Replace Brakes

Recently, I had to replace worn rotors and pads on my Lexus IS 250 AWD. After hearing many praises from customers and co-workers, I decided to give the Hawk HPS Street Brake Pads a shot. The Hawk pads have made an instant improvement in braking power. I noticed a marked increase in stopping power from the moment I left the garage. Also, I was worried about an increase in noise with the improved stopping power, but the Hawk HPS Street Brake Pads have been equivalent to my Original Equipment Lexus pads that were previously installed on the vehicle. 

According to Hawk, these pads offer 20-40% more stopping power and higher resistance to brake fade than most O.E. or standard pads. The Hawk HPS Street Brake Pads are designed for a wide array of vehicles that experience high speed driving or repetitive heavy braking. As standard brake pads wear, brake dust is released as the friction material wears in everyday braking. Hawk HPS pads are formulated to run cleaner and release extremely low levels of dust in normal driving conditions.

Key Features and Benefits of Hawk Performance HPS Brake Pads:

• High friction/torque hot or cold
• Gentle on rotors
• Very quiet, low noise
• Improved braking over O.E. pads
• Extended pad life

Shop by vehicle to see if Hawk's HPS Street Brake Pads are available for your application.

Myth 1: If your vehicle has front-wheel drive, you only need two winter / snow tires.

On a front-wheel drive vehicle, the front tires do the steering, accelerating and most of the braking. If the front tires are doing the majority of the work, how important could those rear tires be? When driving in a straight line, they're not so important, but when it comes to turning, it's a different story. 

When making a turn, the front wheels initiate the change in direction, but for the driver to retain control, the rear tires need to follow accurately behind. If the front is gripping and the rear is sliding, the rear of the car wants to continue in a straight line while the front follows the intended path. This can lead to loose, tail-out oversteer, and if not quickly corrected can cause a complete spin-out. 

Stability control systems that are designed to prevent spins and loss of control can only work to optimize the available traction. They can't create traction that doesn't exist. If the rear tires aren't gripping, stability control is often not enough to save a spin. 

We tested this myth using Honda Civics on an ice rink to demonstrate the difference between two and four winter / snow tires on a FWD car. 

To view our complete test results, read "Why Gamble With Winter Tire Selection When Four of a Kind Always Beats Two Pair?".

Myth 2: If your vehicle has rear-wheel drive, you only need two winter / snow tires.

Two winter / snow tires on a rear-wheel drive vehicle used to be a common configuration. There are two main changes that explain why this is no longer the case.

First, snow tires have improved greatly over the years, therefore the difference in traction is much greater. When winter tires were less effective, they were only giving a boost in traction to the drive wheels to keep people from getting stuck in the snow. Now the difference between winter and all-season tires is big enough that there would be a more obvious imbalance in traction. There have been cases where the traction of the rear wheels pointing straight ahead have overpowered the front wheels' effort to turn, causing vehicles to plow straight ahead into obstacles or incoming traffic while attempting to turn.

Second, there's a much greater emphasis on safety today than there was in decades past. You or your parents may remember the days when seatbelts were optional, dashboards were made of metal, airbags were unheard of and safety mostly meant "don't hit anything." Things that would be dangerously negligent or downright illegal today used to be viewed as perfectly normal. 

In summary, the front wheels are responsible for the steering and most of the braking, and it doesn't make sense to shortchange them when it comes to winter traction. 

Myth 3: Bridgestone Blizzaks only give half the amount of winter service because the bottom half of the tread is a regular all-season compound.

Like many myths, this one is a distortion of reality. The first 55% of a Blizzak tire, like the WS70 for example, uses the winter Multicell compound. There are taller wear bars that'll indicate when the end of the compound is close. Below this is not an all-season compound, but a standard winter compound. Because the Multicell compound is more flexible, using a standard winter compound for the base makes the tread more stable. 

A major point that is often overlooked is that any winter / snow tire, regardless of compound, loses much of its effectiveness when the tread is too shallow. It's not recommended to go through a winter with snow tires of any brand that start the season with less than 6/32" of remaining tread depth. 

Blizzak tires will provide optimum traction until they reach the point where they or any other tire should be replaced. Below that depth they're still a winter tire, but the lack of tread depth will compromise effectiveness in deeper snow. 

For additional information on this line of tires, read "Bridgestone Blizzak FAQs."

For many years, studded winter / snow tires provided the ultimate in winter traction. As technology has improved over the years (and as many states and countries have outlawed the use of studs), tire manufacturers have been able to develop specialized rubber compounds that can now exceed the ice traction capabilities of traditional studded snow tires!

A few years ago we outfitted our test cars with the latest Studless Ice & Snow offerings from Bridgestone, Dunlop and Michelin and ran them against the Firestone Winterforce outfitted with carbide tipped studs. On our Real World Road Ride loop we found (as expected) that while none of the studless tires produced noise levels that were considered dramatic, the Firestone Winterforce tires generated so much noise that they were considered objectionable by many of our testers. Complete test results can be found by reading, "Technological or Traditional Traction for Ice and Packed Snow?".

We also went to a local ice rink for testing and the results of our braking tests were pretty impressive (since this test, each Studless Ice & Snow model has been replaced by a newer model). As you can see by the graph below, all three Studless Ice & Snow tires performed better than the studded option.

In the end, the results spoke for themselves. We learned that the advanced technology found in Studless Ice & Snow tires exceeded that of the traditional traction of studs on ice. Especially considering the unacceptable noise generated when studs contact dry and wet roads, we recommend using today's advanced tread compound and design technologies to drive through snow and on ice in winter.

In nearly any condition, the Studless Ice & Snow tire is up to the task and can provide better traction than a studded winter / snow tire. To see what tires will be best for you this winter, shop by vehicle.

General Motors' best-selling full-size SUVs are all based from the same platform. These vehicles include the Chevrolet Tahoe, GMC Yukon and the Cadillac Escalade. There are many basic similarities between these three vehicles, including tires. The current generation of these three SUVs either came with a 17", 18" or 20" tire. Given the popularity of these vehicles, many owners are looking for the best tire selection for their vehicle. Take a look at the following options when considering tire replacements for your Tahoe, Yukon or Escalade:

Bridgestone's Dueler H/L Alenza is the Original Equipment tire on most of these SUVs. This Crossover/SUV Touring All-Season tire is a very good option and I would continue to recommend it as a replacement option. It rides very nicely, offers good all-season traction and provides good treadlife. Designed to provide elegance with an edge, the tire has been ride and noise tuned to enhance comfort.

Another good option for these trucks is the new Michelin LTX M/S2. If you consider yourself a "Michelin Man", than this is your tire. This latest Highway All-Season radial from the French tire maker offers a very smooth ride and has the best all-season traction according to our most recent survey results. The LTX M/S2 molds a long wearing, silica-enhanced, all-season compound into a tread profile featuring Michelin's MaxTouch Construction to produce a contact patch that promotes reliable traction and long wear by evenly distributing acceleration, braking and cornering forces. Compared to the original LTX M/S, the LTX M/S2 is an evolution in looks and a leap forward in performance.

Bridgestone Dueler H/L Alenza

Michelin LTX M/S2

Continental CrossContact LX20 with EcoPlus Technology

If you're looking for a tire with good value, then consider the Continental CrossContact LX20 with EcoPlus Technology. The tire is a favorite among our customers as it is currently ranked number one in our Tire Survey Results for Crossover/SUV Touring All-Season tires. It's also engineered to help you improve your fuel efficiency and maintain grip when braking on wet surfaces while providing long wear and all-season traction, even in light snow. For more information about EcoPlus Technology, read "Continental Tire EcoPlus+ Technology, EcoPlus or 'E' Symbol."

When your Tahoe, Yukon or Escalade is in need of new tires, consider these options or shop by vehicle to find the tire that's best for your driving style.

As the 2012 winter season quickly approaches, many members of our sales team took to the ice rink to compile measured data regarding starting and stopping distances on glare ice. In our tests, we reviewed several winter / snow tires and got a feel for each tire's bite capabilities, lateral handling grip and breakaway limits.

These winter tires feature softer compounds than all-seasons that allow them to stay flexible when temperatures plummet. This flexibility allows the tire to grip even the most slick of surfaces. In addition to this helpful compounding, winter tires are designed with aggressive tread patterns and tread depths for additional biting edges.

During this year's testing, two tires really stuck out as my favorite performers:

Bridgestone Blizzak WS70

This fourth generation of the iconic Blizzak line did many things well during our testing. Utilizing a soft compound with metallic flakes known as micro bite particles, this tire seemed to be the most responsive in terms of starting and stopping distances. Before reaching the fixed braking zone, the Blizzak WS70 reached a higher speed than its competitors and slowed at an impressive rate. While the tire tended to be a bit on the noisy side, its slight tread noise is justifiable given its excellent performance figures. This is a dedicated winter tire that gets down to business.

Developed for the drivers of coupes, sedans, minivans and crossover vehicles, Blizzak WS70 winter / snow tires provide traction on winter's slushy, snow-covered and icy roads. Due to the traction capabilities of these tires, Bridgestone recommends using them only in sets of four to provide the best handling characteristics and tire performance.

Michelin X-Ice Xi3

Replacing the extremely popular X-Ice Xi2, the Michelin X-Ice Xi3 did not disappoint. While at the ice rink, I found the tire to be near equal in terms of performance when compared to the Bridgestone Blizzak WS70. Designed to provide predictable handling in cold, dry, and wet wintry conditions, the tire is an excellent choice for drivers seeking an aggressive dedicated winter tire. Similar to many other Michelin products, these tires are expected to wear quite well and are the only snow tire in the Studless Ice & Snow category to offer a manufacturer's treadlife warranty.

Bridgestone Blizzak WS70

Michelin X-Ice Xi3

While many of the tires tested this year would make for a fine winter performer, these two giants continue to get my support. Both brands are extremely reputable, make high quality products and push the envelope of winter performance with each new product launch. 

Many of our customers know about the potential advantages of going to a smaller wheel size when selecting a Winter / Snow Tire & Wheel Package. When minus sizing, not only would deep snow traction be enhanced, but the cost of a winter package is usually lower than a package maintaining your vehicle's original size tires and wheels. An additional advantage higher profile tire sizes offer is they feature taller sidewalls and smaller diameter wheels that more easily resist damage associated with winter road hazards and early spring potholes. However, we often receive questions from customers looking for wheels who only see equal or larger sized wheels when shopping, and nothing smaller than what is Original Equipment on their car.

In some cases, the size that's on your vehicle may be the smallest size possible that will still clear your vehicle's brakes. For most cars, it's possible to go smaller, you just have to know where to look. One way is to shop for a Winter / Snow Tire & Wheel Package rather than searching for wheels in our website's wheels section. Tire Rack's Preferred Winter Package often feature alternate sizes that combine smaller diameter wheels with narrower, higher profile tires that have equivalent load capacities and overall diameters. Unfortunately, wide, low profile tires have to "plow" a wide path through deep snow, where narrower tires have an easier time. So if you're likely to drive through deep snow this year, you'll want winter / snow tires and wheels in sizes that better help you.

Your winter tire and wheel sizes should be based on one of the following:

Your Vehicle's Original Equipment Tire and Wheel Size

While not a dimensional advantage, winter tires and wheels in the Original Equipment size to replace your all-season or summer tires will offer more traction in cold temperatures, slush, snow and ice.

The Tire and Wheel Size from Your Vehicle's Base Model

This is often an easy way to select an appropriate narrow tire for your car, van or truck. While this may only provide a small dimensional difference, a smaller combination (for example, 225/50R17-sized tires to 215/60R16-sized tires on 16" wheels) will reduce your cost while increasing your vehicle's wintertime traction.

A Minus Size Tire and Wheel

Minus Sizing combines taller profile tires with smaller diameter wheels.

Begin finding a smaller diameter wheel for your winter driving by searching for Winter / Snow Tire & Wheel Package!

When looking for new brake pads for your vehicle, it can quickly become confusing with multiple options from the same manufacturer being offered.  Let's try to clarify the differences by focusing on the pads available from Hawk Performance.

Hawk Performance Ceramic

Hawk HPS Street

Hawk HP Plus

Hawk Performance Ceramic Pads are the solution you're looking for when low dust and low noise are the priority. The stopping power will be slightly higher than the Original Equipment pad. They also feature a fade resistant, linear friction profile that allows your ABS brake system to work more effectively. Overall, these pads are going to deliver an Original Equipment type experience.

Hawk HPS Street brake pads use a more aggressive compound for high frequency stopping and/or performance driving. You'll experience more stopping power with a slight increase in dust and noise levels.  Hawk Performance HPS pads offer 20-40% more stopping power and higher resistance to brake fade than most Original Equipment or standard replacement pads. This is really a great all-around pad and I recommend it the most frequently.

Hawk HP Plus Race brake pads are targeted for the autocrosser and clients that do some track days with their vehicle. This is a street pad that delivers stopping power similar to what's found in a racecar. The trade off is more noise, dust and quicker wear. However, they'll withstand serious, repeated braking efforts.

Shop by vehicle to find the brake pad that best suits your driving style.