If you are after one of the best performing all-around tires in the max performance summer
category, the Michelin Pilot Super Sport might just be the tire for you.
Now this option continues to impress not only our customers here at AM but is also a perennial
favorite amongst other automotive publications in its class and continues to set the bar
for what a premium all-encompassing tire should possess.
And that is ultimate performance in dry conditions but without sacrificing a ton of grip in the
wet, while at the same time being extremely comfortable and quiet while on the road.
Currently the Michelin is available in diameters ranging from 17 to 20 inches and in section
widths ranging from 205 to an absolutely monstrous 345 at its widest.
As expected guys, the pricing will vary depending on your tires.
But expect the cheapest size to come in right around 150 bucks, while the most expensive
will land just north of 500 bucks per tire.
So Michelin has built quite a reputation around their outstanding Pilot lineup, which also
happens to include the newer Sport 4S and the incredible Sport Cup 2 tire.
But the Pilot Super Sport here is one of the OGs of the Pilot lineup, along with the original
Sport.
And even though the PSS is starting to show its age amongst competitors and even within
its own brand, it's still a highly sought after tire that can pretty much do it all
with the exception of snow performance of course because again this is a max performance
summer tire, and therefore really shouldn't be driven in or around freezing temperatures.
But let's dissect the Pilot Super Sport or PSS here for short, and let's start with those
UTQG numbers.
And you're gonna be looking at a 300 for tread wear, which is pretty average in the category
along with a double A protraction in a single A for temperature, the highest available in
its class.
Now for reference sake here guys, the Sport Cup 2 will feature a tread wear of about 160.
So nearly half of the PSS here and therefore is gonna be much softer.
Think about it like this, the PSS or Pilots Super Sport here is a street tire that you
can drive on the track, where the Sport Cup 2 is a track tire that you can drive on the
street.
Now both are gonna be incredibly good but the PSS here it's gonna be a little bit more
forgiving in regards to wear and also wet weather performance.
And in regards to wear, Michelin backs the PSS here with a 30,000 mile treadwear warranty
from the manufacturer of course, which is relatively unheard of in the category and
even more so for a summer tire which, let's be honest, they tend to wear a little bit
faster than the all-season.
The PSS is an asymmetrical tire meaning it can be rotated in the traditional sense, which
will only help the tire achieve the manufacturer's warranty or mileage claims.
But enough about all of that, how does this tire continue to kick so much butt in regards
to performance?
Well, Michelin is gonna tell you they spent a lot of time developing this thing, doing
their homework during the course of some endurance racing and even Le Mans.
Now the PSS actually features a bi-compound tread, with that endurance racing or pedigree
towards the outside here, that's where they've gained all of their experience of course.
And then their latest generation wet compound for the center.
So, you're getting kind of the best of both worlds here with the Pilot Super Sport.
Now you're not gonna find a lot of tread void here on the outer groove or outer shoulder
area of the tire.
And that was done to help improve your traction when cornering hard as the tire or the car
tends to roll over onto the outer portion of the PSS.
The center section on the other hand, is going to include some notch set of ribs along with
that wet compound we just talked about to again help promote or improve performance
in the rain.
Now the tread pattern is also one that's gonna help promote a very quiet and comfortable
ride while on the road, and that is something that a lot of our customers have pointed out
in the review section.
As always, read up on that before pulling the trigger.
It's a great way to get some real-world feedback from guys out there putting the miles in on
this tire.
One more thing to keep in mind here, is that you can pair up the Michelin Pilot Super Sport
with a lot of your favorite wheels on the site using our preassembled wheel and tire
kits.
Now if you guys aren't familiar with this, basically we're gonna mount and balance these
things on your favorite wheels.
We're gonna install those optional TPMS sensors if selected.
And then we're gonna ship them to your door absolutely free of charge.
And the nice thing to point out with these preassembled wheel and tire kits, is that
they're guaranteed to fit your ride without rubbing even if your car is lowered a little
bit.
So wrapping this one up, the Michelin Pilot Super Sport might be a tad pricey compared
to some of your other options in the max performance tire category.
However the legendary performance and reputation of the Michelin here more than make up the
added cost.
You can grab your set of Michelin Pilot Super Sport tires right here at americanmuscle.com.