With summer comes the heat, which means more burden on your tires. Summer tires, often called Performance tires are designed for excellent Dry and wet traction along with impeccable handling. Summer tires are suitable for high-performance vehicles such as SUVs. In mid-range tires, Falken is a prominent name that is known for its Summer and All-season tires.
Falken Tire is a brand of tires possessed by the Japanese organization Sumitomo Rubber Industries (SRI). Sumitomo Rubber North
America, Inc., once in the past known as Falken Tire Corporation, is the corporate central command in Rancho Cucamonga, California, with a West Coast appropriation focus in Ontario, California. Extra Falken Tire dissemination areas remember distribution centers for Illinois, Florida, New Jersey, and Texas. It was dispatched in its local nation of Japan in 1983 and was acquainted with the North American market two years after the fact and in Europe in 1988.
Falken has now become an independent brand that centers around UHP (Ultra High Performance) items while using proficient motorsports to additionally create and improve items for overall circulation. We tested Falken ziex ze914 ecorun and azenis fk510 against each other under different circumstances best suited for summer tires.
Table of Contents
Dry Traction Comparison:
Falken Ziex ZE914 Ecorun
Falken Azenis FK510
Dry braking is the distance covered by a vehicle in decelerating from 100/80 to 0 when the brake is applied. With a 4D Nano design tread compound that is molded into an asymmetric tread, Azenis has enhanced dry traction. The Adaptive constant pressure pattern design evens out the air pressure within the tire to reduce the braking distance.
The wide shoulder blocks within the tread of Azenis, enforces high speed cornering and enhanced lateral grip.
Ziex ZE914 Ecorun, on the other hand, uses a high silica compound molded into a high rigidity rib design that ensures you a safe ride with excellent dry traction.
When it comes to tests, Azenis has the edge over Zeix with a Dry braking distance of 36 m whereas Ziex has a braking distance of 37.5 m.
Wet Traction Comparison:
The grip on wet pavement is also measured by tire traction. While a wet traction test evaluates many of the same
variables, the tread design is the key variable of wet traction. In terms of wet traction, Azenis takes the lead with a wet braking distance of 56.3 m. Ziex, on the other hand, has wet braking of 59.7 m
Azenis uses Falken’s 4D Nano design which is specially designed to aid in wet traction. The Switchback siping maximizes the road to tread contact for better wet cornering and stability.
Ziex, on the other hand, has optimized asymmetric tread for better grip on the wet pavements. The four Wide circumferential grooves in zeix ensure you a safe ride by removing the water and slush from within the tread.
Hydroplaning Resistance:
Hydroplaning, if simply put, it refers to a formation of a layer of water between the tire surface ad the road surface, resulting in loss of traction, preventing the vehicle from responding to the control inputs.
Azenis’ tread was specifically designed to, maximize road-tread contact for maximum adhesion under wet conditions. The 4 wide circumferential grooves evacuate water, debris, and slush for maximal hydroplane resistance.
Ziex ZE914 Ecorun has 4 straight and wide circumferential grooves for better hydroplane resistance.
We testes both the tires for their float speed on straight aqua and noticed that Azenis took the lead as it had a speed of 88.3 km/h. Ziex, on the other hand, had a float speed of 87.1 km/h.
Handling Comparison:
Azenis is equipped with a Specialized Hybrid undertread cap ply that allows the tire to maintain its shape during high-speed performance. It has a specialized tread made of both Aramid and nylon for high speed stability.
The Optimized void ratio and variable sipe depth allow for controlled flexibility which maintaining overall block rigidity, improving directional stability.
Ziex, on the other hand, is made with a high silica compound. The Natural radius caracass profile around the tread ensures better handling and steering responsiveness.
Upon testing for handling and stability we observed that Ziex had a dry Handling time of 93 sec and a wet handling time of 75.8 sec. Azenis on the other hand had a max. a dry handling time of 89.1 sec and a wet handling time period of 84.4 sec.
Rolling Resistance and Fuel Efficiency:
Hydroplaning, if simply put, it refers to a formation of a layer of water between the tire surface ad the road surface, resulting in loss of traction, preventing the vehicle from responding to the control inputs.
Azenis, with its Switchback siping, ensures maximal road to tread contact for optimized rolling resistance and reduced fuel consumption.
Ziex ZE914 Ecorun, on the other hand, uses Falken’s ECORUN™ COMPOUND which is specially designed to lower the rolling resistance and enhance mpg.
We tested both the tires for their respective rolling resistances and Ziex took the edge with a rolling resistance of 8.5 kg/t as compared to Azenis with 9.48 kg/t.
Ride Comfort and Noise Comparison:
Summer tires, in lieu of A/t tires, pay better attention to ride comfort and noise reduction. Azenis, with its wide shoulder grips and 4D Nano design, ensures handling, stability, and safe cornering.
Ziex is equipped with a Radius Caracass profile that ensures you a safe yet comfortable ride. Neither of the two tires uses any specific technology for sound reduction yet gives acceptable results.
Upon testing for noise levels, Azenis was found to be slightly louder than Zeix with a noise level of 71.7 dB, Ziex, on the other hand, the cabin noise level of 71 dB.
Off Road Driving Comparison:
Summer tires, unlike A/T tires, are not recommended for Off-road driving but they can still hold their ground if you take them for an off-road drive accidentally.
Azenis had an Optimized void ratio and variable sipe depth that maintains the flexibility of the tire while keeping the rigidity in check thus allowing the tire to maintain its shape during off-road driving. The TENSION CONTROL TECHNOLOGY provides a more flexible sidewall for enhanced shock absorption that ensures excellent handling.
The high rib rigidity design of Ziex is specifically designed for better handling, cornering, and stability.
Treadwear:
Azenis offers a Road Hazard Protection that allows you a free replacement for 2 years or the first 3/32nd of the tread wear. The Tension Control technology helps the tire to maintain its shape. Azenis’ internal structure has two steel belts reinforced by Aramid and Nylon under tread cap ply for enhanced rigidity.
Azenis offers a 30-day or 1000 mile trial warranty that allows the user to switch tire free of cost if the performance is not as per their liking.
Ziex on the other hand uses ECORUN technology for longer tread life. The Optimized asymmetric tread keeps the pressure balanced thus promoting even wear. Ziex has developed SPECIAL EYES™ that allows you to keep track of the worn tread and lets you know when to change tires.
Summing Up:
We compared both the tires under different circumstances and concluded that Azenis FK510 is better than Ziex ZE914 Ecorun. Out of all the tests that we conducted Ziex held the edge only in off-road driving which is not a strong suit for a summer tire.
Both the tires gave excellent performances but Azenis took the Edge due to its technological sophistication. Ziex is still one of the top tires by Falken tires in the market and it might beat Azenis in the upcoming upgrade.
