If it’s time to replace your tires, you may have started the search and got pretty overwhelmed at all the choices out there. Here we will go over the difference between two popular types of tires: touring tires and performance tires.
Touring Tires
First off, touring tires are best for those who drive a lot. They’re dependable, reliable and all-purpose. In a nutshell, they:
- Are ideal for sedans, minivans, SUVs, and other passenger vehicles
- Give you balanced handling coupled with a quieter, more comfortable ride
- Designed for all-season use
- Offer excellent traction in both wet and dry conditions
Touring tires can be used whether you drive back and forth into the city every day for work, drive around town for school and sports pickups, or head out on a cross-country road trip. These tires have a wide tread so they can make more surface contact with the roadway. Most are all-season tires so they can give drivers great traction in most weather conditions all throughout the year.
Performance Tires
Performance tires have a bit of a different purpose. They are better for:
- Sports cars, coupes, exotic cars, and race cars
- Tight cornering and reduced stopping distances
- Use in summer with both wet and dry conditions
- Enhanced performance, although sacrificing gas mileage, tire lifespan and road noise
If you own a sports car and crave better handling response and traction, performance tires are for you. They have unique tread patterns, tire construction, and rubber compounds which all provide an overall better driving experience. The cornering abilities are great, but you won’t get great gas mileage, the noise can be loud, and the tires won’t last as long as standard tires.
How to Decide Between the Two
A good place to start is to look at your vehicle manufacturer guidelines. Next, consider the type of driver you are and the type of vehicle you have or want. Ask yourself:
- Do I want sporty responsiveness or do I just want to get from one place to another safely and comfortably?
- Do I need all-season versatility? Both types work well in wet and dry conditions, but if you’re looking for true all-season capabilities, go with touring.
- Do I want to save on gas costs? If you are on a gas budget, touring tires are better for your bottom line.
- Do I want a comfortable ride? Touring tires are highly rated for comfort.
- How long do I want the tires? If you don’t want to have to replace your tires sooner than you absolutely have to, touring tires are the better choice.
- Do I need excellent handling and responsiveness? If you want to be able to brake quickly and take tight corners, go with performance tires.
Contact I&I Tires
If you’re unsure whether you need touring tires or performance tires, contact us in Atlanta at 678-284-2006 or Smyrna at 404-920-0278 for advice and direction.