For the past few days, the Indiana sun has pushed temperatures into the high 90s. Too hot for you and me, but your summer tires love moderate heat. It helps them do what they are born to do: corner, brake and accelerate with a gleeful, light squeal.
With gas prices high, we all need to watch our budgets as we get our summer cars ready. As you research tires on our website, take a good look the closeout pricing on select sizes of the Max Performance Summer Dunlop SP Sport Maxx GT and SP Sport Maxx TT. The Ultra High Performance Summer SP Sport 01, along with a few other Dunlop models are also available at reduced prices.
Does your fun car happen to be a fourth-generation Ford Mustang GT with worn out shoes? No worries, with the 245/45-17 Dunlop Sport Maxx GT marked down from $209 to $88* you can enjoy your summer drives at a great price. Similar closeout pricing is available for the fifth-generation Mustang GT with Sport Maxx TT tires marked down to $108* from $177 in the 235/55-17 size and the 235/50-18 option available for $124*. Sport Maxx TT tires are not only a great value, they are a really good tire. In our comprehensive test, it bested its peers with ease. I love how the tire felt on the slalom portion of our track.
Other Dunlop SP Sport Maxx GT sizes available at closeout pricing include:
Additional Dunlop SP Sport Maxx TT sizes currently available at closeout prices include:
Other Dunlop tires on closeout:
*Prices subject to change, limited stock
Tire Rack is truly your one-stop shop for your vehicle's tires and wheels. With a wide selection to choose from, our website is tailored to help you make the best choice to fit your specific needs, however the service doesn't stop there. At Tire Rack, we know that a reasonably priced, quality installation is needed to make your tire buying experience complete. Buying tires and getting them installed is as easy as a few key strokes.
-
Use our extensive website to research the tire which most suits your needs at a price you can afford. We have a large amount of customer reviews, survey results and test results to help make your decision easier.
-
Once you have chosen the perfect tire, you can elect to have the tires shipped directly to one of our 8,000+ Recommended Installers. If you'd like to see the list of installers before checkout you can click on the installation tab at the top or bottom of our home page. Once you have entered your zip code, a complete list of your nearest installers, as well as their pricing will be displayed. And, as always, you have the option to ship to your own mechanic or even to your home.
-
Next, contact the installer and set up an installation time that's convenient for you.
Get started finding the right tire for your car or truck by shopping by vehicle.
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 Drag Racing Radial 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:
-
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.
-
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.
While researching tires on your website, you may see the same tire listed twice. For example, in the 225/65-17 size, you'll see a $173* Michelin Latitude Tour and a $182* Michelin Latitude Tour. Are these two tires really identical? Or are there differences? One of the options (the Latitude Tour currently listed at $173) is an Original Equipment tire used on the 2012 Chevrolet Equinox LS. The other Michelin option (currently listed for $182) is the "normal" version of the Latitude Tour.
What are the technical differences between the two versions? With these two tires, there are differences in each tire's load carrying capacity, treadwear rating and weight. The non-Original Equipment Latitude Tour has a 100T service description, while the GM variant Latitude Tour has a 102T service description. A load index of 100 equals 1,764 lbs. of load carry capacity and 102 carries 1,874 lbs. The Original Equipment tire has a treadwear rating of 720 compared to a 600 rating on the "normal" Latitude Tour. Each tire is offered with a 65,000 mile treadwear warranty. The Latitude Tour with the 100T service description has two polyester plies and a 30 pound weight, where the GM variant Latitude Tour has one polyester sidewall ply and a 25 pound weight.
To summarize, both tires are similar; however the Original Equipment version of the tire should wear better and has less carrying capacity.
If you're replacing one or two tires, you should try to stay with the version you currently have so you have the same grip on each corner of the vehicle. When replacing four tires, either option will work, unless the O.E. variant is for a vehicle that's markedly different than yours.
225/65-17 Michelin Latitude Tour FAQ:
-
The "normal" Latitude Tour is listed as being on backorder, how long will this last? Backorder means that the tire is on order, but the tire manufacturer can't provide an approximate in-stock date. We can make a projection based upon the last ship date and whether or not a production run is scheduled and past patterns. We are constantly following up with the tire manufacturers for up-to-date information. Since there is no production run scheduled, we project this tire will be available in approximately two or three months.
-
I have a third-generation (2007-2011) Honda CRV, which version of the Latitude Tour do you recommend? Also, does the GM variant Latitude Tour have enough carrying capacity? I'd choose the GM variant tire because the 5 lbs. of weight savings is substantial. Fuel economy will vary with several parameters, but if everything else remains the same, shedding 5 lbs. of weight will provide a measurable improvement.
As far as weight carrying capacity, the CRV has a gross axle weight rating of 2,226 in the front and 2,290 on the rear. So each tire must carry 1,141 lbs. to meet minimum spec. At 1,764 lbs. (1,605 with the standard SUV and truck adjustment), either tire has more than enough capacity.
*Prices subject to change
Choosing the best tire is one of the most important factors of a successful autocross season. Racers spend lots of time and energy in extracting every ounce of horsepower and torque from their engine, and sometimes forget that all of this power is useless unless it can be effectively transferred to the track. There are four small patches of rubber that play the most important role in determining your vehicle's level of performance.
There are two distinct groups of autocross tires. The first group is made up of dedicated track tires that are DOT approved, but are never intended for street use. Drivers using these tires want maximum dry grip and will have separate wheels to install at the track. I believe the best tires in the Dry Racetrack & Autocross Only category are the Hoosier A6, Hankook Ventus Z214 and Kumho Ecsta V710.
The second group of tires is for the autocrosser who's willing to sacrifice some dry grip in order to have a tire they can drive to and from the track. In the Extreme Performance Summer category I like the Bridgestone Potenza RE-11, Dunlop Direzza Sport Z1 Star Spec and Hankook Ventus R-S3.
I think these tires are the best choices in each group because of their dry traction and steering response are some the highest rated by customers who have used the tires. Unlike shopping for any other tire, these are the two most important attributes to an autocross tire. Anything else like ride comfort or road noise is ancillary to your autocross needs.
Whether you're looking for Hoosier tires for sale, Hankook reviews or to buy Dunlop tires, our website offers you everything you need to have the best autocross season!
Tire Rack supplies many tools that help you find the tire you need. When you shop by vehicle, we'll get you pointed in the right direction. This feature will account for load and speed rating requirements in the original sizes.
Once you have confirmed the tire size and are looking at all options, our results can be fine tuned. You can sort by a number of criteria including: price, brand and performance category. This allows you to quickly view the products that best match the tires you're considering. You can also do side-by-side comparisons of multiple tires. We will show you the pricing, survey data, warranty and more in an easy-to-view format.
When viewing a specific tire, you can see detailed information on the various tabs. These include a description, prices and sizing, complete specs (revs. per mile, weight, rim width, range) and warranty details. You can also look at detailed customer reviews, survey data and test results that'll help you determine if that tire is right for your vehicle.
You won't find any one with more information. If you want a more direct approach, we also offer the Tire Decision Guide. By answering a few simple questions, this feature will determine the performance categories from which you should choose your new tires.
And finally, our greatest secret weapon...our sales specialists. With many questions better handled over the phone, the best trained staff in the industry will help guide you to the best product(s) and place your order for you.
1999 Ford Ranger Super Cab 4wd
2007 Dodge Ram 3500 MegaCab 4wd Dually
