We will be discussing the most important types of premium tyres here:
Premium tires (or special tires) are usually fitted to premium vehicles, and are more expensive than ordinary, standard tires. Some premium tires are specialized for one purpose and others are multi tasking. They are fitted on vehicles with lots of horsepower and should be able to deal with the force the vehicle puts out.
Performance tires often have an asymmetrical tread pattern which helps with high speed cornering and heat build up. These premium tires have a different tread pattern on each halve of the tire. Typically the one side will be performance oriented enhancing cornering ability and deals with heat build up. The other side will be designed to disperse water and minimize aquaplaning.
Maybe you like going off-road where you might encounter dry loose gravel or wet and muddy roads. These premium tires have a tread pattern designed not to get clogged with mud.
For your safety it is important to know the differences between these premium tires and when to use what type of tire for maximum performance of your vehicle.
Premium tire brands include; Bridgestone,Dunlop, Firestone, Michelin, Goodyear, Pirelli, Continental, Yokohama and Hankook which are the most well known premium tire brands.
All-terrain tires
If you have a SUV and you go off road often where roads are muddy or snowy then you need to consider these all-terrain SUV premium tires. They are wider and more chunky with a more prominent tread pattern with bigger tread blocks than normal seasonal tires. They do a decent job in gripping loose surfaces but are primarily designed to use on tarmac with the option to go off road.
They are more expensive than normal tires and also makes more noise on the tarmac. On the plus side they are more durable and last longer than an ordinary tire.
Off road 4×4 tires
If you do extreme off-road trails then these premium tires are ideal for you. Off-road tires are designed to perform better on muddy, snowy and grassy terrains. These tires are wider than all terrain tires and are more robust and aggressive in their tread pattern with deeper and wider grooves.The result is that mud and other debris wouldn’t clog the tires.
They are not made to accommodate tar roads and will vibrate like crazy and be noisy on the tarmac. The tread will also wear out very fast and would need to be replaced more often. These tires are made strictly for off-road terrain.
Touring tires
These are premium tires, and people with premium cars usually prefer them to add to the comfort to an already comfortable car. They are not designed for high performance but for comfort.
These tires have a less prominent tread pattern than sports tires which contribute to a less noisy drive with low vibration. To increase grip to the road they have a wider tread than ordinary tires.Touring tires are designed for dry and wet roads, and have a tread design to minimize aquaplaning.
They are ideal for going on long trips to your holiday destination with the family, but are just as good for traveling to work and back.
Sports tires
Sports tires are designed to accommodate cars with a lot of horsepower (cars with a big engine) and large rim sizes. Cars like SUVs and sports cars (premium cars). Compared to standard or touring tires, these premium tires have a much more aggressive tread pattern with a wider tread for more contact with the road surface and a lower profile. They are made with a softer rubber compound that will grip the road extremely well. They are also called performance tires and will meet a performance car’s needs where grip for fast acceleration, cornering and braking distance are crucial.
Low profile tires drive hard and are not made for comfort but performance. Driving on bumpy and uneven roads will ensure a painfully uncomfortable experience and may damage your tires. They are more noisy than touring and standard tires, because of the more aggressive tread pattern. They are also made to handle dry and wet weather best.
High speed tires
Also low profile tires like the sports tires with a wide tread pattern to fit on large rims. These premium tires are designed primarily to deal with driving at high speeds for extended periods of time. They are safe to use in excess of 300kmh (186mph) and are also called high performance tires.
Their rubber compound is designed for maximum grip at high speeds while cornering, braking and acceleration. One of the main differences between high speed tires and sports tires is their speed rating, where sports tires (performance tires) have a lower speed rating.
Like everything in life they also have a limit, succeeding that will cause the tire to be unstable and lose traction on the road.
Spare/Temporary/Space saver tires
Spare tires are made for emergencies only and not to drive with for long periods of time. these tires are not premium tires, but I thought I had to mention them. They also have a speed limit of about 50mph and you should not drive further than about 70 miles with them. They are lighter and much narrower than the stock tires, mainly to save space.
Worn tires
Some tires are more expensive than others, like sports tires and high performance tires. Maybe you get tempted into buying second hand premium tires, because they might still look good. Remember tires do have an expiry date and when they are older than 5 years they might start to crack and get weak also depending on the storage conditions. Tires reaching 10 years must be replaced.
Also remember the legal tread depth of a tire must be no less than 1.6mm. If you are planning on using your tires for high speed cornering, braking and acceleration make sure the tread is at least above 4 mm depth.
Conclusion
This category of tires are meant for people who have special needs, the tires must not be the limiting factor here. They should be able to answer to the demands of the vehicle enhancing performance and that is why they are called premium tires.
Choosing the right tires might mean shaving a few seconds off your lap time, or keeping you safe on the road driving to work in your high performance car. Going off road just to get stuck isn’t fun, choose proper tires for this occasion and make sure you have adequate tread on the vehicle.
Premium tires can only do their job when in still good condition. Check your tire tread often, inspect the sidewalls for any cracks and make sure the tires are at the right pressure.
