Low-profile tires are a common feature in sports cars. They improve handling and performance. These tires provide more grip on asphalt roads, and when combined with larger brakes and rims, can help you stop quicker. These tires are very sleek and stylish. You might prefer big rims but with less rubber. Here are the best low-profile tires available.

Benefits of Low Profile Tires

• Better performance. Low profile tires offer increased grip on uneven surfaces and stiffer sidewalls. These tires also have stiffer springs which make it easier to brake and accelerate hard. It will be easy to accelerate or stop your car.
• Higher fuel efficiency. Low profile tires have lower rolling resistance. Fuel efficiency is usually determined by the rolling resistance of a tire. Low profile tires don’t bend as much as high-profile tires, and they flex less when you drive. More energy is absorbed by tires that are flexible.
• Use run-flat technology. Drivers can drive safely even if tires have been fully deflated. Because of their low profile, tires with lower sidewalls have less air and support run-flat tech.
• They look better. You can easily install low profile tires on larger rims. Larger rims give cars a sporty appearance.

Types of low profile tires

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Summer

Summer tires are designed for speed and agility, and can perform well on dry roads. These tires are more responsive, braking and cornering capable. They have unique tread patterns and compounds that allow for better precision on the roads. For maximum grip on the road, some low-profile summer tires have less grooved tread patterns. They have a more flexible rubber compound for better grip and traction.

All-Season

All-season low profile tires offer confident handling and grip in all weather conditions. Because of their flexible tread design and compound, they provide all-year traction. The tread patterns are usually symmetrical, and the tires have sipes and grooves that drain water. All-season tires are quiet and provide a pleasant driving experience. They offer excellent performance in wet and dry conditions, and excellent traction in snow.

Winter

Winter tires are essential. You can have studded tires or not. They also come in deep grooves, which allow for slush to be expelled from the contact areas. These tires have larger tread gaps that increase traction on snow or ice. These low profile winter tires are suitable for use in snowy and cold areas, where temperatures below 7 degrees Celsius. These tires are made from soft rubber compounds, which ensure that they stay on the road regardless of temperature rises. These tires can make noise at higher speeds due to their intricate tread patterns.

Touring

These tires are also known as grand touring tires. They offer responsive handling and all-season traction. These tires have a higher speed rating that all-season tires, and a more asymmetrical tread pattern. These low profile touring tires have a lower profile to provide comfort and make road imperfections and bumps less obvious. The treads of these tires have a greater contact with the road. These tires are often sold as all-season tires. They offer long tread life, excellent handling and a quiet, comfortable ride.

Top Brands

Michelin

Michelin, a French tire manufacturer, is located in Clermont-Ferrand. It is one of the most important tire manufacturers in the globe. Edouard Daubree, Aristide Barbier, and Edouard Daubree founded the company. They initially manufactured rubber balls and farm equipment. In 1891, it created the first bicycle tire that could be detached. It has been responsible for many amazing inventions, including the Michelin CrossClimate Tire, the radial earthmover tire and the Michelin XDR. The Michelin Pilot Sport PS2 Radial tire is an excellent choice if you are looking for a low-profile tire.

Goodyear

Goodyear is also known as Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company. The company was founded by Frank Seiberling in 1898, an American innovator. The company is currently located in Akron (Ohio). Goodyear tires are made for cars, SUVs and racecars as well as trucks, bikes, motorbikes, earth-mover machines, farm equipment, and airplanes. The Goodyear Eagle RS–A Radial Tire is a great choice for your vehicle.

Cooper

Cooper Tire & Rubber Company specializes on the manufacture and design of truck and automobile tires. Avon Tyres, a UK-based subsidiary, designs and manufactures tires that can be used on trucks, motorcycles, and race cars. John F. Schaefer and Claude E. Hart founded Cooper in 1914. They were also known as the M and M Manufacturing Company. Its current headquarters are in Findlay, Ohio. The Cooper 60R15 107T All-Season Tire is one of its most popular low profile tires.

Low Profile Tires Pricing

• $50-100: The majority of tires in this category can be described as all-season tires. These tires offer excellent grip, traction and handling.
• Prices from $100 to $300: These tires can be winter, all-season or touring. Many tires have a treadwear guarantee and superior handling. Manufacturers offer a 45-day trial drive.
• Prices above $300 Some tires come with wheels, while others have run-flat technology. Some tires can be inflated with nitrogen, instead of air.

The Key Features

Tire Type

We mentioned that low profile tires can be divided into four categories. Each type of tire has a different tread pattern and performs differently. All season tires can handle extreme weather conditions but perform well in other conditions.

Summer tires are great for warmer weather. They have large tread blocks that allow for maximum contact with roads. Winter tires can be used on snow and ice. They are more flexible in cold conditions and can grip the roads better. Comfort is the main purpose of touring tires. They are popular because they produce little noise and allow for smooth driving.

Size

Next, consider the size of your low profile tires. The wrong size tires will not fit your car. The dimensions of tires are typically indicated by 255/50R20/104V. The tire’s width is indicated in millimeters by the first three digits (255). The number 50 is the tire’s sidewall height. The letter “R” indicates that the tire is a Radial tire, and its layers are radially distributed. The wheel diameter is measured in inches. The number 104 refers to the tire’s load rating, or maximum weight it can carry. “V” refers the tire’s speed rating under optimal conditions. Speed rating is determined by the position of the letter in the English alphabet.

Tread Life

Every low profile tire comes with a mileage (life expectancy). It’s important to note that the manufacturer only gives an estimate of the tire’s mileage. How long your tires will last depends on how you drive, what the weather is like, and many other factors. It is also determined by the rubber compound that was used to make the tire.

Some tires, for example, have softer compounds which allow them to grip the roads more tightly. They have a high tread wear rate due to the fact that some rubber is left on roads after each drive. To last longer, tires with higher mileage have harder compounds. Silica is used to improve tread durability in low profile tires.

Other Considerations

• Traction. This is a tire’s ability to grip on wet surfaces. Low profile tires with the best grades are AA. The majority of tires available on the market are A-grade, with a few exceptions having a B grade. You won’t have to worry about your car sliding when you buy tires with an AA or A grade.
• Temperature Rating. There is a trio of tire temperature grades. A, B and C indicate how resistant a tire is to heat generated when the car speeds. Temperature ratings of A and B effectively dissipate heat at speeds exceeding 115 mph. A B rating tires dissipate heat at speeds between 100 mph to 115 mph. C-rated tires dissipate heat at speeds of 85 mph to 100.

Best Low Profile Tires Reviews & Recommendations 2020

Continental Extreme Contact All Season Radial Tire

This all-season, high-performance radial tire is perfect for your year-round driving needs. This tire offers both dry and wet traction, and has traction grooves as well as X-Sipe Technology. Continental’s SportPlus Technology allows for improved handling. QuickView indicators allow you to see how the tire performs under snowy conditions. These indicators also notify you when your vehicle’s alignment needs to be checked.

The DWS06 delivers superior cornering and braking performance. The DWS06 is extremely responsive and will not be affected by extreme weather conditions. The tire’s handling in all road conditions is enhanced by the sport sidewall insert. The tire’s two-ply sidewall provides extra strength and cornering stability.

Extreme Contact DWS06 comes in different sizes and with different speed ratings. Manufacturers also offer a limited warranty of 50,000 miles. This isn’t a flat tire, and it’s quite loud. It is also not suited for snowy conditions.Hankook Ventus S1 noble2 Performance Radial Tire

This all-season tire works well on all types of sedans as well as sports coupes. It offers excellent traction and cornering performance on all roads, wet or dry. For better fuel efficiency, a silica tread compound improves its traction. The tread design with notched shoulders provides excellent cornering grip and dry-traction.

Hankook’s Aqua Hydro Block Technology, four circumferential grooves and innovative Aqua Hydro Block Technology improve braking performance as well as wet traction. These features reduce the risk of hydroplaning by moving water from underneath the tire. For increased strength and endurance at higher speeds, the two steel belts within the tire are reinforced by nylon.

Hankook provides a 50,000-mile tread warranty on this tire. The tire is also made using 3D Vibration Analysis Technology which promotes braking performance and wear. Its tread life is short and it tends to wear down quickly. It is also not able to perform well in snowy conditions.

Michelin Pilot Sports A/S 3+ All-Season Performance Radial Tire

This tire can be used on sedans, coupes, and sports cars. This tire is perfect for car owners looking for optimal performance throughout the year. It provides excellent traction in all seasons, with great grip on wet roads and brilliant steering on dry roads. This low profile tire features Michelin’s Hello+ tread compound, which provides better traction in snowy conditions.

The tire’s circumferential grooves quickly eliminate accumulated water, snow, and slush. These grooves reduce the chance of hydroplaning, and increase traction when your car is moving through mud puddles. You can finally go on the off-road trip that you have been dreaming about for years.

Michelin’s VariableContact Patch 3.0 Technology is used in the Michelin Pilot Sport 3+ All Season Tire. It evenly distributes pressure across its surface. It is however not comfortable and makes a lot of noise.

Pirelli Pirelli Zero Nero All-Season High Performance Radial Tire

This tire’s asymmetrical tread pattern is made of a flexible rubber compound. This tire can be used in both hot and humid summers and cold and light snowy winters thanks to its silica formula. To provide extra support for the sidewall, the outer blocks are large. For constant contact with roads, solid circumferential rings run through the middle of the tire. To give the tire strength and stability, twin steel belts wrap around it internally.

This tire is unique because it has extra sipes throughout its entire tread pattern. This provides extra grip for slippery driving conditions. You will be able to accelerate and brake faster due to the increased traction.

These tires can be very noisy. Pirelli is aware of this and only limited sizes are available with noise-canceling technology. Some users also received worn-out tires.

Nankang Performance Radial Tire

The all-season tire offers high performance throughout the year. Four large circumferential grooves are provided for directing water away from the tire’s contact area. Each side also has a unique tread pattern that wraps around its shoulder. Each pattern has an open tread pattern to drain water away. The tread’s rubber compound is made with optimized silica for better handling, braking, acceleration, and handling.

This tire will make you feel more comfortable driving. It offers better steering control, handling, wet road traction, and steering control. The internal structure of the tire has noise prevention bars that reduce tire noise and provide a quiet ride. They are also very durable when you brake hard. They are durable, regardless of whether you’re an aggressive or conservative driver.

This tire is not able to grip snowy roads well. It is also unstable when cornering.

Lionhart LH-5 All-Season Radial Tire

The all-season tire features a wider stance that provides a greater contact area with the road. The tire has four large circumferential grooves that provide wet road traction. These grooves feed to the siping on the outer tread blocks, allowing for maximum water channelling. Smooth ride thanks to the unique tread pattern on the tire’s face.

This tire is unique because of the advanced technology it uses to make it. This will improve your traction on wet, dry, and lightly snowy roads. This will give you better traction at all speeds and a longer tread life.

The tread can sometimes separate from the tire’s body. This causes immediate air loss, and the tire must be replaced. These tires may also be susceptible to puncture. These tires are not as durable despite their long tread life.

Kumho Ecsta Performance Tire

The micro silica compound is used in this high-performance summer tire. This allows for uniform distribution of silica throughout the tire’s construction. As a result, the tire has a better contact patch. It features a directional tread pattern that has a solid center line and 3D dimples. Computer simulations of the internal structure have been used to ensure an even construction. This ensures that the tread pattern is worn evenly. Two steel belts are used to reinforce the tread pattern. A two-ply polyester casing and two full layers of nylon cap plies support this.

The lateral grooves in the tread blocks are what make this tire unique. These grooves reduce wear and improve the tire’s durability. They are unique because they allow the tire to better dissipate heat, which makes the tire last longer and perform better.

This tire is very loud. As the tire tread wears, it becomes louder. Although the tire is initially sticky and has good traction, it wears down with time.

Bridgestone Turanza Touring Tire

This all-season tire can be used on luxury cars and crossovers. The rubber compound contains a high level of silica. Bridgestone’s Long Link Carbon Black technology is used to create the tread’s asymmetrical design. The tread also features Resonance Noise Attenuated(RENOA) silencing grooves that help to reduce acoustic tones. For greater stability in straight lines, the tread pattern has continuous shoulder and center ribs. These are paired together with circumferential grooves that channel water away.

This tire is distinguished by its low rolling resistance and long tread life. These two features will help you save money. A longer tread life will reduce the frequency you need to change your tires. The low rolling resistance will increase your fuel economy.

This tire loses most its traction capabilities when it is hard-braking. This could lead to dangerous driving conditions. These tires can still be quite loud, despite all the noise-canceling technology. This is especially true if you drive at higher speeds.

Cooper Zeon All Season Tire

Cooper Zeon tires are designed to provide outstanding performance and handling, while being durable enough to be used year round. They are able to handle wet and dry roads, as well as light snow. The internal construction of the tire is made up of a two-ply polyester casing with twin steel belts wrapped in nylon. The tire also features a stiff bead filler, which helps to keep it in place during fast maneuvers.

The unique silica compound provides the tire with maximum grip on both dry and wet surfaces. The silica compound is molded in an asymmetrical design to provide strong grip and cornering, as well as dampening the sound that you might hear from other tires. The tire has four deep circumferential grooves, and large lateral notches that allow for water channeling. For grip in light snow, the pattern is finished with 3D Micro Gauge sipes.

These tires don’t grip well on snow, which is a problem. These conditions will require you to be extra cautious when driving. In colder temperatures, the tread may wear faster.

Goodyear Falcon GT II Radial Tire

This tire is suitable for SUVs, coupes, sports cars, and performance trucks. This tire will provide predictable handling and all-year performance in wet, dry, or light snowy conditions. The tire is constructed with twin steel belts and nylon reinforcement.

The aggressive tread pattern is what makes this tire stand apart. Four deep circumferential grooves separate the tread block rows. There are also lateral grooves that separate the treads. To give the tire greater stability, these are lined with solid shoulder blocks that wrap around each sidewall.

This is because these tires lack consistency in quality. Tires with uneven quality control can have flat spots that are difficult to balance and tires that split from the tire’s body. They are also less reliable on wet roads.

Tips

• Low-profile tires offer better grip but wear faster than other types. Although they offer better traction, the rubber in low-profile tires is less durable and may need to be replaced more frequently.
• Because they have a larger contact area, low-profile tires can be louder than others. They are louder because they have larger contact areas and more grooves. This promotes more airflow which makes them more noisy. They are also stronger.
• Off-roading should be avoided with low-profile tires. These tires have a rigid tread that makes them difficult to handle on uneven surfaces. Sidewalls are less flexible than the main tread, making them difficult to use on bumpy roads.

FAQs

Q: Are low-profile tires more comfortable than regular tires?

A:Low profile tires have less cushioning than standard tires because of the higher sidewalls. Regular tires are less likely to feel bumps in the road than regular tires.

Q: Can low-profile tires be used on any type of car?

A. Low profile tires can be used on many cars including those made by Lexus, VW, Honda, Audi and Lexus. If your car does not come with low-profile tires, you might need to modify other parts of the vehicle to accommodate them. This includes suspension, brakes, and rims.

Q: Do low-profile tires have run-flat technology?

A: Some companies offer this technology. Run-flat technology is a way to drive 50 miles on a flat tire even if it has completely deflated. Low-profile tires have less air than other types, so it is easy to integrate this technology.

Last Thoughts

The Continental Extreme Contact All Season Radial Tire is our pick for the best low profile tires. They are quieter than some other brands and can withstand a wide range of conditions.

The Hankook Ventus 1 Noble2 Performance Radial Tire is a budget-friendly alternative.