Tire Glossary

Cornering grip

What does it mean?

How well the tire holds when taking corners.

When is it important?

When you’re driving on winding roads.

Rolling resistance

What does it mean?  

How easily a tire rolls across a surface.

When is it important?  

If you’re trying to reduce your fuel consumption.

Performance

What does it mean?  

A general term describing a vehicle or tire’s braking, accelerating, handling, and traction.

When is it important?  

All the time.

Handling

What does it mean? 

How your tire responds to steering and braking.

When is it important? 

All the time.

Aquaplaning resistance

What does it mean? 

How well a tire can shed water and retain its grip on wet roads.

When is it important? 

When you’re driving in the rain or on wet roads.

RunOnFlat tire

What does it mean? 

A tire that allows you to keep driving after a puncture or flat tire, for up to 80 km at a maximum speed of 50mph.

When is it important?

When you get a puncture or flat tire and can’t change the tire straight away.

Wet grip

What does it mean?

How a tire grips the road and brakes when on a wet surface.

When is it important? 

For steering, stopping, and overall control of your vehicle.

Dry grip

What does it mean? 

How a tire grips the road and brakes when on a dry surface.

When is it important? 

For steering, stopping, and overall control of your vehicle.

Comfort

What does it mean?

A tire‘s ability to absorb shocks from bumps or other irregularities on the road.

When is it important? 

When you want to feel the car, not the bumps in the road.

Noise

What does it mean? 

The external noise a tire produces contributes to the noise in the surrounding environment. A tire that produces low internal noise will keep things quieter inside the car.

When is it important? 

When you want a quiet journey for you and those around you.

Braking distance

What does it mean?

The distance it takes for a vehicle to come to a complete stop after brakes are applied.

When is it important? 

On all road surfaces.

Mileage

What does it mean? 

An indication of the usable life of a tire. A “high mileage” tire is typically long-lasting.

When is it important?

All the time.


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