WASHINGTON — They seem perfect for any winter conditions: Vehicles equipped with advanced all-wheel drive systems and a reputation for stellar performance on rough roads. In the real world, though, those vehicles may go nowhere fast.
Many performance-oriented cars and some luxury SUVs come equipped with performance tires, also known as summer tires. “They don’t get that name from nowhere,” says Jennifer Stockburger, the director of operations at the Consumer Reports Auto Test Center in Connecticut. Summer tires are designed for maximum grip in dry and wet conditions, but only in warmer temperatures. “Not only do they not have traction in snow or ice, but even the cold temperature essentially makes them ride like a brick,” she says.
For drivers, that could mean a nasty surprise in the form of slipping and sliding. “Even if you have all-wheel drive, you can’t do anything if that tire really isn’t connected to what’s underneath it.”
All-wheel drive vehicles that come standard with summer tires include the popular Subaru WRX, the Nissan Juke Nismo RS and cars from Audi’s higher-performance S line, including the S4 sedan and SQ5 SUV.
Additionally, Consumer Reports was surprised by the limitations of a 2014 Range Rover Sport it tested. “People think of Range Rover and Land Rover and they think of off-road ability, but that car had a performance tire on it. It was terrible in the snow,” Stockburger says.
She says those vehicles would excel in winter conditions with a set of winter tires, or even a set of highly-rated all-season tires, but the change would mean more money out of an owner’s pocketbook.
Rear-wheel drive cars would especially benefit from tires more suited to the conditions. With summer tires, Stockburger says, “that rear end is just going to break away and cause a spin very, very easily.” Summer tires come standard on numerous rear-drive cars, including the Subaru BRZ, Nissan 370Z, Mazda Miata and Chevrolet Corvette. Many other models feature summer tires as part of an upgraded trim or wheel package.
But car buyers are not usually informed about the type of tire that comes on a car or truck. “The dealer’s probably not going to let you know, if they even know themselves,” Stockburger says. She adds that manufacturers are not required to disclose the style of tire on the window sticker, although some do anyway.
She says owners can do their own tire research: A “Z” speed rating is indicative of a higher-performance tire and a softer rubber compound. All-season tires have “M+S” stamped on the side to indicate that they have been approved for use in mud or snow, although even some of those tires pass only minimal tests to earn the rating. An Internet search of the tire model, using the tire manufacturer’s website or that of a reputable retailer such as Tire Rack, may be the best bet for drivers.
