Touring vs Touring All Seasons vs All Seasons

[frankcastle]

Okay so I needed some new tires.... so off to Canadian Tire I go. Planning on getting them installed for free so I bought the tires. Due to size and what was on sale I went with the Michellin Allegras which are Touring All Seasons.

Is it fair to say that they are a compromise of performance/comfort of touring tires with the traction of all seasons?

I would have rather the Motomaster All SEasons but they didn't offer the right size seeing as they are about $15 plus tax cheaper per tire and basically name brand tires without the name stamped on them.

 

[Esco!]

So whats your question????????

 

[frankcastle]

Is it fair to say that they are a compromise of performance/comfort of touring tires with the traction of all seasons?

Basically my understanding of touring tires is that they are designed for a comfortable ride and all seasons are meant more for traction. But I didn't realize there were touring all seasons and I was wondering how they compare to the other two types.

Look for the sentence with a question mark.

 

[Esco!]

Look for the sentence with a question mark

Oh THAT sentence!!!
I have no fricking idea, mate.....LOL


How's that for help????!!!!!!

 

[frankcastle]

Thanks Esco! Why would you ask for clarification on a question about tires if you don't know anything about them? Anyways, have a good weekend and try and stay out of trouble.

 

[Esco!]

Thanks Esco! Why would you ask for clarification on a question about tires if you don't know anything about them?

Because me trying to annoy you is a show of affection, and I know you like the attention!!

 

[C Dick]

I think that the best bet is summer tires in summer, and Blizzaks in the winter. You have to rotate your tires anyway, and buy new tires eventually, so it really does not cost anything over the long run to have the right tires for each season - better handling and economy in the summer, and better ice traction in the winter.

 

[Esco!]

I think that the best bet is summer tires in summer, and Blizzaks in the winter. You have to rotate your tires anyway, and buy new tires eventually, so it really does not cost anything over the long run to have the right tires for each season - better handling and economy in the summer, and better ice traction in the winter.

HHmm..........before you rotate those summer thingies!!!

I think its time for you to say!!!...........Hi Esco!!!

 

[polisci]

Basically my understanding of touring tires is that they are designed for a comfortable ride and all seasons are meant more for traction. But I didn't realize there were touring all seasons and I was wondering how they compare to the other two types.

Sounds like touring all seasons are somewhere between touring and all seasons. To better answer your question, what kind of car you drive?

 

[kratos]

All tires are some sort of compromise between performance, traction, noise, wear, etc.

The best tires are the one that meet your needs. I usually consult http://www.tirerack.com/ to figure out what type of tire & brand I will go with. They have a decision guide that makes recommendations on your vehicle and driving patterns. They also have summaries of test results, and surveys ranking tires in majore categories. All this helps me understand what I am getting and what I am giving up.

I usually go for one of the Ultra-High Performance All-Season tires and custom order through Canadian Tire. For me, these tires offer the least compromise.

 

[DshRipRock]

I think that the best bet is summer tires in summer, and Blizzaks in the winter. You have to rotate your tires anyway, and buy new tires eventually, so it really does not cost anything over the long run to have the right tires for each season - better handling and economy in the summer, and better ice traction in the winter.

I drive a 3/4 ton 4x4 pickup and switch to winter tires. I could easily run one tire all year. The difference is quite noticable between summer and winter tires during winter months.

If you live in the city and mainly drive in the city All-Season tires are probably OK. I drive mostly highway, avg. 40,000 km per year. I have two sets of rims. If you switch your own tires be sure to torque your nuts.

 

[goodtime]

All tires are some sort of compromise between performance, traction, noise, wear, etc.

The best tires are the one that meet your needs. I usually consult http://www.tirerack.com/ to figure out what type of tire & brand I will go with. They have a decision guide that makes recommendations on your vehicle and driving patterns. They also have summaries of test results, and surveys ranking tires in majore categories. All this helps me understand what I am getting and what I am giving up.

I usually go for one of the Ultra-High Performance All-Season tires and custom order through Canadian Tire. For me, these tires offer the least compromise.

Tirerack is 1 of best site.

Ultra-high all-seasons have amazing compound that sticks but wear out < 2 season depeding on mileage. Sticky compound will loose grip in cold & deep snow (outside of city).

 

[Why Not?]

Is it fair to say that they are a compromise of performance/comfort of touring tires with the traction of all seasons?

I think you are a little confused here. Touring tires and all seasons are referring to 2 different aspects of tire performance and one is not necessarily a trade off for the other.

One way to categorize tires is summer/all season/winter.

Summer tires have a rubber compound optimized for temps above 7º C. However, they will become hard as a hockey puck below freezing and are slippery and dangerous in poor winter driving conditions. They will probably have a tread designed for asphalt and rain if a car tire.

Winter tires have a compound designed for temps below 7º C. They will remain flexible to well below freezing. They may have a tread and rubber compound optimized for deep snow or for icy conditions. They should be used in sets of 4 as their traction is superior enough that using only 2 can result in spins when the other tires loose traction. They really shouldn't be used in the summer as they will wear out fast. They aren't hazardous in warm temps though.

All season tires are simply a compromise of compound and tread between winter and summer tires. They will not be as good as winter tires in the winter, or as summer tires in the summer, but will be much better than summer tires in winter. The main differences will be in their stopping and road holding abilities. They will have reasonable tread life.

Generally only high performance cars come from the factory with summer tires. Most cars today come with all season tires because it is cheaper that way (4 tires and rims instead of 8) and because most people are too lazy to change their tires twice a year. You can get away with all seasons in an area with short mild winters. But you are safer in both summer and winter using two sets of tires.

The touring question comes out of what type of load and speed performance your tire is designed for. High performance tires will be wide with short sidewall heights (a low aspect ratio such a 35, 40 or 50 series tire.) They will generally have higher sustained speed ratings, good road holding abilities and crisp response to turning but will likely provide a harsher ride. These tires are for sports cars and sport sedans.

Touring tires will tend to have higher sidewalls (55, 60 or 70 series tires) and absorb bumps better. They will generally ride quieter and have somewhat lower sustained speed ratings but will not have as sharp handling. These tires are suitable for most family sedans. The word touring is sometimes reserved for the better quality of the main stream sedan tires.

High load rating tires are mainly for light trucks. They will have the high sidewall but will be stiff in order to handle towing and hauling weight.

So you see a tire can be a touring tire and a winter tire, a touring tire and an all season tire or a touring tire and a summer tire. There really is no such thing as trading off touring for all season although a summer tire will often be quieter than an all season, which will be quieter than a winter tire.

By the way tires will also be rated for sustained load, sustained high speed (H-, V-, S- and W- rated) and tread wear, i.e. how hard is the rubber compound. Softer generally gives you better stopping but shorter tire life.


A lot of this is explained at the Tire Rack's and Rubber Manufacturers Association websites.

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tiretech/tirespecskey.jsp
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tiretech/techpage.jsp?techid=46
http://www.rma.org/tire_safety/tire_maintenance_and_safety/how_to_take_care_of_your_tires/sidewall_story.cfm