Are Directional Tires Worth the Cost?

When you’re looking into the best ways to improve the performance of your vehicle, whether for recreational or weather reasons, chances are you’ve come across recommendations for directional tires. If you’re thinking about the possibility of purchasing directional tires, the first thing you’re likely to notice is the cost of this type of tire is higher than other options. But why is there such a large price difference? Instead of letting the price tag stop you from at least considering the benefits of installing directional tires on your car, let’s look into the science and logic behind the design and prices. The experts at Wrecktify Collision & Repair want you to understand and be able to fully assess the options at hand in order to make the best decision for your driving needs.

Directional tires possess a variety of benefits and purposes, and in order to decide whether or not to utilize them, we want you to know all about the benefits they provide.

The key “con” of these tires is, of course, the elevated price. But what makes these tires more expensive than the typically equipped symmetric or asymmetric tires? The answer is surprisingly straightforward: the rubber compounds that allow the tires to reach a higher performance level and grip the road better is what boosts the price tag. Having this specific tire tread allows for enhanced driving experience and general functional improvements. Simply put, directional tires are more expensive because they’re just better!

Directional tires are made to be ideal for all types of weather because they are designed specifically for the purpose of performance, regardless of any snow or rainwater on the road. When the roads are wet, the V-shaped pattern of the treads pushes the water to the outsides of the tires. This enables your vehicle to have consistent traction on the pavement and reduces the risk of you slipping or hydroplaning. Whether the weather calls for snow, rain, or sunshine, directional tires will ensure you and your family will remain safe when you’re on the road. It’s a significant plus, and it’s a highly recommended investment to make for families living in areas with heavy and frequent rainfall.

Even if you aren’t going to be dealing with a large amount of rain and snow, directional tires are the best for optimal handling on dry pavement. These are the tires you’ll find on race cars and professional drivers’ cars, so you can expect to have a professional-grade driving experience every time you hit the blacktop. And directional tires can do much more than making any car just a little more fun to drive. When you’re driving at a higher speed, you can rely on your tires to maintain control and stability on the road, again ensuring that you remain safe in your car. How your car drives and handles may not be the first thing on everyone’s mind, but once you feel the difference a good set of tires makes, you’ll never want to go back.

Because of the better traction and handling, they will increase your car’s fuel efficiency. Of course, your driving patterns and acceleration habits will affect your gas mileage regardless of the type of tires. However, you will have less “rolling resistance” because of their design, and therefore require less force to accelerate out of a turn or at a traffic light. It may not seem like much, but the smaller amount of force makes a huge difference when you’re looking at the big picture. Tires that provide a lower rolling resistance are estimated to save one to four percent per gallon of fuel compared to the average asymmetric or symmetric tires. So while there may be a higher price of the initial investment when it comes to directional tires, you will most likely save money to make up for that cost in the long run.

Aside from the higher buying price, the only negatives when it comes to directional tires are the smaller lifespan and potentially more expensive maintenance. As you probably already know, the longer you drive on a set of tires, the more the treads wear down, and usually specific areas of the tires are broken down more due to the turning and shifting weight of your vehicle. Normally, to extend the life of your tires instead of just switching them out and buying new ones, you can go in to get your tires rotated. With symmetric and even asymmetric tires, you can rotate them from front to back and side to side. However, thanks to these tires being… well… directional, they can usually only be rotated on the front-to-back plane, making the rate of replacement higher than alternative treads.

That’s not to say it’s absolutely impossible to rotate the tires from one side to the other. Most vehicle repair or tire shops are able to perform the task, but the job requires quite a few more steps and more equipment. Side-to-side rotation requires the dismounting of the tires, flipping them, and then remounting them. It may not seem like much, but it’s a tedious and time-consuming task, and you will have to pay extra to have it done.

Though the price tag on these tires is oftentimes daunting to potential buyers in comparison to the standard symmetric or asymmetric tire patterns, most experts would say directional tires are worth the extra investment. For the safety of you and your family and overall superior driving experience, these tires will live up to the hype. However, because of the extra costs and hassle, not everyone may be able or willing to put in the extra funds. In order to find the best decision for you, your driving habits, and your budget, talk to a local repair shop to get professional advice. Our technicians at Wrecktify would be more than happy to share their expertise and experience with you, so don’t hesitate to call!