The Hoosier A6 and R6 are two of the most successful DOT-legal racing tires in recent years. A6 and R6 tires look identical, but are designed for different types of competition. How do you know which is best for your vehicle?
The Hoosier A6 was developed with autocross competition in mind. It uses a softer compound for maximum grip and comes up to temperature more quickly to reach optimal grip between 110 and 140 degrees Fahrenheit. A6 tires deliver more traction, but give up longevity to do so. In autocross, where runs are extremely short, this lack of longevity is not a problem and allows a set of A6 tires to last for multiple events. Though the tires are generally ready to run when brand new, a light scuff-in can be beneficial.
Hoosier R6 tires are designed for roadrace competition. They have a more durable compound that's better able to hold up to multiple lapping sessions, higher speeds and larger race courses. The R6 should be heat cycled before competition use for the most consistent performance. Tire Rack offers heat cycling service for competition tires. With this service, the tires arrive ready to use.
Some drivers will also use the A6 on road courses for sprint races or qualifying sessions where a few fast laps are of the utmost importance. Used in this way, the A6 will often be used up in one session. Using the A6 in a roadrace setting is only recommended for experienced drivers who know exactly what they need and are willing to go through a set of tires in one event. Lightweight vehicles with moderate horsepower may also use the A6 in cooler weather when they're not able to get the R6 up to the optimal temperature range of 180-200 degrees Fahrenheit .
Drivers preparing to run Hoosier tires on the track should also read Hoosier's care and feeding document.
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.
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.
Run-flat tires have become standard equipment on many vehicles. Some cars of the same general model will have certain versions that come with run-flats while others do not. It can certainly get confusing for people who aren't familiar with different vehicle and tire models.
All run-flat tires have a designation on the sidewall that indicates they are not standard tires. For example, the Bridgestone Potenza RE960AS Pole Position has a run-flat and non-run-flat model in certain sizes. The run-flat model has the letters "RFT" following the name. You can see this by clicking on the Bridgestone Potenza RE960AS Pole Position RFT photo below.
Different tire companies use different designations for run-flat tires. Continental uses "SSR", Goodyear uses "RunOnFlat" or "EMT", while Michelin designates their run-flat tires with "ZP."
Many customers are convinced they have run-flat tires because their vehicle didn't come with a spare. This isn't always the case, so be sure to check your tires' sidewall to confirm. Now that you've determined if you have run-flat tires or not, you can determine which option you would prefer. To help you make a decision, read "Deciding Between Run-Flat and Non-Run-Flat Tires."
General is a great brand that offers terrific value and has been a subsidiary of Continental Tire for many years. Often, when I talk to customers about their products, I am asked what's the difference between General's AltiMAX HP and AltiMAX RT?
The AltiMAX HP is General's flagship Grand Touring All-Season tire. This tire will offer a slightly more comfortable ride, have better handling and responsiveness, as well as offer a little bit better winter traction over the AltiMAX RT. They are offered with a 55,000-mile treadlife warranty for the H-speed rated version and a 40,000-mile treadlife warranty for the V-speed rated version. AltiMAX HP tires feature General's Replacement Tire Monitor (RTM) branding. Similar in purpose to federally mandated treadwear bars required to run across the tread pattern, RTM consists of the words "Replacement Tire Monitor" branded into the center rib of new tires. As the tires wear down to 2/32" of remaining tread depth (the legal minimum in most states), the visible branding reads "Replace Tire" to confirm the tires need to be replaced based on wear.
General's AltiMAX RT is a Standard Touring All-Season tire. The primary advantage to this tire is its treadlife. It's offered with a 70,000-mile treadlife warranty and is only available in a T-speed rating. Some drivers prefer this tire as it is made in some smaller and hard-to-find sizes.
Research all General tires available for your vehicle and see if one is right for how and where you drive.
2011 Volkswagen Jetta SportWagen TDI
2001 Chevrolet Suburban 4wd
