Both are summer touring tires that specialize in providing comfortable and reliable performance for long distances. Michelin Primacy 4 has a higher void ratio providing good resistance against hydroplaning during flooded conditions.
Whereas the Advantage SUV has deep grooves to navigate it well on wet roads. The Primacy 4 tire has optimized shoulders to boost its handling capabilities. Both these tires have unique tread designs to help them perform well in different conditions but find out which one is more efficient through this comparison.
Table of Contents
Comparing BF Goodyear Advantage SUV with Michelin Primacy 4
BF Goodrich Advantage SUV
Michelin Primacy 4
Vs
Advantage tire has a five-pitch tread design having four circumferential grooves. There are three ribs available and no tread columns are found in this tire. Wide lateral grooves define its shoulder blocks with a single sipe on each block. Deep sipes are available on the inboard intermediate rib which almost extends to the end of the rib, penetrating from the inboard direction. The central tread has variable depth sipes on half of the surface originating from the inboard direction. Similarly, on the outboard intermediate ribs, variable depth sipes are present on the outer half of the rib.
Primacy 4 also has a five-pitch tread design where four wide circumferential grooves divide the tread into five columns. The first and fourth circumferential grooves are comparatively narrower than the middle two circumferential grooves. It has three tread blocks columns and no ribs available. Deep curvey sipes divide its tread columns into separate blocks.
Both of its shoulders have an identical design where the lateral grooves form their blocks and they open up into their respective circumferential grooves as well. Inboard shoulders lateral grooves open into the first circumferential groove while the lateral grooves of the outboard shoulder open up into the fourth circumferential groove. There are no sipes available on the shoulder blocks.
Grip Comparison
The unoptimized tread design of the Advantage allows a lower grip with the surface, resulting in a dry braking distance of 35.1 meters. However, its efficient sipes are effective at wiping away the water and maintaining this tire’s grip. This results in a decrease in the wet braking distance, making it 38.9 meters.
The optimized design of Primacy 4 allows it to grip the road firmly and make the tire stop readily at a distance of 34.9 meters, while braking in dry conditions. Unfortunately, this tire lacks the efficient sipes to enhance its wet gripping capability, therefore, it has a higher wet braking distance of 39.8 meters. This tire excels in dry grip but lacks when it comes to griping in wet conditions.
Handling Comparison
The block length of Advantage’s shoulder is lower which decreases the grip it provides while turning. Thus, its lap time is 103.07 seconds over a dry circular track. The narrow lateral grooves and smaller shoulders are not effective in wet steering as they can’t maintain the grip while wiping the water away. This increases its lap time up to 71.93 seconds on a circular track in wet conditions.
The Primacy 4 shoulders blocks have a higher length, making them wider enough to effectively grip the road while turning. This lowers the lap time of this tire on a dry circular track, making it 102.57 seconds. The wider lateral grooves featured between the wide shoulder blocks help to wipe away the water and maintain the grip in wet conditions. This results in a lower lap time on a wet circular track i.e., 70.97 seconds. Both dry and wet lap timings are comparatively slightly lower than its counterpart, giving this tire complete victory over the other one.
Comparison of Hydroplaning resistance
The narrow grooves of Advantage are not efficient in wiping away the water as there is less volume available for the passing of water. Thus, its floating speed is lower which is 80.93Km/H. Therefore, this tire is unreliable in flooded conditions, posing the threat of hydroplaning.
Primacy 4 on the other hand has wider grooves, thus, they provide a large volume for the easy passing of water through the tread. This reduces the threat of hydroplaning and boosts the tire’s floating speed up to 82.86 Km/H. Hence we can confidently drive on flooded roads using this tire.
Comparison of Rolling Resistance
The design of the Advantage tire allows a higher connection of tread with the road. This accounts for the higher friction produced between them. This friction must be overcome for the tire to move. As the friction is higher, therefore, a larger amount of force will be utilized to move this tire. This increases its rolling resistance which is 8.34 Kg/t. The required force is delivered by fuel hence its fuel average is also lower.
Primacy 4 has a comparatively lower portion of its tread in connection with the road, which results in lower friction. A lesser amount of force will be needed to overcome this friction. All this contributes to its lower rolling resistance value of 8.08Kg/t. It is a higher fuel-efficient tire in comparison with its competitor.
Which Tire is more comfortable?
The narrow grooves of Advantage allow it to produce lesser noise as a lower amount of air particles will get trapped by the lesser space provided by narrow grooves. Therefore, a lesser amount of air particles striking with the groove walls will produce a lower noise of 61.2dB. On the other hand, its subjective comfort is lower due to its lower performance in all fields.
The Primacy 4 is not that lucky in terms of noise department as its wide grooves allow a lot of air particles to get trapped inside them and strike with its walls to produce a loud noise of 61.6dB. Its subjective comfort is higher because of its higher performance in all categories.
Durability and Treadwear Differences
The Advantage tire has higher rolling resistance which causes a lot of wear. The mild built of the tire doesn’t provide that great durability to withstand the treadwear generated by higher rolling resistance. Therefore, this tire has a lower mileage compared to other tire despite having comparably higher durability.
Primacy 4 has a lower rolling resistance thanks to its unique tread design allowing minimal connection with the road. This results in lesser treadwear of this tire. The tire is made up of a comparatively softer rubber compound and doesn’t compete with the durability standards of Advantage but due to its lesser treadwear, it can withstand for a longer period even with the lower treadwear resistance provided by its lower durability. This allows the usage of this tire for a higher number of miles.
Price Differences
Primacy 4 is the most expensive tire in its category due to its extreme performance in all conditions plus it provides better mileages as well. The advantage on the other hand is a low-end tire offering average performance with lower mileage. Primacy 4 is most definitely the favorite choice from these both but if you are low on cash you could opt for Advantage tire.
Quick Summary
- Both Advantage and primacy 4 are summer touring tires.
- The dry grip of Primacy 4 is better while the wet grip of Advantage is higher.
- Primacy excels in both wet and dry steering.
- Wider grooves provide better resistance against hydroplaning to primacy 4.
- The rolling resistance of Primacy 4 is lower and it is also fuel-efficient.
- The noise level of Advantage is lower but it can’t provide decent subjective comfort.
- Primacy 4 is a much highly-priced tire.
