Understand Types of Tyres Before you Regret

Cars

When it comes to purchasing new tyres for your vehicle the wide variety of tyres in a local tyre shop or online tyre store can make it confusing to settle on a particular option unless you are well educated on tyres.

Tyres are produced explicitly for various vehicles. They may likewise have diverse tread designs with the goal to satisfy the requirements for a particular climate or terrain. As well as tyres also vary in terms of performance capacities.

It's very important to choose a tyre for your vehicle that is most appropriate to your driving style and necessities.

The sheer assortment of tyres you can purchase solemnly depends upon your driving needs. Unlike in the past, in today’s era, one can without much of a stretch stroll into a tyre vendor shop and substitute the factory-installed tyres with elite ones that can totally enhance the overall driving experience.

Classification of tyres - outline

Fundamentally, the tyres are classified as follow:

  • Standard Seasonal and weather tyres
    • All season tyres
    • Summer tyres
    • Winter tyres
  • Touring tyres
    • Grand touring all season
    • Grand touring summer
    • Highway all season
    • Highway rib summer
    • Passenger all season
    • Standard touring all season
    • SUV/crossover touring all season
  • Sports tyres
    • Extreme performance summer
    • High performance all season
    • High-performance summer
    • Max performance summer
    • Performance all season
    • Street sport truck all season
    • Ultra high performance all season
  • Adventure /All terrain tyres
    • Off-Road Max Traction
    • On-/Off-Road All-Terrain
    • On-/Off-Road Commercial Traction

 

Types of tyres explained

Following is the detailed overview of different types of tyres:

All season tyres

All-season tyres, otherwise called all-weather tyres, are intended for use in a geographical location with a moderate climate.

All season tyres basically are mix and match of summer and winter tyres to make a tyre that has attributes of both with the goal that they can be utilized lasting throughout the year, equipping drivers to combat whatever the climate tosses at them.

 However, all-season tyres by no means can match the qualities of specific weather oriented tyres such as winter and summer tyres, but still, they give a decent all-round blend of qualities.

All-season tyres are produced using a special rubber compound, which offers a firm grip on dry streets and does not solidify as much as summer tyres in a winter climate. Nevertheless, extreme climate conditions can still affect the tyre.

Also, all-season tyres are great at preventing aquaplaning due to their specially designed tread.

To sum it up all-season tyres are the tyres that can really be utilized throughout the entire year with a reasonable compromise on performance.

Following are some of the best all-season tyres:

  • Continental AllSeasonContact
  • Falken Euro all Season AS200     
  • Goodyear Vector 4Seasons Gen-2          
  • Michelin CrossClimate+
  • Nokian Weatherproof  
  • Tristar Ecopower

 

Summer tyres

Summer tyres are intended to perform better in the geographical location where there is a hot climate throughout the year, for example, Dubai.

In places like Dubai, where the temperature is very hot, the all-season tyre gets depleted quite rapidly in comparison to summer tyres since they have a particular rubber composition which offers amazing braking and handling capabilities in hot weather.

Summer tyres are constructed in a way that they have a lesser of a tread pattern, which gives a decent grasp by increasing the contact area with the road. Also, summer tyres give better fuel efficiency as compared to all-season tyres. That is because the summer tyres have less friction.

 

Most importantly summer tyres don't wear out at a high temperature as well as they give an unparallel performance in both wet and dry conditions.

 

Last but not least, summer tyres can travel at incredibly high speeds even in outrageous hot climatic conditions.

 

Following are some of the best summer tyres:

  • Dunlop SP Sport Bluresponse
  • Goodyear Efficientgrip Performance
  • Hankook Ventus Prime3 K125
  • Uniroyal Rainsport 3
  • Zeetex HP2000 VFM

 

Winter tyres

Winter tyres perform best in geographical locations where the temperatures is beneath +7 degrees Celsius. Winter tyres are particularly used in terrains where it's icy and snowy throughout the year.

 Winter tyres are constructed using a special rubber material which ensures that the tyre does not solidify and stay flexible in moderate or extremely cold temperatures. The soft surface of the winter tyre ensures that the greater area of the tyre is interlocked with the road surface hence providing better grip.

Winter tyres additionally have a huge number groves in its tread pattern which are utilized to scatter water and prevent aquaplaning also known as hydroplaning. Also, the groves are deep which helps in grasping the sow better, adding traction so the vehicle can travel easily on snow.

Following are some of the best winter tyres:

  • Bridgestone Blizzak WS80.
  • Goodyear Ultra Grip.
  • Pirelli Cinturato Winter.
  • Yokohama BluEarth Winter V905.

 

Grand touring all season

Grand touring all-season tyres highlights the following features

  • Better grip in wet conditions
  • Smooth ride
  • low rolling resistance with better fuel economy

Grand touring all-season tyres are typically fit for summer condition or lighter winter conditions. Furthermore, Grand touring all-season tyres have asymmetric tread pattern and can travel at higher speeds in contrast to all-season tyres.

Following are some of the best grand touring all season tyres:

  • Continental PureContact LS
  • General AltiMAX RT43
  • Pirelli Cinturato P7 All Season Plus
  • Yokohama AVID Ascend GT

 

Grand touring summer

Grand Touring Summer Tyres are manufactured to be driven In hot climate conditions. Following are some key benefits of the tyre:

  • Comfortable ride
  • Wet conditions
  • Quite ride
  • Smooth/pillowy ride
  • Inexpensive tyre
  • Best for road trips

However, with all those qualities these tyres are not meant to be driven in cold climate such as icy or snowy terrain.

Following are some of the best grand touring summer tyres:

 

Highway all season

Highway all-season tyres are designed to be driven on highways irrespective of the climate. This tyre has specially designed autonomous tread blocks proving better traction on the road.

The sidewall of these tyres is engraved with M+S and are equipped for all-season adaptability, they even provide traction in an area with lighter snow track.

Following are some of the best highway all season tyres:

  • Bridgestone Duravis R500 HD
  • General Grabber HTS 60
  • Michelin Defender LTX M/S
  • Michelin LTX M/S2
  • Sumitomo Encounter HT

Highway rib summer

Highway rib summer tyres are used in a sport utility vehicle, heavy-duty pickup and various other vehicles. These tyres are great on dry and wet streets however are strictly to be not driven in cold climate with icy or snowy roads.

Highway rib summer tyres have rib-type tread design. This tread design is developed so the tyre can be used in streets as well as highway without wearing out. Following are some of the outlined qualities of the tyre:

  • Even wear
  • Overall fine traction
  • Low noise

Following are the best highway rib summer tyres:

  • Continental Vanco 2
  • Michelin XPS Rib              

Passenger all season

Passenger all-season tyres are used in passenger vehicles. Following are some of the qualities of passenger all-season tyre:

  • Better mileage
  • Can be used in a hot or cold climate (throughout the year)
  • Smooth ride
  • Fine traction (dry and wet conditions)
  • It takes longer to wear out

All of these qualities make this tyre a perfect blend for long road trips.

Following are some of the best passenger all season tyres:

  • Firestone All Season
  • Goodyear Assurance ComforTred
  • Goodyear Assurance Fuel Max
  • Michelin Energy Saver A/S
  • Yokohama AVID S34PV

Standard touring all season

The standard touring all-season tyre is closely relatable to all-season tyre however with a comfortable ride this tyre also facilitates its passenger with greater performance. This tyre has a larger contact zone with the ground hence giving a better grip on the road.

Larger contact zone with the ground not only provides better grip but also gives a comfortable and quiet ride. The standard touring all-season tyre also has a longer tread life.

The downside with a Standard touring all-season tyre can be winter climate driving, which can be an issue if there is snow.

Following are some of the best standard touring all season tyres:

  • BFGoodrich Advantage T/A Sport
  • Continental TrueContact
  • Continental TrueContact Tour
  • General AltiMAX RT43
  • Goodyear Assurance MaxLife
  • Michelin Defender T+H
  • Pirelli P4 Four Seasons Plus

 

SUV/crossover touring all season

SUV/crossover touring all-season tyre is known for its versatility in terms of weather. This tyre provides better traction in light snow unlike the majority of all-season tyres.

This tyre is majorly used in SUVs for the purpose of touring. This tyre offers various features such as low noise rating and splendid ride quality.

Following are some of the best SUV/crossover touring all season tyres:

  • BFGoodrich Advantage T/A Sport LT
  • Bridgestone Dueler H/L Alenza
  • Bridgestone Dueler H/L Alenza Plus
  • Continental CrossContact LX20 with EcoPlus Technology
  • Goodyear Assurance CS TripleTred All-Season

Extreme performance summer

Extreme performance summer tyres have extreme dry grip. This tyre can travel at high speeds on a dry surface. Following are the drawbacks of the tyre:

  • Very low wet traction
  • Doesn’t provide a comfortable ride
  • Have shorter tread life

Following are some of the best extreme performance summer tyres:

  • Bridgestone Potenza RE-71R
  • Dunlop Direzza ZII Star Spec
  • Falken Azenis RT615K+
  • Hankook Ventus R-S3 (Version 2)
  • Hankook Ventus R-S4
  • Yokohama ADVAN Neova AD08 R

High performance all season

High-performance all-season tyres can be used all around the year even in moderate snowy and icy conditions. This is a high-performance tyre with a unique tread and rubber composition, hence providing better traction.

Following are some of the best high performance all season tyres:

  • Firestone Firehawk AS
  • Goodyear Eagle RS-A2
  • Goodyear Eagle Sport All-Season
  • Kumho Ecsta PA31
  • Michelin Pilot Sport A/S 3+
  • Sumitomo HTR A/S P02
  • Yokohama AVID ENVigor

 

High-performance summer

With low profile High-performance summer tyre the steering framework becomes more responsive hence giving better handling. Other added benefits of the tyre are:

  • Wet and dry traction
  • Reasonable tread wear

However, these tyre are not meant to be driven in a cold climate.

Following are some of the best high-performance summer tyres:

  • Pirelli Cinturato P7 (H- or V-Speed Rated)
  • Pirelli P6000
  • Yokohama ADVAN A11A

Max performance summer

Max performance summer tyre offers the maximum performance a tyre can have ina hot climate. This tyre has an impressive level of traction.

This tyre is for the drivers who do not want to compromise on handling. However, this tyre has a slight tread noise.

Following are some of the best max performance summer tyres:

  • Bridgestone Potenza S-04 Pole Position
  • Continental ExtremeContact Sport
  • Dunlop SP Sport Maxx GT
  • Michelin Pilot Sport 3
  • Michelin Pilot Sport 4S
  • Michelin Pilot Sport PS2
  • Michelin Pilot Super Sport
  • Pirelli P Zero Nero GT

Performance all season

Performance all-season tyre incorporates the ability to provide high performance in all seasons without giving up traction in dry, wet and even snowy conditions. Overall this tyre is a proportionate blend of all capabilities a tyre can have.

Following are some of the best performance all season tyres:

  • BFGoodrich Radial T/A
  • BFGoodrich Radial T/A Spec
  • Cooper Cobra Radial G/T
  • Goodyear Eagle GT II

 

Street/sport truck all season

Following are the key benefits of street/sport truck all-season tyre:

  • Good handling (wet and dry)
  • Good winter traction
  • Adequately comfortable ride
  • Reasonable tread life

Basically, Street/sport truck all-season tyres are used to upgrade the vehicle from their parent factory-installed tyres. These are low profile wide tyre.

Following are some of the best street/sport truck all season tyres:

  • Cooper Discoverer H/T Plus
  • Goodyear Fortera SL Edition
  • Hankook Ventus ST RH06
  • Pirelli Scorpion Zero All Season Plus
  • Sumitomo HTR Sport H/P
  • Yokohama Parada Spec-X

 

Ultra high-performance all-season

Ultra-high performance all-season tyre equips the vehicle with ultra-performance while offering:

  • Ultra-responsive handling
  • Excellent traction on wet and dry conditions
  • Good winter traction

These tyres can be used throughout the year.

Following are some of the best ultra high-performance all-season tyres:

  • BFGoodrich g-Force COMP-2 A/S
  • Bridgestone Potenza RE980AS
  • Continental ExtremeContact DWS 06
  • Cooper Zeon RS3-G1
  • Dunlop Signature HP
  • General G-MAX AS-05
  • Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric All-Season
  • Goodyear Eagle Sport All-Season
  • Michelin Pilot Sport A/S 3+
  • Pirelli P Zero All Season Plus
  • Riken Raptor ZR A/S
  • Yokohama ADVAN Sport A/S

Off-Road Max Traction

Off-Road Max Traction tyres are large in size with aggressive tread pattern. This aggressive tread pattern of the tyre provides most extreme footing that impels the vehicle through sloppy trenches and over elusive rocks. Furthermore, metal studs can be used to increase snow traction.

Off-Road Max Traction tyres are used in trucks and SUVs that are driven through rough terrains, such as muddy and rocky surface. This tyre can also be used on the highway.

Ultimately, this tyre is manufactured so you can deal with the most extreme driving conditions irrespective of what the trail tosses at you.

Following are some of the best off-road max traction tyres:

  • BFGoodrich Mud-Terrain T/A KM2
  • Firestone Destination M/T
  • Firestone Destination M/T2
  • General Grabber X3
  • Kumho Road Venture MT KL71

On-/Off-Road All-Terrain

On-/Off-Road All-Terrain tyres are designed to be driven on both on-road and off-road. However, for most of the part, these tyres are more fit for off-road driving. Nonetheless, you can still drive on the highway with this tyre without having to worry about anything.

Following are some of the downsides and upsides of this tyre:

  • Multifaceted tread
  • Excellent off-road capability
  • Adequate on-road capability
  • All-season tyre
  • Excellent traction in snow
  • Compromised comfort
  • Not so good traction on paved road

Following are some of the best on-/off-road all-terrain tyres:

  • BFGoodrich All-Terrain T/A KO2
  • Bridgestone Dueler A/T Revo 3
  • Continental TerrainContact A/T
  • Firestone Destination A/T
  • General Grabber A/TX
  • Goodyear Wrangler TrailRunner AT
  • Pirelli Scorpion All Terrain Plus
  • Sumitomo Encounter AT

On-/Off-Road Commercial Traction

On-/Off-Road Commercial Traction tyres are fundamentally used for commercial purposes. This tyre is used in heavy-duty vehicles for majorly the purpose of contraction or any other heavy-duty job. Specifically, this tyre provides great traction on job sites that have rough terrain.

Following are some of the best on-/off-road commercial traction tyres:

  • BFGoodrich Commercial T/A Traction
  • Bridgestone Duravis M700 HD
  • Firestone Transforce AT
  • Goodyear Wrangler DuraTrac
  • Michelin XPS Traction

 

Conclusion

In today’s era of customization, nobody has to adjust and compromise on their existing factory-installed tyres. The cutting edge technology has evolved tyre into a piece of equipment that you can customize according to your needs.

However, this extensive variation In tyres has created a lot of confusion for the buyers. In order for you to not get confused and have a better driving experience that you desire you should make your tyre purchase choice with the help of information given above.