Which type is right for you?
When buying new tires, you’ve probably wondered about performance tires vs all season tires. There are benefits to both types of tires as well as drawbacks. When looking for the right tire, it’s best to take a look at what you’re trying to get out of your vehicle when it comes to performance, ride quality, traction, and even the climate where you will be driving.
The biggest factor that will play into the debate between performance tires vs all season tires will be what you will be using your vehicle for, what you are looking to get out of your new tires, and the types of conditions that you will be driving in with your vehicle. All season and performance tires are made from different compounds, have different tread patterns and designs, and offer different benefits when compared with each other.
Performance tires are the flashy, fun tires that offer exactly what their name states: the highest performance possible on the road. These tires are designed to generate the maximum amount of traction on the asphalt along with more responsive steering, better braking, and improved handling. Simply put, if you want to drive your vehicle to its limits, then performance tires are going to be your best option.
The best performance tires will be able to offer all of these benefits thanks to a number of different aspects with their construction and design. This type of tire is made using a softer compound that helps generate better traction and grip on asphalt. The tread pattern is also designed with fewer and shallower grooves that allows for a larger contract patch to be generated between the rubber and the road. The tread pattern also helps generate better traction in wet conditions better than other types of tires.
However, even the best performance tires are not without their drawbacks. Due to the softer compound, at temperatures under 40-degrees Fahrenheit, the tire will harden and performance will drastically suffer – even leading to dangerous driving characteristics. The softer compound and shallower grooves also mean that they wear faster than all season tires as well. This same tread design and shallow grooves means that traction in the snow and ice is virtually non-existent.
So, let’s look at the other contender in the performance tires vs all season tires debate. All season tires are designed to offer the best all-around performance in the largest variety of conditions without sacrificing performance, ride comfort, and more.
All season tires are made out of a different compound than performance tires that is harder and designed to be used in both colder and warmer temperatures. While this may extend the life of the tire, it also leads to less grip compared to performance tires. The design of the tread is more extensive with deeper grooves that help to disperse rain and snow.
All season tires offer the best possible balance between acceptable dry and wet traction and performance with longevity and ride comfort. Often, this balance is important for many on passenger cars that are looking for a reliable tire with long life and won’t be hitting apexes through winding roads. These tires can also be used in light winter conditions such as snow and slush, but for more severe winters, dedicated winter tires are suggested.
In the great performance tires vs all season tires debate, it’s important to understand what you want out of your vehicle along with the pros and cons of each tire. If you’re looking for a year-round tire with acceptable performance in a variety of situations along with a longer life, then all season tires are right for you. If you want maximum performance in wet and dry situations, and live in a warmer climate, then performance tires might be your best bet.
Take a look at the Performance Tires vs All Season Tires at WheelHero!
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