Performance Characteristics :
Tires are often designed to enhance certain elements of your driving experience. Depending on the type of tire you select and its size and ratings, you can turn an ordinary car into something extraordinary. Consider the following characteristics and determine which ones are important to you in your next set of tires.
Appearance
While tires have traditionally been engineered for performance, modern tires know how to strut their stuff in style. Unique tread designs that are both functional and flashy can add that extra edge to your vehicle and really make it stand out from the crowd. With everything from space-age directional treads to the sleek edges of an ultra-high-performance model, now you can have amazing tires that look and feel good.
- Pair your stylish tires with some flashy rims and give your car a hot new look
Braking
The ability to stop quickly is an important safety aspect of any vehicle's performance. How fast your car responds when you press on the brake is in large part related to the tires you choose. Like handling, tires that have excellent braking feature solid traction and high-grip treads. Consider the kinds of conditions that you normally drive in when determining which tire will give you the best braking capabilities since rain, snow and ice all require different characteristics.
- Tires react differently in various types of conditions, so consider if you need to improve braking on dry, wet or snowy roads before making your selection
- The UTQGS traction rating measures how easily a tire comes to a complete stop on wet pavement
Comfort
When it comes to choosing a tire, many people look for a good balance between comfort and performance, but if having a smooth ride is the most important element for you, here are a few tips. Look for a tire with a higher aspect ratio. These taller tires more readily absorb the shocks and bumps you are bound to encounter without passing them on to you and your passengers. Special touring tires are engineered with comfort as the predominant characteristic.
- Higher aspect ratios increase the comfort of your ride - look for 70 series tires or above
- Balance comfort with other performance characteristics like braking and handling
Handling
Handling is a term used to describe how your vehicle performs when taking sharp corners and performing sudden or evasive maneuvers. Tires that are designed to improve how your car handles feature improved traction with treads that are designed to provide a more solid grip on the road. They are often made from softer rubber compounds and are a common characteristic of all types of performance tires. Tires with good handling are also more responsive to acceleration and braking.
- Tires designed to improve vehicle handling feature treads with above average traction
- Handling not only gives you better control, it allows you to more actively avoid roadway hazards
Noise
If you want to enjoy your car ride in peace and quiet, look for tires designed to eliminate undesirable road noise. The quietest tires are generally constructed of soft rubbers and are typically designed for seasonal use on dry roads. Tires with more rigid tread compounds, such as all-terrain or off-road tires, tend to be noisier. Some wheels are equipped with sound cancellation technologies that help cancel out some of the noise generated by louder tires.
- Various types of touring tires deliver smooth, fluid motion with an emphasis on a quieter ride
- Softer tread compounds eliminate road noise, but also usually wear down more quickly
Wet Road Conditions
Hydroplaning is what happens when a thin layer of water is allowed to form between your tires and the road. This loss of contact can send your car into an uncontrolled slide where it is impossible to stop the car or control its direction. While the tread on most all-weather tires is designed to provide some protection on wet roads, if you live in a particularly rainy area you may want to consider purchasing tires that are engineered to move water up and away from your wheels, reducing the chances of a hydroplaning accident. Many unidirectional tires are designed to better channel water away from your tires.
- Special tread designs that provide deep channels for moving water out of the path of your vehicle help reduce the risk of hydroplaning
