Many tire buyers know Goodyear and Michelin as two nameplates synonymous with quality, but it can be difficult to compare these premium brands head to head. The Goodyear Assurance ComforTred Touring and Michelin Primacy MXV4 are one such case as both tires are considered benchmarks of being the smoothest, quietest and longest wearing Grand Touring All-Season tires on the market today. Choosing between the two can be a daunting task. Both the options have been perennial favorites among our customers.
The Assurance ComforTred Touring features a mildly asymmetric tread design that combines independent shoulder blocks with notched intermediate and center ribs to blend dry and wet road traction and handling. Four wide circumferential grooves evacuate water from under the tread to enhance wet traction while the tread grooves, notches and sipes form biting edges that deliver all-season traction in light snow.
Its internal construction includes a super shock absorbent Comfort Layer of rubber sandwiched between the tread and steel belts (that provides on average, 20% more cushion than standard auto tires) to insulate vibration and impacts with expansion joints, potholes and bumps. The tire also features Goodyear's dual-layer ComfortEdge sidewall to provide a balance of ride comfort and handling.
Primacy MXV4 tires feature an all-season tread compound molded into a symmetric design that combines notched shoulders, independent intermediate tread blocks and continuous center ribs. Michelin's Active Sipes alternately lock together and open as needed to provide increased biting edges that grip the road to provide all-season handling, especially in rain and snow.
Advanced MaxTouch Construction results in a tuned footprint shape that allows for long-lasting, even treadwear while their Comfort Control Technology uses computer-optimized design and precision manufacturing to reduce vibrations and road noise to deliver a comfortable ride. The tire's internal structure includes twin steel belts reinforced with Michelin's BAZ Technology (spirally wrapped polyamide, Banded At Zero degrees) to reinforce the Primacy MXV4's twin steel belts and provide high-speed durability while enhancing ride comfort.
In our most recent Tire Test Results, we said the Assurance ComforTred Touring was, "A good choice for drivers wanting to blend responsive handling with good road manners" and the Primacy MXV4 was, "A Grand Touring All-Season tire that is a pleasure to drive every day." Before you decide between a Goodyear or Michelin tire, be sure to view our Tire Test Results, Tire Survey Results and Tire Reviews on both tires to see which one will best suit your driving needs.
The introduction of a new wheel design by Enkei is always an event among car enthusiasts. And, the Kojin and Tenjin are no exception. Enkei Tuning Series wheels are a perennial favorite among those looking to upgrade the performance and look of their vehicle with an option that's lightweight, strong and stylish.
The Enkei Tuning Series Kojin takes the traditional five-spoke design and adds just the right contours to give it an aggressive tuner look without being too loud. Enkei Tuning Series' Tenjin is the latest addition to the Enkei lightweight tuning line. In keeping with Enkei’s design philosophy, the Tenjin exhibits nine spokes carefully designed to achieve ultra high rigidity while maintaining low weight and style.
Both the Kojin and Tenjin are built using Enkei's state-of-the-art MAT Technology and SPEC-E wheel testing:
MAT Technology
Enkei developed a manufacturing process to produce the next aluminum wheel generation. The Most Advanced Technology (M.A.T.) combines one-piece cast wheel technology with a rim forming technology called spinning process. Using this new technology of casting and rim forming by MAT process is critical to improve the material property and strength of the wheels. Rim-Rolled technology shapes the rim to improve material elongation without sacrificing the wheel's hardness.
SPEC-E
All Enkei wheels are engineered to pass rigorous testing. In fact, Enkei established its own test standard called “Spec-E,” which is tougher than JWL requirements. Enkei’s Spec-E test setting requires a higher drop point in the impact test and 20% more cycles for the rotary bending fatigue and dynamic radial fatigue tests than JWL standards. The Spec-E represents Enkei’s confidence in its technology and quality of their wheels.
One of the most common questions when purchasing wheels is: "What is wheel offset and how do I know which is right for my vehicle?" Tire Rack takes the guess work out of 
shopping for wheels. One simple trip to our Upgrade Garage will allow you to enter the year, make and model of your vehicle, and view wheels that properly fit your vehicle.
The offset of a wheel is the distance from its hub mounting surface to the centerline of the wheel. It can be one of three types (measured in millimeters): positive, negative or zero.
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Zero offset - The hub mounting surface is even with the centerline of the wheel.
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Positive - The hub mounting surface is toward the front or wheel side of the wheel. Positive offset wheels are generally found on front-wheel drive cars and newer rear-wheel drive models.
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Negative - The hub mounting surface is toward the back or brake side of the wheels centerline. "Deep dish" wheels are typically a negative offset.
If the offset of the wheel is not correct for the vehicle, the handling can be adversely affected. When the width of the wheel changes, the offset also changes numerically. Tire Rack has test fitted thousands of vehicles and our extensive database allows us to offer the proper fit for your vehicle.
To view the full list of wheels specifically offered for your car, shop by vehicle and upgrade the look of your vehicle with confidence.
WORX wheels are the newest addition to the Ultra line. Ultra also manufacturers Ultra Muscle, Ultra Motorsports Xtreme and Ultra Motorsports wheels. The WORX line of wheels are designed and manufactured as "Serious Truck Wheels" because all WORX wheels are covered by a lifetime structural warranty.
Located in Fullerton, California, WORX takes pride in its workmanship and offers unique styling with a healthy dose of attitude and attention to detail. Available to fit a broad range of light trucks and SUVs, the wheels are developed to accommodate most tire pressure monitoring systems (TPMS). WORX wheels are offered in different styles and finishes, such as chrome plated, black painted, black painted with spot milling and bright PVD.
The WORX 801 Triad has an aggressive look and unique three-spoke design. It's offered in 8-lug configurations for both single rear wheel and dually trucks. WORX 802 Havoc and 805 Tyrant wheels have a rugged off-road appearance with a simulated bead-lock look. The WORX 803 Beast has a more classic and clean looking design with six-split spokes.
To see which WORX wheels are available for your vehicle, shop by vehicle and upgrade the look of your truck or SUV today!
O.Z. Racing's Alleggerita HLT combines the perfect blend of style and functional performance to upgrade your car. The wheel is built using a state-of-the-art one-piece, low-pressure cast which has been shot peened and heat treated for strength and rigidity. It has a real F1 racing pedigree with the HLT manufacturing process. High Light Technology (HLT) is used in the manufacturing of select O.Z. Racing wheels and uses rollers to compress and elongate the material along the barrel of a low-pressure cast aluminum wheel to obtain the desired profile. This process, which is directly derived from O.Z. Racing's experience in F1, produces wheels that are extremely light and strong. The flow forming process and HLT technology combines to create mechanical characteristics similar to those of a forged wheel. This permits a dramatic reduction in wheel weight while enhancing structural rigidity versus a standard cast wheel.
Alleggerita HLT wheels are not only an instant bolt-on performance upgrade for the track or street, they're also an upgrade in style. The Alleggerita HLT is offered in nine different finish options, so it can make the right kind of style statement no matter what you drive. The paint options include:
Visit our Upgrade Garage to see if O.Z. Racing Alleggerita HLT wheels are available for your vehicle, and if they are, be sure to view the option that allows you to view them on your vehicle.
Porsche vehicles are known throughout the auto industry as one of the most highly engineered driving machines. Their engineers meticulously analyze every aspect of the vehicle's execution from weight savings and balance, all the way down to how the tires perform.
Porsche vehicles from 911 Carreras to Cayennes have tires that are specifically engineered for the vehicle through collaboration between tire manufacturers and Porsche themselves. Original Equipment Porsche tires are commonly referred to as N-Spec tires because the sidewall of the tire will be branded N0, N1, N2 or N3 and so on. The "N" is the designation for Porsche approved tires and the corresponding number identifies the version, with the higher number assigned to newer generations of the tire.
For instance, if you shop by vehicle and look at the 2011 Porsche 911 Carrera 4S Coupe, when you choose "View Original Equipment Tires" the website will display all of the tires that may have come on the vehicle as Original Equipment from Porsche. You will find on the list the Michelin Pilot Sport PS2 N2, Pirelli P Zero N2, Bridgestone Potenza RE050A N0, and Bridgestone Potenza RE050A N1.
For more information, read "Porsche N-Specification Tire Approvals."
In 1953, Chevrolet introduced America's first true sports car with the revolutionary sleek look of the Corvette. American's have been enamored with this vehicle ever since its humble beginnings when there was no manual transmission made that could handle its unbelievable 150hp. Things have changed since every model came with a two-speed Powerglide automatic transmission to the roaring 430hp V8 used in today's C6 models. Most current C6 Corvette (2005-2013) models are equipped with run-flat tires.
Frequently I hear from C6 Corvette owners: "What are the longest lasting run-flat tires?" Switching to an all-season rubber compound can significantly increase treadlife. For instance, the Max Performance Summer Michelin Pilot Sport PS2 ZP has a UTQG rating of 220, while the Ultra High Performance All-Season Michelin Pilot Sport A/S Plus ZP has a much higher UTQG rating of 500. Many C6 Corvette owners are willing to give up a bit of ultimate grip in order to switch to run-flat tires that can wear upwards of 30% longer. The two most popular Ultra High Performance All-Season run-flat replacement tires are the Michelin Pilot Sport A/S Plus ZP and Bridgestone Potenza RE960AS Pole Position RFT.
The Pilot Sport A/S Plus ZP (Zero Pressure) is the Ultra High Performance All-Season run-flat tire member of Michelin's Pilot family of low profile, high-speed tires. Developed in the Original Equipment sizes for Chevrolet Corvette C-5 and C-6 coupe and convertible sports cars, the Pilot Sport A/S Plus ZP is designed to temporarily support the weight of the car even after a loss of air pressure, as well as combine enhanced all-weather performance, wet grip and treadwear along with year-round traction, including in light snow.
Bridgestone's Potenza RE960AS Pole Position RFT tire is developed for drivers looking for enhanced ride quality and all-season traction for sports cars, sports coupes and performance sedans originally equipped with O.E. run-flat tires. It features Bridgestone 3G RFT Technology designed to offer almost the same riding comfort as conventional tires while providing temporary extended mobility for a distance of 50 miles at up to 50 mph even after a puncture has allowed complete air pressure loss. Potenza RE960AS Pole Position RFT tires provide year-round driving flexibility by offering predictable handling, traction and control on dry and wet roads.
When it's time to replace the tires on your Chevrolet C6 Corvette, be sure to shop by vehicle and view the list of longer wearing all-season run-flat tires.
An easy and inexpensive way to increase the performance and handling of your vehicle is to add lowering springs. By lowering the vehicle's center of gravity, you can reduce body roll in the turns, dive under braking and squat during acceleration. Eibach offers two different kits, the Pro-Kit Spring Set for performance street use and the more aggressive Sportline Spring Set for autocross and track use.
A key to choosing the one best suited for your needs is the amount of drop the kit can provide. The lower the drop from the spring kit, the lower the center of gravity - which provides the best performance. However, the lower the spring kit drops, the stiffer the ride for everyday driving will become. It's important to choose the Eibach Spring Kit with the appropriate amount of drop for your driving needs.
Eibach's Pro-Kit Spring Set is designed to provide improved handling and improve the look of the vehicle. It's the perfect balance between performance and handling, while still maintaining the original ride quality of the vehicle. Eibach Pro-Kit Springs minimize the fender gap that makes a car look lifted. The Eibach Pro-Kit typically lowers the vehicle 1.00"-1.25" depending upon the application.
If you're looking for the ultimate in track performance, the Eibach Sportline Spring Kit will give your car a low, race-replica look. A radical reduction in wheel well gap and improved handling is achieved for serious track and autocross enthusiasts. The Sportline Kit provides a drop typically between 1.50"-2.00" depending upon the application. This kit is for someone willing to give up some ride quality in exchange for the best cornering grip and turn-in response.
Shop by vehicle to see if an Eibach kit is right for your application. Also, be sure to read "Altitude and Attitude Adjustment" for more information on properly lowering your vehicle.
The most common question when starting to shop for tires is: "What size do I need?" Luckily, it's very simple to find the appropriate tire size needed for your vehicle. The first step should be writing down the tire sizes marked on the sidewall of all four tires. It's important that you confirm the sizes because there are many cases where the vehicle was manufactured with different size tires on the front and rear.
Now that you know what is currently on your vehicle, we need to determine if the size(s) you have written down is the correct size(s) requested by the vehicle manufacturer. Beginning in 2003, vehicle manufacturers were directed to install information placards. Tire information placards identify the Original Equipment tire sizes and inflation pressures (including the spare), along with the vehicle's weight capacity.
Placards on new vehicles must now be located on the driver's side doorjamb (called the "B-pillar"). If a vehicle doesn't have a B-pillar, then the placard is to be placed on the rear edge of the driver's door. And if the vehicle does not have a B-pillar and the driver's door edge is too narrow, the placard is to be affixed on an inward facing surface next to the driver's seating position.
For earlier model vehicles, the information placards can typically be found on:
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Driver-side door or doorjamb
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Rear passenger doorjamb of Ford sedans
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Fuel filler door
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Glove box or center console door
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Engine compartment
If the tire size you have written down matches the tire size given on the vehicle's information placard, then you can be assured this is the size you need to shop for. There are many instances where a vehicle has aftermarket wheels or optional tire sizes and the size you have written down does not match the size on the information placard. In this case, you can search for tires by vehicle on our website and just below the Original Equipment size the website will give you optional tire sizes by wheel diameter.
For additional information, check out our Tire Size Guide.
The snow is beginning to melt and the sun is starting to shine a bit longer each day. To most of the country, this marks the beginning of spring, however if you're a car enthusiast, it's the beginning of autocross and track season. Now is the time to remove the car cover and start planning for the race season ahead. With each race season comes a host of new track products and this year is no exception. We have three of the biggest names in the autocross and track tire market introducing new tires for the upcoming season. New this season are the BFGoodrich g-Force Rival, Dunlop Direzza ZII and Bridgestone Potenza RE-11A.
All of these tires are new to the Extreme Performance Summer category, which means they're intended to be streetable track tires. If you require a tire that has near R-compound performance, but need it to be durable enough to be driven to and from the track, the Extreme Performance Summer category is for you. For additional tire category information, view "Looking for the Best Autocross Tires?"
g-Force Rival tires feature a silica-infused compound molded into asymmetric tread designs that are performance-tuned to match tire width (265mm and narrower sizes feature a 3-rib design, while 275mm and wider sizes use a 4-rib pattern). Large, solid outboard tread blocks and BFGoodrich’s Extreme Tread Edge (ETE) shoulder design wrap the tread compound farther down the sidewalls for predictable feedback and maximum cornering grip from start to finish. Also, the g-Force Rival has just been approved for SCCA use!
Direzza ZII tires have a high-grip tread compound that's molded into a directional design with a continuous center rib flanked by massive shoulders that form a highly rigid tread delivering high levels of dry grip and handling. Two wide circumferential center grooves channel water through the center of the tread design while angled independent grooves help direct water to the sides of the footprint for improved wet traction.
Sharing the tread design of the popular Potenza RE-11, the Potenza RE-11A adds an exclusive tread compound that blends silica with a new long-link carbon black to increase road contact and abrasion resistance. An asymmetric tread design features Bridgestone's 3D Seamless Stealth technology that combines massive independent outboard shoulder blocks interlocked with notches in the circumferential intermediate rib to deliver lateral tread stiffness that's needed to enhance steering response and cornering traction.
To view our full range of track and autocross tires, shop by size and choose an option that best suits your specific vehicle needs.
The Dodge Challenger SRT8 is the epitome of the new age American muscle car. A massive HEMI V8 and performance-tuned suspension make the Challenger a top choice among auto buyers looking for vintage-inspired good looks. There are two versions when it comes to the tire packages offered on the Challenger SRT8. Typically, if you're in a region that sees winter weather, the Challenger comes with the 245/45ZR20 Goodyear Eagle RS-A tires on all four corners. If you're in a warmer climate or opted for the performance tires, the Challenger SRT8 would have come with 245/45ZR20 front and 255/45ZR20 rear Goodyear Eagle F1 Supercar Max Performance Summer tires.
Since the Challenger SRT8 with Max Performance Summer tires are staggered larger in the rear than in the front, you lose the ability to rotate the tires front-to-back. Although the tires are staggered, the wheels are not and the same 20x9 wheel is used at all four corners.
I have had many Challenger SRT8 owners using the factory Dodge 20x9 wheels with Max Performance Summer tires switch to 255/45R20 in the front. Now that the 255/45R20 tire is used at all four corners, you can have the best of both worlds: wide performance tires and the ability to rotate tires from front-to-back to gain overall treadlife and more even tire wear.
Shop by tire size 255/45R20 to view the options available and reap the benefits of being able to rotate your tires.
The anti-roll bar, also called an anti-sway bar, connects the left and right suspensions together and anchors to the vehicle frame. Typically used at the front and rear of the vehicle, the anti-roll bar is commonly used to adjust the handling balance of the vehicle and limit the amount of sway or body roll during cornering.
In essence, an anti-roll bar works as a torsion spring, so as you approach a high speed corner, the vehicle will begin to lean downward toward the outside corner pushing upward on the outside end of the anti-roll bar. The upward movement of the outside end of the anti-roll bar is transferred to the inside end of the anti-roll bar, which responds by also applying the same upward movement to the inside cornering of the suspension. This compresses the inside corner of the suspension while also providing torsion to the anti-roll bar so the outside edge can better resist the upward movement. All this results in a vehicle that'll remain level even while making high-speed corners and keep traction more equal for the inside and outside tires.
Whether you're looking to increase performance on your daily driver or looking to have the ultimate autocross/road race machine, we offer a wide array of anti-roll bar products.
Performance Street Anti-Roll Bars:
Eibach Anti-Roll Kit:
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Further reduces body roll
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Cold-formed from high strength aircraft grade steel
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Designed to fit without vehicle modification
H&R Anti-Roll Bar:
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Perfectly complements H&R springs, coil-overs, performance shocks and cup kits
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Crafted from spring steel that is stronger, more resilient than other materials
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Bent on proprietary machines designed by H&R to produce complex curves and a perfect fit
Hotchkis Sport Anti-Roll Bars:
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Improves handling while reducing body roll
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Designed for the everyday commuter and occasional road course or track use
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Includes tubular front and rear anti-roll bars
Autocross/Track Anti-Roll Bars:
Hotchkis Sport Suspension AutoX Anti-Roll Bar:
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Improves handling and reduces body roll
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Track-tested, lightweight, hollow
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Includes greasable bushings and brackets
Hotchkis Competition Anti-Roll Bars:
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Designed for the highly competitive road course and autocross course
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Maximizes tire performance and achieves slight oversteer
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Tubular front and rear bars with greasable polyurethane bushings, brackets and 90-degree zerk fittings (where applicable)
Shop by vehicle to view all anti-roll bars offered for your daily driver, autocross or road race vehicle. Also, take a look at replacement shocks and struts to complement your new anti-roll bars by reading, "Which Bilstein Replacement Shock or Strut is Best for Your Vehicle?"
The Pirelli Scorpion Verde All Season is a premier Crossover/SUV Touring All-Season tire. It has continually been ranked in customer surveys and internal tests as a perennial favorite. This eco-friendly option features a quiet and smooth ride, as well as some of the highest marks in wet traction according to "Testing the Newest/Popular Crossover/SUV Touring All-Season Tires".
Scorpion Verde All Season tires mold a silica tread compound into an asymmetric tread design that features an optimized rubber-to-void ratio and uniform contact patch to blend dry road traction and performance with uniform wear. Four wide circumferential grooves displace water to resist hydroplaning and improve wet traction while longitudinal siping for lateral stability on loose surfaces and high-density lateral siping enhance wet and wintertime traction.
The Scorpion Verde All Season is labeled as a Crossover/SUV Touring All-Season tire because most of the sizes offered cater to mid-size SUVs. However, with many SUVs today being based off of successful car platforms, the tire can go on a wide range of vehicles. I have had many customers use the 255/40R19 on high-end luxury sedans with great success. This would include luxury sedans/wagons like:
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Audi Allroad
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Audi A6
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Audi A8
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Buick Lacrosse
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Cadillac CTS Sedan/Wagon
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Volvo XC70 (Cross Country)
Shop by vehicle to see if the Pirelli Scorpion Verde All Season is offered for your SUV or luxury sedan and take advantage of the current sales price of $135 per tire in the 255/40R19 size.
The quickest and easiest way to upgrade the look of your Mustang is to swap your factory wheels to an upgraded option from Ford Racing. Authentic Ford Racing wheels are developed by the Special Vehicle Team (SVT), which was founded in 1991 when Ford saw the need to investigate niche vehicle opportunities. The SVT division has continued with a strong presence within the Ford vehicle lineup, including the F-150 Raptor, Focus, Fiesta and Mustang.
Ford Racing wheels have been specifically designed for your Mustang and are offered in many cast and forged options. My favorites include the Boss 302R which is offered in a black painted finish and one-piece low pressure cast construction manufactured in a partnership with BBS. The Mustang GT Track Package in black painted finish also features a cast alloy construction. Finally, I enjoy the Mustang GT Forged wheel in light grey paint developed with a lightweight fully forged construction. The fully forged construction of the Mustang GT Forged wheel will not only upgrade the appearance of your Mustang, but also increase driveline and suspension responsiveness by reducing unsprung weight.
To view all of the SVT Ford Racing wheels available for your Ford, be sure to shop by vehicle today!
Tire Rack has been revolutionizing tire buying since 1979! With the help of our Tire Test Results, Tire Survey Results and Tire Reviews, we provide you the information you need to purchase the right tire for how and where you drive.
Once you've made a decision on the tire that best suits your needs, the next step is shipping your order to either your home, your mechanic or one of our Recommended Installers. We have a national network of thousands of independent Recommended Installers ready to handle your installation needs near your home or office. Here's how it works:
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Shop our selection of products for your vehicle and add what you need to your cart.
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Take a look at the Recommended installers in your area and read consumer reviews and pricing information
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Before checkout, select your installer and save it to your addresses in "My Account" for later. You can also select your installer and choose to ship directly to them while still in the cart.
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Call your Recommended Installer to set up an appointment.
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Drive in for installation.
The Recommenced Installer Program section of our website provides all the information needed to easily choose the Installer best for you, information like:
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Price Pledge - Installers who participate in the Price Pledge program agree to display exact quotes for installation services based on tire aspect ratio. Additional or optional related installation fees are also displayed.
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Price Pledge Plus - Price Pledge Plus Recommended Installers not only participate in our Price Pledge program but they also consistently achieve a 4.5-star or above overall ranking in our survey results.
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Maps and directions to the location
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Hours of operation
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Services provided in addition to tire installation
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Road Force availability
To complete your tire buying experience, take a look at the Recommended Installers available in your area.
BFGoodrich's g-Force Rival was developed to fill the void between the Ultra High Performance Summer g-Force Sport COMP-2 and the Dry Racetrack & Autocross Only g-Force R1. Many autocross and road race drivers, as well as performance enthusiasts needed a tire with higher grip and better trackability than the g-Force Sport COMP-2. Alternatively, the same drivers couldn't use the g-Force R1 because they needed a tire with very high levels of dry traction, yet could be driven to and from the track. The g-Force Rival also boosts a higher UTQG rating of 200 as compared to the 40 UTQG rating of the g-Force R1, thus allowing the g-Force Rival to be used in a wider array of autocross and road race events which restrict tire use by UTQG rating.
g-Force Rival tires are developed for sports car, muscle machine and pro-touring car driving enthusiasts who want their tires to turn heads on the street and lower lap times at the track. Created with razor-sharp reflexes, the g-Force Rival is designed to raise the limits by delivering extreme grip that’s extremely predictable.
This Extreme Performance Summer tire features a Silica-infused compound molded into asymmetric tread designs that are performance-tuned to match tire width (255mm and narrower sizes feature a 3-rib design, while 265mm and wider sizes use a 4-rib pattern). To achieve predictable feedback and maximum cornering grip from start to finish, the g-Force Rival has large, solid outboard tread blocks and BFGoodrich’s Extreme Tread Edge (ETE) shoulder design that wraps the tread compound farther down the sidewalls. Lateral groove draft angles promote consistent performance and wear, while chamfered block edges resist feathering under extreme cornering and braking.
The tire’s internal structure features BFGoodrich’s Performance Racing Core reinforced internal structure that reduces flex to increase steering response. g-Control sidewall inserts tune the sidewall stiffening to promote steering response.
To see if the BFGoodrich g-Force Rival can transform your ride, shop by size.
The Dunlop Direzza Sport Z1 Star Spec has become a staple among autocross and performance enthusiasts. Many were disappointed to hear it had been discontinued. Dunlop has launched the newest version of their highly successful Extreme Performance Summer tire, the Direzza ZII. It's designed for enthusiasts who demand race tire-like traction for street use, autocross, drifting and track events.
Direzza ZII’s high-grip tread compound is molded into a directional design with a continuous center rib flanked by massive shoulders to form a highly rigid tread that delivers high levels of dry grip and handling while promoting uniform tire temperatures and even wear across the tread. Two wide circumferential center grooves channel water through the center of the tread design. Angled independent grooves help direct water to the sides of the footprint to enhance wet traction.
The Direzza ZII features Dunlop’s True Circle Profile to distribute tire deflection forces along the sidewall to provide more control by better communicating tire performance limits to the driver. Its internal structure includes JointLess Band (JLB) Technology that spirally winds polyamide cord over two wide steel belts to promote strength, uniform ride quality and high-speed capability.
During our time testing the tire, it proved to be a worthy replacement for the Direzza Sport Z1 Star Spec with significant lap time improvements in both the dry and wet when compared head-to-head. To read the full report, take a look at "Dunlop Direzza ZII Introductory Track Drive."
When shopping for tires, it pays to make sure you're getting the right tread design for your driving needs. The three most common tread designs are: symmetrical, asymmetrical and directional/unidirectional. Each tread design serves a specific purpose that will effect driving characteristics and tire rotations.
Symmetric Tread Pattern
A symmetric tread pattern is the most common and features continuous ribs or independent tread blocks across the entire tread face where both inboard and outboard halves feature the same pattern. Tires featuring symmetric tread patterns allow using multiple tire rotation patterns. Two of our highest rated all-season tires with a symmetrical tread pattern are the Michelin Primacy MXV4 and Hankook Optimo H727.
Asymmetric Tread Pattern
An asymmetric pattern is designed to blend the requirements of dry grip and water dispersal/snow traction where the tread pattern changes across the face of the tire. An asymmetric tread pattern typically incorporates larger tread ribs/blocks on the outboard side to increase cornering stability on dry surfaces by offering greater contact area. This also helps to reduce tread squirm and heat buildup on the outside shoulder. The inboard side usually has smaller independent tread blocks to aid wet and/or winter traction when driving straight ahead. Tires with asymmetric tread patterns allow using multiple tire rotation patterns. Two of our highest rated all-season asymmetrical tires are the Bridgestone Turanza Serenity Plus and Continental ExtremeContact DWS.
Directional (Unidirectional) Tread Pattern
A directional (also called a unidirectional) tread pattern is designed to roll in only one direction. It features lateral grooves on both sides of the tire’s centerline that point in the same direction and result in v-shaped tread blocks. These grooves increase hydroplaning resistance at high speeds by pumping water more efficiently through the tread pattern. Unless they're dismounted and remounted on their wheels to accommodate use on the other side of the vehicle, directional tires are to be installed on one side of the vehicle and are intended to be rotated from the front axle to the rear axle. If different tire sizes are used on the front vs. rear axle, the tires become location-specific and tire rotation is prohibited unless remounted. Two of our best rated all-season directional tires are the Michelin Pilot Sport A/S Plus and Bridgestone Potenza RE970AS Pole Position.
Shop by vehicle to view all tires available for your vehicle and be sure to choose a tread pattern that suits your driving performance and tire rotation needs!
The Porsche Cayenne Turbo is for the driver who truly wants it all -- a twin turbo V8, top Speed over 170 mph and the space and comfort of a luxury SUV. All of that power can be rendered useless in the winter without the proper amount of grip for snow and ice. A Winter / Snow Tire & Wheel Package is the answer to ensure your Cayenne Turbo performs its best this winter!
Because the Porsche Cayenne Turbo is not the average SUV, many drivers don't want to put an average aftermarket wheel on their high performance SUV for winter driving. The best complement to Porsche's high style is to add an equally impressive wheel to your winter package. O.Z. Racing's Superturismo Dakar is an Italian made masterpiece that will rival your German masterpiece.
The wheel features a clean 15-spoke design in both a matte graphite silver and bright silver paint finish. Since both wheels boast a fully painted finish, they will easily withstand whatever winter conditions are thrown at them. Road salt and grime can be rinsed right off during a typical car wash. Each wheel is a one-piece, low pressure cast that's offered with a two-year finish and two-year structural warranty.
Shop by vehicle to see if the O.Z. Racing Superturismo Dakar is offered for you Porsche Cayenne Turbo. If so, build a Winter / Snow Tire & Wheel Package today!
Winter weather has now covered much of the United States, and while your tires may not be legally worn out, they may not be suitable for wintertime driving. If you're like many, you simply look at your tires to see if there's enough tread remaining. However, when is the right time to change them?
Although tires aren't legally worn out until they reach 2/32" of remaining tread, snow traction and the evacuation of water and slush become diminished many miles before this. If you are entering the winter season with a partially worn set of all-season or winter tires, Tire Rack recommends drivers consider replacing their tires when they reach approximately 6/32" of remaining tread depth to maintain good mobility. Tires need more tread depth in wintry conditions to compress snow in their grooves and release it as they roll. Without sufficient tread depth, tires do not have enough biting edges and shallower circumferential grooves to effectively evacuate deep snow and slush.
The illustration below shows tires (from left to right) at new tread depth, worn to 6/32" and then worn to 2/32". You can see as the tire approaches 6/32" the tread blocks are noticeably smaller, circumferential grooves are shallower and the sipings for ice traction are much smaller. At 2/32" of remaining tread depth, the tread blocks are almost worn smooth and siping has been lost. With little height left in the circumferential grooves, tire's will hydroplane much easier.
Winter weather is here and it's important to check your tread depth and remember 6/32" or more of remaining tread depth will be needed this winter season. If you need new tires, be sure to use our Survey Results and Test Results to assist you in finding the best wintertime performers.
