For 2013, there's a great selection of new technology in the Extreme Performance Summer and Ultra High Performance Summer category. While we will be testing each newcomer this summer, we have already accumulated quite a bit of initial feedback and data indicates that this latest batch of tire offerings may turn out to be the best in some time!
BFGoodrich g-Force Rival and g-Force Sport COMP-2
With the g-Force Rival, BFGoodrich is setting a new performance standard for drivers that want ultimate grip at the track and a good blend of wet and dry traction on the street. Our introductory test provided an exciting taste of what we should see as summer progresses.
The g-Force Sport COMP 2 was released late last year and is positioned just one performance step below the Rival. It's aimed at drivers that'll take their car to the track and want that "racecar" feel. We have already tested this tire and it proved to be the class of the field. A combination of the g-Force Rival and g-Force Sport COMP-2 gives BFGoodrich a solid shot at being the hottest brand of the summer!
Bridgestone Potenza RE-11A
Building on the success of the Potenza RE-11, Bridgestone has added an exclusive tread compound to increase road contact and wear to the new Potenza RE-11A. While we have yet to test the Potenza RE-11A, its predecessor beat all contenders in our last test and we're expecting similar results from the new test.
Dunlop Direzza ZII
Like Bridgestone, Dunlop's had a real winner on their hands with the Direzza Sport Z1 Star Spec and we're looking to make a great tire even better. Introduced late last year, the Direzza ZII builds on the great reputation of the previous model by improving steering response and lateral grip. Read "Dunlop Direzza ZII Introductory Track Drive" to view our initial thoughts of the tire compared to the Z1 Star Spec.
The Honda Fit has proven to be very popular in the subcompact segment, providing economy, utility and an engaging driving experience. When it comes to replacing tires on a Fit, what are the best options?
Fits come in both a regular and Sport version. The base Fit comes standard with 175/65R15 tires mounted on 15" wheels. Its Original Equipment Dunlops are adequate, but other options are available for customers looking for increased comfort, fuel economy or sporty handling.
Fit owners who are installing custom wheels that are 15x6.5 or wider will find that the original tires are only recommended to fit on wheels up to 6" wide. Those with wider 15" wheels can use 195/60R15. This tire size will fit wheels up to 7" wide, which includes all the 15" wheels we currently offer for the Fit. They are slightly wider and any difference in height is negligible - keeping speedometer readings within 1.5% of factory.
The Fit Sport uses 16" wheels, mounted with unusually sized 185/55R16 tires. Drivers looking for a wider variety of options would do well to consider 205/50R16. Those looking to emphasize the "Sport" in Fit Sport could then choose popular all-season performance tires like the Michelin Pilot Exalto A/S or Continental ExtremeContact DWS. The 205/50R16 size is 20mm wider than the original tire and retains the stock diameter to within 0.1". 205/50R16 offers a wide variety of options.
Looking to customize your Fit with larger diameter wheels? Sizes up to 17" will fit comfortably. 18" options are available, but may require minor modification to work without rubbing. View our wheel selection to find the right option for your Fit.
The Extreme Performance Summer category is targeted specifically for driving enthusiasts who demand the ultimate in grip and handling. These drivers may take their cars to autocross races, lapping days and other amateur motorsports events. For any racing class that requires true street tires, this is the class of tire to use.
Bridgestone's Potenza RE-11 has been very successful in this category, posting fast lap times and gaining high marks for its everyday usability. While it is currently the highest rated tire in our customer survey data, Bridgestone is aware they can't be complacent in this competitive class of tires. With competitors like BFGoodrich and Dunlop launching new tires, customers will have a wide variety of excellent options.
For 2013, Bridgestone is introducing the Potenza RE-11A in select sizes. This tire is an evolution of the Potenza RE-11, with revisions to enhance its performance and keep it at the forefront of this hotly contested market segment. The tire features a slightly revised tread pattern and a compound that combines silica content with a new long-link carbon black.
RE-11 sizes that are not being replaced by the RE-11A will continue to be available. View the RE-11A sizes that will be available this year and see if one is a match for your vehicle.
Earlier this year, Bridgestone announced they would be releasing a revision to their popular Potenza RE-11 tire to make it more competitive in the dry among a stout group of competitors. The Potenza RE-11A will continue forward with the same exact tread pattern as the original Potenza RE-11 and will retain the same speed ratings as well. The main change in the design is a compound difference that allows for slightly higher grip limits. RE-11A tires will be released in ten sizes this summer and are branded with a UTQG rating of 200 - making them legal for most, if not all, street tire competition classes.
Like its predecessor, the Potenza RE-11A seems to be one of the most balanced Extreme Performance Summer tires, as well as one of the few that puts a high emphasis on good wet performance and hydroplaning resistance. Designed for serious sports car, sports coupe and performance sedan driving enthusiasts, the Potenza RE-11A enhances traction, handling and control while maintaining good noise and ride comfort. Bridgestone Potenza RE-11A tires are performance tuned for dry and wet conditions, but like all summer tires it is not intended to be driven in near-freezing temperatures, through snow or on ice.
The Potenza RE-11A's biggest competitors in 2013 look to be the BFGoodrich g-Force Rival and Dunlop Direzza ZII. Stay tuned for results as we will be testing these tires later this summer!
Not too long ago, finding a tire with a 60,000-mile treadwear warranty was not easy. Modern construction methods, advanced tread compounds and other technology has lead to tires that can wear for even longer. With treadwear warranties on some replacement tires approaching 100,000 miles, they may even outlast your car!
Achieving long treadlife requires more work than simply installing the tires and driving. Proper maintenance of the tires' inflation pressures, tire rotation and keeping your vehicle aligned all play a role. In fact, manufacturers require that the tires are worn down evenly in order to qualify for treadwear warranty coverage. Find more information about this by reading "The Good, the Bad and the Impossible Regarding Treadlife Warranties."
Here are some of my top picks for tires that feature a long treadwear warranty, while still maintaining acceptable levels of grip and ride quality:
90,000-Mile Treadlife Warranty or Longer
80,000-85,000-Mile Treadlife Warranty
70,000-75,000-Mile Treadlife Warranty
To see if these tires are available for your car, SUV or crossover, shop by vehicle.
With spring h
ere, many drivers are getting ready to purchase tires for roadrace or autocross use.
For those who want tires they'll use mostly on the street, but want to do some racing, the Extreme Performance Summer category offers some good options. Tires in this performance category won't give you the fastest lap times compared to competition tires, however they are a good choice for the less serious racer. If this sounds like what you're looking for, consider the following options:
For the more serious race enthusiast, take a look at our selection of Track & Competition DOT tires. These are options that shouldn't be driven on the street and are for the track only. If you are looking for a tire for your roadrace event, consider the Hoosier R6. If autocross is your event, take a look at the A6 from Hoosier.
Hoosier's set-up process to maximize treadwear and handling is more involved than other tires, however their tires are hard to beat! For those that want a good competition tire at a lower price point, the Hankook Ventus Z214 is available in both a roadrace and autocross compound.
Will your new set of tires need to be saved? If so, how far should they be shaved? Read "Shaving Tires for Autocross / Track Use / Competition" to see how this service can help you maximize your tire's performance capabilities early in their life.
When one thinks about tire design, one usually thinks about tread pattern. For those willing to dig a little bit deeper, tread compound and internal construction are at least as important to a tire's performance. How about the design of the letters on the sidewall? Purely cosmetic, right?
Not so, says Dunlop. Their research and testing indicates that the raised letters on the side of the tire contributes to turbulence around the tire. This disruption of the airflow creates drag, increasing the overall air resistance the vehicle must overcome to maintain its speed or accelerate.
With these findings, the new Dunlop Sport Maxx RT has all of its sidewall lettering indented below the surface of the sidewall rather than raised above it. This creates a smoother surface that minimizes turbulence around the tire. How much of a difference will this make? Likely not enough to be noticed by a driver at normal road speeds. However, any extra efficiency is good from a performance and fuel economy point of view.
Also, it doesn't hurt that the design yields a sleek, high-tech appearance for the tire's sidewall. The driver gets some added functional benefits that he or she may not notice, while gaining the very visible benefit of a modern-looking, attractive tire.
View the full-screen image of the tire to see the distinctive sidewall design.
2008 Toyota Sienna LE FWD
2011 Toyota 4Runner V6
