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:
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Dunlop SP Sport Maxx TT
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Sumitomo HTR Z III
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Kumho Ecsta LE Sport
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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."
The first Saturday in May is no ordinary Saturday, especially if you like speed. This day means horses galloping down the stretch at Churchill Downs and even more horsepower on our skidpad. In Louisville, the Race for the Triple Crown begins with the 138th running of the Kentucky Derby. In South Bend, we start the 29th edition of the Tire Rack One Lap of America.
Whether we're on the autocross track or the horse track, we all want to win. Winning the Derby requires a serendipitous collaboration between horse, jockey and trainer. Winning on the asphalt requires similar partnership between man, machine and tires.
We're all very excited about our new partnership with Toyo Motorsports. Tire Rack now offers the streetable road race/time attack Proxes RA1, the Proxes R1R, the Proxes R888 and the Track & Competition DOT Proxes TQ.
The RA1's strengths are its wide variety of sizes, a track record of relatively good wear and resistance to heat cycles, ease of use and handling predictability. R888 tires add even more grip but it's more sensitive to vehicle set-up. Both tires give you tons of grip but can still be driven to the track (as opposed to the track-only BFGoodrich g-Force R1 and Hoosier R6).
Although the Hankook Ventus R-S3 offers outstanding performance in dry conditions, the Proxes R1R has shown surprisingly good traction at cooler ambient temperatures and is a tire worth considering in the Extreme Performance Summer category. Toyo Proxes TQ radials help lower your 1/4-mile time at the strip, while allowing you to drive back home on the same set of tires.
With these new choices to choose from, we definitely have the right tires for the thoroughbred in your garage.
TOYO FAQ:
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Can I special order another Toyo tire that's not listed on your website? With our current Toyo agreement we only carry the Toyo tires that are listed on our website.
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You mention that many of these tires can be driven to the track, how come the Hoosier R6 and BFGoodrich g-Force R1 don't fall under this category? These tires have such a light carcass and gummy compound that any minor debris will work its way through the tread and puncture the tire.
For over a decade, the Honda Odyssey has been one of America's top selling minivans. With its good looks, spacious interior and Honda's reliability, the Odyssey has logged millions of miles on U.S. roads. Along for the ride are some very good choices of tires, including the most common size of 235/65R16.
Having spoken with hundreds of Odyssey owners and having made several more recommendations, I've found three tires that have been solid choices.
My favorite option is the Goodyear Assurance ComforTred Touring. This tire is one on the best riding tires I have ever driven on. Period. It offers the qualities most drivers are looking for in a tire: very smooth, quiet, great all-season traction and will last a long time.
Next, the Continental CrossContact LX20 with EcoPlus Technology is an ecologically friendly tire that's designed to enhance driving pleasure, save fuel and maintain grip while on wet surfaces. Technically, the tire is marketed as a Crossover/SUV Touring All-Season tire, but works just as well on the Honda Odyssey. This tire is also very comfortable and offers excellent traction. The difference with this tire is its low rolling resistance technology that provides drivers with a little better fuel economy.
When in comes to a value option, I prefer the Hankook Optimo H727. This tire offers good all-season traction and reasonable ride manners. It's developed to deliver a premium appearance and long wear along with dry, wet and wintertime traction, even in light snow. Optimo H727 tires also come with a 100,000-mile treadlife warranty.
Do you need additional help with selecting your new tires? Then visit our Tire Decision Guide to see which performance category best suits your driving needs.
It's been a long time coming but additional sizes for the Hankook Ventus R-S3 are on their way, just in time for the 2012 autocross season. With a few new sizes already in stock, we expect to have more available in the coming weeks. You can always pre-order a set and reserve your spot in line and we'll ship once your size is available.
This Extreme Performance Summer option is a super sticky dry tire used by many autocrossers. This tire will hang with the best and always represents a great value for the weekend warrior. Hankook's Racing Carbonblack Silica Compound (RCSC) technology has been incorporated in the Ventus R-S3 to improve dry grip. You don't have to be a racer to enjoy the benefits of this tire. While it meets the demands of autocross, drifting and track events, it was also developed for serious sport cars, sport coupes and performance sedan enthusiasts looking for a race-minded street tire. The Ventus R-S3 was designedto reduce the performance gap between street and track tires by significantly improving dry traction; it's also important to remember the tire is not intended to be driven through snow, or ice or in near-freezing temperatures.
The Ventus name and unique flame patterns are subtly recessed into the center rib and both intermediate ribs to help drivers show off their "hot" new treads. Be sure to get your set before they're gone!
Often, I receive calls about a tire's life and the tire's relationship to its assigned UTQG treadwear indicator. UTQG numbers are assigned to indicate a tires overall level of performance and tread hardness. These numbers beginning at 0 for race products and traveling north of 800 for some of the longest lasting all-season tires, are nothing more than a general guideline to assist customers in making their correct tire purchase.
While certain performance standards are held standard, such as Traction Grades and Temperature Resistance, UTQG treadwear numbers are published by the manufacturer based upon their test findings of a tire's life expectancy. It's important to note that not all manufacturer's standards are equal and similar ratings may lead to different real world results between similar product types.
On a large basis, however, most manufacturer's figures are surprisingly accurate. To gain a better understanding of the process, take a look at a few of our popular performance categories beginning with soft compounds and working our way up.
Track & Competition DOT
These tires offer maximum grip in race environments where performance is key and treadlife is sacrificed. In order to be competitive, these tires feature a soft tread compound that tends to be very adhesive. These soft tires wear much faster than a standard street tire and aren't recommend for street use. Take a look at the Hoosier A6, a popular autocross tire to see an example. Note this tire's low UTQG figure of 40.
Max Performance Summer
This category features high-performance tires designed for street use. Although not nearly as soft as the race products outlined above, they're at home in a performance environment. This is an optimal choice for a driver looking for acceptable levels of treadwear combined with a high-performing grip level. Even though these tires offer much more flexibility, I'm reminded of an economics lesson: There is no free lunch. The longest wearing Max Performance Summer tires will not outlast a good performing all-season option. Sometimes a driver must choose between smiles and miles. Take a look at our current top-rated summer tire, the Michelin Pilot Super Sport and its 300 indicated UTQG treadwear.
Ultra High Performance All-Season
Perhaps our most popular and best-selling category, the Ultra High Performance All-Season, promotes higher treadwear in exchange for some loss in ultimate dry grip. Although not as soft, and therefore not as sticky as the Max Performance Summer tires, these tires still place a good amount of focus on performance. This new breed of all-season tires typically lasts between 30,000-50,000 miles and allows the driver to experience practicality while also including good performance features such as a responsive sidewalls and higher speed ratings. The Bridgestone Potenza RE970AS Pole Position is currently the number one tire in this category and carries a UTQG number of 400.
Standard Touring All-Season
Tires in this category sacrifice performance in terms of ultimate dry grip to focus on maximum life and mileage. These tires are designed for conservative drivers that are looking for the best in ride, treadlife and practicality. These tires aren't meant for track use or for aggressive street driving, but often work well as purposeful all-season tires. The popular Hankook Optimo H727 is a great example of such a tire. Notice that its 700 treadwear fits this category to a tee.
2003 Honda CR-V
2006 Saab 9-7x Linear
