Doc's advice on tires

Enkei has a rich history dating back over thirty years, originating in Japan with a focus on lightweight aftermarket and Original Equipment wheels intended for high-performance applications. In fact, Formula 1 champion Lewis Hamilton and his team rely on Enkei wheels for their durability and weight savings for their race cars.

While many new vehicles come equipped with Enkei wheels from the factory, including Subaru, Mitsubishi and Honda, many consider the older designs to be what built the Enkei brand and reputation. With that in mind, Enkei is revisiting some of their classic designs from the past and has recently introduced the Apache II in select 15" sizes for Honda, Toyota, Datsun/Nissan and other four lug applications.

The Apache II model is available in both machined with black accent and sliver machined with clearcoat, four spoke finishes with a polished lip. Apache II wheels feature simulated assembly bolts to give the illusion of a multi-piece wheel but with a more cost-effective, one-piece design.

Be sure to check out all the wheels in Enkei's Classic line to see if one is a good fit for your vehicle.

Most enthusiasts know that the best way to improve traction is to use a summer only rubber compound; but often those tires can be very expensive and quick to wear out. Last summer, we had a chance to test a few Max Performance Summer tires to see which offered the best value. The tires tested were: the Dunlop SP Sport Maxx TT, Hankook Ventus V12 evo K110, Kumho Ecsta LE Sport and Sumitomo HTR Z III.

During the Real World Road Ride, the Dunlop SP Sport Maxx TT delivered the quickest and most direct-feeling steering of the group. The Sumitomo HTR Z III was a close second, with the Hankook Ventus V12 evo K110 and Kumho Ecsta LE Sport delivering similar overall handling and steering response but with a little more delay in the response. Overall noise levels for all four tires were similar, with all producing some amount of tread pattern hum. However, the Ecsta LE Sport and Ventus V12 evo K110 generated more distinctive tones as speeds increased.

On the track, the Sumitomo HTR Z III produced the quickest lap time, but the SP Sport Maxx TT felt more responsive at speed. The Kumho Ecsta LE Sport was able to lap our handling course nearly as quickly as the others, but didn't have the connected feel like the Sumitomo and Dunlop tires.

In this very popular category, all four of the contenders proved to be worthy threats to the higher priced options offered by Michelin, Pirelli and Bridgestone. In the overall test rankings, the tires finished in the following order:

1. Dunlop SP Sport Maxx TT
2. Sumitomo HTR Z III
3. Kumho Ecsta LE Sport
4. Hankook Ventus V12 evo K110

If a Max Performance Summer tire is in your future, check out our full test report by reading "Testing Value-Priced Max Performance Summer Tires."

Over the last several years, more and more car manufacturers have been offering larger wheel and lower profile tire options for new vehicles, even on lower-optioned models. Beyond the cosmetic appeal of a larger wheel, the accompanying lower profile tire is normally focused more on high-speed handling and grip - which makes the larger wheel option very popular. From standard 18" wheels and tires on a Toyota Camry to standard 22" wheels and tires for the Ford Edge, more vehicles come equipped with unique sizes that are often in short supply when they need to be replaced. If you're frustrated that the low profile tires don't provide the comfort you desire, we can help.

Besides our years of experience in "plus sizing" vehicles for performance tires and wheels, we can also offer "minus sizing" options for many vehicles. This allows you to move away from low profile / high-performance oriented tires and towards a more comfortable ride and better durability. While most often this practice is done when selecting a Winter / Snow Tire & Wheel Package (where a taller and narrower tire can help with protection from potholes and enhanced deep snow traction), we can also apply the same information to find a smaller diameter wheel that'll fit safely with the appropriate tire size to maintain speedometer accuracy for most applications. Not only would deep snow traction be enhanced with minus sizing, but the cost of the Tire & Wheel Package is usually lower than the package maintaining your vehicle's original size tires and wheels.

To gain a better perspective of minus sizing, read "Size Selection of Winter / Snow Tires."

Enkei has been best known for offering high-quality wheels that are lightweight and durable for smaller sports cars. Recently, the company introduced the Raijin wheel that features the classic split-spoke design for larger sport sedans and even SUVs in an 18" diameter.
 

The Enkei Tuning Series Raijin combines the very desirable spoke design that has become a timeless classic with the latest MAT technology to provide additional strength with less aluminum. Raijin wheels are a great fit for the following vehicles:

• Audi A4
• BMW 3 Series
• Subaru WRX
• VW GTI
• BMW X3

Available in a black painted, gunmetal painted and hyper silver finish, make the wheel a part of your next Tire & Wheel Package.

BFGoodrich recently introduced the new g-Force Sport COMP-2 high-performance tire and we had a chance to participate in the initial tests. The tire was installed on a variety of vehicles (Dodge Challenger SRT8 392, Subaru WRX STi and VW Golf GTi) in an effort to experience the tire's capability on rear-wheel, all-wheel and front-wheel drive applications. 

Across several different tests (dry autocross, wet autocross and dry stopping distance), the new BFGoodrich was pitted against Kumho's Ecsta SPT KU31, Hankook's Ventus V12 evo K110 and the Yokohama S.drive with very good results. 
 

In the wet, the COMP-2 proved to be better for front-end traction in the corners and provided a more balanced and predictable feel. In the dry braking test, the COMP-2 seemed to be the most composed of the group and beat the competition by a 5-7 foot advantage in stops from 60 mph. 
 

Unfortunately, the drive didn't include any "real world" road time, so we plan on conducting a full test at our headquarters in the summer of 2012, so stay tuned for that report. To see what else we learned about the tire, watch "BFGoodrich g-Force Sport COMP-2 Introductory Track Drive."
 

Note: BFGoodrich g-Force Sport COMP-2 tires are designed to have a very square shoulder tread design and section widths, which may cause clearance issues in plus sized fitments. Be sure to consult with one of our sales specialists to discuss the issue and how it may affect your application.

The Ultra High Performance All-Season category is one of our most popular. Tires from this performance category are in strong demand from customers for a variety of vehicles who are looking for the latest and greatest in performance. Last summer, Bridgestone introduced the Potenza RE970AS Pole Position as an updated version to their popular Potenza RE960. 
 

Competition in this category is fierce with all the major brands vying for customers by revising tier offerings on a regular basis. Since tier introduction in 2010, the Continental ExtremeContact DWS has received very positive reviews from our customers and in our tests. At the time of our testing, many automotive magazines and media sources were quick to proclaim the Continental their top pick. With this in mind, we put the Bridgestone Potenza RE970AS Pole Position in a competition with the Continental ExtremeContact DWS, as well as the Pirelli P Zero Nero All Season and Michelin Pilot Sport A/S Plus. 
 

As you can see here, all four tires came within a tenth of a point of one another in the Combined Road & Track Rating, with the Bridgestone coming out on top.
 

On our 6.6-mile loop of expressway, state highway and country roads, the Michelin and Bridgestone tires proved to be the most responsive of the group without exhibiting a pronounced drone over long stretches of asphalt and concrete. While on the test track, the Pirelli posted the quickest lap time, but came in third behind the Michelin and Bridgestone due to a diminished degree of "communication" between the car and driver. To see how we challenge a tire's traction, handling and predictability in both dry and wet conditions on our test track, watch "Testing Tires: On the Test Track."

While Bridgestone's Potenza line is known for performance, Turanza tires are known for comfort. The new Ecopia line is quickly emerging as the family of tires that'll help your car go "green."
 

Ecopia tires utilize Bridgestone’s most advanced technology to produce fuel-efficient Original Equipment and replacement tires. These tires have been developed with a focus on low rolling resistance in sizes typically used on small, fuel-efficient vehicles and hybrids, but are now becoming available in some popular light truck and SUV tire sizes as well.
 

Low Rolling Resistance technology is one of several tools used to improve fuel economy in new cars (along with a focus on a vehicle's weight and aerodynamics), and is becoming a focus for many shopping for new tires. Tire Rack has recently added data loggers and vehicle trip computers to our test fleet in an effort to collect and compare fuel economy figures as part of our testing procedure.
 

Last year we tested the Dueler H/L 422 Ecopia for SUVs and the Ecopia EP422 for smaller passenger vehicles with impressive results for not only fuel economy, but comfort and handling.

For more information on choosing the right fuel-efficient tire for your vehicle, read "We Can Help You Find the Best Low Rolling Resistance Tire for Your Car."

As gas prices go up, consumers are looking for ways to stretch every dollar and gallon of fuel. Everyone from hybrid car owners like the Toyota Prius and Honda Civic Hybrid, to larger trucks and SUVs, such as the Chevrolet Tahoe and Ford F-150 are very interested in low rolling resistance tires. 
 

Last summer, Tire Rack tested three eco-focused tires that advertise better fuel economy and all-season capability: the Bridgestone Ecopia EP422, Continental ProContact with EcoPlus Technology, and Goodyear Assurance Fuel Max against a typical passenger car tire, the Yokohama AVID TRZ.  Our testing program includes both dry and wet surface testing on our dedicated test track and a 6.6-mile loop of expressway, state highway and county roads that have a good mix of road conditions that include city and highway speeds, smooth and coarse concrete, as well as new and patched asphalt. Our newest addition to the testing program is an automotive computer tied into the vehicle's electronics that allow us to measure fuel consumption and true distance traveled.
 

During our Real World Road Ride test, the Continental and Bridgestone tires rated best for comfort and low road noise, while the Continental proved to be top-rated in handling, braking and cornering traction. Our computers added a new dimension to the testing by showing the Bridgestone (followed by the Goodyear) as having the best fuel efficiency. 
 

At the end of the test, all four tires proved to be capable and quiet, with the Continental coming out on top by a slim margin over the Yokohama. As always, there are compromises for any model, so be sure to see if small gains in traction or comfort can be offset with improvements in fuel efficiency. For a full test report, review "Eco-Focused All-Season Tires: Do They Deliver on the Promise?"

With most of the country experiencing warmer-than-average temperatures, many driving enthusiasts, including myself, have shed their winter / snow tires and wheels for "stickier" summer tire options. For the last few years, the Dunlop Direzza Sport Z1 Star Spec has consistently been a staff favorite in our tests, as well as a best seller for those looking for a great balance of exceptional dry and wet traction. 
 

Soon after the tire was introduced, we performed our internal tests, and more recently I had an opportunity to test the Z1 Star Spec at BMW's training and testing facility in South Carolina. All those who participated were very impressed.
 

In our wet skidpad and slalom testing, the Direzza Z1 was poised and very predictable right to the limit of the car which mirrored our customer's feedback and survey results. The tire also proved to be relatively quiet and expected life span is consistent with the competition.
 

Are you looking for Miata tires or something for your Honda Civic? Or maybe you're interested in M3 tires or a set of tires for your Porsche 911. Dunlop knows their customer base and that's why the Z1 Star Spec is offered in a wide range of sizes from 14" up to 18". This allows drivers with both smaller and larger applications to enjoy the race-like traction of the Direzza Sport Z1 Star Spec.
 

To see if the Dunlop Direzza Sport Z1 Star Spec is the right tire for you, enter your vehicle's information here.

With more and more vehicles coming equipped with run-flat tires from the factory, the tire industry has been working hard to offer drivers a better selection than just the vehicle's Original Equipment. While some buyers will elect to replace their run-flats with non-run-flat tires (for a variety of reasons), most cars are no longer being sold with a spare tire, jack or lug wrenches. Therefore, run-flat tires are the only option for many.
 

Last fall, we assembled our BMW 3 Series test cars with the latest in run-flat offerings from Bridgestone, Kumho, Michelin and Pirelli. The tires were driven in both wet and dry conditions on our test track, and along our  Real World Road Ride route that consists of two-lane roads, four-lane roads, expressways and other roads with a variety of surfaces . Bridgestone has been the primary supplier of run-flat tires as Original Equipment for BMW, Lexus and Mercedes-Benz vehicles, which puts them as the benchmark for all other brands. While the Potenza RE050A I RFT scored well in our test, it was outperformed by the Michelin Pilot Sport PS2 ZP that offers a better level of comfort and wet traction. 
 

If you own a car with run-flat tires and hesitate to run the risk of being stranded with a non-run-flat tire, consider the Michelin Pilot Sport PS2 ZP as a comfortable and great handling tire. For more information on our testing, read "Testing Performance Summer Run-Flat Tires."

And when you purchase a set of four Michelin Pilot Sport PS2 ZP tires between March 1, 2012 and March 24, 2012, you can receive a $70 MasterCard® Prepaid Card by mail-in rebate. View complete details here.

For much of the U.S., the winter of 2011-2012 has been fairly mild. As we approach the end of February most are inclined to think the worst is over. While there may be one more "major" dose of snow, most of the country will still experience cold temperatures which can cause slippery conditions.
 

What makes a dedicated winter / snow tire so effective is the specialized rubber compound manufacturers use to keep the rubber pliable at temperatures below 32 degrees Fahrenheit. Most all-season tires will remain flexible close to freezing levels, but can be very inflexible and slick on wet and snow-covered roads. Typically, cold temperatures continue well into early April, so there's still a good chance that you'll run into some ice or freezing conditions that would be a challenge for even a new all-season tire. We've done some extensive testing that's shown that both braking and cornering capability are greatly enhanced by a dedicated winter / snow tire. We also work very closely with the manufacturers to stay on top of the latest technology and designs to get our customers the right tire for the conditions they encounter.

Check out our Winter Tire Decision Guide to find the right performance category for your driving needs.

For many years the General brand has been associated most closely with durable and value-priced passenger car tires, while becoming a brand that can be trusted. In order to meet the needs of light truck and SUV owners, General worked very hard to develop a high quality tire that can be offered at a reasonable price. I recently installed a set of General's Grabber HTS all-season tires on my Chevy Blazer with great success, and can attest to their quality and traction capability.
 

Both our internal tests and customer surveys indicate that the Grabber HTS can be relied on to provide a quiet and comfortable (almost "car like") ride for your light truck or SUV. With its symmetrical tread pattern, the tire can be rotated in a "criss-cross" pattern to maximize wear and still offer great wet and light snow traction. The General Grabber HTS is offered in a variety of sizes ranging from 15" options for smaller SUVs like my Chevy Blazer or earlier Ford Explorers, to 18" and 20" sizes for the BMW X5 and Mercedes-Benz M-Class.
 

If you're looking for a great tire for your light truck or SUV at a great price, take a close look at the Grabber HTS.

One of our most frequent requests for passenger car tires is for something quiet and comfortable, often regardless of price. Based on our testing and customer feedback, our best recommendation is typically the Michelin Primacy MXM4.

The Primacy MXM4 (which is not to be confused with the similar Primacy MXV4) has quickly become one of our customer's favorite choices for standard and luxury sedans and coupes from Honda, Toyota, Mercedes-Benz and BMW. The newer MXM4 features Michelin's Green X technology for lower rolling resistance while still providing responsive handling in dry, wet and even light snow conditions.

Our extensive evaluations on the Performance Test Track course and Real World Road Ride loop have shown the Primacy MXM4 to be head and shoulders above similar Grand Touring All-Season tires when it comes to comfort, handling and longevity. 

When you purchase a set of four Michelin brand passenger or light truck tires before February 26, 2012, you can receive a Tire Rack American Express®-branded Reward Card valued at $70 by mail. View complete details.

• Changes in temperature 
• Changes in altitude 
• Time

When front-wheel drive cars first became popular, most drivers found that having the weight of the engine directly over the wheels that put the power down to the ground resulted in better traction and steering response. The added sense of security that results from the better grip of front-wheel drive often makes drivers feel that a dedicated winter / snow tire is not necessary, but our most recent test proved otherwise.

We headed over to a local ice skating rink and tested 2012 Honda Civic EX sedans with all-season tires against dedicated winter / snow tires for acceleration, braking and cornering capabilities. During our tests, we found that while straight-line acceleration was improved just slightly with a set of dedicated winter / snow tires, their specialized rubber compound makes a world of difference when it comes to stopping and turning.

While all-season tires are designed to offer good traction in a wide variety of driving conditions, they can't deliver the excellent traction in slush, snow and on ice that dedicated winter / snow tires can.

To see the difference a set of winter tires can make, watch "Are Front-Wheel Drive and All-Season Tires Enough for Winter Driving?"