The world is, generally, a cruel place for us car enthusiasts. Our passion for the car promotes and fuels the automotive industry, but we are not returned the favor. Due to a considerably small number of enthusiasts out there, car companies do not bother to cater to their specific needs. The situation is further aggravated by the lack of truthful information available for budding enthusiasts, save the little brotherhoods we call forums.
Finding appropriate tires for lowered cars is one such situation. Fortunately for you, The Car Factor’s team does care about the dropped and “bagged” community. We love you to pieces and have worked tirelessly to bring you our top picks for such tricky situations.
5 Best Tire Options for Lowered Cars:
We present to you our top 5 picks for the task, here’s an overview:
Best tire options for lowered cars:
- Michelin Pilot Sport A/S 3+ All Season Performance Radial Tire-225/45ZR17/XL 94Y
- Continental Extreme Contact DWS06 All-Season Radial Tire – 225/40ZR18 92Y
- Firestone Firehawk Indy 500 Ultra High Peformance Tire 275/40R20 106 W Extra Load
- Nitto Neo Gen All Season Radial Tire-205/45R16XL 87V
Best tire option for lowered trucks:
- Mickey Thompson Deegan 38 All-Terrain Radial Tire – 275/55R20 117T
- Fullway HP108 All-Season 245/45R18 100W Load Range XL 4-Ply
1. Michelin Pilot Sport A/S 3+ All Season Performance Radial Tire-225/45ZR17/XL 94Y
Sports car performance for your built machine…
Michelin’s Pilot Sports A/S 3+ UHP all-season tire is designed for drivers of sports cars, coupes, and sedans who want their tires to provide increased dry and wet traction, cornering grip, and performance.
The Pilot Sport A/S 3+ also features Michelin’s Comfort Control technology, which uses computer-optimized design and precision manufacturing to reduce road noise and vibrations for a more comfortable ride. This makes the tire a great choice for drivers who want both performance and comfort from their tires. Whether you’re driving on the highway or taking your sports car out for a weekend drive, the Pilot Sport A/S 3+ provides a high level of performance, handling, and comfort that’s hard to beat in the all-season tire category.
Michelin employs a Helio+ compound that is also injected with more silica. This compound is combined with an aggressive asymmetric tread design inspired by Michelin’s best-selling Pilot Super Sport summer tire to provide year-round dry and wet traction and handling. In addition, Michelin’s Variable Contact Patch 3.0 technology minimizes heat distortion and works in conjunction with the tread design to improve cornering grip and responsiveness across the speed range. This is a significant advantage of the A/S 3 Plus. So if you’re a spirited driver, you’ll appreciate the handling and grip provided by this tire.
Pros
- Excellent dry and wet traction
- Awesome steering response
- Grip and stability in corners
- Comfortability during the ride
- Good tread life
Cons
- Expensive
2. Continental Extreme Contact DWS06 All-Season Radial Tire – 225/40ZR18 92Y
Continental comfort, quietness and ride quality…
Tires are no longer simply pieces of radial rubber. The Continental ExtremeContact DWS06 demonstrates that innovative engineering and premium construction can combine all-season performance with a sporty and comfortable design.
The Continental DWS is a high-performance all-season tire that ranks near the top of the class. The ride is silky smooth and extremely quiet, but the tire does not let you down when the weather and road conditions deteriorate. Snow and ice traction is likely the finest among all all-season tires available today. The numerous compliments we received from our expert and amateur reviewers supports it
Continental’s DWS stands for Dry, Wet, and Snow, and each of these categories have received specific attention with the latest tire technology. It’s worth noting that Continental has simplified the process of determining how much tread remains on a tire and how well it will perform by incorporating unique Tuned Performance Indicators within the tread.
The new SportPlus Technology and a tread composition with increased silica and +Silane additives are designed to improve traction on wet road surfaces, improve handling precision, and extend tread life. The asymmetric tread pattern is retained, though somewhat altered from the original.
Pros
- Excellent traction on wet/dry and snow-covered roads
- Steering that is both responsive and precise
- Significantly enhanced cornering stability
- Great Treadlife
Cons
- We couldn’t find any
3. Firestone Firehawk Indy 500 Ultra High Peformance Tire 275/40R20 106 W Extra Load
No list for performance cars is complete without it…
The Firehawk Indy 500 is Firestone’s newest offering — an ultra-high-performance summer tire. There is no doubting that the Firehawk Indy 500 is a significant increase and improvement over the Wide Oval Indy 500, which was adequate but lacked distinction.
The Firestone Firehawk Indy 500 is designed to fit various sports cars, sedans, and coupes. The technology is highly unique, being race-inspired (more on that below), and it is precisely this technology that increases cornering and traction.
The new, silica-enhanced, and high-performance, Long Link Carbon rubber ribbons boast the molding and shape of a ferocious asymmetrical ribbon design. Additionally, the design incorporates distinct shoulder blocks explicitly created to aid handling and cornering dry weather conditions. The center groove (circumferential) features the exclusive Pulse Groove Technology for improved water evacuation when combined with the redesigned tread pattern and two additional circumferential grooves for shorter stopping distances on wet roads.
Larger independent tread blocks on the shoulders and a stiffer sidewall contribute to the tire’s cornering grip and stability. Cornering performance is roughly identical to that of other top tires, such as the Michelin Pilot Super Sport.
Pros
- Excellent dry and wet traction
- Stability and grip in corners are exceptional.
- A smooth ride without the abrasions
- Surprisingly quiet
- Outstanding performance and value for money
Cons
- Not driveabile in winters
4. Nitto Neo Gen All Season Radial Tire-205/45R16XL 87V
It can resist wear due to extreme camber, yes really…
Nitto NeoGen performs admirably on both dry and wet surfaces. It brings a sense of perpetual control, regardless of road conditions. As expected, cornering is excellent. Nitto’s low void-ratio outside shoulder blocks improve dry surface traction and cornering grip. These blocks improve cornering performance and steering response. Stiffer sidewalls minimize tread flex and extend the tread life of the tire.
Nitto has incorporated distinctive tread replacement bars into this tire, indicating when to change the tires. The tread has been developed to continue to provide traction and cornering performance until the tire’s life expires. In addition, this tire is designed specifically to resist wear caused by negative camber, making it perfect for vehicles with extreme camber for stance and aesthetics. For more on that read: Does camber wear tires?
The most remarkable feature of the Nitto is its affordability. A decent product that does its job shouldn’t break the budget, which is why the Nitto is a suitable pick in this scenario. Moreover, for the average consumer, the Nitto delivers on its promises and is thus dependable.
Pros
- Excellent all-season grip, even in light snow.
- Cornering grip, as well as steering reaction and control, are substantially above average in this class.
- Tires ride nicely despite their high-performance rating.
- Greater tread life than anticipated
Cons
- Tires tend to become noisier as they deteriorate.
5. Mickey Thompson Deegan 38 All-Terrain Radial Tire – 275/55R20 117T
One of the best looking truck tires ever…
Considered by many to be the best looker among the all-terrain tires, this tire holds its own in the performance department as well. This tire is designed with big open tread voids to keep water, snow and mud away from the tire. Due to its rugged design, it is perfect for usage on SUVs and trucks. This tire is available in size P275/55R20, but it is also available in various other sizes, so you’re likely to find one that suits your car.
What distinguishes this tire is its silica-reinforced tread compound. It is resistant to chips and cuts and operates well in a variety of weather conditions. Under the layers of rubber are two-ply high-tensile body cables. They boost the tire’s strength while also reducing its weight. Additionally, the aggressive tread wraps around the sidewall, providing enhanced traction and handling.
The aggressive tread pattern grips the road and imparts the truck an aggressive look almost that of a mud-terrain tire. The side wall has beautiful white lettering with the name “Deegan” confidently displayed, a subtle reference to a quiet famous family name in the off-road world.
Pros
- Cut and chip resistant
- Durable
- Light weight
- Designed for off-road traction.
Cons
- None
6. Fullway HP108 All-Season 245/45R18 100W Load Range XL 4-Ply
All-season usability and a slim profile at an incredible price…
This tire is designed for SUVs, crossovers and light pickups. It provides the necessary stability for an enjoyable driving experience. In addition, it has an excellent grip on any surface, making it suitable for usage on both dry and rainy roads.
The maker made optimal use of the tread design. The central rib improves control by constantly enhancing the surface contact. Not only does this improve control of the vehicle, but it also contributes to improved handling throughout the trip. Additionally, Fullway develops the tread pattern to optimize wet traction, resulting in a shorter braking distance on wet roads.
Additionally, its asymmetric tread design helps to reduce passenger noise, ensuring a peaceful ride and superior comfort levels. Angled lateral grooves in the direct tread airflow across the footprint, avoiding the creation of road and tread pattern noise.
While the Fullway HP108 is an all-season tire, it should not be used in freezing temperatures. While the tread pattern and all-season compound will give good traction in mild winter circumstances, they will not operate securely in severe weather conditions.
Pros:
- It has excellent traction and a grippy surface.
- Excellent tread design
- Durable
- Vibration reduction while driving
- Stabilizes the vehicle for a pleasant driving experience
- Reasonably priced.
Cons:
- Not a premium brand
What to look for when buying tires for lowered cars?
1. Choose Low Profile Tires:
Low-profile tires feature a lower aspect ratio or a shorter sidewall than standard tires. Additionally, they include larger tread blocks, a stiffer, wider apex, and can be manufactured from various specialized compounds.
A tire with an aspect ratio of 50 or less is considered low profile. Low-profile tires are prominent in sports cars and luxury automobiles due to their sporty and aggressive looks. This is because tires designed for speed and traction are built of softer, damage-prone materials. Therefore you should decide whether they are compatible with your car and driving style before you buy low profiles. In case you decide to go with the slim ones, silica-based low-profile tires increase tread durability.
2. Choose Softer Tires:
There are essentially three springs between the road and the driver in an automobile: the tires, the suspension, and the seat cushion. Choosing softer tires significantly enhances the ability of your vehicle to dampen impacts. Certain tires feature softer compositions that enhance their grip on the road as well as act to protect suspension components. Continental Extreme Contact DWS06 is one such tire. They will also be particularly useful for those who have modified their suspension setup to lower the cars which makes the suspension even more vulnerable. However, they do have a high tread wear rate because more rubber is left on the road after each drive. Tires with a better mileage rating are constructed with tougher compounds to ensure that they last longer.
Another advantage is that softer tires ted to be quieter on the road. For more on that, head to our article: Can Tires Cause Road Noise?
3. Prioritize Aesthetics:
Low-profile tires have gained popularity in recent years due to their aesthetic influence on the overall appearance of automobiles. Nothing says sleek and athletic, like an automobile designed for speed and precision, complete with tires that allow drivers to push their vehicles to their limits.
Some of these tires have also been featured in our related article: Best Tires for Negative Camber
