PASSENGER CAR / MINIVAN TIRES
PERFORMANCE TOURING TIRES
ULTRA-HIGH PERFORMANCE SPORT TIRES
Tires rated W, Y and Z, with an aspect ratio of less than 55. Typically designed for larger wheels (16” and above), these tires are made to enhance the handling of the vehicle.
* Exceeding the legal speed limit is neither recommended nor endorsed.
Frequently asked questions
BFGoodrich answers your most asked questions.
FAQ
A combination of a higher speed rating, a lower aspect ratio for a shorter stiffer sidewall, and a softer grippier tread compound. Together these deliver sharper steering response, higher cornering grip, and shorter dry braking distances. The cost is faster tread wear, higher price, and typically more road noise and a firmer ride.
Performance touring tires are typically rated H or V and balance handling improvement with acceptable tread life and comfort. Ultra high performance tires are rated W, Y, or Z with an aspect ratio below 55, usually on 16-inch wheels and larger, and prioritize response and grip above longevity and comfort.
No. Most performance tires are summer compounds that harden and lose grip well before freezing, and they do not carry the 3PMSF symbol required in Quebec. If you run performance tires, plan on a dedicated winter set. That is standard practice for performance vehicle owners in Canada and it is not optional in Quebec.
Yes, and significantly in many cases. The soft compounds that generate grip are consumed faster than harder touring compounds. This is a design trade-off, not a defect. Since a Canadian performance tire only runs about half the year, the calendar life may be better than the kilometre life suggests.
It depends what you want from the drive. If you value steering response and cornering confidence and accept shorter tread life, a firmer ride over frost heave, and higher cost, they deliver a different experience. If your priority is quiet comfort and maximum kilometres per dollar, a touring tire serves you better.
Related pages
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TIRE UPGRADE
Tire upgrading, also called plus-sizing, means replacing your original wheels with larger diameter wheels and correspondingly lower profile tires. Done correctly it improves handling through a shorter stiffer sidewall. Done incorrectly it wrecks your speedometer accuracy and ride quality. On Canadian roads there is a specific caution: a lower profile tire is much more vulnerable to pothole and frost heave damage.View more -
5 QUESTIONS TO ASK YOUR DEALERS
When it’s time to buy tires, the last thing you want is to feel intimidated. So make sure you do a little homework before you go. (All of which is found within Tires 101, along with an easy-to-use Find a Tire tool at the top of the page.) We’ve even put together five easy questions to take to your local dealer (find a BFGoodrich Tire dealer near you by using the Dealer Locator at the top of the page), but remember that you can always order it instead of settling for another tire.View more -
MIXING TIRES
There may come a time when you replace two new tires instead of four. If you decide to go that route, be sure that your new tires are the same size and tire type as your current tires, and that your dealer always installs the new tires on the rear axle of your vehicle (as shown in the pdf below).
DOWNLOAD AND VIEW A GRAPHIC ILLUSTRATION (1.1MB)View more -
SEASONAL TIRES
In Canada the seasonal tire decision is not just about comfort, it is about law in some provinces and about stopping distance everywhere. All-season tires handle moderate conditions but they are not winter tires, and in Quebec they are not legal between December 1 and March 15. Winter tires should go on when temperatures consistently approach 7°C and come off when they are consistently above it.View more -
TIRE WEAR AND DAMAGE
How worn is too worn? There are several ways to check for wear without even getting your hands dirty: You can either look for visible, excessive wear, you can perform the Quarter Test to check proper tread depth, or you can check if the tread is worn down to the wear bar indicators (typically located in the circumferential grooves of the tread).View more