TireRack's 2nd UHP All-Season Test Results

[Sea Warrior]

Having spent days reading through most (not all) of TireRack's Test Results with the amount of time I could afford, it seemed that I had narrowed the choices down to two.
Then after reading TireRack's ratings charts for UHP All season tires, it looked like those choices were in align pretty much according to the categories.

 

The choices that I narrowed down based on the criteria across different categories and tests were: 

Michilin Pilot Sport All Season 4

Continental Extreme Contact  DWS 06 Plus  

 

What's not obvious to me is what the data means regarding the miles reported in the Ratings Charts. Perhaps someone could help clarify what they're referring to. 

 

For instance, the Conti Extreme Contact DWS 06 Plus has a miles reported of 4.4M. What does the data for miles reported mean ? What is 4.4M ? 

Or for that matter, the VRedestein Hypertrac All Season has a miles reported of 641K. What does that mean ?       

 

The last thing that didn't make sense is the Decision Guide. It returned three recommendations. All I did was enter Lincoln, make, model, tire size and All Season. (no priorities were selected for my level of importance).

The decision guide recommended  - Vredestein Quatrac Pro, Pirelli P7 AS Plus 3, and Continental Pure Contact LS.

Where do they come up with these and based on what ? I know Conti makes a 245/40ZR/19 Extreme Contact DWS 06 Plus.  I can't imagine why this tire or the Michilin Pilot Sport A/S 4 wouldn't be among their three recommendations. 

 

Unless I'm totally unaware of some ground breaking new development in the tire testing industry, what testers do not do nor will they provide to the consumer public is the speed of tread wear.  

Perhaps some owners on this forum have had one of the two of my tire choices installed on their MKZ within a year or so and could share how well the tread is (or isn't) holding up  

Edited July 24, 2022 by Sea Warrior

[bbf2530]

19 hours ago, Sea Warrior said:

Having spent days reading through most (not all) of TireRack's Test Results with the amount of time I could afford, it seemed that I had narrowed the choices down to two.
Then after reading TireRack's ratings charts for UHP All season tires, it looked like those choices were in align pretty much according to the categories.

 

The choices that I narrowed down based on the criteria across different categories and tests were: 

Michilin Pilot Sport All Season 4

Continental Extreme Contact  DWS 06 Plus  

 

What's not obvious to me is what the data means regarding the miles reported in the Ratings Charts. Perhaps someone could help clarify what they're referring to. 

 

For instance, the Conti Extreme Contact DWS 06 Plus has a miles reported of 4.4M. What does the data for miles reported mean ? What is 4.4M ? 

Or for that matter, the VRedestein Hypertrac All Season has a miles reported of 641K. What does that mean ?       

 

The last thing that didn't make sense is the Decision Guide. It returned three recommendations. All I did was enter Lincoln, make, model, tire size and All Season. (no priorities were selected for my level of importance).

The decision guide recommended  - Vredestein Quatrac Pro, Pirelli P7 AS Plus 3, and Continental Pure Contact LS.

Where do they come up with these and based on what ? I know Conti makes a 245/40ZR/19 Extreme Contact DWS 06 Plus.  I can't imagine why this tire or the Michilin Pilot Sport A/S 4 wouldn't be among their three recommendations. 

 

Unless I'm totally unaware of some ground breaking new development in the tire testing industry, what testers do not do nor will they provide to the consumer public is the speed of tread wear.  

Perhaps some owners on this forum have had one of the two of my tire choices installed on their MKZ within a year or so and could share how well the tread is (or isn't) holding up  

 

Hi Sea Warrior. Here is my experience. The Michelin Pilot Sport A/S 4 is the successor to the Michelin Pilot Sport A/S 3 and 3+.

 

I have had one set each of the Michelin Pilot Sport A/S 3 and A/S 3+ on my older MKZ, and think it is a fantastic tire.  First set was the A/S 3. Second was the A/S 3+ (the successor to the 3S). The first set replaced the OEM Michelin Energy MXV4 S8's tires, and gave me ~54,000 miles before I replaced them with the second set. The second set now has ~8,000 miles on them. And again, the 4 is the successor to the 3+.

 

I like the tire very much. A huge improvement in dry and wet handling (especially wet handling) and ride comfort. Even a bit better in the snow than the OE tires, although if you need great snow handling, also buy a set of winter tires/ wheels.

I will  most likely replace the tires on my older and/or newer MKZ with the 4S or it's successor when I would need to new tires again.

 

As far as the information on the Tire Rack website concerning "4.4M" and "641K" etc.: Those numbers simply refer to the total miles which all the people who have rated those particular tires state they have driven on them. So more people have likely purchased that Conti model...therefore the reported miles for the Conti are higher than the Vredestein, when they rated the tires.

 

I have no idea why you got the tire results you did, other than perhaps searching for a tire using the "Tire Decision Guide" will only give you the top three results (just guessing)?

 

Instead of using the Tire Decision Guide, I would recommend searching for tires by vehicle only. That will give you all tires for that particular vehicle. Then you can use the filters to be more specific.

 

Concerning tread-wear: You can get a general Idea what the manufacturer expects for tread-wear by looking at the tread-wear guarantee for that particular tire. As I stated above, I got ~54,000 miles out of my first set of Pilot Sport A/S 3's.

 

Let us know how you make out and good luck.

Edited July 25, 2022 by bbf2530
Added a bit more information and tried to make everything more undestandable/corrected typos.

[Sea Warrior]

Thank you bbf2530 for sharing your personal experiences with the Michelin UHP tires 

 

I think its important getting personal experience feedback on treadlife. I mean who wants to pay the prices for tires these days only to sadly learn the tread had worn down fast

 

Between the Pilot Sport A/S 4 and Continental DWS 06 Plus,  I think TireRack's test results do show somewhat of an edge in many categories that went to the Pilot Sport 4 when including the Conti DWS 06 Plus in the test results by comparison.

 

Both are excellent UHP A/S tires and

after reading through TireRack's write ups in the test results, I'm guessing it's probably so very close to distinguish which tire outranks the other in categories which matter most to a driver, that many drivers wouldn't be able to even tell which tire they were driving if the two were conducted under blind tests, IMO.

 

Perhaps I passed over the test results  comparing the Vredestein Hypertrac All Season with my two choices. Or maybe they never compared the Vredestein tire with the Pilot Sport 4 and DWS 06 Plus. Nevertheless, the two choices I think are fine

 

I also want to thank you for clarifying what the "miles reported" in the Ratings Charts means. Maybe I'm just getting old, but I would've never thought that it meant a compilation of all drivers who reviewed particular tires. I wasn't even close in my guess of what it meant

 

 

Edited July 25, 2022 by Sea Warrior

[bbf2530]

8 hours ago, Sea Warrior said:

Thank you bbf2530 for sharing your personal experiences with the Michelin UHP tires 

 

I think its important getting personal experience feedback on treadlife. I mean who wants to pay the prices for tires these days only to sadly learn the tread had worn down fast

 

Between the Pilot Sport A/S 4 and Continental DWS 06 Plus,  I think TireRack's test results do show somewhat of an edge in many categories that went to the Pilot Sport 4 when including the Conti DWS 06 Plus in the test results by comparison.

 

Both are excellent UHP A/S tires and

after reading through TireRack's write ups in the test results, I'm guessing it's probably so very close to distinguish which tire outranks the other in categories which matter most to a driver, that many drivers wouldn't be able to even tell which tire they were driving if the two were conducted under blind tests, IMO.

 

Perhaps I passed over the test results  comparing the Vredestein Hypertrac All Season with my two choices. Or maybe they never compared the Vredestein tire with the Pilot Sport 4 and DWS 06 Plus. Nevertheless, the two choices I think are fine

 

I also want to thank you for clarifying what the "miles reported" in the Ratings Charts means. Maybe I'm just getting old, but I would've never thought that it meant a compilation of all drivers who reviewed particular tires. I wasn't even close in my guess of what it meant

 

 

 

Hi Sea Warrior. You are very welcome!

 

Let us know which tire you decide to install and how you like your choice when the time comes.

 

Good luck. ?

[Sea Warrior]

I was wondering if you could briefly share a couple words on one last concern

i should've asked earlier, my apologies

it has to do with the load capacities, e.g, changing from Standard load and Extra load

 

Did the car, tire control, and feel of the road become different when you changed from the OE factory Michelin's ?

I still have all four OE Primacy MXM4 tires on the car which have a standard load capacity

 

Michelin Pilot Sport A/S 3 and Pilot Sport A/S 3+ both have extra load capacity (same with the Continental DWS 06 plus)  

With the reinforced structure in the XL tires, its a feature you would think was an added bonus. i just wonder what tradeoff goes with it (other than maybe slightly lower fuel efficiency)    

 

[bbf2530]

1 hour ago, Sea Warrior said:

I was wondering if you could briefly share a couple words on one last concern

i should've asked earlier, my apologies

it has to do with the load capacities, e.g, changing from Standard load and Extra load

 

Did the car, tire control, and feel of the road become different when you changed from the OE factory Michelin's ?

I still have all four OE Primacy MXM4 tires on the car which have a standard load capacity

 

Michelin Pilot Sport A/S 3 and Pilot Sport A/S 3+ both have extra load capacity (same with the Continental DWS 06 plus)  

With the reinforced structure in the XL tires, its a feature you would think was an added bonus. i just wonder what tradeoff goes with it (other than maybe slightly lower fuel efficiency)    

 

 

Hi Sea Warrior. First, if your MKZ does not need XL load tires, check to see if there is a standard load capacity version of the A/S 4. It would be listed separately in the list of applicable tires. If you have standard load Primacy MXM-4' on your MKZ, I assume you have the 2.0L engine?

 

Next...My car handled and rode better with the A/S 3's and 3+'s, as I mentioned in my previous reply.  No change in mpg's.  Now, part of the better ride could simply be due to the new tires, versus the older/worn tires which had ~53,000 miles on them.

 

Also keep in mind I installed the A/S 3 and A/S 3+ on my older, 2007 MKZ. I believe the 2017-2018+ , 3.0L AWD MKZ's simply had XL tires in order to handle the extra power/torque of the 3.0L engine, and perhaps also the slightly higher weight of the 3.0L AWD version.

 

Feel free to ask any other questions you may have, keep us updated and good luck.

Edited July 27, 2022 by bbf2530

[Sea Warrior]

17 hours ago, bbf2530 said:

 

Hi Sea Warrior. First, if your MKZ does not need XL load tires, check to see if there is a standard load capacity version of the A/S 4. It would be listed separately in the list of applicable tires. If you have standard load Primacy MXM-4' on your MKZ, I assume you have the 2.0L engine?

 

Next...My car handled and rode better with the A/S 3's and 3+'s, as I mentioned in my previous reply.  No change in mpg's.  Now, part of the better ride could simply be due to the new tires, versus the older/worn tires which had ~53,000 miles on them.

 

Also keep in mind I installed the A/S 3 and A/S 3+ on my older, 2007 MKZ. I believe the 2017-2018+ , 3.0L AWD MKZ's simply had XL tires in order to handle the extra power/torque of the 3.0L engine, and perhaps also the slightly higher weight of the 3.0L AWD version.

 

Feel free to ask any other questions you may have, keep us updated and good luck.

 

My MKZ doesn't require XL tires. I have a 2.0L engine.

Standard load tires does reduce the number of selections to choose from  

Michelin only makes two All Season's standard load tires in 245/40R19 - neither of which Tirerack ranks in the highest categories.

The choices are the Primacy Tour A/S and the Primacy XMX4

 

According to Michelin's site the Pilot Sport A/S 4 is only available in XL.

Their site does return the Pilot 4 as an "alternative" tire when I enter my model and trim.     

 

I don't see a necessity to limit all choices to SL tires and not consider replacements where there are better A/S tires available in XL

 

My guess is the only thing perhaps I might notice with XL tires is a difference in tire control, feel of the road. . . while driving by myself ?                

 

By the way, with 4/32" remaining on the Primacy's,  I could probably ride on these until October when manufacturers typically have better offers   

[bbf2530]

1 hour ago, Sea Warrior said:

 

My MKZ doesn't require XL tires. I have a 2.0L engine.

Standard load tires does reduce the number of selections to choose from  

Michelin only makes two All Season's standard load tires in 245/40R19 - neither of which Tirerack ranks in the highest categories.

The choices are the Primacy Tour A/S and the Primacy XMX4

 

According to Michelin's site the Pilot Sport A/S 4 is only available in XL.

Their site does return the Pilot 4 as an "alternative" tire when I enter my model and trim.     

 

I don't see a necessity to limit all choices to SL tires and not consider replacements where there are better A/S tires available in XL

 

My guess is the only thing perhaps I might notice with XL tires is a difference in tire control, feel of the road. . . while driving by myself ?                

 

By the way, with 4/32" remaining on the Primacy's,  I could probably ride on these until October when manufacturers typically have better offers   

 

Hi Sea Warrior. Yes, if you have the 2.0T, then you do not need XL tires. And since you can use SL or XL rated tires, you have more options. Which option you choose really depends on your driving/ride preferences and driving style.

 

So first...apples to apples, you will not really notice any difference between SL and XL load rated tires. For example, at least in some sizes, our OEM Michelin Primacy MXM4 is available in both SL and XL types. My 3.0T AWD is equipped with the XL rated tire. Your 2.0T is equipped with the SL rated version. Most drivers would not notice any difference between the two at all. And if a sensitive driver did, the difference in feel would probably be about what a 2psi difference in tire pressure would add up to. In other words, virtually indistinguishable.

Of course, that is comparing apples to apples with the same Make/model/size tire. Comparing different makes/models/sizes is an entirely new ballgame.

 

So some of your options would include: If ride comfort is more important to you than performance, you could go with a less expensive, ride comfort oriented SL or XL load rated tires in the Grand Touring category tire for your car. Same option if cost is a consideration.

However, if performance is important and cost is not really a consideration, go with the Michelin Pilot Sport A/S 4 or an equal alternative.

 

Concerning remaining tread depth: Yes, according to your monthly mileage, you could probably make it until October. Just be very careful in the rain, since you are only just above the 3/32 minimum before you hit the tread bars at 2/32. You are in definite aquaplaning territory. And definitely replace them before the cold weather and snows.

 

Let us know how you make out and good luck.

Edited July 28, 2022 by bbf2530