Performance Tires - A Complete Guide

‍What are Performance Tires?

Performance tires are specially crafted tires with unique construction features, tread patterns, and rubber compounds that increase the tires’ handling, responsiveness, and traction. They are used mainly by sports drivers who need the improved grip and precise handling of their vehicles during a heightened driving experience.

The performance tires have increased adhesive properties due to the chemical nature of their rubber compound and their tread design. The tires can be found in three distinct categories.

Performance tires are the right fit for spirited drivers who need a thrilling experience on the road. The tires will react faster when steering and breaking fast, and they have less chance of blowing when speeding on the highway. Installing your vehicle with a set of performance tires is the only sure way to give it the horsepower needed for cornering force and acceleration on the twisty road-racing track.

Categories of performance tires

High-Performance Summer Tires

Performance tires are designed to be used in dry and damp conditions, not wet or snowy. The treadwear balances the tire's life and handling for longer-lasting performance and is not intended for repeated enthusiast abuse.

These tires often come with a speed rating of H, meaning they can manage a maximum speed of 130 mph. They are often the default tires that are installed on new sports sedans. A good example of a performance grade tire is the Toyo’s Proxes series.

Ultra High-Performance Summer Tires  

Ultra-high performance is low-profile tires with a heightened steering response designed for superior cornering and control at speeds into the triple digits. They have a speed rating of V that qualifies them for speeds of 149 mph and above. The tires are suitable for everyday driving and are known for comfortable rides.

Max Performance Summer Tires

The tread design and compound formula of summer performance tires allow them to be used strictly in dry conditions. Driving with the tires in wet, damp, or snowy conditions is unsafe for these types of tires. Although the tires offer drivers enhanced responsiveness, handling, and grip, they wear out quickly and need to be replaced more often.

The max performance tires are ultra-low profile tires reserved for race-minded drivers. A good example of a summer extreme performance tire is the Michelin’s Pilot Sport 4S series.

R-Compound or Extreme Performance Summer Tires

The tread design of the R-compound tires resembles semi-slick tires, and they have a rubber compound formula that is far stickier than any other performance type of tires. The tires are made for extreme performance as they are very responsive and offer more grip than other tires.

The tires translate the car’s power to its cornering and acceleration efforts through fortified inner constructions and big block tread patterns as they grip onto the road ruthlessly. However, they wear out more quickly if used repeatedly. An example of these tires is Pirelli’s P Zero Trofeo R.

Key Features of Performance Tires

Traction

A performance tire has high traction to grab onto the road while making a quick stop at high speeds or a sharp turn. However, this high traction causes the tires to wear out quickly due to the intense grabbing.

Design

Performance tires are designed with a sticky, elastic, low-rubber compound that enhances stiffness and heat resistance. The tires have intricate sipping patterns and are pliable, improving their ability to hold onto dry and wet surfaces. The shallow treads of the tire enable handling and maximum acceleration

Tread Life

Performance tires have a shorter tread life than all other tires due to the driving conditions they have to endure. Most manufacturers do not offer tread warranties for performance tires.

Fuel Efficiency

Tires with low resistance maximize fuel usage as they do not take much effort to start, accelerate, or stop the vehicle. The size of the contact patch defines the rolling resistance of the tires, and if it is smaller and rounder than the performance tire, it saves on fuel.

Who Can Use Performance Tires?

Before deciding whether performance tires are good for you, you need to consider your priorities behind the wheel. The tires you choose for your vehicle will give you the driving experience you need for your car.

Performance tires are a perfect fit for drivers who do not mind fuel usage for their vehicles, tire lifespan, and the ride’s comfort. Mostly, they want precise handling with improved traction and responsiveness to gain superior control on the road for a heightened driving experience.

You should get ultra-high performance tires if you participate in autocross events or take your vehicle on the track. The tires are safer to use due to their extremely high speeds ranging from 149 mph to 186 mph and high levels of traction.

What Is The Difference Between Maximum Performance And Ultra-High-Performance Summer Tires?

Maximum performance tires are designed for aggressive-spirited divers looking for the best possible wet and dry traction. You can expect to get around 18,000-20,000 miles with these tires depending on your driving style, road conditions, and the vehicle’s characteristics. These tires provide the best traction for some light track driving and street use.

Ultra-high performance is designed for moderated spirited drivers who can sacrifice longer tread wear with some good grip. You can expect an average of 30,000 miles with these tires on good dry and wet traction.

What Is Ultra-High Performance (UHP) All-Season Tire?

The primary function of UHP tires is to enhance high-performance driving. These tires can significantly influence your vehicle’s capability while dramatically transforming your car’s performance attributes. Consequently, they deliver a responsive, sporty drive with exceptional traction.

The disadvantage of driving on UHP tires is that you get the road's whole experience, meaning a bumpier, sportier, and noisier road experience. The tires are made for cars with extra horsepower to give a maximum level of street performance.

Drivers from the northern area prefer the UHP tires all-season tires due to the convenience of using them all year round. The tires come in a variety of tires to meet enthusiast driver expectations and complement performance vehicle dynamics.

Types of UHP Tires

Michelin’s pilot sport A/S 3 plus

The tire combines levels of dry and wet grip with cold weather and snow mobility. It can be compared to Michelin’s Pilot Super Sport, one of the best UHP summer performance tires.

Hankook’s Ventus S1 Noble2

The Ventus S1 Noble2 was developed for spirited drivers who enjoy a comfortable ride. It offers a quiet ride away from the typical noisy UHP tires and is highly appreciated in fall and early spring drives. The tire provides a highly dependable wet braking as it features an advanced aqua hydro block design.

The tire has a lower rolling resistance due to its new silica tread compound. Consequently, this enables better fuel efficiency while its extensive steel belts provide enhanced handling. The tire offers excellent stability and feedback at high speeds due to its sidewall stiffness and optimized tread.

Cooper Zeon RS3-G1

The tire has been proven to be the most advanced in all-season UHP tires. It offers everything, including thrilling performance, all-season traction, and sleek good looks. Additionally, it will indicate when you need a new set of tires through its safety-enhancing Wear Square visual tread wear.

Continental Extremecontact DWS06

The tire performs well on dry and wet roads and in warmer temperatures. It offers a quiet and smooth ride with its responsive handling. The tire’s Tuned Performance Indicators will let you know how you perform in a variety of road conditions. Additionally, you will be alerted on potentially misaligned wheels with its Alignment Verification System.

General’s G-MAX AS-05

The tire is an upgrade to its predecessor G-MAX AS-03 which features Smart Grip technology and is an improved and well-round UHP all-season tire. The tire offers maximum grip on wet and dry roads and even light snow and is a variable reaction to weather conditions.

This tire's tread has the Smart Monitor indicators that will notify you when it is time for a new set of tires and when the wheels are not correctly aligned. Another valuable feature of the tire is the Stabiltread Technology that optimizes rubber-to-road contact for long, even wear and enhanced tread life.

Benefits of UHP Tires

• You can fully maintain your vehicle’s performance attributes if initially developed and tested with UHP tires.
• You can always enjoy a spirited drive with UHP tires while observing all road laws and speed limits on windy mountain roads and through the corners of your favorite back road.
• UHP tires are mandatory when you want to participate in driving events like HPDE and autocross. Tires in these contexts are subjected to repeat ongoing processes that non-performance tires cannot handle.  Only UHP tires can withstand serious sidewall and tread damage and deliver sustained performance in these events.
• UHP tires will make you appreciate a sense of involvement on the road with your vehicle if you are a driver who enjoys vehicle dynamics, handling, and feel.
• You can only maximize your vehicle’s traction, performance, and capability when using UHP tires.
• You are guaranteed maximum safety when using UHP tires as they deliver maximum grip and performance. UHP tires have been proven to provide the most incredible amount of vehicle control under extreme handling, shortest stopping distances, excellent traction on wet roads, and the most lateral grip.

What’s the Difference between Performance and All-Season Tires?

All-season tires are designed to perform in wet, dry, and snowy conditions. The tires last longer than any other particular type of tires while providing adequate traction and handling.

On the other hand, performance tires do not last very long, but they are very responsive as they are designed to be highly grippy and effective in dry conditions. They add a maximum grip on the road by covering more surface area.

Performance tires are an upgrade of summer tires that add thrill to your ride. However, they do not have the unique composition of all-season tires that allows them to be used when the roads are frozen.

The decision on which tire you should purchase is solely based on what’s important to you in a tire and where you live.

All-season tires are your best choice when considering long tread wear and adequate performance on wet, dry, or snowy roads. Almost all cars, trucks, and SUVs sold in the U.S come equipped with all-season tires. The tires will operate reliably and safely in most weather conditions due to their moderate tread depths except in extreme weather conditions. The tires are cheaper than performance tires.

Getting your vehicle a set of performance tires is the easiest way to improve its handling and acceleration. They have a more excellent grip due to their large rubber footprint compared to all-season tires. Performance tires are highly recommended for people with sports cars to explore their vehicles' capabilities better.

What Are Drag Radials?

Drag radials are street tires made of a soft compound with a slightly softer sidewall. They are designed for use on the track and the streets. These tires have street tire-like tread that offers better traction than regular street tires.

Drag radials are specially tuned for straight-line acceleration and give a maximum performance of 0 to 60 mph. The tread patterns of drag radials are directional, and they use just enough tread to keep them street legal. The rubber compound of the tires is soft and sticky for maximum grip when you perform a brake stand or dump your clutch.

The tires stick to the pavement as hard as possible when you are accelerating forward. Your vehicle can move from a standstill to a rocketing forward when you floor your engine at the drag strip or between stop lights.

Disadvantages of Drag Radials

• Drag radials are not ideal for practical driving. They can be imprecise in any sort of extreme weather.
• Drag radials do not have tread depth, making it impossible for these tires to displace water on wet pavement. The tires have a higher chance of sliding when you throw your vehicle into a damp corner. Additionally, they are vulnerable to skidding at highway speeds.
• The tires can only offer maximum traction if the sticky rubber compound remains heated up from bouts of hard-driving or burnouts. Your drag radials remain cold for most of your trip when you are out for a quick trip to run some errands. Therefore, the tires deliver poor performance in lots of everyday driving scenarios.
• Drag radials wear out more often due to their soft rubber compound mainly when driven around every day. Additionally, the soft launch of the tires does not lead to 60-foot comparable to the drag slicks. There is a high chance of a wheel hop occurring with a drag radial due to its stiff sidewall, leading to broken drivetrain components.

What Are Drag Slicks?

Drag slicks or racing slicks are tires with no tread to offer uncompromised traction by maximizing the tire's contact. These tires are not suitable for use on the street since they will instantly hydroplane when it rains while you are still out or when you drive through a puddle.

Drag slicks are made with a soft compound and a soft, two-ply sidewall intended to crease on takeoff. The delicate material can compromise the handling of these tires, and they are susceptible to punctures.

Racing slicks are the fastest type of tires around when being operated in the optimum temperature window and the hands of a capable vehicle and driver combination.

Are Racing Slicks Street Legal?

Racing slicks are recommended for use on the race tracks only where they belong, even though some have been cleared for public street use.

Racing slicks are at high risk of hydroplaning and loss of control. They do not have the water removal tread that can allow them to be driven on damp roads with stagnant water.

Racing slicks are intended to function and provide when the tire's surface is at extraordinary temperatures without burning up. This cannot be achieved on public roads since the vehicle is driven at low speeds, and this temperature can only be reached on the race tracks.

Racing slicks wear out with extremely high frequency, and using them on the streets will severely reduce their tread life.

Producers of racing slicks have advised against racing slicks on public roads and the highway.

What Is the Tread Life Of Racing Slicks?

Racing slicks are meant for use to have a pleasant time only. The grip of the tires may wear out even when the tread life is remaining. The racing slicks offer maximum traction only when the tire composite rises to the appropriate temperature and cools down again.

Several factors can affect these heat cycles, such as vehicle weight and type, driving duration, driving style, speed, and race trail features. Anyone using racing slicks should be ready to use them for just 1-2 race days.

Are Racing Slicks and Bald Tires The Same Thing?

Racing slicks and bald tires are not similar. The treads of bald tires wear out due to constant usage. On the other hand, racing slicks are designed without treads for maximum traction on the race track.

Types of Drag Radial Tires

Drag radial tires can be categorized in different categories as follows:

Track Use Only

Hoosier D.O.T Drag Radial

The tire utilizes two very simple rain grooves designed to maximize contact on the road. The tire is intended to be a track-only tire and cannot be used on the streets.

Track and Light Street Use

Mickey Thompson ET Street (I and II)

The ET Street has an increased number of rain grooves which leads to better wet-weather traction. The tire is designed for limited street use and will last less than 7,000 miles.

Toyo Proxes TQ

The tire is designed with a unique compound that uses both solid axle rear ends and IRS. Its tread life expectancy is around 7,000 miles or less and can be driven both on the street and strip.

Nitto NT05R

The tread design of this drag radial uses the NT05 ultra-high-performance road-handling tire. Nitto NT05R is a single 0 treadwear tire that can last longer than other tires in this category.

BFGoodrich g-Force T/A

The tire has integrated rain channels that help it to do a better job during wet weather situations. This tire will last close to 10,000 miles and sports 0 treadwear, just like the Nitto tire.

Street and Track

Nitto NT555R

The tire can combat wet weather situations with its 100 treadwear and improved water channels. It can last for about 10,000 miles and has proven to be a very successful tire.

What Are Tire Speed Ratings?

Tire speed ratings are letter symbols that depict the speed rating of a tire and are determined through standardized laboratory tests. The tire is run at 6.2 mph steps, in 10 minutes increments until the required speed is met. The tire is rated if it proves to withstand a specific speed when tested with simulated loads.

Speed ratings were first used in Europe for sports cars decades ago when some roads did not have speed limits. Vehicle manufacturers now use speed ratings to ensure that tires and vehicles are compatible. Generally, tires with a higher speed rating perform better on the road. However, the speed ratings are not tokens for you to drive as fast as you want, since it becomes unsafe for you and others on the road.

Speed ratings can be found in letter symbols such as H, V, W, and Y, with A being the lowest and Y the highest. You can check the recommended speed rating for your vehicle on the owner’s manual or the driver’s side door jamb. Although there is no industry standard for the speed ratings, tire buyers will find that:

• Performance tires come with a speed rating of H (up to 130 mph). These tires may include winter tires for high-performance vehicles.
• All-season high-performance tires have an H (130 mph) speed rating and V (up to 149 mph).
• Summer and all-season tires with ultra-high performance come with speed ratings of V (up to 149 mph), Z (more than 149), W (up to 168 mph), and Y (up 186 mph).

Are Speed Ratings Just About Speed?

Speed ratings depict speed and traction, comfort, cornering ability, and tread wear. Although a higher speed rating offers better stopping power and grip, they reduce performance in low temperatures and offer a lower tread life. That is why V, Z, W, and Y-rated tires are suited for high-performing vehicles in warm climates.

You can constantly improve the speed rating of your vehicle’s tires for better performance but you can never reduce it without decreasing the car’s top speed to that of the lower speed ranking selected.

Can I Mix Speed Ratings on My Vehicle Tires?

It is not recommended to mix speed ratings on your vehicle tires. However, if you do, make sure that the low-rated tires are on the front axles regardless of whether your car is rear, front, or four-wheel drive. You are also advised not to drive faster than your low-rated tires. The tires should be of the same size and type and appropriate for your vehicle.

What Causes Damage to Performance Tires?

The tire trades off the longevity of its life to performance. Although the tire can get damaged the same way as other tires due to punctures, road debris, and slashes, it gets damaged more due to heavy daily use.

How long do Performance Tires Last?

The tire's longevity depends on the performance grade you select and how much you use and abuse the tire. However, the summer performance tire offers 30,000 miles; the performance tire offers 50,000 miles, while the R-Compounds offer about 15,000-20,000 miles.

Several factors like your tire's type, driving style, where you drive, and the climate you drive in determine how long your tires will last. Tires are manufactured considering certain weather conditions in mind, such as dry, wet, or snowy situations.

• Tread

A tire is considered damaged when the tread wears out and cannot guarantee your safety anymore. Although some damages can be repaired, repeated punctures signify you need to replace your tires.

• Performance Tires

Performance tires are made of a softer rubber compound than other tires, which makes them wear faster and get damaged easily. The tires can also wear out unevenly due to a lousy alignment job.

• Rotation

It is recommended that you rotate your tires to ensure they wear out more evenly and prolong their useful life. For instance, the front tires of a front-wheel-drive car will wear out more quickly than the rear tires; thus, rotating them will ensure they wear out evenly.

How Do I Know My Tires Are Worn Out?

You need to check for several factors in your tire to ensure they are safe for use.

• Pressure

You can check how much air your tires have by measuring their PSI (pounds per square inch) with a pressure gauge at least once every month.

• Tread depth

You can also check how deep the exterior ridges of the tire are.

• Punctures

Check if your tires have been damaged by any object that could cause air to leak out.

• Cracks/dry rotting

It would be best if you did not drive with a tire with cracks or splits, and you need to replace it immediately.

• Over/under inflation

Always inflate your tire to the correct PSI. Over and under-inflating your tire will cause them uneven tread wear that will detract them from their full performance capabilities.

• Balance

Your tires will function properly if they are accurately balanced and aligned.

How Old Are Your Performance Tires?

The month and the year your tires were manufactured are written on your tire’s sidewall following the U.S Department of Transportation (DOT) orders. These dates are found in four digits, with the first two representing the month while the other two indicate the year of manufacture.

How Often Do You Need To Rotate Your Tires?

It is recommended that you rotate your tires every 5,000-7,000 miles. However, this is dependent on several factors, such as how hard you push your performance tires on the road and your car’s alignment.

How Often Does Your Car Need An Alignment?

You need to check your car’s alignment when you notice any inconsistencies in your vehicle’s tire wear patterns and with your steering. However, for your safety, always ensure that the alignment is checked once every year.

How Often Should You Put Air In Your Tires?

You can always do an eyeball test on your tires’ inflation every time you get into your car. Most importantly, you need to check the tires for air with a pressure gauge once a week or once a month. The process only takes a few minutes, but it will save you money, time, and your health in the future.

Can I Use A Spare Tire On A Day-To-Day Basis?

Most spare tires are not designed for use on a long-term basis. They can only be used in case of an emergency such as delamination or after getting a puncture. You need to stop driving on your spare tire and replace your damaged tire as soon as possible.

How Much Do Tire Performance Tires Cost?

These tires are more expensive than regular or all-season tires. It is challenging to find a tire priced below $100 since they are designed for sports and luxury cars.

You are likely to get these tires below $200, and they will exhibit decent high-speed performance in traction, handling, cornering abilities, and braking.

You will get extreme and ultra-high performance tires at the price range of $200 up to $400. These tires are perfect for supercars and exotics that will provide you with uncompromised performance in all-season conditions. You will experience great comfort, fantastic grip, improved handling, and longevity with these tires.

What Are Touring Tires?

Touring tires are designed with a relatively wide tread that gives them more surface contact with the road. The tires offer a comfortable, quiet ride with balanced handling and even treadwear. They are designed for all-season weather and are ideal for minivans, SUVs, sedans, and other passenger vehicles.

Do I Need Touring Tires Or Performance Tires?

The decision to purchase touring tires or performance tires should be based on your driving needs and wants and the vehicle manufacturer’s guidelines. If you are looking for sporty responsiveness with your tires, you need to get a set of performance tires. A touring tire is best suited for you when you want to drive quietly and comfortably from one place to another or when heading out on long, leisurely drives.

Although both performance and touring tires can perform well in dry and wet conditions, touring tires are better suited for all-season driving. You can switch the tires between seasons if you need performance tires but value all-season versatility.

A touring tire will save you money for gas compared to performance tires. With the latter, you have to overlook the gas mileage in sacrifice to the superb cornering ability of the tires.

Touring tires have an increased surface contact with the road. They will give you a comfortable ride compared to performance tires which offer a slightly less comfortable ride in exchange for the performance component.  

A touring tire will last longer compared to the performance tire due to its tread. Therefore, if you are making considerations due to the tire lifespan, you know what to go for even though you will gain tighter control with the performance tires.

Performance tires will give you the best handling and responsiveness, such as quickly turning corners and braking. Touring tires will still offer plenty of traction; thus, you can decide based on these factors.

Best Performance Tires‍

Michelin Pilot Super Sport

Michelin Pilot Super Sport is a high-performance tire that is well balanced and performs well in dry and wet road conditions. The tire is manufactured with a combination of extreme silica and sunflower oil to enhance the tire’s grip on wet and light snow road conditions.

The outboard shoulders of the Michelin Pilot Super Sport have an increased lateral grip due to their rigid and rubber blocks that boost their dry cornering abilities. Additionally, the tires have wide circumferential grooves for improved wet traction and hydroplaning resistance.

The tires are recommended for high-performance sedans, high-end sports cars, and sports coupes. They offer the best-in-class ride comfort and have a 30,000-mile tread warranty. The price of these tires ranges from $135.

Yokohama Advan Sport A/S

The tire is capable of excellent cornering and handling abilities due to the specially designed tread pattern that gives it incredible traction on all surfaces. The tire is made of a design technology that makes you truly enjoy your ride while giving you comfort all year round.

Even when this tire is pushed to its limits, it can deliver more than cornering stability with exceptional braking and acceleration performance.  The tire’s tread life has been proven to be better than other best performing all-season tires, and you get to enjoy a smooth ride. The price of this tire ranges from $110 and above, and it has an outstanding 50,000-mile tread warranty.

Bridgestone Potenza S-04 Pole Position

The Bridgestone Potenza S-04 Pole Position tire performs well in both wet and dry conditions and offers high levels of grip. The tread design of this tire is asymmetric with huge circumferential ribs, external shoulders, and intertwining tread blocks. These features provide you top speed firmness, dry road navigation response, and cornering accuracy.

The continuous, wide circumferential ribs of the tires cause them to be resistant to hydroplaning. As a result, this enhances the tire’s wear quality and reduces road noise. The unique feature of this tire is that it involves its high-angle tread blocks with its intermediate ribs to deliver longitudinal rigidity for straight-line decelerating forces.

It provides a relatively comfortable ride for an ultra-high performance tire, especially for sedans, sports cars, and coupes. The price of this tire ranges from $135 and above.

Continental ExtremeContact Sport

 The tire applies a special summer-only compound that is well suited for damp-warm conditions and makes it unsuitable for use in early fall or spring. The tires’ weather condition and noise reduction technique is enabled by its 5 or 6- rib design width. The wide tread blocks of the tires assist with handling and grip.

The tire users are intrigued with the continental performance indicators that are molded into the tread pattern and can suggest whether the tires are too worn out to be used in wet conditions. The tires produce steering that is precise, fast, and very responsive. The price of these tires ranges from $110 and above.

Firestone Firehawk Indy 500

The treads of this tire are molded from a silica-enhanced Long Link Carbon compound. The design of this tire, which has an aggressive asymmetric appearance, enhances cornering and handling abilities, especially in dry conditions.

The interior structure of the tire is made up of a high-turnup polyester sheath covered under identical, high-tensile steel belts.  The tire’s stability, high-speed capability, and responsive handling is made possible through a fabric reinforced with nylon. The tire is capable of better water evacuation due to the pulse groove technology that makes up the center circumferential grooves.

Two additional circumferential grooves minimize stopping distances, especially on wet roads. These tires cost about $110 and above, and you get value for your money with their superb performance.

Pirelli P Zero Trofeo R

The tire is best suited for use on the tracks only. It is a semi-slick tire that will go out quickly when used on the streets. The tire will provide you with extremely high levels of grip on good dry traction, but you may fail to have the steering feel. Besides, the tire produces a lot of noise on the road and performs poorly on low wet weather grip.

Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric All-Season

The tire is made with a specialized tread compound and uses an asymmetric tread pattern that provides grip in all conditions, from wet, dry, and snow conditions. This Goodyear tire implements a range of technology for severe high-performance driving.

The tire can deliver extra traction in dry conditions due to its outer tread blocks. The tire’s traction teeth and the inner all-season zone work to eliminate ice, snow, and slush throughout the winter months. The advantage of this tire is that it has an excellent steering response and handling even when driven roughly.

Can I Use Performance Tires In Winter?

The tread of performance tires performs poorly on snow and ice, although they have lower rolling resistance, improving handling and efficiency and reducing noise levels. Besides, performance tires have poor acceleration in winter weather with long brake distances on snow or ice.

Performance tires will develop cracks when driven in very low temperatures when they lose their elasticity. They tend to lose grip as their rubber compound stiffens when the temperatures drop, even when there is snow or ice. A manufacturer will not guarantee you a warranty when you incorrectly use your tires in these conditions.

Are Wider Performance Tires Better?

A lot of car owners seem to prefer wider tires to narrow tires. They think that they look better and perform better on the road. Let’s look at some of the advantages of wider tires.

• Better Grip and Traction

Your tires have a better grip on the road when they have more pressure and more contact with the road. Wider tires achieve this feature since they have more contact with the road, thus offering better traction.

• Improved Cornering

Wider tires offer better road handling and cornering. Additionally, they have stiffer sidewalls and a better thread reducing the number of vehicles rolling in corners.

• Better Braking

Your vehicle has a better grip on the road with wider tires that reduce braking distance, especially on dry pavements. Eventually, this gives your car a better braking system.

• Better Appearance

Wider tires give your vehicle a sportier look which enhances its overall design.

Disadvantages of Wider Tires

• Increased Fuel Consumption

Wider tires generate more friction on the road, increasing the steering effort, leading to more fuel being consumed. Besides, since wider tires are more prominent and heavier, the engine works more, which causes it to consume more gas.

• Slower Acceleration and Harder Steering

The heavy load of wider tires increases the weight of the car resulting in its decreased acceleration. The large contact area of the tires causes poor car handling and stiff steering, which is experienced because of using wider tires.

• Quick Tire Wear

Wider tires wear out faster than narrow tires and cause the braking system to wear out since they put more strain on the brake.

• Speedometer Error

You change your car’s standard components when you upsize your tires, resulting in errors in the speedometer reading.

• Safety System Warning

Other electronic safety aids in your car like ABS, EBD, or traction controller may get affected by the speedometer reading affecting their timely notifications and accuracy.

• Costly

Wider tires are more expensive than narrow tires since they cost more to make, and there are fewer options in the market.

What Size Of A Tire Is Considered Wide?

A tire is considered wide when it is larger than your original tire size.

What Is Upsizing Tires?

Upsizing a tire replaces your stock wheel size with a larger diameter and still keeping the same combined or overall diameter of the original tire and wheel.

Are Wider Tires Better Driving In Snowy Weather?

It is not recommended to have wider tires for driving in snow. Narrow tires are the best choice for driving in snow as they provide better traction and cut easily through the snow.

In Which Weather Are Wider Tires Better?

Wider tires can be used for driving in wet or dry conditions as long as there is no snow. Wider tires have bigger sipes that remove and trap water better from the road. Additionally, they are a good choice for dry highway driving as it gets better with more contact area on the road.

What Are Mixed Performance Tires?

Mixed performance tires refer to tires with different sizes front and back, presumably 245/40R19 front and 275/35R19 back.

Who Makes Douglas Performance Tires?

Douglas brand of tires has been known for its affordable prices. All tires need to be replaced at some point; therefore, you can consider the Douglas brand if you are looking for a budget-friendly tire.

Douglas is the subsidiary of the Goodyear tire and rubber company acquired from the Kelly Springfield tire company that manufactures Douglas brand tires. The tires are pretty affordable since they are made exclusively for their in-house brand Walmart to meet the mass expectation of people at affordable prices.

Benefits of High-Performance Tires

Better handling- the soft rubber compound of the performance tires enables better handling of the tire on the road.

Exceptional traction- the wide stance of the performance tires allows more excellent traction to the road, especially when the weather is terrible. The tires maintain superior adhesion in wet weather as most resist skidding, and the wide grooves assist with water clearing.

Better stopping- it is much faster to stop your vehicle, and you use less distance when using performance tires due to their extra space.

Safety-performance tires are designed to enhance steering response and minimize stopping distance, even on wet surfaces. This helps to ensure safety even when driving at high speeds for all vehicles.

Quiet performance- the tread design of these tires is designed to reduce road noise by minimizing airflow within the grooves. Additionally, this provides a smooth ride.

Tips for Selecting Performance Tires

• All four tires must have the same speed rating.
• The tires should meet your vehicle manufacturer’s recommendations.
• You are likely to encounter different conditions on the road dissimilar from what is calculated in the labs since the tires are tested under tightly controlled conditions.  
• If you purchase a new vehicle with performance tires, check whether they have cracks in the tread area. The tires may develop cracks when the car was driven for only a few miles or parked in the cold by the dealer.
• If you live in an area that experiences winter and purchased your vehicle with performance tires, consider getting winter tires to preserve them.
• It is essential to consider the tires you are buying since some ultra-high-performance tires will perform poorly in the rain and standing water.