Tire performance categories have been
evolving for decades. With all the specialty tires and options,
understanding these categories can be a little confusing. This is
important information because you want the right tires that fit
your vehicle and your driving style. For that reason, we’d like to
better explain these tire categories. To start, let’s take a closer
look at touring tires.
A basic definition of a touring tire is a tire designed with improved handling to provide a smooth, quiet, and comfortable ride. Designs range from high mileage S and T-rated tires to performance oriented V-rated designs. Touring tires generally include the following features and options:
- Slightly lower profile (from 70 to 55 series) and wider tread than an equivalent passenger tire for improved handling and stability
- The widest range of speed ratings (S, T, U, H and V)
- Numerous wear, handling, and ride quality tradeoffs (for example, the touring tires a minivan owner selects can be very different from the touring tires a BMW owner selects.)
- Predominantly all-season tread designs (a number of summer tires are available.)
- Tread patterns that emphasize performance blended with ride comfort and low noise
- Contemporary black sidewall styling (few touring designs offer a white sidewall finish.)
- Optional tread wear guarantees, which reduce as speed ratings increase
In general, a touring tire is one that is designed to provide the highest level of ride comfort and the most mileage rather than focusing primarily on performance attributes. Touring tires often have lower aspect ratios than standard tires, with many having larger rim diameters.
If you have any questions about touring tire models or if they are right for your vehicle, please feel free contact the nearest Dunn Tire store for assistance.