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Which Winter Performance Category Is Right for You?

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Are you in the blue? Then it's time to find the winter / snow tire that works best for your vehicle. In order to purchase the correct snow tire, you should decide which performance category works best for your driving style and the winter weather you experience. There are three winter performance categories: Studless Ice & Snow, Studdable Winter / Snow and Performance Winter / Snow.

Studless Ice & Snow

Tires from this category give you optimum ice and packed snow grip, but are less responsive on dry roads. The tires trade a little handling for excellent ice and snow traction. On dry roads, your vehicle will not respond as crisply or quickly to steering inputs. Studless Ice & Snow tires are available in higher profile sizes and include the following:

If you go with a Studless Ice & Snow tire, you should consider going with a narrower tire as it cuts through deeper snow better. This is especially true for a lighter car like the MINI Cooper.

Studdable Winter / Snow

Studdable Winter / Snow tires can be run studded or unstudded. When studded, they'll give good ice and packed snow grip, but will be less responsive on dry roads. When unstudded, they'll perform well in moderate and deep snow. It's important to note that the use of studded tires may be prohibited or restricted in your area, be sure to check with local authorities to confirm legality. If you're looking for the traditional security of winter tire studs for enhanced traction on ice, consider the following Studdable Winter / Snow options:

The AltiMAX Arctic is slightly better on ice and packed snow and quieter than the the Winterforce. Winterforce tires will provide more effectiveness in deeper snow.

Performance Winter / Snow

These tires will exhibit the above dry road deficiencies to a much lesser degree. If your vehicle came with summer performance tires, the Performance Winter / Snow tires will be more comparable in steering response, acceleration, grip, braking and cornering grip. They will give up some ice and packed snow grip. Tires in this category will wear slightly better compared to Studless Ice & Snow tires, especially during the early and late winter days when temperatures are a little warmer. All winter / snow tires will have more tread noise and this will vary from tire to tire. Performance Winter / Snow tires do tend to be quieter than the other performance categories.

Available in lower profile sizes, the following Performance Winter / Snow tires are great options:

Is a Studless Ice & Snow, Studdable Winter / Snow or a Performance Winter / Snow tire right for your vehicle? It depends on your car, where you live, how you drive on dry roads and how you want to balance the above compromises. For example, my brother lives in Marion, Indiana, which is about an hour northeast of Indianapolis. He got the Bridgestone Blizzak WS60 Studless Ice & Snow tire in 235/40R18 on Sport Edition A7 wheels for his 2008 BMW M3. He chose this tire because central Indiana is more apt to get ice storms and there's the potential for heavier snow that wouldn't be quickly cleared from the country roads between his offices. He's willing to drive slower on dry roads.

Compare my brother's driving situation with another driver from Louisville with the same car but a heavier foot, he would be better served with the Performance Winter / Snow Dunlop SP Winter Sport 3D tires in 235/40R18 front and 255/40R18 rear. Louisville's milder weather allows him to emphasize dry road performance, but still have emergency snow capability.

Let it snow.

 


235/40R19 XL Studless Ice & Snow Dunlop Graspic DS-3 for Your Audi

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Are you a snowbelt driver with a new Audi Quattro A5, S5 or RS5 with Original Equipment 255/35R19 XL (Extra Load) summer tires? This winter will you encounter your fair share of packed snow and ice on your daily commute? Your best solution is a set of dedicated Studless Ice & Snow tires. Compared to Performance Winter / Snow tires, you'll give up some dry road handling to achieve outstanding grip in the worst winter conditions.

Your Original Equipment 255/35R19 tires have a 26" overall diameter. In a perfect tire world we'd want winter / snow tires with a comparable diameter. This winter season, take a look at Dunlop's 235/40R19 Graspic DS-3 (26.3"). This size will fit on your O.E. Audi 19x8.5" wheels or you can build a Winter Wheel & Tire Package to get the exact look you want.

Many of you may wonder what the "XL" on your tires stand for. Extra Load (XL) means a tire has reinforced construction allowing it to carry more weight than a Standard Load tire of the same size. For instance, the 235/40R19 XL Dunlop Graspic DS-3 and 235/40R19 Michelin Pilot Alpin PA4 N-Spec, both have the same air volume, however Dunlop's XL construction allows it to carry a max load of 1,565 lbs. per tire compared to Michelin's max load of 1,389 lbs.

Many Audi's are equipped with XL tires as Original Equipment, so it's critical that your winter / snow tires meet or surpass factory load carrying requirements.

Replacement Tires for Land Rover Range Rover Sport

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Earlier this year, I went to my niece's high school graduation. Unfortunately, after I left to come back home, my brother experienced a tire issue. On Sunday afternoon, he found himself dealing with the problems you can see in the photos below:

Mouseover Text Here
Tire PunctureLand Rover Ranger Sport Tire Woes Inner Tire Wear
Inner Tire WearLand Rover Ranger Sport Tire Woes Inner Tire Wear Top View
Inner Tire Wear


My sister-in-law's 2012 Land Rover Range Rover Sport already has 25,000 miles on it. And since there was a small diameter wound in the center of the tread, this puncture could be repaired if it didn't have abnormal wear. As you can see, there's excessive wear on the inner shoulder exposing the belt edge strip and sidewall plies. The inner wear could be a pattern with the vehicle's chassis or the alignment is off and running too much negative camber. My brother or sister-in-law should have their dealer check the alignment. If they get the vehicle aligned, the paper will clearly point out what alignment specification was corrected.

I told him that the punctured tire needed to be replaced because of the risk of tread separation at the excessive wear point. It was also advised that he have the other tires checked. He checked and found the same excessive wear on the inside of the other tires. The tires may not have even been rotated and should have been rotated every 5,000 miles.

Of course he emailed me asking what tires he should use to replace his current set. I provided him with the following two options:

  1. Purchase four 275/40ZR20 Michelin Latitude Tour HP tires at $356* each plus shipping. He could rotate the symmetrical non-directional Latitude Tour HPs every 5,000 miles in the X-Pattern.Treadwear will vary with driving style, road conditions and other factors, however my sister-in-law should be able to get more lift from the Latitude Tour HP's all-season compound.
  2. The second option suggested was a set of Yokohama Parada Spec-X tires for $192* plus shipping. It combines impressive looks and confident handling with year-round traction in a wide range of weather conditions, including light snow.  

Shop by vehicle to view all the recommendations for your application.

*Prices subject to change

Changed My Mind and Went With the Enkei Performance Series Falcon

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When it came time to purchase wheels for my new vehicle, I thought I had my mind made up. After my research, I was ready to buy the 17x8" 45 ET gunmetal with machined lip Enkei Tuning Series Tenjin. It met all my requirements as far as function, style and finish. However, deep down, I knew my gut was telling me to go with a brighter finish and look for something different. While the Enkei Tenjin is a great wheel, I knew that it wasn't exactly what I was looking for. As we all know, wheels are about personal preference!

After I changed my mind, I went ahead and purchased the hyper silver with machined lip 17x7" 45 ET Enkei Performance Series Falcon (the Falcon is also available in 16", 18" and 20" rim diameters). I think they're a perfect complement to my vehicle and I like how the sharp edges of the wheel flows with the Civic Si's angular lines.

One change I did make was switching the center cap to one from Honda. It's not a perfect fit but my original Honda center cap can be squeezed in. In the near future, I will mill down the perimeter of the Honda caps for a better fit.

When the time comes for you to make your next wheel purchase, take a look at the wide range of styles from around the world we offer.

Is Narrower Always Better When it Comes to Winter / Snow Tires?

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Recently, I received a call from a longtime Tire Rack customer who was looking for a new set of winter / snow tires for his hybrid SUV. He was surprised to see our Preferred Winter / Snow Tire & Wheel Package didn't feature a narrower tire size. Many drivers benefit from a narrow tires ability to cut through deeper snow, but every driver needs to weigh both the advantages and disadvantages of a narrower size. Below you will find what you need to consider when you assess whether or not to go narrow.

Across the snowbelt, there's a wide variance in the intensity and frequency of deep snow blizzards. If you're not residing in the darkest blue areas in the map above, you have to weigh how much grip you’ll lose with a narrower tire on dry roads. All snow tires, especially those in the Studless Ice & Snow category, will sacrifice dry grip and the narrower footprint will exacerbate this loss.

The weight of your car also will play a role in your selection. Does it have all-wheel drive to power through snow? Narrower snow tires are particularly helpful on lightweight cars like the MINI Cooper because you end up with more weight per square inch of contact patch; and more weight equals more grip. Your narrower snow tires will let you cut through deep snow. With a heavier car like the Toyota FJ Cruiser, you can run a moderate size and still be fine. 

For additional help in choosing the right winter tire, read "Size Selection of Winter / Snow Tires."

Are You a Spirited Driver? Know Before Deciding on Which Winter Tire to Purchase.

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As you make your winter / snow tire choice based on performance categories, reviews and input from our sales specialists, it's also helpful to do some self-scouting on how you drive.

For example, if you tell our Tire Decision Guide that you're shopping for tires, it'll ask you some of the following questions:

  1. Will this vehicle be driving in the snow?
  2. Do you want the best snow and ice traction?
  3. Are you willing to trade some snow and ice traction for enhanced handling on wet and dry roads?

By answering these questions, we'll narrow down your choices and lead you to the tires that are right for you. Once you answer the questions, you can compare results, view lists sorted by performance category and see our top recommendations.

What do we mean by enhanced handling? Handling includes dry lateral (cornering) grip, dry longitudinal (braking and acceleration) grip, wet lateral grip, wet longitudinal grip, steering response and cornering stability. The level of proficiency you need in these areas ultimately depends on how spirited of a driver you are.

If you're a spirited driver and live in an area where roads are plowed frequently, you may want to consider a winter tire from the Performance Winter / Snow category. Tires in this performance category were originally developed for winter driving on European highways where high-speed driving on clear roads must be combined with traction on snow-covered roads. These tires are available on many of the low sidewall profile, large wheel diameter sizes used on sporty coupes and luxury sedans, as well as several crossover and sport utility vehicles.

Do you reside in an area that receives a large amount of snow and ice? Are you not a very spirited driver? Then options in the Studless Ice & Snow performance category are probably best for you. These tires meet the challenges of winter driving conditions by delivering studded-like snow and ice traction without employing noisy, road-damaging studs. Tires from this category feature pliable tread compounds molded into purposeful tread designs that trade some handling in dry and wet conditions to deliver excellent snow and ice traction.

You shouldn't always drive spiritedly, but when you do, drive on the right tires.

Stop Slipping in the Snow! The Optimal Snow Tire Solution for the 2014 Audi SQ5

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Did you get a 2014 Audi SQ5 to fill your need for compact crossover speed? With 354 hp and 346 ft-lbs of torque channeled through Audi's Quattro all-wheel drive, you've got the power to haul.

All good fun until the weatherman calls for some snow. Now, you find your SQ5 slipping and sliding instead of stopping on a dime. You have stressfully discovered that your Original Equipment 255/40R21 Dunlop SP Sport Maxx GTs (most common O.E. tire) are lacking snow grip. No worries, with just a few clicks on our website, your SQ5 will be good to go in the snow.

Winter / Snow Tire Size

Your Original Equipment Dunlops are not going to perform in snow because their summer compound turns brittle at cold temperatures coupled with a tread size consisting of large tread blocks without biting edges and sipes. A few of you may need to tweak your snow tire widths, but most snowbelt drivers are best served by staying with 255 width tires. The SQ5's 4550 lb. curb weight limits the utility of going skinnier, especially given the spirited nature of many SQ5 drivers.

Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS)

As you enter your SQ5 make and model information in our website's Upgrade Garage, we'll ask whether or not you have rubber or metal valve stems. Please go out to your SQ5 and tug at your valve stems. If they move they're rubber, if they don't, they're metal. If they're rubber, your SQ5 uses the ABS-based Indirect TPMS, if they're metal, you'll need Direct TPMS sensors available at $81 per corner. Neither system requires dealer initialization.

Winter / Snow Tire & Wheel Package

255/50-19 Michelin Latitude X-ICE Xi2 $265*
255/50R19 Michelin Latitude X-Ice Xi2Bright Silver Sport Edition WX5 $159
Bright Silver Sport Edition WX5


I like the Studless Ice & Snow Michelin Latitude X-Ice Xi2's balance of ice and packed snow grip combined with decent dry road handling. The Sport Edition WX5 provides good value along with being a great match to the SQ5's overall styling.

Now you've got the power and control to make your SQ5 handle anything winter may bring.

Surviving Winter 2014: Snow Driving Tips from Tire Rack

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When your driveway is covered with a foot of snow and it's -15 degrees below 0, it's definitely winter. Making this winter even more daunting is the persistently icy roads. Road salt won't melt anything at temperatures this cold. However, with the right driving technique and proper tires, driving in these conditions doesn't have to be so difficult.

What are the correct techniques for safe winter driving? We recently collaborated with Fox 28 South Bend to review some basic winter driving rules.

In this super quick and condensed lesson, our resident tire guru, John Rastetter, explains the keys to smooth winter driving:

  1. Maintain the proper speed for road conditions
  2. Allow enough braking distance
  3. Steer in the direction you want to go

As John points out, traction control helps dramatically. I suspect if John had more time in the interview, he would have talked about correcting a skid on a vehicle without traction control. If the rear end of your vehicle starts fishtailing to the left as you're making a right turn, quickly turn your wheelto the left to stop the skid. Once the vehicle stops skidding, straighten out the wheel to complete your turn. This is easier said than done as we saw in the video.

Of course, having the right tires means you're less likely to be skidding in the first place. Make sure you have optimal dedicated winter / snow tires or all-season tires with above-average snow proficiency for their category. As John points out, checking the tread depth and air pressure of your tires is very important, too.

While -15ºF isn't easy to deal with, driving in tough winter conditions doesn't have to be so hard when you have winter tires!


Don't Let a Little Snow Stop Your Ford Fiesta ST

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Did you visit your Ford dealer to test drive a Focus ST but end up with a 2014 Fiesta ST instead? You can't go wrong either way, however it's hard not to be swayed by the Fiesta ST's amazing power-to-weight ratio. 197 horsepower moving a mere 2,720 pounds gives you go-kart handling with plenty of power.

This is all fun until winter, as the vehicle's low curb weight and 205/40R17 Bridgestone Potenza RE050A Max Performance Summer tires make winter driving almost impossible.


Winter / Snow Tire Size:

There will be some variance in sizes depending on where you live, but most Fiesta ST drivers are best served by running 185/60R15 in the winter. This size gives you a footprint that's about 1" narrower, while maintaining the same overall tire diameter. Narrower tires will cut through moderate and deeper snow while providing good grip in packed snow and on ice.

Wheel Choice:

Ford does an amazing job channeling all that power without losing the battle to excessive torque steer (the tendency of a vehicle to veer straight ahead under hard acceleration). Ideally, you'll want to stay close to your 17x7" Original Equipment wheel's 47.5 mm offset. In theory, a significantly lower offset wheel will add torque steer. 

Tire & Wheel Package

Using the above information, if I had a Fiesta ST, I'd order a set of 185/60R15 Michelin X-Ice Xi3 tires on 15x6" 47mm offset steel wheels.

185/60-15 Studless Ice and Snow Michelin X-ICE Xi3 $103*
185/60R15 Michelin X-Ice Xi315x6 47ET Steel Wheel $50*
15x6" Steel Wheel


View all winter options available for your Ford Fiesta ST and create a Winter / Snow Tire & Wheel Package today!

Wheel Options for Your New White Vehicle

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When it comes to choosing a new vehicle, I prefer one with a darker color, such as BRG or Galaxy Blue Silica. However, white is a great color as well, and many drivers chose this color for their new vehicle in 2013.

If you're happy with your new vehicle's white color, but not thrilled with how the Original Equipment wheels blend with it, choosing a new wheel finish can really improve the look of your car. Are you struggling with what option to choose? No worries! Our website allows you to shop by vehicle and view all wheels that are a fit for your new vehicle. Once you enter your vehicle's year, make and model, our Upgrade Garage will isolate compatible wheels. And to help make your purchase easier, you can view how the wheel will look on your vehicle!

What happens when you put a machined finished wheel on a vehicle with white body paint? When you're about 30 yards away from the vehicle, the machined surfaces will almost color match with the white body.

As you can see in the photo above, the result is a distinctive, contemporary, yet refined look. Style, of course, is ultimately a matter of individual taste. As long your new wheels make you happy, you've made the right choice.

Big Improvements in Snow Traction for Your 2014 Porsche Cayenne GTS

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Our test BMWs are fun, but I have really enjoyed our Porsche Cayennes. For a large SUV, the Cayenne can really move. It's a Porsche, so the power is to be expected, but the cornering stability at this size and with this weight is a pleasant surprise.

If you've recently picked up a 2014 Porsche Cayenne GTS (Turbo S model is pictured), I'm sure you've also been impressed. Once winter arrived, you quickly discovered that the Original Equipment 295/35R21 Max Performance Summer tires lack even minimum cold weather competence. Don't be too hard on them, their specialty is great dry and wet grip. That's why you need to find the right winter tire for your new Porsche.

Winter / Snow Tire Category

Since tire engineers balance snow grip with dry road handling, it's helpful to ask yourself the following questions as you make your choice:

  1. How severe do winters in your area tend to be?
  2. How often will you drive on icy and hard-packed snow roads?
  3. How spirited of a driver are you?

Performance Winter / Snow Wheel & Tire Package

Many spirited drivers in the light blue region of our snowfall map rarely see ice-covered roads for a long period of time, so they are best served by options in the Performance Winter / Snow category. The ideal Winter / Snow Tire & Wheel Package for a spirited driver would be the 275/45R20 Pirelli Scorpion Ice & Snow on the 20x10 5-130 45ET silver painted Andros Spec P.

275/45-20 Pirelli Scorpion Ice and Snow N0 $317**
275/45R20 Pirelli Scorpion
Ice & Snow
20x10 5-130 45ET Silver Andros Spec P $229**
20x10 5-130 45ET Silver Painted
Andros Spec P


With the 275/45R20 being about one inch narrower than your O.E. 295/35R21, it's skinny enough to handle a deep snow blizzard, yet wide enough for your Cayenne GTS to remain fun on good weather days.

Studless Ice & Snow Tire & Package

Moderate drivers in the dark blue region of the map who frequently experiences icy roads should search for a tire from the Studless Ice & Snow category. The optimal package for this driver is the 255/55R18 Michelin Latitude X-Ice Xi2 on 18x8 5-130 50ET silver painted Sport Edition TX8 wheels.

255/55-18 Michelin Latitude X-ICE Xi2 $160**
255/55R18 Michelin Latitude
X-Ice Xi2
18x8 5-130 50ET Silver Sport Edition TX8 $155**
18x8 5-130 50ET Silver Painted
Sport Edition TX8


255/55R18 is approximately 1.5" narrower than your O.E. 295/35R21 and provides more emphasis on deeper snow traction. Among the 255/55R18 Studless Ice & Snow options, the Latitude X-Ice Xi2 does the best job at balancing ice and packed snow grip with dry road handling.

Create your ideal Winter / Snow Tire & Wheel Package today!

Good Tires From Kumho, Hankook, Sumitomo and General

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In the tire game, Kumho, Hankook, Sumitomo and General may not be common household names to some, but our testing and customer feedback proves they make some great tires. How do they do this? Specialization. 

The vehicle market is so diverse, making it a huge challenge for a single tire manufacturer to engineer the right tire for every car, SUV, crossover and light truck. It's not easy to fine-tune tires appropriate for the Ford F-150, FIAT 500 and the vast spectrum of vehicles in between. The end result is specific tires dominating in specialized areas.

Are you searching for great steering response, good wet grip and value in a sporty size? If so, the Kumho Ecsta 4X needs to be on your list. Do you put heavy emphasis on treadwear and light snow traction? Take a look at the Hankook Optimo H727. When looking for a 315/35R17 tire for the back axle of your muscle car, it's hard to beat the Sumitomo HTR Z's combination of value and performance. Finally, if you're looking for a tire at a reasonable price, with good wet grip and a cool tread design, check out the General G-MAX AS-03.

Ultra High Performance All-Season Kumho Ecsta 4X
Kumho Ecsta 4XStandard Touring All-Season Hankook Optimo H727
Hankook Optimo H727Ultra High Performance Summer Sumitomo HTRZ
Sumitomo HTR ZUltra High Performance All-Season General G-Max AS-03
General G-MAX AS-03


To learn more about what tire is a good match for your vehicle, read "Selecting the Right Tires."

All-Season Tires for the 2013 Mercedes-Benz G63 AMG

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With sophisticated all-wheel drive, traction control and weighing 5,622 pounds, you'd expect the 2013 Mercedes-Benz G63 AMG to dominate in the snow. Surprisingly, this isn't the case because there are no all-season or winter tire choices made in the vehicle's 275/50R20 Original Equipment size. 

Do you own one of these amazing SUVs, but a few inches of snow have you sliding? It's time to get creative with your next tire purchase. 285/50R20 is about 1/2" wider, 3/10" larger in overall diameter, and meets the G63's Load Carrying capacity requirements and fits on the Original Equipment AMG rims. Going with the 285/50R20 size provides you with many dedicated winter / snow and all-season tire options. Snowbelt drivers who want their G63 to excel in the snow should install a set of snow tires.

Even those who reside in a warmer climate, such as Atlanta, should consider all-season tires for their Mercedes-Benz. For a great combination of wet grip, decent light snow traction and good overall handling, the Continental CrossContact LX20 with EcoPlus Technology is hard to beat. Another great option to consider is the Bridgestone Dueler H/L Alenza Plus.

Crossover/SUV Touring All-Season Continental CrossContact LX20 $168*
Continental CrossContact LX20
with EcoPlus Technology
Crossover/SUV Touring All-Season Bridgestone Dueler H/L Alenza Plus $233*
Bridgestone Dueler H/L
Alenza Plus


For more assistance in finding a good set of tires for your vehicle, read "Selecting the Right Tires."

Tire Advice for My Cousin's Dream 2011-2013 Ford Mustang V6 Manual

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My cousin is in the market for a new car. What should he get? He's looking for a muscle car big enough to fit his 6'3" frame and at a price around $17,000. Unfortunately, the 2015 Ford Mustang (pictured below) won't make the cut.

Since he needed to move on from this dream car, he started looking at the 2014 model. He checked out a lot of cars at the show, but kept going back to the Mustang. It just felt right!

With many pre-owned Mustangs in the market place, we needed to narrow it down further. In 2011, Ford switched from the old 4.0L V6 and 5-speed to the 3.7L V6 coupled with a 6-speed. Power went up to 305 horsepower and 280 ft-lbs of torque, so he needs to be looking for 2011-2013 V6 Mustangs. I know he'll end up finding the right one.

However, if he stays in Chicago, his middleweight, powerful rear-wheel drive Mustang is going need help in the winter. If he goes with a 2012 Mustang, I would advise purchasing the 225/60R17 Studless Ice & Snow Michelin X-Ice Xi3 on black or silver 17x8 45ET MSW Type 19 wheels.

225/60-17 Studless Ice & Snow Michelin X-ICE Xi3 $135*
225/60R17 Michelin X-Ice Xi317x8 45ET Black Painted MSW Type 19 $104*
MSW Type 19 Black Painted17x8 45ET Silver Painted MSW Type 19 $118*
MSW Type 19 Silver Painted


I like the X-Ice Xi3's blend of ice, packed snow and dry road grip and the MSW Type 19 matches the Original Equipment width and offset. Its solid 5-spoke angular design is a good match for the car's temperament. With a little winter driving advice and the right tire, he'll do fine handling Chicago's rough winters.

Create a Tire & Wheel Package for your dream vehicle today!

Free Shipping on Coil-Overs, Pads, Rotors, Springs, Shocks and More When You Spend Over $50

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Most drivers know us for our tires and wheels, comprehensive tire testing and billions of miles of review feedback. However, we offer more than tires and wheels. We've got coil-overs,pads,rotors,springs,shocks and a myriad of other items that are now eligible for free shipping. All it takes is $50 of qualifying products and the shipping's on us.

For example, if your light truck is ready for new shocks and struts, it's hard to beat the offerings from Bilstein. Bilstein makes the HD products for many light trucks, as well as passenger cars. We hear many trucks owners rave about their Bilstein HD shocks and struts.

Bilstein's shocks and struts are built to meet the fitment and performance needs of specific vehicles. And their patented design reduces the need for a compromise between ride, handling and control. Their rigorous development, testing and attention to detail combine to provide exceptional ride comfort and a product that will out last and out perform Original Equipment. Additionally, with Bilstein's aftermarket lifetime warranty, you can be assured they're built to last.

When engineered properly, a strut or shock will exert only moderate rebound damping on the high-velocity damper piston speeds encountered on tar strips and small road imperfections. They also increase rebound damping on lower-velocity damper piston speeds encountered on curvy roads and exit ramps. This leads to a great combination of ride compliance on rough roads combined with handling. One of my co-workers raves about how the Bilstein HD performs on his first-generation 2001 Toyota Tacoma 4WD Double Cab.

Free shipping offer does not apply to tire and wheel purchases. It is valid for retail customers in the 48 contiguous states and the District of Columbia. For complete details on our free shipping, visit here.


Winter Tires Off and Ultra High Performance All-Season Tires On?

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It looks like spring has actually sprung! This week we'll get more than one warm day in a row. That's great for us, especially after this winter, but consistent warm weather isn't so good for your snow tires. Their specialized rubber compound will wear prematurely in warmer temperatures. So winter tires off, summer tires on, right? Not necessarily, as you may want to consider an all-season tire. Consider the following factors on whether you should get a summer or all-season tire.

Summer tires, especially on a powerful sporty car with great innate handling, allows you to push your vehicle to its limits. In order to benefit from the higher grip and crisper steering response of summer tires, you really have to love to drive and/or your vehicle is so performance oriented that it needs summer tires to handle correctly.

Are you not as intense during your daily commute? Exact attributes will vary from tire to tire, but you might be disappointed with a summer tire's higher tread noise, harsher ride, faster wear and poor grip in colder temperatures. Maybe you'd rather emphasize a quiet, more comfortable ride, with better longevity and cold weather versatility combined with enhanced emergency handling? Then consider options in the Ultra High Performance All-Season category instead of a summer tire.

I'd take a good look at the Michelin Sport A/S 3 for its superior wet and dry grip, the Continental ExtremeContact DWS for its versatility in the face of an unexpected spring or fall snowstorm and the Kumho Ecsta 4X for its combination of decent wet grip, crisp steering response and value.

Ultra High Performance All-Season Michelin Pilot Sport A/S 3
Michelin Pilot Sport
A/S 3
Ultra High Performance All-Season Continental ExtremeContact DWS
Continental ExtremeContact
DWS
Ultra High Performance All-Season Kumho Ecsta 4X
Kumho Ecsta
4X


Shop by vehicle to view all options available for your application.

Reassuring Wet Grip Today, Tomorrow and Down the Road with Michelin's Premier A/S

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How did Michelin improve their Grand Touring All-Season Primacy MXV4?

First, they went out and asked drivers what they wanted from their touring tires. The overwhelming answer was that drivers wanted safe handling and good braking in wet conditions.

Next, Michelin used Emerging Grooves, Expanding Rain Grooves and more silica to dramatically improve wet grip traction. The result is a Grand Touring All-Season tire that beat a top competitor when new and when worn. Yes, you read that correctly! The Michelin Premier A/S at 5/32" of remaining tread depth beat a leading tire when new in a wet braking test.


Impressive? Yes. However, since we're always thinking about tires, we wanted more data. How would the Premier A/S fare against the Grand Touring All-Season tire with best grip, the Continental PureContact with EcoPlus Technology? Last summer, we performed our own test. The Premier A/S when new and when shaved to 5/32" of remaining tread depth both beat the Continental offering. 

As we shaved the tire for the test, we noticed its starting tread depth (8.5/32") is less than the Primacy MXV4 (11/32"). Does less tread depth mean shorter life? No, because the Primacy MXV4's taller tread blocks will squirm when worn, whereas the Premier A/S' Intellisipe 3-Dimensional makes it tread more resistant to squirm. Both tires are offered with a 60,000-mile treadlife warranty.

Be on the look for more test results as we test the tire again later this summer.

Which Hankook R-S3 Should You Get for Your Porsche 911 Turbo (997)?

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When it comes to forgetting your worries, some meditate, some play racquetball and some drive all out on a closed race course. 

Part of the reason that Kenny (from the video above) is having so much fun is that he's not worried about his tires. He knows Tire Rack has him covered! When it comes to choosing the right tire for your Porsche 911 Turbo (997), which one is right for the track?

If you're a hardcore uber-competitive track fanatic running a heavily modified 911 Turbo, you'll want to choose a track tire like the Toyo Proxes R888. If you're more of casual track driver who just wants to have fun, the Extreme Performance Summer Hankook R-S3 offers an amazing combination of performance and value to go along with great dry grip and predictability. You could choose the model that's on closeout (2009 production) or the newer R-S3 "Version 2" (2014 production).

Closeout Extreme Performance Hankook RS3 $856**
Hankook R-S3Extreme Performance Hankook RS3 (Version 2)$1174*
Hankook R-S3 "Version 2"


What's the difference between the two? Hankook's internal testing shows the R-S3 "Version 2's" new compound has better dry grip and much better wet grip. If your 911 Turbo (997) occasionally sees rain, then the Hankook R-S3 "Version 2" is the way to go. If you're in a dryer climate, the older model will offer a better combination of value and performance.

How can you tell the difference between the R-S3 and R-S3 "Version 2"? The tread design and sidewall are exactly the same, but look at the last two digits of the DOT Tire Identification Number, if it says "14", it's the R-S3 "Version 2".

Shop by vehicle to view all options available for your Porsche 911 Turbo.

What is Rim Offset and Backspacing? How Do They Effect Fitment?

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Have you been told your Honda needs a high offset wheel or that your new Jeep wheels must have the right backspacing?

Many drivers are familiar with rim diameter, bolt pattern and centerbore, but not offset and backspacing.

Offset is the distance between the mounting pad and rim's midpoint. The diagram to the right shows a wheel with a positive offset. Every contemporary Original Equipment wheel has a positive offset, however O.E. offset varies. For example, my old Honda Prelude SH has 16x6.5 wide, 55mm offset wheels while a 2013 Jeep Wrangler Sport comes with 16x7 44 mm offset wheels.

What happens when you get a new wheel with a different offset?  A higher offset results in the wheel and tire moving more in (towards the hub). A lower offset causes the wheel and tire to move out (towards the fender). 

What happens when you replace the 2013 Jeep Wrangler Sport's 16x7 44 mm offset wheels with the 17x8 6 mm offset MAMBA MR1X wheels? The 38 mm offset difference pushes the outside edge 38 mm out towards the fender and the additional width adds another 12.7 mm. Therefore, compared to Original Equipment, the outside edge is 50.7 mm further out towards the fender. Relative to the O.E. wheel, the MAMBA MR1X provides 25.3 mm additional inside clearance.

Backspacing is the distance between the mounting pad and the back of the wheel. Offset and wheel width will be marked on the back of the original and aftermarket wheels, but backspacing needs to be measured.

What does this all mean to you? Since we have already checked to see what fits your vehicle, all listed wheels have a compatible offset and backspacing specification. If you've lowered your car or you're running an oversized custom fit tire size, a higher offset wheel will allow for better fender clearance and a lower offset wheel will create additional inside clearance.

Shop by vehicle to view the wheels that are available for your application.

Great Grip Comes with Savings: Hankook Ventus V12 Evo K110

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Testing tires allows us to accurately tell which tires deliver the right combination of grip, handling and road manners to improve your drive. It also allows us to compare tires and tell drivers what tire we think works best for them. When new products come out, we can tell customers how they compare to other tires, as well as how they are an improvement over an older model. Case in point,  Hankook's new Max Performance Summer Ventus V12 evo2 which is replacing the closeout Ventus V12 evo K110.

New Max Performance Summer Hankook Ventus V12 evo 2
Hankook Ventus V12 evo2Closeout Max Performance Summer Hankook Ventus V12 evo K110
Hankook Ventus V12 evo K110


We're in the midst of testing the V12 evo2, so look for our test report to be available later this year. In the meantime, take a look at the closeout savings on the Hankook Ventus V12 evo K110. For example, the popular 225/45ZR17 has been marked down to$63*.The tire is currently in the top ten of our survey results and combines comfort and control in dry and wet road conditions.

Developed for the owners of sports cars, sporty coupes and high performance sedans, the tire allows drivers to express their personality and style. A high-grip silica tread compound features an innovative functionalized styrene polymer that lowers tire rolling resistance to enhance vehicle fuel economy without surrendering dry and wet traction.

Take advantage of this great deal and view all sizes for the Hankook Ventus V12 evo K110 that are currently available at a closeout price.

*Prices subject to change

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