Traction or grip
Remember – the tires are the only contact your vehicle has with the road, so their grip plays an essential role in your safety. Your ability to brake, to turn, to accelerate or to stay stable at higher speeds all depend on your tire’s grip. Each type of tire is designed to provide grip in specific types of weather and road conditions. That’s why it’s so important to think about how and where you will be driving and what type of grip you’ll need when you choose your tires.
Longevity
How long a tire lasts before wearing out its tread is an important element to ensure you are getting the best value for your money. There can be huge differences in the tire mileage you will receive based on the tire's design and quality of the tire. High performance tires tend to have lower tread life than standard passenger car tires because the focus of the design is grip and performance instead of longevity. How and where you drive and whether or not you take care of your tires will also impact how long they last. (See tire safety tips on proper tire maintenance).
Fuel efficiency
Did you know that 1 out of every 5 tanks of a vehicle’s fuel is used up by the tires’ friction on the road? Tires can have a big impact on your vehicle’s fuel consumption. Some tires have specific construction and materials that help to reduce the friction with the road (called rolling resistance). Buying fuel efficient tires that offer low rolling resistance can help you save on fuel – another way to give you good value for money.
Handling
Handling is how your vehicle responds to the demands of the driver (such as steering, accelerating, braking) and to road conditions. Great handling tires can enhance safety – by keeping the vehicle stable and the driver in control – as well as driving pleasure.
Comfort and Noise
Driving comfort refers to how the tire cushions the driver from the irregularities of the road. Tires that are optimized for better comfort have specially designed construction to help absorb bumps and provide a smooth ride.
Robustness
Tires need to be able to resist whatever the road brings. A tire’s robustness, or toughness, is its ability to overcome everyday road hazards. If you often drive on damaged or unpaved roads, look for tires with reinforced construction.
Do I have to choose between all these performance characteristics?
Tires are designed to optimize certain performance characteristics. Most tires do this by sacrificing other characteristics. But at Michelin, our product design philosophy is to always deliver MICHELIN.
Total Performance™: bringing multiple performances together with innovative technologies to deliver the total performance all drivers need. We try to cover all your driving needs so you don't have to compromise.
FIND A DEALER
FAQ
Read our Frequently Asked Questions.
Tire performance is shaped by compound chemistry, tread design, construction, and how well you maintain the tire. The rubber compound determines grip in different temperatures and conditions—softer compounds grip better but wear faster. Tread pattern affects wet drainage, snow evacuation, and noise. Internal construction (number of plies, belt angles) affects ride comfort, handling responsiveness, and load capacity. Maintenance—particularly inflation—affects all of the above: an underinflated tire handles poorly, wears unevenly, and runs hot.
Wet braking performance measures how quickly a tire can bring a vehicle to a stop on wet pavement. It's one of the most safety-critical tire metrics because Canadian roads are wet (rain, slush, melting snow) for a significant portion of the year. A tire with poor wet grip can add several metres to your stopping distance compared to a high-performing tire—a difference that can determine whether you avoid a collision. EU tire labels and independent tests rate tires on wet braking, and it's worth prioritizing for Canadian conditions.
In most of Canada, all-season tires alone are not sufficient for winter driving. They are not rated for severe snow conditions and their rubber compounds harden below 7°C, reducing grip significantly on cold, icy, or snowy roads. The only tires certified for severe winter conditions are those bearing the Three-Peak Mountain Snowflake (3PMSF) symbol—either dedicated winter tires or all-weather tires. For provinces with harsh winters (Quebec, Ontario, BC mountain regions, the Prairies), dedicated winter tires remain the gold standard for safety.
Related articles
-
How Tires Are Made
View more -
Why do tires matter ?
Tires are usually taken for granted, until the road puts them to the test.View more -
Tire Safety: How to Maintain, Inspect, and Care for Your Tires
Your car's safety depends on your tires, which must be properly maintained in order for them to perform as intended. Treadwear, load limitations, inflation pressure, and installation are some of the variables that might affect the longevity and reliability of tires. By following specified safety rules and doing routine maintenance, drivers can reduce their risk of tire issues and be prepared for the road ahead.View more -
Spare Tire
View more -
Understanding Tire Load Rating and Speed Rating
Standardized tire marks establish tire load rating and speed rating, two crucial safety indicators. When properly inflated and loaded, these ratings indicate the maximum speed and weight that a tire can support. When changing tires, it's critical to recognize and honor these indications to make sure your car keeps operating as it should.View more -
Tire Markings Explained: How to Read a Tire
If you look at the sidewall of your tire, you will notice numerous standardized numbers, letters, and symbols. These tire markings provide essential information about the tire’s size, construction, load capacity, speed capability, and intended use.
Understanding how to read tire markings helps you select appropriate replacement tires and ensures compatibility with your vehicle’s specifications and overall tire safety. These markings are defined by industry standards and are referenced by vehicle manufacturers when specifying original equipment tires.View more -
Tire Tread Depth: Legal Limits and What to Know
A tire is designed to meet performance requirements. But beyond a certain level of wear, it needs to be changed. What is the role of the tread? Up to what level of wear does the tire remain effective? And what is the legal minimum tread depth for changing your tires? Find out the answers to all your questions.View more -
Run-Flat Tires: How They Work, Benefits, and Proper Care
After a tire loses air pressure, run-flat tires are designed to help drivers keep control and continue driving for a limited distance. By reducing the need for quick roadside tire changes, this added mobility enhances convenience and safety.
Like all tires, run-flat tires require proper maintenance, inspection, and servicing to perform as intended. Understanding how run-flat tires work and how they should be cared for helps drivers make informed decisions and protect long-term tire performance.View more