Most people don’t know that they have to change their tires to summer tires during the summertime. it completely delivers higher traction and stability performance than touring tires to guarantee your safety driving at high temperatures.

we have tested many tires and found Michelin Pilot Sport 4s is the best overall summer tire. It combines the superior wet and dry tractions you need on the roads and also you can confidently accompany it in autocross.

We are going to discuss the most reputable summer tires you can trust on dry and wet roads. but first, I want to differentiate between summer performance and summer ultra-high-performance tires.

In brief, the summer performance tire features softer rubber, a larger tread block, and deeper grooves that are essential to acquire summer dry and wet traction characteristics. It is usually made of sticker rubber material to ensure stability. while ultra-high-performance tires are designed for maximum performance. It gives your high-performance vehicles the superb traction on dry roads needed for spirit driving.

Our selections for the following summer tires are built on intensive research for more than 150 customer reviews of each product.

We have made a deep analysis of the test results for more than 30 leading summer tires in terms of lap time, lateral traction score, wet traction score, aggressive cornering, and braking distance on wet and dry surfaces. The final selections are now in your hands.

I have supplied you with other five competitive options for the Michelin Pilot Sport 4S. 

Best top-performance summer tires.

If you have sports cars, or luxury cars or you are a driving enthusiast or live in an area with a hot climate and want to boost your car performance, then you have to check the following summer tires.

Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S– best overall summer tires.

Pilot Sport 4s is a maximum-performance summer. As a sports car owner, you will fall in love with utilizing this tire that enhances your car’s untapped potential for firm grip, lateral stiffness, and excellent dry and wet performance. 

There is no more evidence for the Michelin Sports 4 S tire’s high summer performance than the trustworthy sports car manufacturers like Audi, BMW, and Porsche that have developed cooperation to use this tire in their sports cars.

Real sports tire. The tread compound gets the same characteristics as the 24 hours of Lemans-derived compounds. Which reflects its qualifications for sporty driving.

Improved dry handling and barking as well as wet braking performance. The dry handling benefit is generated from the low void outer shoulder that is manufactured from special dry-focused rubber, while the wet performance is due to the center ribs and inboard shoulder which are manufactured from silica compound.

High-speed capability. Michelin pilot sport 4 s show UTQG: 300 AA A that reflects great traction and high-temperature endurance that is generated from high speeds. Also, The internal construction of twin steel belts reinforced by nylon belts creates suitable tire strength to enhance high-speed handling.

Gorgeous appearance. If you drive one of the sports cars, you surely want a tire with an elegant visual appearance. That is why Michelin 4S has a premium touch finish due to the velvet effect of the sidewall using cutting laser technology.

Enjoy quiet summer driving. Unlike the majority of summer tires, the Michelin Pilot 4S delivers quiet riding, you will not hear the noise while sitting in the passenger cabin. The foam layer in the inner liner of the tire is responsible for sound absorption.

The experimental test results of Michelin 4 S shew. 

• In terms of dry braking tests, the Michelin Pilot Sport 4s ranks number #1 compared to other lead summer tires. It takes a stopping distance of 106 feet to stop from speed 60 mph to 0 mph.
• In terms of speeds on wet lap time, the 4s ranks number #1 compared to other lead summer tires competitors. It takes only 37 sec to finish the wet lap.
• In terms of wet braking tests. Michelin 4 s ranks number #1 compared to the same competitors’ summer tires. It takes the shortest stopping distance of 97 feet to stop from a speed of 50 mph to 0 mph on a wet surface.

Based on my experience and many customer reviews, we found.

• Extra sticky and handle. A friend of a BMW M5 set Michelin Pilot Sport 4s, shows his admiration for the tire grip over wet roads and cornering and hydroplaning resistance.
• Over 85% of customers confirm the tire gripping performance and handling however they have a little concern about its high price and fast tread wear.
• In my opinion, to fulfill the sporty performance of the tire, you regularly have to rotate your tires and use them only in the summertime as recommended. The tire will then deliver an extra life span. 

Firestone Firehawk Indy 500.Good price and a top-performance tire.

Bring excitment to your sporty summer driving with the racing-inspired technology of Firehwak Indy 500. The ultra high-performance tire gives confident warm dry and wet traction.

From day one of manufacturing indy500, Firestone had set a clear goal to produce a tire with a standing blend of dry and wet street traction and handling.

Great reputation tire model. The history began when the first winner of the Indianapolis 500 race in 1911 drove on Firestone tires. From this event, victories continue with Firestone-shod cars. So the company thought to link its tire and historical events with the Firestone Indy 500 tire.

Cornering with confidence on a dry surface. The silica compound in tread rubber together with a symmetric tread give large shoulder blocks that increase tire stiffness to deliver excellent handling and drifting control in dry conditions.

Firestone Firehawk Indy 500 provides a 20% shorter stopping distance on wet pavement compared to its predecessor due to its additional circumferential grooves. Firestone added a pulse groove technology through the central groove to evacuate water and enhance hydroplaning resistance.

High-speed qualifications. You can run on an indy500 at summer temperature confidently due to its high UTQG metric 340 A A. The complex internal structure of twin steel belts with polyester casing in between and nylon cover provides responsive handling and stability at high speeds.

The experimental test results of the Firestone Indy 500 show. 

• Indy 500 achieved the rank #1 in average lap time compared to other UHP contenders.
• It shows leading benefits in terms of cornering and dry handling.
  

According to my experience and many customer reviews, we found.

• All customers who have experience with the Indy 500 agreed on the good price of the tire that delivers superior summer performance. They feel pleasure to take out for a cruise and enjoy listening to their favorite music because of how the tires are impressively quiet.
• Customers describe the stability of the tire as it loves to hug the road and you will feel the tire is planted to the ground.
• Based on my experience with performance tires, I think you don’t expect long tread life and comfortable riding. The stiffer sidewall can’t achieve that, however, it guarantees cornering and wet handling performance.
• When I look at the tire in real life, I admire its Z-shaped tread looking cool. 
• In my opinion, if you looking for a tire that brings extreme performance and extreme fun with a good budget, I see the Firestone Firehawk 500 Indy as the optimum choice for you.
  

Continental ExtremeContact Sport.Leading competitive to Michelin 4s.

For powerful luxury vehicle owners, the continental has launched continental extreme contact sport tire to deliver max performance summer. It is a premium tire that combines serious dry-wet performance and comfortable quiet riding.

Roush Performance, BMW Performance Driving School, and AMG Driving Academy all prefer to adopt continental extreme contact sport in their vehicles as they trust in their spirited performance.

Compound benefits of wet traction, precise handling, and tire wear improvement. The continental sports plus technology that includes five ribs (six ribs in larger sizes) is mainly responsible for delivering perfect handling and wet traction.

What provides the tire tread longevity is that the tire footprint evenly distributes the pressure on all tire surfaces so it gives extra life to the tread blocks.

Continental extreme contact sport provides you with the stability you want on the highways. The continuous central rib improves contact between the rubber and the road give you stability feeling.

Considerable wet performance: Summer tires are known for their performance on dry surfaces, although some wet traction is preferred to deal with hydroplaning on wet surfaces. Continental provides good handling in damp conditions because of continentals patented + silane technology.

Hydroplaning resistance is influenced by the circumferential grooves that allow water to pass through evacuation channels.

Summer speed driving. Continental gets a high tire traction rating of AA and a tire speed rating of W (168 mph). It gets temperature rating A to endure high temperatures generated from high speeds and summer temp.

The internal construction is designed to withstand high-speed conditions. Polyester or rayon cords –  depending on the size – are the main construction material for the continental extreme contact known for their features of adding stiffness without sacrificing ride comfort.

The wide outside shoulder improves high-speed handling and lateral traction. 

The experimental test results of a continental cross-contact sports show. 

• The tire is accurate in terms of the direction of the vehicle to the intended destination.
• It takes only 30 seconds for total laps to finish in dry conditions and 33 sec in wet which reflects the speed capabilities.
• It shows competitive grip performance. The lateral gravity on dry roads scored 97% and on wet roads scored 84%.
• Considerable braking performance to stop from 50 mph speed to zero. It stops after 79.5 feet on dry pavement vs 104.9 feet on wet pavement.
• The continental cross contact ranked 7th of 77 summer max performance tires.

Based on my experience and many customer reviews, we found.

• Continental cross contact left good feedback for customers in terms of tire tread longevity, they acknowledged that the tread wear has been much better than in the past tires.
• Over 97% of the users who tried this tire intend to purchase the tire again enjoying the smooth and quiet riding they have experienced.
• Although some people have a little concern about the tire’s performance in rain, the tire still does well to avoid hydroplaning.
• From my experience point of view, the tire is perfect for streets as it delivers lower steering and cornering stability. If you are looking for a competitive autocross tire you will need something more stickier.
• Now there is a new generation of continental launched to overcome the predecessor’s downsides. Continental cross-contact 02 to deliver better steering and handling. It also provides better sticky characteristics on dy and wet conditions.

General G-MAX RS best budget summer tires.

If you are someone who wants a summer performance tire similar to premium tire brands but with a reasonable budget then the general G-MAX RS tire is the right choice for you.

It ultra-high-performance tires for the drivers of modern muscle cars to maximize their vehicle spirit driving in both dry and wet conditions.

It isn’t strange to see the General G Max tire deliver similar high performance to a known brand like Michelin when you know that the General Tire company belongs to continental that transfers their exceptional experience to General company.

Get a tread design that is compatible with high summer speed performance. The G-MAX RS has a solid continuous central rib that is responsible for vehicle stability and aids acceleration and braking performance.

Smart grip technology gives accurate steering response while the Stabil tread technology creates a wide contact surface to the ground that provides stability in cornering. The last technology participates in equal pressure distribution to avoid tire uneven wear.

General G-MAX RS tires get a similar UTQG rating to the market leader tires of 360 AA A to withstand speed traction and high temperature. 

Also, the tough internal construction of the single poly polyester casing, the two-ply in the sidewall and the two steel belts enhance high-speed abilities.

What about wet performance? There is no risk of hydroplaning you may face on wet roads due to the angled notches in the intermediate ribs that act as channels to get the water away from circumferential grooves.

For extra wet traction, the wide shoulder blocks with open edges help to deliver biting action on slippery surfaces.

The experimental test results of General G-MAX RS show. 

• When General G-MAX is compared to Bf Goodrich G force tire, the first achieves superior dry and wet handling. It also stops after a shorter distance to achieve higher braking performance.

Based on my experience and many customer reviews, we found.

• The customer has a true awareness that they deal with affordable price tires so they don’t wait for an incredible performance of the tire. however, surprisingly admire the tire’s ability to drift too easily with water during regular driving without any risk of hydroplaning. The tire offers more than adequate grip and responsiveness to have fun on a back road or exit ramp.
• When I see the tire in my friend’s car, I find out that it has a monitor that tells you it’s time to replace the tire when the tread depth reaches 2/32 inches. See other ways to measure the tread depth and how to read the number at the tire sidewall.
• If you decide to try the General G Max tire you can check the following link and don’t worry if you hear some noise at the first mile, it will completely disappear while the tire is running.

Falken Azenis FK510. best for summer daily driving.

Falken Azenis FK510 is classified as a high-performance summer tire for sports cars. From my experience, this tire is more a round tire than be competitive one. It delivers extreme grip performance in both dry and wet conditions.

Exceptional vehicle stability. What makes the tire undergo the performance category is the significant directional stability that the tire shows. The 4D Nano Design tread and adaptive constant pressure design (ACP)  equally distribute the vehicle load on the tire to improve stability and enhance braking performance.

The tire shows improved lateral grip in the cornering because of the wide outboard shoulder blocks.

Confident wet traction. The tire easily handles hydroplaning through the circumferential grooves. The tread is accompanied by switchback siping that reinforces the contact to the ground to deliver super gripping at wet cornering.

The tread compound itself is molded at the molecular level – not as blocks – to optimize adhesion to slippery surfaces.

Falken Azenis FK510 has a UTQG rating of 300 AA A that delivers a slightly short tread life but it can deliver high traction performance and confidently withstand high temperatures.

Combined stiff and flexible construction. FK510 sidewall is flexible from the middle to absorb road imperfections and deliver smooth riding. while the outside shoulder and bead area are rigid characteristics that are necessary for handling capability.

For high-speed stability, the tire features required rigidity for high speeds through its two steel belts and nylon-aramid cap ply.

The experimental test results of FK510 show. 

• BMW F36 430I shows noticeable stability around the track with FK510 tires. however, the testers observe an understeering response when pushed beyond the limit.
• In terms of wet performance, the tire shows a high level of traction and stability in the wet which makes drivers feel secure and confident.

Based on my experience and many customer reviews, we found.

• Many people left an average evaluation about the short tread life of the Falken FK510 while over 85% were happy with the tire’s low price which delivers smooth and quiet driving.
• Personal experience, I have tried this tire in bad downpour condition and was driving at a speed of not less than 60 mph, i can easily pass through the wet surface without any feeling of risk of hydroplaning.
• In my opinion and according to this tire’s qualifications, it is considered to be the optimum choice for summer daily drivers with some performance benefits available at affordable prices. The tire can’t be a track perspective or a competitive performance tire.

Yokohama Advan APEX V601. for combined touring and performance. 

Yokohama Advan Apex V601 is one of the max performance tires for use on performance-oriented cars and sedans that you can trust in its warm dry and wet handling. It is also compatible with regular daily driving patterns.

Summer performance capabilities. Yokohama Advan Apex 601 delivers exceptional traction in different conditions due to its tread block designed from silica and carbon black. Particulary lateral grip gives maximum traction in cornering so thanks to outboard-wide rib for this advantage.

Also, the single-ply, rayon casing and two-ply sidewall in the tire’s internal construction participate in improving lateral stability and handling.

Even at high speed, you can feel the vehicle’s stability and controlled handling. The solid center rib of the advan apex tire creates constant contact with the ground which enhances stability. 

In addition to Yokohama advan apex 601 speeding rate Y, The tire has the constructional ability for high speed due to two steel belts which are supported with two spiral wounds and nylon plies.

Aggressive cornering and high speeds usually generate heat that can be easily dissipated by the narrow outer grooves of the tire. The tire gets UTQG 280 AA A which indicates the tire’s high-temperature enduring.

Enjoy Comfortable driving with a longevity tire. Angeled grooves decrease the road noise to deliver quieter riding. The micro silica compound and the round ribs design which makes even contact with the ground promote longer tread life.

Additional wet performance. The tire features hydroplaning resistance because of the three circumferential grooves that effectively evacuate water away from the tire.

The experimental test results of Yokohama Advan Apex601 show. 

• Yokohama Apex601 shows the fastest lap compared to leading competitors. It was quicker than Pirelli P. However, the expert attributed the cornering difficulty to the tire’s soft sidewall.
• Apex601 is ranked 10th of 33 summer extreme performance tires.

Based on my experience and many customer reviews, we found.

• Many users who have tried this tire for over 15000 miles confirm the similar performance to the much higher priced tires in both wet and dry conditions.
• The tire features stickiness which is a double-edged sword. The tire picks up gravel and sand from the roads although they don’t face any issue of noise or traction in rain conditions.
• From my experience point of view, this tire can achieve the balance between spirit driving and in-city trips. The tire delivers a gripping performance that qualifies it for spirit sports racing and has a comfortable driving experience for country-long travel on rough surfaces.

What to look for when buying performance summer tires?

First of all, you have to determine the purpose of using summer tires to select the suitable type and look for specific factors that achieve your goals.

Different types of summer tires include touring summer tires, high-performance summer tires, ultra-high performance, max-performance summer tires … Etc. we are going to focus on the touring summer tire because it matches the needs of the majority however, we will discuss some points which are essential for spirit-driving tires.

• High traction for both dry and wet conditions. Summer is specified for delivering gripping performance on dry pavement to ensure safety, better handling, and stability on the road. It also must deal with hydroplaning on wet surfaces. You can easily check this feature through manufacturing descriptions and customer feedback or trust our review articles on this site.
• Tread design. The summer tire is manufactured from a softer rubber compound and has a larger tread block than all-season tires to provide better wet and dry traction. It also has a lower number of grooves and deeper tread depth.
• Tread pattern. There are three types to include directional, symmetrical, and A symmetrical tread patterns. As you are seeking summer tires, I generally recommend a directional or a symmetrical tread pattern over the symmetric one. They offer better lateral and wet traction needed for handling and cornering and also can endure summer high temperatures. But if you need an economical long-lasting tire, you can choose the symmetrical pattern.
• Check UTQG and speeding rate. The UTQG measures three important parameters. tread wear which measures tire tread life recommended to be over 350 to guarantee durability, traction rating that measures the wet gripping performance of the tire AA, A, B, C from highest to lowest. The temperature rating to measure high-temperature resistance is A Better than B than C.
  • The tire speeding rate determines the maximum speed that the tire can withstand for a certain period. Select a tire with a speed rate of W or Y that offers a speed over 168 mph.
• Riding comfort. It is slightly difficult to find summer tires that combine high performance and ride quality of smooth riding. However, you will find some customer recommendations for many summer tires that offer comfortable riding, low road impact, and low noise production.
• Tire construction. Try to select a tire with internal construction that combines tough and flexible characters. Reinforced sidewalls with nylon and polyester enhance durability and high-speed capabilities. Besides the rugged features of the sidewall, it must provide adequate flexibility to absorb road imperfections and deliver smooth comfortable riding.
• finally, budget-friendly.  Try to achieve a balance between cost and summer performance benefits except if you need an ultra-high-performance tire brand, you have to pay for it.

Kindly note that run-flat tires which is the type of tire that can run safely with low tire pressure for a certain period and at a specific speed. It is a type of summer tire you can select in between. You can easily identify with sidewall stamps of RFT, SSR, or ZP. 

Some features for summer tires are needed for spirit driving.

If you need specific tires for competitive driving you have to select.

•  Must deliver extreme grip and traction performance.
• Handling aggressive cornering & approved lateral grip.
• Tire that win with the shortest lap time. 
• You have to select a well-known tire brand name.
• Also, the braking performance must be superb and show the shortest braking distance.

You easily check these features through the test results conducted by many specified firms.

Why you should buy summer tires?

• Safety factor. The high temperature can quickly damage all-season tires. The summer tire can save your life through its resistance to high summer temperature and protect against damage. It also offers greater stability at high speeds with better dry traction.
• Better wet traction than all season. Some places are experienced with rainy days during the summer season, so you will need a tire that can handle wet roads and resist hydroplaning.
• Better performance. If you are the one who loves to maximize your high-performance vehicle, you have to obtain a summer tire for better handling and responsiveness.

Some concerns you have to pay attention to when buying summer tires.

• It is known that summer tires don’t offer the great comfortable riding of the all-season or touring tires. However, still, some of those summer tires offer a level of comfortability.
• Summer tires are more expensive particularly when you buy ultra-high-performance tires. It is tread life can`t last for a long time due to its continuous dealing with aggressive manners such as high speeds and high temperature. Look for a high-quality tire and long tread warranty.
• It is important to know that summer tires can’t be run or stored in near or below freezing temperatures -7C. It won’t perform properly.

Our winner.

Eventually, on summer days you need a tire with high performance, so No tire brand you can trust more than Michelin. our expert team selected the Michelin Pilot Sport 4S To be the best summer tires they have analyzed.

Enjoy your spirit driving in a warm climate with the Michelin Pilot Sport 4S now.