What are the Quietest Tires Available for 2013? Find Out Here!

Thursday, May 23, 2013 by Gary Stanley

In a recent post, "Best Tire Brands for Long Treadwear", some of the longest wearing tires were discussed and how treadlife is one of the most important factors that consumers consider when deciding which tires to buy. In addition to treadlife, tire noise is a major factor to most drivers when selecting a new set of tires. Who wants to listen to the drone of a loud tire during a daily commute or road trip. Besides being a nuisance, loud tire noise can keep a driver from hearing other sounds that can affect vehicle maintenance and safety.

Tires that generally make the least amount of noise typically come from the following performance categories:

  • Standard Touring All-Season
  • Passenger All-Sean
  • Grand Touring All-Season

Many years ago, summer tires were the quietest tires available while all-season tires were louder due to their more aggressive tread patterns. Tire technology has come a long way and the market has changed. Newer summer tires are now primarily focused on high levels of grip, handling and quick steering response, with less focus on road noise. All-season tires are now the best choice for those after a quiet ride. The following tires are some of the top picks for low road noise in three of the quietest categories:

 
 Michelin Defender
Michelin Defender
 Hankook Optimo H727
Hankook Optimo H727
 
 
 
 
Stop putting up with loud tires! Shop by vehicle to find a quiet set of tires for your car, truck or crossover.

Tire Rack Consumer Review of the Continental Touring Contact AS

Wednesday, May 22, 2013 by Tire Rack Consumer Reviews

The following post was created from content submitted via Tire Rack's consumer surveys. Information shown is the opinion of the consumer and meant to be used for comparison shopping purposes.


Continental Touring Contact ASReviewer's Overall Rating: 9.33

2008 Honda Odyssey
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Miles driven on tires: 2,000
Location: Fairfax, VA
Driving Condition: Average

Initial Review, 2,000 Miles on Tires
February 12, 2013

Only a few miles thusfar but so far very satified- much quieter than OE Bridgestones.
No bad wether issues yet, has been through 2 snow storms so far with no traction issues.

Tire Rack Consumer Review of the Bridgestone Dueler H/L Alenza

Wednesday, May 22, 2013 by Tire Rack Consumer Reviews

The following post was created from content submitted via Tire Rack's consumer surveys. Information shown is the opinion of the consumer and meant to be used for comparison shopping purposes.

Bridgestone Dueler H/L Alenza Reviewer's Overall Rating: 8.09
 
 

2007 Cadillac Escalade AWD
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Miles driven on tires: 39,000
Location: Stillwater, OK
Driving Condition: Spirited

Initial Review, 39,000 Miles on Tires
April 18, 2013

This is going to be my third set of these tires, I drive city, country, and off road with this Escalade, I love these tires, I have only one complaint, they do not come close to 65000 mile ability, noise,stability,toughness,and traction all above average, to excellent, Im a commercial Realtor so I use my vehicle daily, in many driving conditions, would I repurchase this tire, yes, absolutely, safety, and noise are my two concerns, this tire is excellent in both areas..I moved from another major manufacturer to Bridgestone, especially the Japanese tires on all three of my other vehicles, their superior products........

 

Tire Rack Consumer Review of the Bridgestone Dueler H/L 422 Ecopia

Thursday, May 16, 2013 by Tire Rack Consumer Reviews

The following post was created from content submitted via Tire Rack's consumer surveys. Information shown is the opinion of the consumer and meant to be used for comparison shopping purposes.

Bridgestone Dueler H/L 422 Ecopia Reviewer's Overall Rating: 8.43
 
 

2006 Honda Pilot EX 2wd
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Miles driven on tires: 2,000
Location: Mary Esther, FL
Driving Condition: Average

Initial Review, 2,000 Miles on Tires
April 30, 2013

Like this tire so far. 3d set of different tires on 2006 Pilot. Replaced Goodyear Forteras that I got 85,000 miles on with this tire. Took to the hwy last week...FL Ins 10. Tires are comfy and quieter than Goodyears. Won't know full satisfaction untill I can check wear at 15,000 miles.

 

Tire Rack Consumer Review of the Sumitomo HTR A/S P01 (H- or V-Speed Rated)

Wednesday, May 15, 2013 by Tire Rack Consumer Reviews

The following post was created from content submitted via Tire Rack's consumer surveys. Information shown is the opinion of the consumer and meant to be used for comparison shopping purposes.

Sumitomo HTR A/S P01 (H- or V-Speed Rated) Reviewer's Overall Rating: 6.2
 
 

2006 Acura TL
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Miles driven on tires: 35,000
Location: Iron River, MI
Driving Condition: Spirited

Initial Review, 35,000 Miles on Tires
March 14, 2013

These tires replaced the OEM Bridgestones at 50K. They alternate with snow tires in winter (as we live in the UP of Michigan) so have no real experience with significant snow driving. They performed well the first couple of years, but last year (the 3rd on) the noise level increased significantly. They may make it through one more summer driving season, but will have to be replaced then. I will probably consider other brands when looking next time, although the performance per dollar was probably above average and the tread looks quite attractive/agressive.

 

Tire Rack Consumer Review of the Bridgestone Potenza G 019 Grid

Wednesday, May 15, 2013 by Tire Rack Consumer Reviews

The following post was created from content submitted via Tire Rack's consumer surveys. Information shown is the opinion of the consumer and meant to be used for comparison shopping purposes.

Bridgestone Potenza G 019 Grid Reviewer's Overall Rating: 6.25
 
 

1999 Honda Accord Coupe LX 4cyl
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Miles driven on tires: 35,000
Location: Canoga Park, CA
Driving Condition: Spirited

Initial Review, 35,000 Miles on Tires
April 24, 2013

pros: Good handling, treadwear and driving in wet weather.

cons:very noisy tire,horrible riding tire.

This tire handles and corners very well, short stopping distances,and low wear on tread.

 

Tire Rack Consumer Review of the Bridgestone Blizzak WS70

Monday, May 13, 2013 by Tire Rack Consumer Reviews

The following post was created from content submitted via Tire Rack's consumer surveys. Information shown is the opinion of the consumer and meant to be used for comparison shopping purposes.


Bridgestone Blizzak WS70Reviewer's Overall Rating: 8.82

2010 Nissan Altima Coupe
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Miles driven on tires: 7,000
Location: DULUTH, MN
Driving Condition: Average

Initial Review, 7,000 Miles on Tires
April 30, 2013

Great tires in ice,snow and slush. I got a speeding ticket for going too fast in an ice storm.My car felt rock solid with these tires. The trooper didnt care about my tires.

How to Determine If Your Tires are Run-Flats

Friday, May 3, 2013 by Colin .

Run-flat tires have become standard equipment on many vehicles. Some cars of the same general model will have certain versions that come with run-flats while others do not. It can certainly get confusing for people who aren't familiar with different vehicle and tire models. 

All run-flat tires have a designation on the sidewall that indicates they are not standard tires. For example, the Bridgestone Potenza RE960AS Pole Position has a run-flat and non-run-flat model in certain sizes. The run-flat model has the letters "RFT" following the name. You can see this by clicking on the Bridgestone Potenza RE960AS Pole Position RFT photo below.


Bridgestone Potenza RE960AS Pole
Position

Bridgestone Potenza RE960AS Pole Position
RFT


Different tire companies use different designations for run-flat tires. Continental uses "SSR", Goodyear uses "RunOnFlat" or "EMT", while Michelin designates their run-flat tires with "ZP."

Many customers are convinced they have run-flat tires because their vehicle didn't come with a spare. This isn't always the case, so be sure to check your tires' sidewall to confirm. Now that you've determined if you have run-flat tires or not, you can determine which option you would prefer. To help you make a decision, read "Deciding Between Run-Flat and Non-Run-Flat Tires." 

How to Find the Best Tires for Your MAZDA3

Friday, May 3, 2013 by Hunter Leffel

The MAZDA3 came to the market in 2004 as a replacement for the Protege. It was later redesigned in 2010. With a number of configurations and trim levels offered, there are various tire size options in play. The first step will be using our shop by vehicle feature and verifying the size of tire that's on your vehicle. The following tires are some of the more popular and higher rated options in three of the most common sizes for this vehicle. Keep in mind, not all of these options may be available for your specific variation of the vehicle.

Bridgestone Turanza Serentiy Plus
Bridgestone Turanza Serenity Plus
Continental ExtremeContact DWS
Continental ExtremeContact DWS
BF Goodrich g-Force Sport Comp2
BFGoodrich g-Force Sport COMP-2


In 195/65R15, I would take a serious look at Bridgestone's Turanza Serenity Plus. This is the latest Grand Touring All-Season entry from this premium manufacturer. We tested this tire last season against three of the top competitors and it came in first. Designed to provide Bridgestone's ultimate in luxury, elegance and comfort, Turanza Serenity Plus tires blend long wear with dry, wet and wintertime traction, even in light snow.

205/55R16 is another common size for the MAZDA3 line of vehicles. This is one of the more popular sizes in the market, so there will be many choices. If you're looking for a performance oriented option, check out the Continental ExtremeContact DWS. This has been the top-rated Ultra High Performance All-Season tire by our customers for five years. It's particularly strong in the winter elements, while also receiving high marks in hydroplaning resistance, wet traction, dry traction and ride comfort.

The sports minded version of the MAZDA3 wears a 205/50R17. If this is the case for you, I would suggest the BFGoodrich g-Force Sport COMP-2. This Ultra High Performance Summer solution was released last year with great success. It's currently ranked number one in its category. If you're looking to accelerate faster, corner harder and brake shorter in dry and wet conditions, then take a look at the g-Force Sport COMP-2.

For more information on selecting the right tire, read "Shopping for Tires on Our Website."

Best Tires for a Toyota Sienna

Friday, May 3, 2013 by Steve Huffman

For over a decade, the Toyota Sienna has been a very popular minivan for American families. Toyota's dependability, comfortable ride and ample room has kept these vans on the road for years. Many owners have logged well over 100,000 miles on them and have purchased multiple sets of tires for their vehicle. Like most vans, these vehicles are charged with hauling families, groceries and sports equipment all over town. Families will also use the minivan to travel long distances while going on vacation. The drivers of these vans are typically looking for great all-season traction, long lasting treadlife and a comfortable ride.

One of my favorite tires for this vehicle is the Goodyear Assurance ComforTred Touring. First of all, this tire has fantastic all-season traction. Also, as the name suggests, it offers exceptionally good ride qualities, including a very smooth, quiet and comfortable ride. They are long lasting with an 80,000-mile treadlife warranty in the T- and H-speed rated versions, and a 70,000-mile treadlife warranty for the V-speed rated model. If this sounds like the tire for you, take advantage of our special offer. When you purchase a set of four Goodyear Assurance ComforTred Touring tires before May 31, 2013, you can receive an $80 mail-in rebate. View details here.

Another great option for the Sienna is the Bridgestone Dueler H/L 422 Ecopia. Although this tire is marketed as a Crossover/SUV Touring All-Season tire, Toyoto uses popular SUV sizes on their newer Siennas and this is definitely one of the best tires in the size. Like the Goodyear mentioned above, this tire also offers great all-season traction and comes with a 65,000-mile treadlife warranty. The advantage with this tire is that it is Bridgestone's low rolling resistance tire, which means it will provide you with optimum fuel economy.

If you're looking for a good value option, consider the Yokohama AVID Ascend. This Grand Touring All-Season tire features Yokohama's Orange Oil technology and is branded with their BluEarth eco-friendly identification. It's designed to blend long treadwear, low rolling resistance and all-season traction, even in light snow.

Goodyear Assurance ComfortTred Touring
Goodyear Assurance
ComforTred Touring
Bridgestone Dueler H/L 422 Ecopia
Bridgestone Dueler H/L 422
Ecopia
Yokohama AVID Ascend
Yokohama AVID
Ascend


Shop by vehicle to see all the tire options available for your Toyota Sienna.

Tire Rack Consumer Review of the Bridgestone Blizzak LM-25 RFT

Tuesday, April 30, 2013 by Tire Rack Consumer Reviews

The following post was created from content submitted via Tire Rack's consumer surveys. Information shown is the opinion of the consumer and meant to be used for comparison shopping purposes.

Bridgestone Blizzak LM-25 RFT Reviewer's Overall Rating: 9.55
 
 

2011 BMW 135i Coupe Base Model
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Miles driven on tires: 1,000
Location: Rome, NY
Driving Condition: Spirited

Initial Review, 1,000 Miles on Tires
April 16, 2013

Used All Season tires that came with the car for two winters. All season are good but using them after my third winter didn't give me much traction so purchased 4 of the LM-25 RFT. Made a big difference. Dealing with Tire Rack was great! Very professional and the Rep named tanner was very helpful in every detail. Tires were delivered in less than 2 days.
Expectional tire and company to do business with!

 

Tire Rack Consumer Review of the Bridgestone Dueler H/L 422 Ecopia

Tuesday, April 30, 2013 by Tire Rack Consumer Reviews

The following post was created from content submitted via Tire Rack's consumer surveys. Information shown is the opinion of the consumer and meant to be used for comparison shopping purposes.


Bridgestone Dueler H/L 422 EcopiaReviewer's Overall Rating: 9.89

2008 Suzuki Grand Vitara
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Miles driven on tires: 5,100
Location: Glenville, NY
Driving Condition: Easy Going

Initial Review, 5,100 Miles on Tires
December 17, 2012

The last set of tires I ran on my Suzuki were The Bridgestone H/L Alenza. (See review.) I loved the tires, but was disappointed with how long they lasted. Two tires were bald and the other two were worn down to 2/32. With only 47K on them.

I decided to give Bridgestone another chance. Upon installing the new H/L 422 Ecopia tires, I immediately noticed a major difference. The tire were so quiet, I could hear the radio again. The next thing I noticed was how much better the car handled and how smooth the ride was. To date, I have only driven in light snow, which was not an issue. Every aspect of this tire is great! Overall my mpg has increased from 23.1 to 24.5. Depending on many miles the tires last, I think that Bridgestone hit a home run with the Ecopia's.

I will update when or if we get any snow.

Tire Rack Consumer Review of the Bridgestone Blizzak WS70

Tuesday, April 30, 2013 by Tire Rack Consumer Reviews

The following post was created from content submitted via Tire Rack's consumer surveys. Information shown is the opinion of the consumer and meant to be used for comparison shopping purposes.


Bridgestone Blizzak WS70Reviewer's Overall Rating: 10

2012 Lexus CT 200h
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Miles driven on tires: 31
Location: Calgary, AB
Driving Condition: Spirited

Initial Review, 31 Miles on Tires
December 14, 2012

Just bought a set of MD10 (17” alloy wheels) and Bridgestone WS70 tyres (balance & mounted with sensors) from www.tirerack.com and saved over $1300.00 Canadian Dollars compared to buying them directly from the Dealership. I got the alloy wheels and tyres in 4 days from the United States. Great service, as well as fast and efficient. I got Lexus of Calgary to mount them onto my Lexus CT200H 2012. These tyres are like Velcro to ice and snow. I live in the South West of Calgary, which is very hilly, like Bow and Sarcee Trail. These Bridgestone WS70’s perform very well indeed and I have great confidence in their hill start, accelerating, cornering and most importantly stopping. I have over 24 years of driving experience from Europe, as well as here in Canada and I must say that these Bridgestone WS70 tyres, perform very well indeed. I would never dream of driving in winter without them.

Tire Rack Consumer Review of the Bridgestone Potenza RE760 Sport

Tuesday, April 30, 2013 by Tire Rack Consumer Reviews

The following post was created from content submitted via Tire Rack's consumer surveys. Information shown is the opinion of the consumer and meant to be used for comparison shopping purposes.

Bridgestone Potenza RE760 Sport Reviewer's Overall Rating: 10
 
 

2010 Audi A4 2.0 Quattro
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Miles driven on tires: 12,000
Location: Foxboro, MA
Driving Condition: Spirited

Initial Review, 12,000 Miles on Tires
April 27, 2013

This tire is outstanding. Starting the 3rd season with them and they still drive like new. Very sure handling on dry and wet roads, and incredibly quiet. Very significant tread remaining, so wear does not appear to be a problem. These tires replaced the stock Goodyear Eagle LS-2's, which pale in comparison. They did not handle anywhere near as well, were loud, and wore to the point of needing replacement by 30,000 miles.

 

Best Tires for Roadrace and Autocross Events

Tuesday, April 30, 2013 by Colin .

With spring here, many drivers are getting ready to purchase tires for roadrace or autocross use.  

For those who want tires they'll use mostly on the street, but want to do some racing, the Extreme Performance Summer category offers some good options. Tires in this performance category won't give you the fastest lap times compared to competition tires, however they are a good choice for the less serious racer. If this sounds like what you're looking for, consider the following options:

For the more serious race enthusiast, take a look at our selection of Track & Competition DOT tires. These are options that shouldn't be driven on the street and are for the track only. If you are looking for a tire for your roadrace event, consider the Hoosier R6. If autocross is your event, take a look at the A6 from Hoosier.


BFGoodrich g-Force Rival

Hoosier R6

Hankook Ventus Z214


Hoosier's set-up process to maximize treadwear and handling is more involved than other tires, however their tires are hard to beat! For those that want a good competition tire at a lower price point, the Hankook Ventus Z214 is available in both a roadrace and autocross compound. 

Will your new set of tires need to be saved? If so, how far should they be shaved? Read "Shaving Tires for Autocross / Track Use / Competition" to see how this service can help you maximize your tire's performance capabilities early in their life.

Tire Rack Consumer Review of the Bridgestone Potenza RE-11

Monday, April 29, 2013 by Tire Rack Consumer Reviews

The following post was created from content submitted via Tire Rack's consumer surveys. Information shown is the opinion of the consumer and meant to be used for comparison shopping purposes.

Bridgestone Potenza RE-11 Reviewer's Overall Rating: 9.25
 
 

2001 BMW Z3 Coupe 3.0
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Miles driven on tires: 2,000
Location: Nottingham, MD
Driving Condition: Spirited

Initial Review, 2,000 Miles on Tires
April 19, 2013

Good track tire if you can't or do not want to bring R compound tires to the track. Almost as good as old DOT type "R" compound tires. Drove 5 track days in a row at Barber Motorsports and was very satisfied with these tires. Wear on track was very good, with good communication and no loss of traction as they heated up towards the end of each session. A little understeer when compared to "R" compound tires. On the highway I was amazed at how civilized they were. Both comfort and noise level were great.

 

Tire Rack Consumer Review of the Michelin Pilot Super Sport

Monday, April 29, 2013 by Tire Rack Consumer Reviews

The following post was created from content submitted via Tire Rack's consumer surveys. Information shown is the opinion of the consumer and meant to be used for comparison shopping purposes.

Michelin Pilot Super Sport Reviewer's Overall Rating: 9
 
 

2005 Mini Cooper S
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Miles driven on tires: 100
Location: Portland, OR
Driving Condition: Spirited

Initial Review, 100 Miles on Tires
April 08, 2013

The first summer tire I had on my car was the Conti DW, and I was blown away. They were a bit noisy, but wet or dry, they stuck like glue. Then I decided to go with an A/S tire, the Bridgestone 970 AS Pole Position; after 2100 miles they came off. Great tire, really, but not the tire for my car, not enough grip.

So while I contemplated going for the DW again, I thought I'd splurge and try the PSS. First thoughts, WOW. Quiet, quiet quiet. Shortly after having them installed, took them on a really twisty road or two north of Portland, up hwy 30 a bit. It was raining out a bit, so I thought the perfect time to try them out.

Wet grip? Outstanding. Very predictable, great on-center feel. They feel heavier than the AS tires, but I think that's just the increased level of grip and being so quiet. Dry grip? Got a chance to try that this weekend a bit. Again, outstanding. Did I mention they're quiet? Yeah, my MINI has never had it this good. Dry grip was great, I'd say this compares very well with the DW, but the PSS is quieter by far.

I plan on rotating every 2K to make sure I get the most out of them that I can as I tend to drive pretty aggressively when I do drive =)

Updates to come.

 

Tire Rack Consumer Review of the Firestone Destination LE 2

Monday, April 29, 2013 by Tire Rack Consumer Reviews

The following post was created from content submitted via Tire Rack's consumer surveys. Information shown is the opinion of the consumer and meant to be used for comparison shopping purposes.

Firestone Destination LE 2 Reviewer's Overall Rating: 9.86
 
 

2010 Mazda CX-7 s
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Miles driven on tires: 1,000
Location: Fort Hood, TX
Driving Condition: Spirited

Initial Review, 1,000 Miles on Tires
March 30, 2013

Just replaced the original tires (Bridgestone Dueler H/L) which only had 30,000 miles on. I would not recommend the Duelers, they were loud on the highway and tread life was terrible. I did a lot of research and the Firestone Dest. LE2 were the logical choice. Handling, noise level on the highway, and ride were noticeably better. At 70+ mph, we can actually have a conversation in the vehicle now without yelling. Highly recommend these tires and they are $40 each cheaper than buying the Bridgestone Duelers again.

 

Tire Rack Consumer Review of the Bridgestone Potenza RE760 Sport

Monday, April 29, 2013 by Tire Rack Consumer Reviews

The following post was created from content submitted via Tire Rack's consumer surveys. Information shown is the opinion of the consumer and meant to be used for comparison shopping purposes.

Bridgestone Potenza RE760 Sport Reviewer's Overall Rating: 9
 
 

2008 Mazda MAZDA6 5-Door
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Miles driven on tires: 600
Location: Cranberry Township, PA
Driving Condition: Spirited

Initial Review, 600 Miles on Tires
April 22, 2013

Just got through the break-in miles, so this is an early review. These replaced Continental DW tires (30,000 miles, over three years) that became very noisy after 15,000 miles. The Bridgestones are incredibly quiet and smooth-riding - much nicer than the OEM Michelins, my prior summer tire, the Conti DW (when new), or my other set of aftermarket rubber, Michelin Pilot Alpin PA3 winter tires. Until the mold release compound wore off, they felt uneasy on the highway, but now they're much better at tracking straight at speed. They respond faster to steering corrections than the Conti DW. (The DW in this size are 2009 production, and I didn't want to get old stock.)

 

Tire Rack Consumer Review of the Michelin Defender

Monday, April 29, 2013 by Tire Rack Consumer Reviews

The following post was created from content submitted via Tire Rack's consumer surveys. Information shown is the opinion of the consumer and meant to be used for comparison shopping purposes.

Michelin Defender Reviewer's Overall Rating: 8.43
 
 

2006 Nissan Altima 2.5 S
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Miles driven on tires: 500
Location: Browns Point, WA
Driving Condition: Average

Initial Review, 500 Miles on Tires
April 18, 2013

First I'll admit - I've had terrible experience with Michelin tires in the past. For this vehicle, I wanted to purchase the Bridgestone Serentity Plus tires, but are hard to locate. So with that said, the Defenders were purchased based on research and input from the reviews. I've had a real surprise with these tires so for with the mileage increasing. I keep a log of every tank of gas and track mpg with all my vehicles since the first day of vehicle purchase. As of right now I am averaging 12-18% increase in mpg with these tires. Very interesting to see my 2006 Altima log a range of 31 to 33 mpg with the Michelin tires. (70% freeway 30% city)