With skies turning gray, it’s clear that summer has ended in the Philippines. While this sounds like a relief for those tired of the heat, drivers feel the exact opposite because it’ll be harder for them to drive outside when it rains.
The rainy season is considered one of the most dangerous times to drive in Metro Manila. In fact, in 2020, more than 26,000 car accidents were recorded from June to October, which are the months that comprise the wet season. This number is not surprising, given that rain makes roads slippery and causes low visibility and road damage.
As such, your tires must be suited to driving in wet-weather conditions. If you don’t know where to start, this article will serve as your guide in choosing the best tires for slippery roads.
5 Factors to Consider When Shopping for Wet Season Tires
Many factors come into play when choosing tires for wet-weather conditions, such as:
1. Tire groove
Tire grooves are designed to expel water from beneath the tire and prevent hydroplaning. When it comes to driving in the rain, tires with circumferential grooves are suitable as they are the deepest grooves molded into tire treads. Their depth allows liquids to run through without affecting traction and helps tires function optimally while sustaining wear and tear.
2. Rubber compound
Not all rubber tires are made the same. While they use the same materials, some tires have harder or softer compounds to accommodate specific use cases.
For example, rubber tires with harder compounds have many cross-links between long molecules, making them tougher and more durable. On the other hand, rubber tires with softer compounds have a higher coefficient of friction, which is ideal for wet-weather conditions.
When choosing rubber tires for the rainy season, consider purchasing those that have been scientifically designed to work on slippery roads. For instance, Triangle Tires offers one of the best compounds for rubber tires in the industry as we invest heavily in research and development. We also use highly advanced technologies in manufacturing our tires to ensure that they’re suited for your unique needs.
3. Contact patch
The contact patch is the part of the tire that touches the road. It comes in different designs based on tire size and design, tread and shoulder design, and more. Tires with narrow contact patches are ideal for wet-weather conditions as they have less surface area against the road, reducing the risks of hydroplaning.
4. Tire age
Old tires may not give you the grip you need when driving on slippery roads. One way of knowing how old and worn out your tires are is by checking their DOT code, which states a tire’s size, year, and place of manufacturing, along with the manufacturer’s unique code. Consider replacing your tires if they’re past their expiration date.
5. Vehicle type
There is no universal size and design for tires. This means that a car needs specific tire capabilities to deal with wet roads compared with trucks as these vehicles have different sizes, speeds, and weight capacities. Your vehicle type should help you identify the type of tires you need for wet-weather conditions.
13 Best Tires for Wet and Slippery Roads
Choosing quality tires for your vehicle can give you a better grip on the road and reduce the risks of hydroplaning. Below is a list of tires for each vehicle type. All of them are suitable during the rainy season and are available at Triangle Tires. Below is a list of tires for each vehicle type. All of them are suitable during the rainy season and are available at Triangle Tires.
For Cars
-
TR246 Triangle
The TR246 Triangle is designed with a pattern block and effective water drainage, making it easy to drive in tough road conditions while raining.
-
TR256 Sportex
The TR256 Sportex has strong lateral wet traction that can help with grip. It’s also designed to be quiet, giving drivers a smooth and comfortable ride.
-
TR928 Triangle
The TR928 Triangle offers effective water drainage and grip performance on wet ground. It’s also designed with a multi-pitch tread pattern to help reduce noise.
-
TR258 Triangle
The TR258 Triangle is designed to provide good traction and braking performance. It provides extra grip on both muddy and normal road surfaces.
-
TR645 Triangle
The TR645 Triangle features deep, circumferential zigzag grooves, which are good for high-speed drive and water drainage. It also has powerful handling on dry, wet, and muddy roads.
-
TR999 Triangle
Like the TR256 Sportex, the TR999 Triangle is designed with strong lateral wet traction. It also has low rolling noise and long service life.
For Trucks and Buses
-
TR656 Triangle
The TR656 Triangle features four main zigzag grooves, which help resist hydroplaning. It’s also designed to provide a better grip on both highways and city roads.
-
TBC-D11 Triangle
The TBC-D11 Triangle is a performance-rated tire with outstanding wet and dry handling, thanks to an advanced large block tread design and premium tread compound.
For Light Trucks
-
TR656 Triangle
The TR656 Triangle has four main zigzag grooves, providing good grip performance in both dry and wet conditions.
-
TR668 Triangle
The TR668 Triangle features three zigzag grooves, which offer good adaptability and resilience in mixed road conditions. It’s also designed for all-wheel positions of short and medium-distance trucks.
-
TR685 Triangle
The TR685 Triangle is designed for good water drainage and uniform wear. It’s ideal for steering truck axles on highways.
-
TR689A Triangle
The TR689A Triangle has good lateral traction and wet skid resistance. It’s also specifically designed to support high loading capacities.
-
TRS02 Triangle
The TRS02 Triangle features a zigzag sipe design, which helps improve wet skid resistance and reduce tire noise.
Get the Best Tires from a Trusted Brand
The rain may be out of your control, but you can take extra precautions when driving outside. Getting the best tires for the rainy season is one of the best ways to protect yourself and your loved ones on the road.
If you’re looking for quality wet season tires, Triangle Tires can help. We have a wide array of tires—from passenger cars and light trucks to heavy equipment vehicles—available for delivery at an affordable price.
You can browse our tire catalog or contact us to discuss how we can help you.
