Goodyear

Everyone has their own list of important attributes when it comes to selecting the right all-season tire. For example, some drivers prefer longer treadlife, while another thinks ride quality is the most important. Also, when talking to customers about all-season tires, most put extra emphasis on the winter season component.

If you prefer using one set of tires all year, the best tire can vary depending on where other tire characteristics rank. In some cases, the vehicle and tire size needed can also help direct us towards a particular performance category. For a look at the differences between performance categories, read "What Tire Performance Category Do I Need?"

Goodyear Assurance TripleTred All-Season

Goodyear Assurance ComforTred Touring

Firestone Destination LE 2

Goodyear Assurance TripleTred All-Season (Passenger All-Season)

With three distinct tread zones targeting to provide traction in dry, wet and snowy conditions, Goodyear has a winning combination that earns top marks from our customers. Designed with Goodyear's Evolving Traction Grooves, the tire generates more rain, slush and snow traction longer into the tire's life compared to tires with conventional sipes. The tire is currently ranked number one in our tire survey results.

Goodyear Assurance ComforTred Touring (Grand Touring All-Season)

For the touring/performance car, the Goodyear Assurance ComforTred Touring is receiving high praise from drivers. With tread warranties in the 70,000 to 80,000-mile range, this tire is definitely worth a second look. With tread depth being a key component to snow traction, customers indicate this tire has strong performance throughout the life of the tire. This Goodyear tire currently has over four million miles reported, which includes over four winter seasons.  

Firestone Destination LE 2 (Highway All-Season)

For your SUV or pick-up truck, the recently revised Firestone Destination LE 2 is king of the category. While there hasn't been many miles reported on this tire, the Destination family of tires has been providing great options to drivers for years.

Typically, you'll find the best riding tires in the Grand Touring All-Season category. Currently, the top-rated tire in this category is the Bridgestone Turanza Serenity Plus. This tire offers a quiet, premium ride combined with great handling and outstanding all-season traction. The tire is designed to provide Bridgestone's ultimate in luxury, elegance and comfort.

Another quiet tire to consider is the Michelin Primacy MXV4. This tire has been around for a few years and is a proven option for those insisting on a tire that has the least amount of noise. It is currently ranked second in the Grand Touring All-Season category and has received high marks in the following areas:

• Dry Traction
• Ride Comfort
• Noise Comfort
• Treadwear
• Cornering Stability

Finally, take a look at the Goodyear Assurance ComforTred Touring. This tire lives up to its name as it is an extremely comfortable and quiet riding tire. Like the other models mentioned above, it also has top-rated all-season traction to go along with long treadlife.

Bridgestone Turanza Serenity Plus

Michelin Primacy MXV4

Goodyear Assurance ComforTred Touring

If you're tired of driving noisy tires, you can't go wrong by selecting the Bridgestone Turanza Serenity Plus, Michelin Primacy MXV4 or Goodyear's Assurance ComforTred Touring.

Do you need 10 ply tires? What is Load Range E? If you're not familiar with these tire terms, don't worry, we can help. Most 3/4- and 1-ton trucks are going to require a Load Range E, also known as a 10 ply tire, for proper load carrying capacity. Many drivers of half-ton trucks also prefer them while towing due to their stiffer sidewall which helps prevent swaying.

One of our best sellers is the Firestone Transforce HT. This Highway All-Season tire has been around for awhile because of its all-season traction, long treadlife and dependability. The tire is available in many popular truck sizes and is offered with a 30 Day Buy & Try Guarantee.

Are you looking for a tire that's more suitable for off-road use. If so, one of my favorite options is the Goodyear Wrangler DuraTrac. This tire features a rugged tread compound that helps resist tread block chipping, chunking and tearing, especially during heavy loading and towing applications. Wrangler DuraTrac tires are also branded with the mountain/snowflake symbol to identify they meet industry severe snow service standards. They are also designed to accept optional #16 metal studs to enhance ice traction.

Another great value option is Kumho's Road Venture APT KL51. The tire offers excellent all-season traction with a relatively smooth and quiet ride. When we tested the tire, we liked that it provided great traction in the dry and wet.

Firestone Transforce HT

Goodyear Wrangler DuraTrac

Kumho Road Venture APT KL51

To gain a better understanding of load range, read "Load Range/Ply Range Identification."

Michelin and Goodyear both make very good products and offer a large selection of tires for driver's cars, trucks and SUVs.

In the Grand Touring All-Season category, Goodyear offers the Assurance ComforTred Touring while Michelin provides customers with the Primacy MXM4. As you can see below, Michelin's offering performed better in our testing. "There's not much that needs improvement" sums up how much we liked this tire during our time with it.

Goodyear Assurance ComforTred Touring

• What We Liked: Responsive steering
• What We'd Improve: Wet traction
• Conclusion: A good choice for drivers wanting to blend responsive handling with good road manners
• Latest Test Rank: 3rd
• Previous Test Rank: Not previously tested

Michelin Primacy MXM4

• What We Liked: Excellent wet traction and good road manners
• What We'd Improve: There's not much that needs improvement
• Conclusion: A very capable Grand Touring All-Season tire
• Latest Test Rank: 1st
• Previous Test Rank: Not previously tested

When it comes to Max Performance Summer tires, Michelin has the Pilot Super Sport and Goodyear designed the Eagle F1 Asymmetric 2. Here again, the Michelin scored better in our tests. It is also the top-rated tire in its category. The Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 2 hasn't logged enough miles to be added to our Tire Survey Results. However, speaking to customers, many have provided a positive review of their experience with the tire. 

Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 2

• What We Liked: Impressive traction, especially in the wet
• What We'd Improve: Sharpen steering response and handling predictability just a little bit
• Conclusion: A good option for drivers who emphasize wet traction
• Latest Test Rank: 3rd
• Previous Test Rank: Not previously tested

Michelin Pilot Super Sport

• What We Liked: Impressive ultimate handling blended with reasonable road manners
• What We'd Improve: A small improvement in ride comfort over the bigger impacts
• Conclusion: An impressive tire that continues as the performance benchmark for the category
• Latest Test Rank: 1st
• Previous Test Rank: 1st (June '11)

In the Passenger All-Season category, Goodyear's option, the Assurance TripleTred All-Season, is currently the top tire. Customers like it for its hydroplaning resistance, wet traction, dry traction and ride comfort. The tire will get a good run for its money from the newer Michelin Defender.

Both manufacturers offer great tires. Shop by vehicle to see all Goodyear and Michelin tires available for your application.

In a recent post, "Best Tire Brands for Long Treadwear", some of the longest wearing tires were discussed and how treadlife is one of the most important factors that consumers consider when deciding which tires to buy. In addition to treadlife, tire noise is a major factor to most drivers when selecting a new set of tires. Who wants to listen to the drone of a loud tire during a daily commute or road trip. Besides being a nuisance, loud tire noise can keep a driver from hearing other sounds that can affect vehicle maintenance and safety.

Tires that generally make the least amount of noise typically come from the following performance categories:

• Standard Touring All-Season
• Passenger All-Sean
• Grand Touring All-Season

Many years ago, summer tires were the quietest tires available while all-season tires were louder due to their more aggressive tread patterns. Tire technology has come a long way and the market has changed. Newer summer tires are now primarily focused on high levels of grip, handling and quick steering response, with less focus on road noise. All-season tires are now the best choice for those after a quiet ride. The following tires are some of the top picks for low road noise in three of the quietest categories:

Michelin Defender

Hankook Optimo H727

Goodyear Assurance ComforTred

Michelin Energy Saver A/S

Bridgestone Turanza Serenity Plus

Michelin Primacy MXV4

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.

Goodyear Assurance ComforTred Touring

Michelin Primacy MXV4

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.

In the first installment of my Goodyear versus Michelin comparison, I focused on car tires. Now, let's take a look at the truck and SUV tires offered by these two heavyweights of the tire industry.

Category: Crossover/SUV Touring All-Season

Contenders: Goodyear Assurance CS TripleTred All-Season vs. Michelin Latitude Tour

Verdict: Goodyear wins this close match-up with superior traction in wet and wintry weather. The same aggressive tread that helps it gain better traction in the worst weather conditions comes with a trade-off in ride and noise comfort. Customers who value a luxury ride and do most of their driving in moderate climates may find that the Michelin suits them better.

Category: Highway All-Season

Contenders: Goodyear Wrangler RT/S vs. Michelin LTX M/S2

Verdict: The Michelin LTX M/S2 wins this category by a wide margin. It's consistently rated near the top of the category for an excellent all-around combination of ride, traction and treadwear.

Category: On-/Off-Road All-Terrain

Contenders: Goodyear Wrangler SilentArmor vs. Michelin LTX A/T2

Verdict: Michelin's LTX A/T2 squeaks ahead with better balancing, road manners and longevity with traction on loose surfaces. The Goodyear has a more aggressive tread and would be a more popular choice for those who spend more time off the pavement.

Category: Off-Road Maximum Traction

Contenders: Goodyear Wrangler MT/R with Kevlar vs. Michelin (none)

Verdict: The highly capable Goodyear wins this one unopposed.

Roundup: In this very close match-up, Michelin wins two categories, while Goodyear also wins two. These categories were extremely close and selection often come down to a driver's preference.

There are many rivalries in today's competitive world: Chevy versus Ford, Coke versus Pepsi and Burger King versus McDonald's may come to mind when thinking of two prominent companies within an industry. When it comes to tires, Goodyear and Michelin is one of the most common rivalries.

In some categories, such as the Crossover/SUV Touring All-Season, the Goodyear Assurance CS TripleTred All-Season ranks just a bit higher than Michelin's competing tire, the Latitude Tour. In other categories that include performance tires, Michelin's tires often rank higher. For example, in the Max Performance Summer category, the Michelin Pilot Super Sport is on top. I was so impressed by this particular tire that I bought a set for my own car. My experiences with the tire can be found by reading, "Michelin Pilot Super Sport Tires Installed on My Car." The Pilot Super Sport also picked up a win against Goodyear's Eagle F1 Asymmetric 2 last summer during our testing. You can see how well the Michelin tire performed by taking a look at "Testing Max Performance Summer Tires."

Michelin Pilot Super Sport

Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 2

So, who really has the better tires? When it comes to performance tires, Michelin is tough to beat right now. However, the tire market is fast paced and new technology is constantly pushing the performance envelope further. When changes are made, you can always count on us to provide you with the best tire options for your vehicle.

Is it time to replace the tires on your Honda Odyssey? If so, consider the following all-season options for your minivan. My favorite tire for this vehicle continues to be the Goodyear Assurance ComforTred Touring. This tire certainly lives up to its name. It's a premium Grand Touring All-Season tire that provides excellent ride qualities, including superior comfort and low tread noise. In addition to a great ride, the tire offers fantastic all-season traction and long treadwear with a 70,000- or 80,000-mile treadlife warranty depending on speed rating.

Another great option for the Odyssey is the Michelin Defender. Although it is only made in the 235/65R16 size for this van, it's still a very popular choice. The Defender is currently the top-ranked Standard Touring All-Season tire in our customer survey results. This tire also has superior all-season traction and comes with a 90,000-mile treadlife warranty. Designed to help enhance fuel efficiency, Defender tires meet Michelin's Green-X low rolling resistance objectives.

Finally, the Firestone Precision Touring is a good value priced option for Odyssey owners. This tire performed very well in our testing with good grades in wet traction and stable handling. Customers really enjoy the tire, as it sits is second place in its category, only behind the aforementioned Michelin Defender.

Goodyear Assurance ComforTred Touring

Michelin Defender

Firestone Precision Touring

To view all tire options for your Honda Odyssey, shop by vehicle.

Since 2005, the primary size found on the Honda Odyssey has been 235/65R16. Due to the overall size ,weight and higher center of gravity than a car, the Odyssey's tire wear can be disappointing to some. The following popular options can help deliver better performance, ride quality and longevity than the Original Equipment.

Goodyear Assurance ComforTred Touring

Continental Cross Contact LX20 with EcoPlusTechnology

Michelin Defender

Goodyear's Assurance ComforTred Touring has been a favorite with our customers for a few years. Sitting solidly in third place in the Grand Touring All-Season category, the tire carries an 80,000-mile treadlife warranty. The Assurance ComforTred Touring features a mildly asymmetric tread design that combines indepedent shoulder blocks with notched intermediate ribs to blend dry and wet road traction and handling. Four circumferential grooves evacuate water from under the tread to enhance wet traction while the grooves, notches and sipes form biting edges to deliver all-season traction in light snow.

"I have had these Goodyear tires on my van for 31,000 miles now (90,000 currently), have balanced them every 5,000 miles and they are in excellent condition! No cupping, no road noise, plenty of treadlife left!" -- Tire Rack Consumer Review, 2007 Honda Odyssey

The Continental CrossContact LX20 with EcoPlus Technology is a newer entry to the market that quickly became a best seller. Designed to enhance driving pleasure, save fuel and maintain grip when braking on wet surfaces, this Continental tire provides long wear and all-season traction.

"I drive the family van quite hard and the grip and handling of these Continentals is far better than the O.E. Michelins." -- Tire Rack Consumer Review, 2010 Honda Odyssey

Michelin's Defender is the latest high mileage tire entry from the manufacturer and carries a 90,000-mile treadlife warranty. Currently ranked number one in its category by our customers, it appears Michelin has hit another home run with this offering. Defender tires enhance vehicle fuel economy by meeting Michelin's Green-X low rolling resistance objectives.

"This is the best tire I have ever purchased. Hands down!" -- Tire Rack Consumer Review, 2006 Honda Odyssey

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:

Michelin Defender

Hankook Optimo H727

Goodyear Assurance ComforTred Touring

Pirelli P4 Four Seasons

General AltiMAX RT

Dunlop Signature

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.

Bridgestone Potenza RE960AS Pole Position

Bridgestone Potenza RE960AS Pole Position RFT

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." 

For over a decade, the Toyota Sienna has been a very popular minivan for American families. Toyota's dependability, comfortable ride and ample room has kept these vans on the road for years. Many owners have logged well over 100,000 miles on them and have purchased multiple sets of tires for their vehicle. Like most vans, these vehicles are charged with hauling families, groceries and sports equipment all over town. Families will also use the minivan to travel long distances while going on vacation. The drivers of these vans are typically looking for great all-season traction, long lasting treadlife and a comfortable ride.

One of my favorite tires for this vehicle is the Goodyear Assurance ComforTred Touring. First of all, this tire has fantastic all-season traction. Also, as the name suggests, it offers exceptionally good ride qualities, including a very smooth, quiet and comfortable ride. They are long lasting with an 80,000-mile treadlife warranty in the T- and H-speed rated versions, and a 70,000-mile treadlife warranty for the V-speed rated model. If this sounds like the tire for you, take advantage of our special offer. When you purchase a set of four Goodyear Assurance ComforTred Touring tires before May 31, 2013, you can receive an $80 mail-in rebate. View details here.

Another great option for the Sienna is the Bridgestone Dueler H/L 422 Ecopia. Although this tire is marketed as a Crossover/SUV Touring All-Season tire, Toyoto uses popular SUV sizes on their newer Siennas and this is definitely one of the best tires in the size. Like the Goodyear mentioned above, this tire also offers great all-season traction and comes with a 65,000-mile treadlife warranty. The advantage with this tire is that it is Bridgestone's low rolling resistance tire, which means it will provide you with optimum fuel economy.

If you're looking for a good value option, consider the Yokohama AVID Ascend. This Grand Touring All-Season tire features Yokohama's Orange Oil technology and is branded with their BluEarth eco-friendly identification. It's designed to blend long treadwear, low rolling resistance and all-season traction, even in light snow.

Goodyear Assurance ComforTred Touring

Bridgestone Dueler H/L 422 Ecopia

Yokohama AVID Ascend

Shop by vehicle to see all the tire options available for your Toyota Sienna.