All-Season Tires
Let us discuss and review the All-season tires here with speed ratings given to each of its variety to give you a better idea about the quality and tread life of the tire. Maximum sustainable speed by the tire denotes its speed ratings. While the higher ratings represent better handling and responsiveness in conjunction with better heat resistance but shorter tread life, low speed ratings are taken to denote better ride quality and better tread life.
All-seasons tires used to have S-rating and T-rating representing speed of 112 mph and 118 mph respectively. The historical all-seasons tires were found ideal replacement for mainstream passenger cars and minivans at that time.
In the wake of growing markets and rising awareness for quality and innovation, all-seasons has also introduced its H (130 mph) and V (149 mph) rated tires in a couple of years time, to offer both high-performance and precise handling both in dry and wet conditions.
A standard all-season tire comes with either S or T ratings. However, these tires are categorically meant for a specific condition – either dry or wet. For precise handling, braking and overall ultra high-performance in both dry and wet conditions, the ideal choices are the summer versions called Max performance summer tires with speed ratings of Y, W and Z (up to 186 mph). Please note that the summer version tires are not appropriate for snow and ice.
Further, among notable high-performance tires is Avid TRZ, which offers better grip in cold weather and is found suitable for winters. In fact, Avid TRZ boasts of three distinct tread zones to support high-performance and precise grip equally well in dry, wet and light snowy weather conditions.
The T - rated Pirelli P 400 tires are suitable for all four seasons and lends you a sportier appearance. The Pirelli P 400 is warranted up to 60,000 miles. However, reportedly the Pirelli gives lesser performance on ice and snow than Avid TRZ.
A premium all-season tire for passenger cars and minivans, the Goodyear Assurance ComforTred is a versatile tire that does not wear easily, as well as, offers good grip in almost all weather conditions, including ice and snow. With shock-absorbent layer of rubber between the tread and steel belts, the tire ensures smoother ride and provides 20% more cushion than any other standard automobile tire. Goodyear has a warranty of 80,000 miles. The Goodyear tire fares better than any other tire in snow. However, too much exposure to snow may retard its braking capacity when in wet or dry weather conditions. Another S-rated all-season tire is Hankook Mileage plus H725, which provides you a good all-round tire for passenger cars in specific.
In a nutshell, there is a whole range of tires with all-season that need to be examined and scrutinized, to be narrowed down to suit all the weather conditions you are often dealing with.
Useful resources:
- http://www.yokohamatire.com/
- http://www.pirelli.com/
- http://www.goodyear.com/
- http://www.hankooktireusa.com/
- http://www.tirerack.com/
