Challenger Tires

The Jeep has been around for decades and is loved by many. It's easily one of the most modified vehicles on the road and has a very strong and enthusiastic group of owners. Many owners look to their tires as one of the modifications they want to make. Going with a larger and more aggressive tire is one of the most popular and easiest ways to customize your Jeep.

If you're looking for a tire that delivers traction in any direction on gravel roads and dirt trails, while also providing all-season versatility, take a look at tires that are good on and off the road. The first tire that comes to mind when I think of the Jeep is the BFGoodrich All -Terrain T/A KO. This tire seems like it's been around as long as the Jeep, and is easily the most popular tire for the Jeep. These two go together hand and hand, so to speak.

Are you looking to mix it up and go with more of a modern tire? Take a look at the Goodyear Wrangler DuraTrac. This On-/Off-Road Commercial Traction tire is really aggressive and is awesome for some serious off-road use. Branded with the mountain/snowflake symbol, the tire meets the industry's severe snow service standards and can also accept optional metal studs to enhance ice traction.

Another very popular option is the General Grabber AT 2. This tire is fairly aggressive and provides great on- and off-road manners at a more cost-effective price. Its internal structure includes twin steel belts on top of a two-ply polyester cord body to combine strength and durability with a quiet ride.

BFGoodrich All Terrain T/A KO

Goodyear Wrangler DuraTrac

General Grabber AT 2

What if you desire a super aggressive tire that can handle tough challenges such as muddy surfaces? Getting through mud is needed by most Jeep owners and tires in the Off-Road Maximum Traction category are the perfect option. 

Goodyear's Wrangler MT/R with Kevlar is designed to increase tire toughness when it conquers mud, crawls over rocks and explores trails, thus making it a top choice for rock climbers. The Kevlar helps stabilize the sidewalls when drivers return to the pavement for the ride home.

Another tire in the category worth considering is the BFGoodrich Mud-Terrain T/A KM2. This tire features open and deep lugs that will plow through any off-road condition. It features a cut- and chip-resistant sidewall compound and BFGoodrich's TriGard carcass (three-ply polyester construction) with sidewall cords that are up to 33 percent stronger than the previous Mud-Terrain T/A KM tire.

Firestone's Destination M/T uses UNI-T Technology to combine off-road traction with enhanced on-road capabilities. UNI-T is a combination of technologies that merge a comprehensive design with innovative manufacturing to enhance tire comfort, performance and wear.

Goodyear Wrangler MT/R with Kevlar

BFGoodrich Mud-Terrain T/A KM2

Firestone Destination M/T

Shop by vehicle to find the tire that's right for your Jeep.

Looking for an aggressive tire? Do your off-road challenges include deep mud, loose soil, slippery rocks and tough trails? If so, take a look at the options available in the Off-Road Maximum Traction category. These tires are super aggressive, with deep and open lug patterns. They are designed primarily for extreme off-road use, capable of ripping through the mud and dirt with total confidence.

These days the leader of the pack is the BFGoodrich Mud-Terrain T/A KM2. This off-road option is very popular with rock climbers. It's the second generation KM tire and features BFGoodrich's Krawler TEK sidewall and carcass. Krawler TEK consists of three components that include aggressive sidewall lugs, cut- and chip-resistant sidewall compounds and BFGoodrich's TriGard carcass (three-ply polyester construction) with sidewall cords that are up to 33 percent stronger than the previous Mud-Terrain T/A KM tire. BFGoodrich's Mud-Terrain T/A KM2 tires are branded with the M+S symbol and are able to churn through deep snow, their typical oversize applications and absence of snow-biting sipes in their large smooth lugs can challenge their on-road wintertime traction on packed snow and icy surfaces.

Another great tire to consider is the Firestone Destination M/T. This proven tire has been around for many years and simply gets the job done. The Destination M/T features a Long Link Carbon (a special form of molecular re-engineered carbon black) enhanced tread compound for improved wet performance and wear on the road while maintaining cut, tear and abrasion resistance off the road. Currently ranked second in our Tire Survey Results, the Firestone Destination M/T receives high marks for its dry, light snow and wet traction capabilities.

BFGoodrich Mud-Terrain T/A KM2

Firestone Destination M/T

Dunlop Radial Mud Rover

Rounding out this group is the Dunlop Radial Mud Rover. This tire has been very popular with the off-road crowd for many years and features a serviceable and self-cleaning lug pattern that handles most off-road elements. The tire's internal structure includes six full plies under the tread (2 nylon, 2 steel and 2 polyester) to improve overall durability. Then the two-ply polyester sidewalls feature high ply turn-ups to enhance lower sidewall toughness and handling.

All three tires have been well received by consumers and evidence is in the comments they've made about their experience with them:

"These tires are amazing off-road and will take anything I throw at them. They are really good on the road as well. Overall, I am very pleased with the BFGoodrich Mud-Terrain T/A KM2 and will be buying five more when these wear out." -- Tire Rack Consumer Review, 2008 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Rubicon (BFGoodrich Mud-Terrain T/A KM2)

"I have driven in some of the most difficult conditions with these tires and they have never let me down! I can't say enough good things about these tires. Well worth the money and I have no reluctance to buy another set. If you drive in the mud or on the highway, these tires are just the ticket. Two big thumbs up from me." -- Tire Rack Consumer Review, 1996 Ford F150 4wd Pick-up (Firestone Destination M/T)

"I have driven these tires everywhere - through mud, snow, deep water and on ice. Best bang for my buck! I will definitely buy these tires again." -- Tire Rack Consumer Review, 1992 GMC Sonoma 4x4 (Dunlop Radial Mud Rover)

Recently, I had an inquiry from a client about his wife's 2010 Jeep Patriot. The Sport trim level has a 16" wheel, while the Limited model is equipped with a 17" wheel. In this case, we were working with the more difficult 205/70R16 - one of the Sport's Original Equipment sizes. The platform sharing Jeep Compass and Dodge Caliber can use the 205/70R16 size, but it isn't an O.E. size. It didn't take me long to realize we were going to be looking for an alternate size for this particular customer. He wanted to to get away from the Goodyear Eagle LS-2 (O.E. tire), which regrettably is not highly rated in our survey results. 

I recommended the alternate size of 215/65R16 as it's just under a 1/2" wider and about a 1/3" shorter. This size will fit the Jeep correctly on the factory wheel. Below are a few of the popular tires in this size.

General AltiMAX HP

Goodyear Assurance ComforTred Touring

Michelin Defender

General's AltiMAX HP was developed to be a smarter tire for smarter drivers by addressing many of the treadwear quality and year-round traction challenges faced by today's drivers. With over 23 million miles reported from customers, this tire is highly rated and excels in road manners and stability.

Goodyear's Assurance ComforTred Touring combines looks, ride comfort and long wear with all-season traction, even in light snow. This tire has been available for a couple years and is proving to be an all-around winner. Currently ranked second in its category, we have found this to be a quiet tire with good handling characteristics.

The newer Michelin Defender enhances fuel economy by meeting Michelin's Green-X low rolling resistance objectives, while delivering extra long wear, comfortable driving characteristics and all-season traction in dry, wet and wintry conditions, even in light snow. The tire that has made some impressions so far as it tied for first in our testing this summer. We liked the tire's responsive handling in dry conditions. For complete results of our tests, take a look at "Testing Passenger and Touring All-Season Tires."

To view all 215/65R16 options, shop by size.

Many drivers struggle with finding an adequate tire for their performance vehicle. Finding good traction in the wet and dry, while maintaining reasonable levels of snow performance has been the holy grail for engineers to build and consumers to buy.

Tire Rack has been performing wet and dry testing, as well as our road rides for years. We've also been able to test in the snow and on the ice. While testing four Ultra High Performance All-Seasons (Bridgestone Potenza RE970AS Pole Position, Continental ExtremeContact DWS, Michelin Pilot Sport A/S Plus and Pirelli P Zero Nero All Season) in winter conditions, the Michelin posted the best acceleration in snow and on ice and tied for first in braking on the ice. This portion of the results were measured with traction control engaged. Interestingly, our testers preferred the Continental and Pirelli entries during the subjective portion, however they were run without the traction control engaged. 

Michelin Pilot Sport A/S Plus

Pirelli P Zero Nero All Season

Continental ExtremeContact DWS

If your vehicle has traction control and you leave it engaged during winter, then the Michelin Pilot Sport A/S Plus is the way to go. If you're driving without traction control, then my recommendation would be the Pirelli P Zero Nero All Season. I prefer the better responsiveness of the Pirelli over the Continental on wet and dry roads. Regrettably, while the RE970AS Pole Position was very good in our summer testing, it disappointed during the snow traction and handling portion. It felt rather slippery and proved much more challenging to get and keep moving around the course.

For a complete recap of our tests, take a look at "Testing Bridgestone's Potenza RE970AS Pole Position Ultra High Performance All-Season Tire."

Many drivers have decided to purchase a set of four winter / snow tires this season. Why? So they no longer have to dread driving in winter conditions! When selecting your new set of snow tires, make sure to get the right choice for your driving style and the climate where you reside.

If you live in an area that doesn't see much snow during the winter, and you like to drive and corner fast on cold, dry roads, then consider an H-rated or V-rated Performance Winter / Snow tire such as the Bridgestone Blizzak LM-60, Dunlop SP Winter Sport 3D or Michelin Pilot Alpin PA3. Tires in this category are designed to enhance dry road handling and trade some snow and ice traction to get it. Available in many of the low profile sizes used as Original Equipment on sporty imported and domestic cars, Performance Winter / Snow tires are branded with the mountain/snowflake symbol.

You may want to look into a Studless Ice & Snow tire like the Bridgestone Blizzak WS70, Michelin X-Ice Xi2 and Continental ExtremeWinterContact if one or more of the following are true about how and where you drive:

• You live in an area that gets heavy and/or lake effect snow
• You are often driving on packed snow and ice
• You are willing to give up some dry grip and steering response for maximum winter traction
• You require more confidence when driving in winter conditions

Choosing between Performance Winter / Snow tires and the more aggressive Studless Ice & Snow may be difficult for some. The decision is a personal choice of what you're willing to trade - snow traction or dry road handling. If you're still unsure, I'd suggest going with the option with better snow and ice traction. Keep in mind that driving on dry roads is easier, it's when roads are covered with snow and/or ice that the situation gets more challenging. 

Search by vehicle to find the tire that's right for you to handle winter conditions.

Driving on ice is usually the most hazardous road condition that we experience. Road speeds that feel safe and cautious can suddenly feel wildly out of control when trying to stop or turn. Getting started on a moderate incline can even prove next to impossible. 

Each year we simulate these challenging conditions by conducting acceleration, braking and cornering tests at a local ice rink. We outfitted each of our four test cars with one of the leading contenders from the Studless Ice & Snow performance category and measured their capabilities of handling icy conditions.

The reigning champion was Bridgestone's Blizzak WS70 and the tire was still impressive in this year's test. However, the Michelin X-Ice Xi3 provided a strong challenge. During testing, the X-Ice Xi3 had the best acceleration, while the Blizzak WS70 felt the most stable in cornering. When it came to braking, the Bridgestone winter tire had a slight edge. And finally, Michelin's option exhibited slightly better road manners than the rest of the competitors.

Two other tires were a part of our test, the Continental ExtremeWinterContact and Goodyear's Ultra Grip Ice WRT.  Continental's ExtremeWinterContact was a very good performer, but was slightly behind the leaders. When it came to the Goodyear UltraGrip Ice WRT, it lagged slightly behind the group in ice performance, though still offering greatly superior traction to anything you'll find in an all-season tire. Before you make your final decision read "Testing the Newest Studless Ice & Snow Winter Tires" for complete results of our testing.

If you live in an area where you will experience icy conditions, consider a Studless Ice & Snow tire. The level of confidence they provide on ice is unparalleled. Do you still have doubts that options from this category can't compete with a studded tire? Then check out this eye-opening test, I had to experience it to believe it. 

100 meters in 9.63 seconds, that was Usain Bolt's winning time at the 2012 Olympics. This is approximately 1.2 seconds faster than the winning time in 1912. How did we become this much faster in 100 years? Well, competition definitely played a part. The better the competition, the harder athletes work to reach the top. Just like athletes, tire manufacturers are constantly challenging one another. They're always looking for ways to improve grip, efficiency, ride compliance, tread noise, treadwear and a myriad of other traits.

Recently, we tested some new competitors in the Grand Touring All-Season class. We compared the Bridgestone Turanza Serenity Plus (replacement for the Turanza Serenity), Yokohama AVID Ascend (H- or V-Speed Rated), Continental PureContact with EcoPlus Technology, along with Michelin's Primacy MXV4.

All four tires offer good ride compliance and low tread noise, however we noticed variations in the wet grip portion of our testing. The new Continental PureContact with EcoPlus Technology excelled on the wet track. It stopped 8 feet shorter than the second place finish of the Bridgestone Turanza Serenity Plus. Overall, the tire bested its competitors across the board in wet cornering grip, slalom time and wet lap time.

I view wet traction as the most important differentiator between average and great tires. Most tires are competent enough in the dry so that dry grip variances aren't felt in day-to-day use. Wet grip differences will be noticeable as a less effective tire slips and spins on wet surfaces.

Given its stellar wet performance, I feel that the Continental PureContact with EcoPlus Technology is our best Grand Touring All-Season tire. Although our official test report found the PureContact somewhat lacking in ride compliance, I personally didn't feel a significant deficiency during my time testing the tire. The bottom line is that the tire is a great choice in a very competitive field.

To see how our testing of these tires went this summer, watch "Testing Grand Touring All-Season Tires."

For most of our customers, a smooth, comfortable ride is mandatory when considering a replacement tire. In a recent test of four Grand Touring All-Seaon tires, the Bridgestone Turanza Serenity Plus proved to be the best in a very competitive field. It just edged out the winner of the last test, Michelin's Primacy MXV4.

Testing options from Bridgestone, Continental, Michelin and Yokohama, we put each model through a series of tests on our Real World Road Ride and on-site test track to determine each tire's strengths.

One of the primary requirements of a Grand Touring All-Season tires is ride quality, and the Michelin Primacy MXV4 held a slight edge over the Bridgestone Turanza Serenity Plus during our Real World Road Ride, especially over rough roads. The Continental PureContact with EcoPlus Technology was close behind, with the Yokohama AVID Ascend falling just short of the others when encountering larger impacts.

On our track, we can take tires right to the edge of their capabilities to simulate emergency lane changes and other situations where traction (both in wet and dry) is paramount. In the dry, both the Bridgestone and the Michelin were nearly identical, with the overall score duplicating our Road Ride results. In the wet, the Continental edged its way to the top by exhibiting superior traction and stability over the Turanza Serenity Plus and Primacy MXV4. Thorough all the challenges, all four tires proved to be very closely matched with just subtle variations in ability.

In the end, the tires finished in the following order:

1. Bridgestone Turanza Serenity Plus
2. Michelin Primacy MXV4
3. Continental PureContact with EcoPlus Technology
4. Yokohama AVID Ascend (H- or V-Speed Rated)

All four models are worthy of consideration when it comes time to buy new tires. For complete results of our test, take a look at "Testing Grand Touring All-Season Tires."

The Porsche 911 is one of the most sophisticated and fun to drive vehicles on the road today. Many passionate drivers can't imagine putting their 911 in the garage for the winter and with the right equipment the thrill of the Porsche 911 doesn't need to end just because winter has arrived.

Tire Rack offers a wide array of products tailored to the Porsche lineup, like N-Spec tires and winter wheels that'll accept Original Equipment Porsche center caps. The fitment data for each particular model of vehicle will allow you to determine if you can minus size in the winter time. For example, some Porsche 911 (997) models came with 19" wheels, you can save money and have a smoother ride by switching to 18" wheels and tires. For additional information on how selecting a smaller diameter wheel may benefit your winter driving this year, read "Size Selection of Winter / Snow Tires."

When looking for a Winter / Snow Tire & Wheel Package for a '12 Porsche 911 Carrera Coupe (997 chassis), I would recommend the Pirelli Winter Sottozero Serie II tire in a 235/40R18 for the front and 265/40R18 for the rear mounted to Sport Edition Cup 4 wheels in either a silver painted or black painted finish. Tire pressure monitors can also be added for an additional $97*/wheel. Sport Edition Cup 4 wheels can accept your O.E. Porsche center caps or you can purchase replacements for $49*/each.

Pirelli Winter Sottozero Serie II

Sport Edition Cup 4 Silver Painted

Sport Edition Cup 4 Black Painted

After purchasing a set of these tires and wheels, you can be sure the fun of driving your Porsche 911 will continue even after the snow has fallen. The Winter Sottozero Serie II is Pirelli's second-generation Performance Winter / Snow tire developed for drivers of premium, high performance vehicles facing challenging wintertime road conditions. Designed not just as a winter / snow tire, but as a seasonal tire suitable for the weather and road conditions typically experienced in parts of the U.S. between November and April, the Winter Sottozero Serie II provides traction and handling in cold, dry, wet and wintry conditions.

Shop by vehicle to find the right Winter / Snow Tire & Wheel Package for your Porsche.

*Prices subject to change