TIRE PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

 

Here’s a list of the tire performance criteria terms that you’ll normally come across when looking for a new tire and what they mean.

performance



Red car turning

Cornering Grip
Definition: How well the tire holds when taking corners.
When is it important?: When you’re driving on winding roads.

 

Rolling Resistance
Definition: How easily a tire rolls across a surface.
When is it important?: If you’re trying to reduce your fuel consumption.





performance

Performance
Definition: A general term describing a vehicle or tire’s braking, accelerating, handling and traction.
When is it important?: All the time.

 

Handling
Definition: How your tire responds to steering and braking.
When is it important?: All the time.



Aquaplaning Resistance
Definition: The ability of a tire to shed water and retain its grip on wet roads.
When is it important?: When you’re driving in the rain or on wet roads.

 

RunOnFlat Tire
Definition: A tire that allows you to keep driving after a puncture or flat tire, for up to 80 km at a maximum speed of 80km/h.
When is it important?: When you get a puncture or flat tire and need to continue driving on to a safe place to change the tire.

 

Wet Grip
Definition: The tire’s road adherence and braking ability on a wet surface.
When is it important?: For steering, stopping, and overall control of your vehicle on wet surfaces.



Blue car turning

Dry Grip
Definition: The tire’s road adherence and braking ability on a dry surface.
When is it important?: For steering, stopping, and overall control of your vehicle on dry surfaces.

 

Comfort
Definition: A tire’s ability to absorb shocks and bumps or other irregularities on the road.
When is it important?: When you want to feel the car, not the bumps on the road.



Noise
Definition: The external noise a tire produces contributes to noise pollution in the surrounding environment. A tire that produces low internal noise will keep things quieter inside the car.
When is it important?: When you want a quiet journey for you and those around you.

 

Braking Distance
Definition: The distance it takes for a vehicle to come to a complete stop after brakes are applied.
When is it important?: On all road surfaces.

 

Mileage
Definition: An indication of the usable life of a tire. A “high mileage” tire is typically longer lasting.
When is it important?: All the time.