Celebrating 50 Years Of Service in Western Canada

X

Ask Your Expert

Your local dealer will get back to you within 24 hours with recommendations and to book an appointment.

Find Your Tires

Find Your Local Tire Dealer

Search Locally

News

What Is the Difference Between the Best Performance Tires and Standard Tires?

If you’re like most people, you probably don’t know the difference between performance tires and standard tires. But if you’re a car enthusiast or if you care about getting the most out of your vehicle, it’s an important distinction to understand. Here’s a quick rundown of the difference between performance tires and standard tires.

Are performance tires the best choice for me?

Are performance tires the best choice for your vehicle? It depends on how you intend to use your vehicle and what trade-offs you will make. 

Performance tires are designed to provide better handling, braking, and cornering than standard tires. They are made with stiffer sidewalls and tread compounds that minimize flexing for more precise handling. The downside of this stiffness is that performance tires tend to ride harsher than standard tires. They also wear out faster and are more expensive.

Standard tires will give you a smoother, more comfortable ride if you mostly drive on highways and other smooth roads. If you frequently find yourself driving on twisty roads or off-road, performance tires will give you the grip and control you need.

So, what exactly are tire speed ratings, and how do you use them?

A few key points differentiate performance tires from your standard all-season tires. The biggest factor is speed capability. Performance tires are designed to maintain traction at higher velocities, while all-season tires are not. This is due to the design and compounds used in the construction of each tire type. 

All-season tires are made with a tread compound designed to remain flexible in a wide range of temperatures, allowing them to maintain traction in cold and warm conditions. Conversely, performance tires use a tread compound that is designed for maximum grip in warm conditions. This makes them less effective in cold weather as the tread becomes harder and less able to bite into icy or snowy surfaces. 

Another important factor is tread life. Due to the harder compound used in performance tires, they will usually have a shorter lifespan than all-season tires. The faster you drive, the shorter they will last. 

So, what exactly are tire speed ratings, and how do you use them? Tire speed ratings were created to guide consumers so they would know which tire was best suited for their driving habits. The rating is the maximum speed at which a tire can be driven for extended periods of time without failure. 

The rating system goes from A (the lowest) to Z (the highest). Most performance tires will have a Y or Z speed rating, indicating that they can be driven at speeds up to 186 mph or over. In contrast, most all-season tires will have an S or T speed rating, indicating their ability to be driven at speeds up to 112 mph or 118 mph, respectively. 

It’s important to note that these are only guidelines and that driving conditions such as weather and road surface must be taken into account when choosing the right tire for your needs.

A Better Way to Buy Tires

Tires are one of the most important parts of your car, and it’s important to choose the right ones. But with all the different types of tires out there, it can be tough to know which ones are right for you. Do you need performance tires or standard tires? What’s the difference between them, and which one is better for you?

Here’s a quick overview of the different types of tires and what they’re best for:

Standard Tires: Standard tires are the most common type of tire. They’re designed for everyday driving on regular roads. Standard tires should be fine if you do a lot of highway driving or live in a warm climate.

Performance Tires: Performance tires are designed for better handling and grip. If you do a lot of city driving or live in a cold climate, performance tires may be a better choice for you. They also tend to be more expensive than standard tires.

All-Season Tires: All-season tires are a type of standard tire that can be used in all seasons. They’re a good choice if you do a lot of driving in different weather conditions and don’t want to have to change your tires every season.

Snow Tires: Snow tires are a type of performance tire that is designed for better grip and traction in snowy and icy conditions. They’re a good choice if you live in an area with harsh winters or drive in snowy conditions.

Back