Tire Rack is truly your one-stop shop for your vehicle's tires and wheels. With a wide selection to choose from, our website is tailored to help you make the best choice to fit your specific needs, however the service doesn't stop there. At Tire Rack, we know that a reasonably priced, quality installation is needed to make your tire buying experience complete. Buying tires and getting them installed is as easy as a few key strokes.
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Use our extensive website to research the tire which most suits your needs at a price you can afford. We have a large amount of customer reviews, survey results and test results to help make your decision easier.
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Once you have chosen the perfect tire, you can elect to have the tires shipped directly to one of our 8,000+ Recommended Installers. If you'd like to see the list of installers before checkout you can click on the installation tab at the top or bottom of our home page. Once you have entered your zip code, a complete list of your nearest installers, as well as their pricing will be displayed. And, as always, you have the option to ship to your own mechanic or even to your home.
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Next, contact the installer and set up an installation time that's convenient for you.
Get started finding the right tire for your car or truck by shopping by vehicle.
The Yokohama AVID Ascend is the newest addition to the BluEarth line of ecologically friendly tires from Yokohama. AVID Ascend tires feature the "orange oil difference." Yokohama has become the first company to harness the power of orange oil technology in tire production. Orange oil properties allow it to bond natural and synthetic rubber to make a more advanced compound.
Advanced compounds offer benefits in treadlife, fuel efficiency and all-season capabilities. Most notable is the orange oil used as a renewable resource unlike the petroleum based products most other manufacturers use. The properties of the orange oil have allowed Yokohama to engineer a product that can make strides in better rolling resistance and not sacrifice treadlife or traction in all seasons and helps conserve our natural resources by saving on fuel costs.
The AVID Ascend's orange oil compound ensures pliability of the tire across all seasonal temperatures and features adaptive 3-D sipes that become even more aggressive as the tire wears - providing superior winter traction throughout the life of the tire.
The Yokohama AVID Ascend is offered in three speed ratings with great mileage warranties:
Shop by vehicle to see if there's a Yokohama AVID Ascend tire that's right for you.
Michelin's new Defender aims to replace two of Michelin's most successful tires: the Harmony and HydroEdge with Green X. The Harmony, as its name describes, has long been one of the most comfortable and quietest tires offered. And the HydroEdge with Green X is one of the most successful tires in the Michelin line-up for its wet traction and long treadwear.
Michelin sought to combine the success of each of these tires into one complete package. Defender tires offer the smooth, quiet ride and proven winter traction of the Harmony with the 90,000-mile treadlife warranty and superior wet traction of the HydroEdge with Green X. This tire also meets Michelin's Green X objectives, which provides less rolling resistance and saves you money on fuel cost.
When compared to the Harmony, the Defender offers 22% better rolling resistance and 16% shorter wet braking. And compared to the HydroEdge with Green X, the tire provides 10% lower noise along with 15% better snow performance. Defender tires feature IntelliSipe Technology that increases the number of sipes in the tire's tread design to provide additional biting edges that enhance all-season traction in rain and snow.
IntelliSipe Technology enhances performance in three ways:
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Helps stabilize the tread block during acceleration, braking and cornering.
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Increases the number of sipes on the tread, which results in greater grip for confident braking.
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Interlocking action that creates a more rigid tread block and reduces tread depth without sacrificing longevity or fuel efficiency.
Shop by vehicle to see if there's a new Michelin Defender tire available for your vehicle.
The biggest complaint most drivers have about their current brake pads is dust. We've all been there before with the black, greasy looking build-up on our wheels. The build-up occurs most dramatically in the front as that's where the majority of a vehicle's stopping power is generated.
All brake pads will produce dust as they wear, however there are some pad materials that create a less noticeable mark on the wheel. A newer form of friction material, called ceramic composite, will create a light-colored dust that's much less noticeable and is less likely to stick to your wheels. Ceramic pads are also quieter and easier on the brake rotors and can extend brake life beyond a semi-metallic pad. If you would like to make a switch to ceramic composite pads some good choices would be the Hawk Performance Ceramic, Centric Posi Quiet Ceramic, Satisfied Pro Ceramic VS, Akebono Euro Ceramic and Akebono ProACT Ceramic.
A ceramic pad meets or exceeds all Original Equipment standards for stopping distance, but isn't usually an upgrade in actual stopping power. If you have a track vehicle or are specifically looking to increase braking power, a semi-metallic pad would be a better choice. Semi-metallic pads will sacrifice the noise, durability and cosmetic improvements of the ceramic composite to increase stopping power.
To learn more about how ceramic pads can help with brake-generated noise and dust, read "Why Ceramic Brake Pads?"
Hoosier A6 and R6 Track & Competition DOT tires have proven themselves to be at the pinnacle of racing performance, but many autocross drivers don't know which one best suits their needs. There are some overlapping qualities between the two, however these tires are purpose-built for two different functions.
Hoosier A6 tires are intended to be used as autocross tires. The science behind this function is the very soft rubber compound. The tire has a lower operating temperature for maximum traction. Many autocross events are too short of a course to get a typical race tire up to its optimal race temperature, therefore if the tire is too cold you'll never get the best grip the tire can offer. A downside is that the treadlife is lower on the A6 when compared to the R6. However, if you want the quickest lap times at the autocross course, the A6 is definitely the tire that can deliver.
R6 tires are designed for drivers who compete in road racing where there's longer road courses or lapping days over a longer period of time than an autocross event. R6 tires use a harder rubber compound which takes more time to build up heat to reach its optimal operating temperature. Harder rubber compound also offers a longer treadlife.
The Hoosier R6 is also seen on many autocross courses and is still appropriate for use at these events. Many racers like this tire for autocross because they'll get much more racing time on their tire. However, if these tires are raced cold, racers will be sacrificing maximum grip for treadlife. It's recommended to run these tires hotter for autocross than the Hoosier A6 to maintain better traction.
Both tires will benefit from the Tire Rack Heat Cycling Service and it can be added to your order for $15 per tire.
Choosing the proper brake rotor is determined by the vehicle you drive and how you drive it. The majority of vehicles produced will have solid vented rotors. However, some high-performance vehicles like BMW, Mercedes-Benz and Audi are built with slotted or cross-drilled rotors, which are also vented.
If you were happy with your stock rotor's performance and stopping power, then direct O.E. replacements such as Centric Plain 120 Series Rotors , Centric High Carbon Plain 125 Series Rotors or Brembo Replacement Rotors would be a good choice.
Vehicles built from the factory with solid vented rotors may cause you to be unhappy with the stopping power, in that case, you may benefit from an upgraded rotor. Additionally, if you would classify yourself as a more spirited or aggressive driver I would recommend upgrading your rotors. The most common upgrade is replacing your solid rotors with either slotted or drilled rotors.
Under high heat and heavy stopping conditions, the rotor actually gets so hot that when the brake pads and rotors make initial contact, the pads release exhaust gases from road grime, water and overheating. The small air bubbles that form between the pad and rotor contribute to a spongy pedal feel. The slotting or drilling of brake rotors gives those gases a quiet way to escape; thus allowing the pad to make quicker contact with the rotor and provide you a stiffer and more precise pedal feel. Upgrades would include Brembo rotors such as the Sport Drilled and Sport Slotted, StopTech's SportStop Drilled Rotor, DBA's 4000 Series T3 Rotor and 5000 Series T3 2-Piece Rotor and Power Slot's Power Slot Rotor.
Whether you're looking for Brembo brake rotors or another brand, you can shop by vehicle to find the replacement option that's right for your application.
Upgrading a vehicle's braking system is one of the easiest ways to increase driving performance and decrease lap times for any track event. The most common mindset a driver has is: "I need to make my track car go faster," but top-speed or acceleration is only half of the battle. Just because a track car is the fastest doesn't mean it'll finish first.
The fastest car on the track will get you from corner to corner faster, but if the braking system is lacking in power the driver will need to brake sooner and for longer than a slower competitor with an upgraded braking system. Therefore, while you may be blazing by competitors on the straight-aways or make up time in between turns in an autocross event, the car with the better stopping power can carry a higher speed for longer into a turn, thus decreasing overall lap times. Decelerating is just as important to a track car as accelerating.
The easiest way to upgrade the braking system on any track car is to switch to a dedicated track only pad. These pads are not intended for street use as the friction material is too aggressive for everyday use, creating more brake dust and noise than your typical brake pad. However, they provide an unparalleled amount of stopping power that no street pad can match.
For lower speed autocross events and casual lapping days, Hawk has the Blue 9012 Track Only Pads and slightly less aggressive Black Track Only Pads. If you'll be autocrossing, lapping or road racing at higher speeds then consider the Hawk HT-10, DTC70, HT-14 and DTC60 pads.
Find brake pads online for your track vehicle when you shop by vehicle.
The first run of a competition tire's life is the most important. If we look at tire construction from a microscopic level the tire is made up of many weak and strong molecular bonds. During any run a tire will stretch and flex which breaks the weaker bonds and generates heat. However, if you take your new tires that have never been driven on to the track and push them too hard and too long, you'll also break some of those stronger bonds. Breaking down these stronger bonds compromises the tire's ultimate grip.
In order to get the most life and best traction from your competition tires it's recommended to heat cycle them before competitive use. Tire Rack uses a heat cycling process which puts an inflated tire between rollers and applies pressure while the tire is brought up to speed. The natural deflection of the tire will build up heat within the tire's normal operating range. There's no artificial heat needed. The roller process allows the most even heat distribution across the entire tread of the tire which gives a more precise heat cycle than can be attained on the track.
Once the proper temperature is confirmed with a pyrometer, the tire is stamped to designate it's been "Tire Rack Heat Cycled." It's recommended that the tire not be driven on for 24-48 hours after heat cycling so the bonds broken during the process can reform in a more uniformed and stronger orientation. Hoosier racing tires, as well as competition tires from Yokohama and Kumho should be heat cycled before they're used in competition.
Tire Rack's heat cycling service can be added to your order for $15 per tire. Take a look at our competition tires to see how Tire Rack can help you have a more successful racing season.
The JEEP name is synonymous with off-road capability and the Wrangler Rubicon has been the pinnacle of the brand's off-road prowess with upgraded suspension, gearing and tires. JEEP chose the BFGoodrich Mud-Terrain T/A KM as the standard equipment tire for the Rubicon models because of the tire's aggressive style and off-road capability. The Rubicon is one of only a handful of vehicles with factory-installed Off-Road Maximum Traction tires.
While the BFGoodrich Mud-Terrain T/A KM has a track record of off-road performance, BFGoodrich has introduced their newest Off-Road Maximum Traction tire, the Mud-Terrain T/A KM2. This new tire offers the same off-road capability as its predecessor but has enhanced ride comfort and lower road noise. The sidewall structure has been strengthened to be more cut- and chip-resistant and is 33% stronger than the original KM tire. This new deep self-cleaning tread design also incorporates a more elastic rubber compound to better conform to obstacles off-road.
If you're looking to increase your vehicle's off-road capability or have the rugged look of the JEEP Wrangler Rubicon, the BFGoodrich Mud-Terrain T/A KM2 may be the tire for you.
Choosing the best tire is one of the most important factors of a successful autocross season. Racers spend lots of time and energy in extracting every ounce of horsepower and torque from their engine, and sometimes forget that all of this power is useless unless it can be effectively transferred to the track. There are four small patches of rubber that play the most important role in determining your vehicle's level of performance.
There are two distinct groups of autocross tires. The first group is made up of dedicated track tires that are D.O.T. approved, but are never intended for street use. Drivers using these tires want maximum dry grip and will have separate wheels to install at the track. I believe the best tires in the Track & Competition DOT category are the Hoosier A6, Hankook Ventus Z214 and Kumho Ecsta V710.
The second group of tires is for the autocrosser who's willing to sacrifice some dry grip in order to have a tire they can drive to and from the track. In the Extreme Performance Summer category I like the Bridgestone Potenza RE-11, Dunlop Direzza Sport Z1 Star Spec and Hankook Ventus R-S3.
I think these tires are the best choices in each group because of their dry traction and steering response are some the highest rated by customers who have used the tires. Unlike shopping for any other tire, these are the two most important attributes to an autocross tire. Anything else like ride comfort or road noise is ancillary to your autocross needs.
Whether you're looking for Hoosier tires for sale, Hankook reviews or to buy Dunlop tires, our website offers you everything you need to have the best autocross season!
The most important factor to consider in wet weather traction is tread depth. Even though their tires are not legally worn out, many drivers don't realize they may be below adequate tread depth to properly function in wet weather conditions. A tire is officially worn out when it reaches 2/32" of remaining tread depth, but after 4/32" of remaining tread depth your tires are recommended for dry roads only.
Hydroplaning occurs when a wedge of water lifts the tire from the road, creating a potentially dangerous situation. Hydroplaning is most frequent with heavy rain or high speed in wet conditions. It's the tires job to evacuate water quickly and efficiently to maintain contact with the road at all times. If your tires don't have sufficient tread depth the channels that evacuate water from underneath the tread will not be large enough to resist the wedge of water from building.
The tread design itself also plays an important role in wet weather traction. The directional tread design, also known as unidirectional tread, is one of the most efficient designs for water evacuation. Most directional tires have a V-shape tread pattern which can more easily push water from underneath the tire when compared to a typical ribbed tread design.
If you're looking for a safer wet-weather driving tire for your performance sedan or coupe, like a BMW 3 Series, the Bridgestone Potenza RE970AS Pole Position is my choice. If you have a touring sedan like the Toyota Camry I would recommend the Goodyear Assurance TripleTred All-Season, while the Yokohama Parada Spec-X would be a preferred choice for an SUV like the Ford Edge.
Shop by vehicle to find the tire that'll be best in wet weather conditions for your vehicle.
Many vehicles are offered with optional sport packages which usually include upgrades to the engine, wheels, tires and braking system. When replacing your current rotors be sure you're getting the same level of performance from your new rotors. Centric takes the guess work out of purchasing Original Equipment replacement rotors.
If you own a performance vehicle like the Audi RS4, Porsche 911, Corvette or BMW M3 that came with factory cross-drilled and vented rotors, the Centric Plain 120 Series Rotors will be made to the exact specifications.
Plain 120 Series Rotors feature a layer of Electrocoating that provides long lasting corrosion protection. The black Electrocoating is applied to the entire rotor with the exception of the braking surface which gives a more attractive rust-free appearance when compared to your Original Equipment rotors.
Centric also offers value-added benefits such as balancing, split castings for better heat transfer and a double disc ground braking surface for a non-directional friction area.
When looking for brakes online, be sure to shop by vehicle.
Many SUVs today are built using a car-based platform with an emphasis on spectacular ride quality and a tranquil cabin. The SUV has evolved into the ultimate multi-tasker, providing a car-like ride with truck-like capabilities. Why not choose a tire that offers the same? Crossover/SUV Touring All-Season tires are built to complement the ride and ruggedness of today's SUVs. This specific category of tires was developed to retain the car-like ride and noise level you expect for your SUV, while providing better stability and light off-road use for a truck.
Some of the leaders in the Crossover/SUV Touring All-Season category are the Bridgestone Dueler H/L Alenza, Michelin Latitude Tour, and Continental CrossContact LX20 with Eco Plus Technology. These three tires are particularly known for their plush ride and excellent noise comfort. Their tread designs are also conducive for winter weather travel (light snow) and long treadwear associated with Highway All-Season tires.
Take a look at our Tire Survey Results and see what Crossover/SUV Touring All-Season tire may be the best choice for your SUV.
Most light trucks and truck-based SUVs made today are equipped for moderate off-road use, although few will ever venture off civilized roads to parts unknown. If a fresh blanket of snow on city streets is the closest your truck or SUV will get to an off-road adventure, a Highway All-Season tire may be most suited for your driving needs.
Highway All-Season tires provide a smoother, quieter ride compared to On-/Off-Road All-Terrain tires. The less aggressive tread pattern is optimized for on-road use and can typically provide longer tread life when compared to an all-terrain tire.
The Michelin LTX M/S 2, General Grabber HTS and Yokohama Geolandar H/T-S G051 are a few of our most popular and capable Highway All-Season tires. The Michelin LTX M/S 2 has been synonymous with long wear as most customers I speak to say, "it wears like iron." The General Grabber HTS has an astute ability to handle wet conditions and is usually a top pick in rainy areas. The Yokohama Geolandar H/T-S G051 is a tire I have used myself on a light truck. The key attributes that attracted me to this tire were the ability to provide great traction in all conditions and long tread life at a great price.
Review our Tire Survey Results to see how a Highway All-Season tire can enhance your light truck or truck-based SUV.
There's an astounding amount of choices when it comes to
Max Performance Summer tires. The most difficult part of shopping for a performance tire has always been choosing a tire with the best grip in dry and wet conditions without sacrificing tread life. Until now, you have always had to choose which quality was most important to your driving needs. The
Michelin Pilot Super Sport was designed to cease the battle between the very best grip and extended tread life.
During my time testing the tire, the performance on the track was outstanding. The dry road grip was at a level I rarely get to experience on our test track. It seemed that the tire was outperforming the test vehicles, no matter how hard the tires were pushed they always responded with a smooth, linear feel around curves.
Michelin offers this grip along with the industry's first 30,000 mile tread-life warranty on a Max Performance Summer tire. Which according to Michelin means the Pilot Super Sport lasts up to two times longer than it's leading competitors.
To view the full test results and video, check out "
Clash of the Titans: Testing Two New Max Performance Summer Heavy Hitters"
Many American tire consumers require a tire that can handle all road conditions from scorching hot asphalt to slick sheets of ice. The search for the perfect tire becomes even more difficult when drivers need the tire to provide high levels of performance at a value price. Looking to address this question, we took four of our most popular Ultra High Performance All-Season tires and tested which one could deliver the highest level of performance.
Included in the test were the
General G-MAX AS-03,
Hankook Ventus V4 ES H105,
Kumho Ecsta 4X, and
Yokohama AVID ENVigor (W). During my time testing the tires, I noticed the Kumho Ecsta 4X provided the best steering response and spirited driving ability. The Yokohama AVID ENVigor (W) gave the most sure-footed traction during wet conditions and was great at hydroplaning resistance. When it came to the quietest ride of the bunch, the Hankook Ventus V4 ES H105 stood out and did very well at absorbing the bumps in the road. The General G-MAX AS-03 gave very good wet driving ability, but most notably receives the highest praise from my customers as a great performer in light snow and on ice traction.
To review detailed results from this past summer's test, take a look at "
Testing Value-Priced Ultra High Performance All-Season Tires."
The
Bridgestone Potenza RE960AS Pole Position RFT is a replacement self-supporting run-flat tire for the sport coupe or performance sedan driver looking to enhance ride quality over their Original Equipment run-flat tires. This run-flat option offers the same extended mobility safety features of an Original Equipment run-flat tire, but it also tackles one of the shortcomings of having a self-supporting run-flat tire: ride comfort.
Until now, self-supporting run-flat tires have always been characterized as having a stiffer ride than a conventional tire. Bridgestone's Potenza RE960AS Pole Position RFT is designed to dramatically improve ride comfort while maintaining the security of a run-flat tire. Certain vehicles from BMW, Mercedes-Benz and MINI have run-flat tires as factory installed equipment, and in an effort to reduce vehicle weight, have not been equipped with a spare tire. The Bridgestone Potenza RE960AS Pole Position RFT will give drivers the dry and wet road performance they have come to expect from their vehicle while providing year-round drivability, including light snow conditions.
During a recent
road test, I had a chance to compare the Bridgestone Potenza RE960AS Pole Position RFT with other popular run-flat tires and felt this tire was superior and absorbed the bumps and variations in the road, while maintaining the quietest ride of the group. If your vehicle has factory installed run-flat tires and you're looking to enhance the ride comfort and cold weather capability, the Bridgestone Potenza RE960AS Pole Position RFT may be the right tire for you.
To see how run-flat tires can benefit your driving experience, read "
Run Flat Tires."
