duty highway tires designed for use in most weather conditions. They can be used on a wide range of vehicles, though they really excel on trucks and vans. And for the price, they're an affordable way to equip your vehicle for many miles of work or transportation.
Continental Vanco 4 Season tires utilize an all-season rubber compound for retaining softness in colder climates, but the harshest conditions require purpose-made winter tires. That said, they perform well in light snow and on wet pavement.
These utility highway tires are an excellent choice for work vehicles, as they offer a long service life with minimal maintenance. They also provide reliable braking performance in most conditions and come with a high customer satisfaction rating.
You can purchase a set of Continental Vanco 4 Season tires from Discount Tire for between $118.00 and $210.00 apiece. Prices vary primarily based on tire size.
Best Uses:
Continental Vanco 4 Season tires are best for trucks, vans, and SUVs that need an affordable and long-lasting all-weather highway tire.
5. Arizonian Silver Edition All-Season Tires
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Arizonian Silver Edition A/S tires are simply a great general-purpose highway tire with a long lifespan and an extensive 60,000-mile warranty. If you need a new set of tires for your daily driver at an affordable price point, it's hard to go wrong with these.
Arizonian Silver Edition A/S tires are made for longevity and all-weather performance. They perform respectably on wet pavement and light snow, and they're very long-wearing during normal highway driving conditions.
Arizonian Silver Edition A/S tires out-perform numerous other options at the lower price point, and they feature a few advantages over previous models. The latest version of this all-season highway tire includes a 9% biting edge increase, which is particularly useful in snow.
Arizonian Silver Edition A/S tires utilize silica-enhanced rubber compounds, which are known to increase wet weather performance and shorten stopping distances. Additionally, these tires have a distinct tread pattern designed to reduce road noise.
Arizonian Silver Edition A/S tires are available from Discount Tire for between $75.00 and $128.00 each.
Best Uses:
Arizonian Silver Edition A/S tires are the most affordable all-season highway tires on our list, making them an excellent choice for budget-minded drivers.
About The Author
Charles Redding
I've spent many years selling cars, working with auto detailers, mechanics, dealership service teams, quoting and researching car insurance, modding my own cars, and much more.
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