Auto Trends Magazine

Car reviews, industry news, & advice.

HANDLING

The Skinny on Summer Tires

by 5 Comments

Summer tires are a thing, but they’re probably not what you think they are: one-season tires. In fact, summer tires are best known as performance tires, which supply excellent dry and wet road traction and precise handling.

What’s in a Name?

So, why are they called “summer tires?” Likely for a few reasons, including:

1. They’re best used in warm weather.

A Porsche Cayman S outfitted with performance tires.

Summer tires work best in warm weather, due to the materials used in the tire (more about that later). When temperatures drop, tire grip changes and not for the better.

In particular, at temperatures below 44 degrees (or thereabouts), the tires are not safe for use. Further, when driven while temperatures are below freezing can do permanent damage to these tires, making them unsafe for use.

2. More than simply the opposite of winter.

Winter tires are also known as summer tires and like the latter, are ideal during certain weather conditions, specifically cold weather. Thus, there are three types of tires typically available — summer, winter, and all-season (or three-season).

When not using summer tires, switch to all-season radials. Or, if winter conditions are strong in your area, a set of four winter tires is the best choice.

The Ford Focus RS offers amazing handling thanks to all-wheel drive and performance tires.

Summer Tires for Performance Cars

Summer tires are ideal for performance vehicles, including the Ford Mustang, Chevrolet Corvette, and the Porsche 911.

You may also find them on other vehicles, but typically they’re either optional or standard equipment on cars you’ll most likely take to the track. Such tires offer improved responsiveness as well as better cornering and braking capabilities.

Tread Pattern and Rubber Compounds

Among the differences between standard radial and performance tires are the specialized tread patterns and softer rubber compounds utilized. Such tires have reduced grooving, thereby supplying more rubber to meet the road.

Summer tires also provide superior performance in wet driving conditions as the special tread patterns help remove water and thwart hydroplaning.

The flexible tread compounds are a plus in warm weather, but they’re also prone to crack in cold weather. These cracks cannot be repaired — the tires must be replaced. Also of note, your tire warranty typically won’t cover the damage as they fall under the “improper use” exception. Therefore, it is important to swap out summer tires and store them out of season.

This Lexus LC 500 offers beautiful styling and wonderful handling.

Shopping for Performance Tires

If you’re in the market for summer tires, here are a few things to keep in mind:

1. Use the same tire size and type on all four tires, unless the car manufacturer suggests otherwise. You’ll want stable handling and control, which is best achieved when all four tires are the same. Maintain and rotate the tires according to schedule.

2. Find the right tire. Not all performance tires are right for your vehicle. Follow the car manufacturer’s guidelines to shop for tires by the size recommended, speed rating, load capacity, and any other parameters established.

Summer tires are made by a variety of manufacturers, including Bridgestone, Michelin, Hankook, Goodyear, Pirelli, and others. If they’re not the original equipment manufacturer (OEM) specific to your vehicle, you can find them at tire retailers, new car dealers, and through select online outlets.

See Also — Replacement Tires: Where to Buy Them

Photos copyright Auto Trends Magazine. All rights reserved.

7 Winter Driving Safety Tips

by 2 Comments

Slippery roads can present a driving hazard, a situation that may be magnified when snow and ice are also present. Take to the road unprepared and you might hit a ski and slam into another car, a utility pole or even run over a pedestrian. Winter tires or chains and four-wheel drive won’t guarantee that you will avoid an accident, but each can make a difference in cold weather driving.

winter driving
Seasonal hazards make winter driving especially risky.

1. Fasten Your Seat Belt

Make a point to fasten your seat belt every time you get behind the wheel of a car. Require vehicle occupants to do the same. You can quickly lose control of a car if you are not buckled up and slip out of your seat. An unbuckled passenger can cause you to lose control just the same.

2. Use Winter Tires

Most cars are equipped with all-season tires, but when it comes to winter driving the grip may not be sufficient. Ideally, you’ll replace all four tires with winter (snow) tires to ensure even performance and a better grip all around.

3. Turn Off the Cruise Control

Cruise control saves gasoline, but should only be used on dry surfaces. When used where ice and snow are present, it can cause you to lose control of your car.

4. Replace Your Windshield Wipers

You’ll be using your windshield wipers frequently during the winter even on clear days. Slush, mud and spray back from other vehicles will pepper your windshield, so you need good working wipers to handle the job. You should also fill the washer reservoir with anti-icing fluid.

5. Check All Exterior Lights

You may be able to see everyone, but can they see you? Head lamps, fog lights, LED lights, turn signal lights and tail lamps should be in good working order. They should also be free of ice and snow build up. Wipe down lenses with a dry rag before taking to the road. Keep a rag and a solution of anti-freeze window cleaner handy as you travel.

6. Get a Handle on Your Steering

Slippery road conditions may cause your front tires to lose grip and you may be tempted to compensate by continuing to turn the wheel in the direction of the skid. Instead, gently press down on the brake while holding the steering wheel steady. Once you regain control of the car, redirect the steering wheel to the direction that you want to go.

7. Black Ice is Transparent and Extremely Dangerous Too

Unseen to most drivers is ice that is transparent, what lies over the road surfaces, hence the name “black ice.” Black ice can appear without warning and may show up long after the snow has melted, residual moisture that quickly freezes when surface temperatures drop. Winter tires and chains can help slow your car, but you may not be able to stop it without hitting a curb or a stationary object. Always allow plenty of space between you and the vehicle in front of you. Handle turns and twisty roads with extreme care.

Winter Driving: Avoid Black Ice

With adequate preparation you can drive your car all winter long. Allow plenty of distance between vehicles and be mindful that black ice is an unseen hazard that can linger long after the snow has melted.

Further Reading

Higher Education: Winter Driving School

Winter Driving School the Michelin and Tire Rack Way

Acura Mulls a Full All-Wheel Drive Strategy

by 3 Comments

Honda’s premium brand looks to the future.

Acura NSX
The NSX is the first performance Acura in a decade.

When you think of premium and luxury cars, brands such as Audi, BMW, Cadillac, Mercedes-Benz, Infiniti and Lexus may come to mind. Acura is up there too, but its models are more often compared with Buick, Lincoln and Hyundai. Its not that Acura lacks product — what it lacks is excitement and any sort of edge that might entice customers to consider the brand.

Acura All-Wheel Drive

Acura excitement is on the way and will appear in 2016 when the NSX returns, a model sold as a Honda in some markets. The newest NSX will be built in Marysville, Ohio, and will offer standard all-wheel drive and be augmented by an electric motor. Its a model that parent Honda hopes will begin a much-needed transformation for the staid Acura brand.

The NSX alone won’t do that, however. What may make a difference for Acura is to offer all-wheel drive only vehicles, something it now offers only on half its product line. The rest of the line is front-wheel drive, something luxury buyers typically avoid.

Will #Acura switch to all-wheel drive only & enjoy the same level of success as #Subaru?(Click to Tweet)

Eyeing Subaru

Word that Acura might make the shift was reported by Automotive News on Tuesday and picked up by other outlets. Its a move that Acura has been studying, particularly as observed in the success another Japanese manufacturer, Subaru, has had in elevating its own brand.

In the 1990s, Subaru switched to an all-wheel drive-only format and has benefited from that move tremendously, particularly over the past six years. The company does sell one rear-wheel drive model, the BRZ, a newer product resulting from its partnership with Toyota.

About all-wheel drive Koichi Fukuo, Acura’s top global executive told Automotive News, “I think that’s the way we should go.” The move would coincide with the release of Acura’s next generation all-wheel drive technology, but the process could take several years to complete as the company overhauled its entire product line over the past three years.

Performance Considerations

Acura is also considering more powerful engines to help stoke sales. The company won’t match BMW and Mercedes-Benz by offering V-8 and larger engines nor would they move to rear-wheel drive. Audi has also had much success with its all-wheel drive models with 90 percent of its sales AWD — the rest are composed of front-wheel drive models.

The advantage of all-wheel drive means that so equipped Acuras would benefit from improved acceleration, stability and offer better handling. All-wheel drive is desired as it systematically offsets torque understeer — what causes a car to pull to one side when full engine power is delivered. It is an uncomfortable and even an unnerving feeling, one that prompts ardent luxury car buyers to look elsewhere for superior handling.

Acura NSX Returns

Acura has been working diligently on changing the brand’s direction and may be ready to present the all-new NSX at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit this Jan. When the NSX does arrive it will be the first performance model from Acura in a decade. It will also offer a glaring contrast to what Acura currently sells: three restrained sedans and a pair of crossover utility vehicles.

See Also — Hot Car: 2016 Acura NSX Prototype Laps Mid-Ohio

Photos courtesy of American Honda Motor Co., Inc.

Summer Tires for the Ultimate in Driving Performance

by 6 Comments

You probably have heard about them, have seen them and, heck yeah, you may have even driven a car equipped with summer tires. The name, however, is a bit misleading although these tires are not something you would want to ride on when road conditions are icy or snow-packed. Summer tires are high-performance tires, prized for delivering responsive handling and a lively steering response. They are the tires you want when seeking a spirited drive, the kind of rubber that can provide the ultimate in driving performance and satisfaction.

Hankook Ventus V12 evo summer tire.
Hankook Ventus V12 evo summer tire.

Summer tires are routinely available with luxury and performance models, offered as standard equipment or as part of a performance or a luxury package. You can also get them for mostly any light-duty vehicle as an aftermarket purchase.

Summer tires are made by number of tire manufacturers including Goodyear, Michelin, Pirelli, Dunlop, B.F. Goodrich, Firestone, Hankook and others. Auto Trends turned to Hankook Tire to get a key supplier’s take on summer tires, with Henry Kopacz, Public Relations and Product Marketing Specialist, at Hankook Tire America Corp. graciously answering our questions.

Auto Trends:

Hankook Ventus V12 EvoWhat are the differences in tire componentry between summer and regular all-season radial tires? Are different compounds used?

Hankook Tire:

Ultra-high performance summer tires and all-season tires differ in a number of ways, from tread pattern design, internal construction to tread compound. Ultra-high performance summer tires are first and foremost designed with an aggressive tread pattern designed to provide the upmost grip in wet and dry conditions. Acceleration, braking and cornering traction are top on the list of performance targets for UHP summer tires.

Secondly, UHP summer tires tend to incorporate stiffer sidewalls to provide the handling and cornering performance needed during spirited driving.

Lastly, UHP summer tires use a tread compound specifically designed for high levels of grip in wet and dry acceleration, braking and cornering. UHP summer tires should never be used during winter months or in driving conditions such as snow, ice or slush.

All-season tires typically incorporate a range of performance targets into their design including wet & dry handling, braking and traction and winter (ice, snow, slush) handling, braking and traction. Additionally, the typical All-season tire must meet specific road noise and ride comfort targets that many times UHP All-season tires do not.

In the area of compounds, UHP summer tires and all-season tires do use different compounds. UHP summer compounds are typically softer to provide the performance target grip that is required of the tire. Typically, all-season compounds are generally harder so as to offer greater tread life mileage.

Auto Trends:

Summer tires wear out faster than regular tires. What is the typical mileage limit for such tires?

Hankook Tire:

Hankook does not offer mileage [tread life] warranties for its UHP summer tires.[Editor’s Note: It is standard industry practice for tire manufacturers to not offer mileage warranties with most performance tires. Uniformity, workmanship & materials, and road hazard warranties may still apply. Check with your tire retailer.]

Auto Trends:

What are the ideal air operating temperatures for summer tires? It is understood that road grip changes dramatically near the freezing point.

Hankook Tire:

The rubber compounds used for summer tires and all-season tires are each developed to meet specific performance targets. Compounds react differently to the conditions they are used in.

Summer tire compounds are intended to be used in warmer months, never in winter conditions such as snow, slush or ice. All-season tire compounds take into account cold operating conditions (snow, slush, ice) as they are developed to provide the desired all-season performance.

Auto Trends:

Is it possible to swap summer tires for like A/S tires? What is the recommendation when the same model name is not sold in both summer and A/S?

Hankook Tire:

If a consumer is interested in UHP summer tire performance in an all-season tire, the ideal solution is to use a dedicated Ultra-high performance all-season tire. UHP all-season tires incorporate the performance attributes (exceptional wet and dry grip) of a UHP summer tire with additional features such as a dedicated UHP all-season tread compound and tread design to offer all-season driving ability.

For example, Hankook’s new Ultra-High Performance All-Season Ventus S1 noble2 launched at the 2013 SEMA show and available to consumers beginning in March 2013 was designed using an asymmetrical tread pattern that allowed engineers to build a tire that offers exceptional wet, dry and winter grip. The Ventus S1 noble2 also uses a silica tread compound to offer additional wet traction and lower tire rolling resistance to improve vehicle fuel economy.

In the case that a UHP summer tire is going to be used during warmer months, a dedicated UHP winter tire should be used during the winter months.

Summer Tire Considerations

As you might guess a set of summer tires will cost you more than standard all-season tires. Those Hankook Ventus V12 Evos tires pictured here will run you $790 for your 2014 Chevrolet SS when ordered from TireRack.com. Shipping, taxes and other costs may apply.

See Also — Hankook Tire: No Longer Anonymous

Photos courtesy of Hankook Tire.