Get Your Car Ready For Wet Weather With Rain Tires

When you drive off the dealer’s lot in a new car, you probably aren’t thinking much about the tires. After all, that new car smell has you captivated, and the idea of maintenance hasn’t crossed your mind at all. We get it, but four-season drivers know that a set of good rain tires is essential come springtime for navigating wet, rainy roads safely. Most people don’t think too much about tires until it’s time to replace them, but there are several reasons some drivers prefer a tire that performs well in the rain. These tires are designed with special tread patterns and construction that enable them to keep your car safe in even the most torrential downpours.

It’s easy to assume that all tires are essentially the same, but nothing could be further from the truth. Sometimes we think a good all-season tire can get us through just about any weather, and in some cases, that’s true. But tires designed specifically for challenging, slippery road conditions are worth looking into. The best wet weather tires aren’t always all-season tires; sometimes, it makes sense to look at summer tires.

Here we review several different tire options – some are summer tires, and some are all-season – so you can understand how they differ and which option makes the most sense for your car, your driving needs, and the wet weather that requires on-the-road confidence to navigate. When seeking a good rain tire, you’ll want to consider price and overall tire life. Some tires, like ultra-high-performance summer tires, tend to trade longevity for performance, while a standard all-season tire can last up to 80,000 miles or longer. Bottom line: you have to weigh performance against utility when considering which rain tire works best for you. However, here are a few of our favorites to get you started.

Best All-Season Rain Tire: Michelin CrossClimate2

The Michelin CrossClimate2 is an all-season tire designed to maximize performance in both wet and dry road conditions. These tires deliver optimal traction in wet weather, reducing the risk of hydroplaning, and are proven to continue providing traction even as the tread wears. They maintain excellent grip characteristics even in cold weather, and their signature chevron directional tread pattern helps them wear evenly, extending their life and adding value.

Another benefit of the Michelin CrossClimate2 is that they are designed to provide safe wet-weather performance even after extended use. They can even give you up to a year of additional tread life without compromising safety. Michelin CrossClimate2 rain tires are the best overall all-season choice that will help you navigate wet surfaces confidently. Finally, they are one of the few all-season tires on the market that is rated for severe snow, indicated by the Three-Peak Mountain Snowflake markings.

Best Value All-Season Rain Tire: Yokohama AVID Ascend GT

Rain-ready tires don’t have to be expensive. The Yokohama AVID Ascend GT may not be the cheapest rain tire you can find, but it provides extremely good hydroplaning resistance at an affordable price. It’s all about the asymmetric tread pattern of the AVID Ascend GT, which is designed to push water out and away from the tire, keeping it in contact with the road surface.

These all-season tires are well-rounded tires that perform in different weather and road conditions and deliver a quiet ride. They also have excellent tread life, making them great value and a “set it and forget it” option because they’re all-season capable. This is a year-round tire that will keep you safe and in control during rainy conditions, and thanks to the good tread life and lower price, they’re the top practical choice.

Best High-Performance All-Season Rain Tire: BFGoodrich g-Force COMP-2 A/S PLUS

Some vehicles, like high-performance sports cars, need a tire that won’t sacrifice performance. That’s why they commonly come with summer tires, which are designed for optimal grip in warmer weather. But while there are many high-performance summer tires that can handle wet weather, the problem with summer tires is that they’re not ideal for cold temperatures. So selecting a summer tire means swapping out for winter or all-season tires when the temperatures drop.

If you’re not interested in switching out your tires seasonally, go for an ultra-high performance all-season rain tire, like the BFGoodrich g-Force COMP-2 A/S PLUS. This tire delivers on performance and is appropriate for use in all four seasons. But like most ultra-high performance tires, its excellent grip comes at the cost of tread life. You can also experience more road noise because of the performance-oriented characteristics it’s designed to produce. When performance is of equal importance to wet weather capability, consider the BFGoodrich g-Force COMP-2 A/S Plus.

Best High-Performance Summer Rain Tire: Michelin Pilot Sport 4S

When only the best dry performance will do – but you still need to navigate wet weather conditions – a set of Michelin Pilot Sport 4S tires are the ones to buy. These ultra-high performance summer tires are designed to travel over wet roads with maximum grip. They do this with a special asymmetrical tread pattern designed to displace water without sacrificing dry performance or driver feedback.

In addition to the unique tread pattern, these tires also have a series of sipes on the sidewall, designed to deliver additional grip and traction. The sipes work together with the grooves in the tread pattern to keep the tire in contact with the road, even when it’s raining. The tread compound is a mixture of silica and carbon, designed specifically for better grip in wet and dry conditions. When you need a performance tire that can handle anything, the Pilot Sport 4S should be at the top of your list.

Honorable Mention: Vredestein Quatrac 5

We picked the Vredestein Quatrac 5 because it’s a multi-use all-season tire that can be used on cars and crossovers. It’s a softer tire, which means it will deliver an extremely comfortable ride, even on uneven road surfaces. It works well in both wet and dry weather conditions, and like the Michelin CrossClimate2, it is rated for snow as well. This makes it a solid choice for all four seasons at a lower price than some of the premium options.

We also think the Vredestein Quatrac 5 is a great value-priced option, which makes them attractive for buyers at all budget levels. They’re durable, and according to the manufacturer, they’re designed with a tread pattern that efficiently drains water, keeping more of the tire in contact with the road, which equals better traction and handling.

Rain Tires Are a Smart Choice

Here in the Ohio region, we experience our fair share of harsh weather. That’s why the service team at McCluskey Chevrolet will work with you to determine the best tire style for your specific vehicle and driving needs. Not only do we sell and install new tires, but we can also inspect your tires and help you make them last longer with tire rotations and alignments.

McCluskey Chevrolet is your one-stop shop for all your tire-related needs. We offer competitive pricing, expert advice, fast service, and convenient hours that get you in and out – and back on the road – quickly and efficiently. Our team will take the confusion out of tire shopping and steer you (no pun intended!) to the tire that works best for your specific driving needs.

Your tires are what stands between the road and your precious cargo, so it’s definitely worth considering whether the ones on your vehicle are equipped to handle the current season’s weather. Remember, rain tires are best for the wet, rainy conditions we see in spring, summer, and early fall, and a solid set of winter tires will get you through the cold weather months safely and capably.