There are a lot of vehicle owners that like to change their tires according to the season. Then there are others that just prefer to go with all season tires. For the seasonal changes, it means looking at the summer tires.
The Characteristics of the Summer Tires
When looking at the characteristics of the summer tires, the focus needs to be on the treads. It is the combination of the components in at the treads that make them ideal for summer driving. These components are :
Tread patterns
Many think that the tread patterns is only important for its appearance. But there is a lot more to this component of the tire.
The purpose of the tread pattern is for creating the proper traction. The tread pattern has grooves of various types built into them. It is these groups that help to push the water away from the tire. If they were not able to do this then hydroplaning would become an issue. The tread pattern also plays a role in the quietness of the tires themselves. There are various types of tread patterns with there being three major ones. These are the directional tread pattern. The asymmetrical tread pattern. And a combination of these.
Tread depth
The depth of the tread has a specific role of its own to play. It is what allows for the gripping action on the wet roads. If the tread depth is not proper for the vehicle tires, then it means that it will not to be able to grip the surface as well. Plus the stopping distance will take longer.
Rubber materials
The rubber materials used in summer tires are different than that used in all season tires. Or in the winter tires. Tires are built for different temperatures. Summer tires become much harder during the winter months. When they do this, they lose their flexibility. They are built to operate at their peak efficiency in the hot months.
Grooving pattern
The Canadian summers can be hot and dry, or they can be hot and wet depending on the province and region that you live it. In general, the summer tires are appropriate for all these conditions. There are two major factors to consider when driving. You want your vehicle to be able to handle well is breaking and handling the corners. The summer tires are excellent for this because of the superior traction that they allow for. The rubber compounds can react better to the heat from the asphalt compared to the other types of tires.
What one of the concerns comes with tires is how they are going to be able to handle the speed. This is a feature that the summer tires have. It is because of the depth of the tread which is more shallow compared to the others. Many that use the summer tires find that the performance of their vehicle most enjoyable. It allows for better grip and traction.
Buying Quality Tires
Quality tires are going to come down to buying those made from reputable manufacturers. You want to deal with those that are familiar with your driving environment. There are many reputable tire manufacturers in Canada. They know the challenges that drivers face. Aside from going with a reputable brand, the buyer has to have some idea of what they are looking for. They need to decide if the priority is going to be for tires that are low profile. Which means the emphasis is on the speed and handling capabilities of the tires. Or, is one going to opt for the touring style tires that are going to focus on comfort. The priority for both manufacturers and buyers will always be safety.
Popular Tires
The list below covers the most recent popular tires for sedans, SUVs and trucks. Lists like these can vary according to who is considering what the best tires are. It depends on what they are using as priorities, not including the safety aspects.
Comparisons
There is a lot of competition in the tire industry. It means that each brand has to come up with their unique selling proposition. This will be the drawing feature for attention. As a tire buyer, you can use this as your starting point. From there you will want to look at the rest of the benefits and features of the tires. Then see which ones have the most of what you are looking for.
For example, The Michelin Latitude Tour HP is classed as being one of the top tires. It’s geared towards the luxury SUVs. It is a touring type tire. One of the latest features is its stop performance. It’s stated as being 5% better than the previous version. Then a focus is put on its fuel efficiency. Thanks to its special tread compound.
Tires can be expensive, and they can range in price. You are going to get what you pay for. Often there are great promotions for summer tires as well as the other versions. Keep in mind that you want those that have the highest safety ratings. They are going to give you the extra protection that you want. Which will help to avoid collisions. Being collision free can help you get better insurance premiums. So what you save here is well spent on the cost of the summer tires.
Best Summer Tires for Sedan
- Continental ExtremeContact DW
- Pirelli PZero Nero
- Falkin Azenis FK-453
- Toyo Proxes 4 Plus
- Hercules Tire Raptis R-T5
- Michelin Pilot Super Sport
- Bridgestone Potenza S-04
- Bridgestone Pontenza RE
- Michelin Pilot Sport
- Hanook RS4
Best Summer Tires for SUVs
- Michelin – Latitude Sport
- Goodyear Fortera SL
- Bridgestone-Dueler H/P Sport
- Continental-CortiCrossContact UHP
- Michelin 4×4 Dimaris
- Vredstein-Ultrac Vorti
- Pirelli-Scorpion Zero
- Toyo-Orixes T1 Sport SUV
- Cooper-Zeon XST
- Yokohama-Advan ST
Best Summer Tires for Trucks
Many of the tires that are available for the SUVs are available in larger sizes. They are ideal for the light trucks. These are just a few more to add to the list.
- Michelin Lattitude Sport
- Bridgestone Dueler H-P Flat
- Bridgestone Dueler H-P Sport
- Yokohama-Advan ST
About the Author: Ashley Miller
