Pirelli P Zero PZ4 vs Falken Azenis FK510

Both of these are ultra-high performance summer tires that can be used in sports as well as passenger vehicles; however, they are not very durable due to their concentration on performance.

The Pirelli P Zero PZ4 features a decreased void ratio and effective sipes, resulting in excellent dry and wet traction along with a smooth ride.

Falken FK510’s increased void ratio is quite handy for rugged terrain, and its distinctive sipes substantially aid hydro channeling. Because of the small contact patch, it is more resistant to tread wear, hence offering higher mileage.

Let’s get in to detail. Also make sure you also check out the Pirelli P Zero PZ4 vs Michelin Pilot Sport 4S.

Let’s see How different they are in terms of design:

The Pirelli P ZeroPZ4 has an asymmetrical five-pitch tread pattern with three broad circumferential grooves and one relatively tiny one.

There are three tread blocks columns but no rib.

It has two separate shoulder designs, with lateral grooves connected to the initial circumferential grooves by inclined sipes on the outboard shoulder, and a narrow tiny sipe between the lateral grooves on the inboard shoulder.

The blocks in the outboard intermediate tread column are separated by sipes, whereas the central tread column contains a tiny sipe in addition to the blocks producing sipes.

The developing sipes continue up to the shoulder blocks in the inboard intermediate column, penetrating parallel to the lateral grooves before crossing them perpendicularly in the middle.

The Falken FK510 features an asymmetrical five-pitch tread pattern with three broad circumferential grooves and one narrower.

There are three tread blocks columns on this tire, but no ribs.

It also has lateral grooves with prominent sipes on its shoulders.

The lateral grooves on the outboard shoulder do not extend to the end, but the inboard shoulder’s lateral grooves intersect the fourth thinnest circumferential groove and extend to the middle of the inboard intermediate tread blocks column.

Thin sipes divide the blocks of the intermediate tread blocks column, which also cut through the fourth narrowest groove to reach the inboard shoulder.

The outboard intermediate tread blocks column, on the other hand, is made up of variable depth sipes.

The central tread blocks column features deep switch back sipes.

Which of these tires have better grip?

Pirelli PZ4 has a higher contact patch which enhances this tire’s grip on dry roads and shortens its braking distance.

On dry roads, it has a braking distance of 33.3 meters, which is somewhat shorter than its partner.

However, due to its greater contact patch and effective sipes, this tire performs well on wet roads, lowering its wet braking distance to 34.3 meters, which is likewise shorter than the other tire.

On dry roads, the Falken FK510 maintains a poor grip because of its lower contact patch.

Its dry braking distance is increased to 34 meters as a result of this.

On wet roads, its smaller contact patch and ineffective siping allow it to stop in 35 meters.

Because this tire performs second-best in both dry and wet circumstances, it is reasonable to claim that it has a lower dry and wet grip.

Handling Comparison

The Pirelli PZ4’s shoulder design is multi-pitch, which means the outer shoulder has smaller length blocks while the inner shoulder has greater length blocks.

It allows the tire to steer effectively since its multi-pitch shoulder design provides greater traction in dry situations, decreasing dry handling time, while its considerably deep sipes decrease wet handling time.

In dry and wet circumstances, it has handling times of 95 and 65 seconds, respectively.

Both of these times are lesser than the competition, putting it in first place in terms of handling.

Because the shoulder blocks of the Falken FK510 are shorter, the tire loses the dry handling competition.

Its dry handling time was determined to be 96 seconds, which is somewhat higher than its competition.

The shallow sipes carved on the shoulder blocks of this tire allow a wet handling speed of 65 seconds, which is also a little higher than its counterpart, making it unpreferable in terms of wet handling comparatively.

Comparison of Hydroplaning Resistance

PZ4’s tread contains narrower circumferential and lateral grooves, considerably decreasing the volume of water that can travel through it.

This causes it to not very well handle flooded roadways, making this tire undependable in such circumstances.

It has a float speed of 72 Km/H on the straight wet path while having a remaining lateral acceleration of 2 while steering in the same condition.

FK510, on the other hand, excels in hydroplaning resistance because of its deeper lateral and circumferential grooves along with effective switch back siping design, resulting in a greater float speed of 76 Km/H.

Since it has a slightly higher void ratio, therefore, this tire offers a remaining lateral acceleration of 2.2.

Both its float speed and remaining lateral acceleration are greater than that of its counterpart.

Comparison of Rolling Resistance

PZ4 features a larger contact patch, which increases tread friction with the surface and makes it difficult to roll.

As a result, it has enhanced rolling resistance of 9.44 Kg/t and decreased fuel economy since it uses a higher amount of gasoline to overcome friction.

FK510 has a smaller contact patch, which decreases friction and, as a result, rolling resistance.

Its rolling resistance was measured to be 9 Kg/t which is somewhat lesser than its competitor, because a minute amount of fuel will be lost while rolling this tire by offsetting the friction, therefore, this tire will have a good fuel economy.

Which tire is more comfortable?

Pirelli P Zero PZ4 is a louder tire because of its resonating grooves, which allows a greater amount of air molecules to continuously collide with its walls, resulting in a loud noise of 70.5 dB.

As a result, this tire is noisier, but its subjective convenience is higher due to its superb performance.

However, because of its broader grooves, which work as a suspension and soften the impact of shocks, this tire provides a comfortable ride over rough roads.

Since the non-resonating grooves of Falken FK510 don’t allow air particles to constantly hit their walls, this tire is quieter than its competitors.

As a result, less noise of 71.3 dB is created, but the subjective comfort of this tire is lower as a result of its lower performance.

On uneven roads, it does well to prevent the shocks by lowering their impact through its wide grooves, resulting in a comfortable ride.

Which tire would last longer?

Falken FK510 features a stronger rubber compound in its tread that wears out more slowly since it has a greater tread wear resistance.

This, together with the reduced tread wear caused by the smaller contact patch, extends the tire’s life and enables it to outperform its competitors in terms of mileage.

The tread of the PZ4 is made of a slightly softer rubber compound, which reduces tread wear resistance.

Along with that, the higher contact patch provides more rolling resistance, which leads to increased wear.

This limited resilience doesn’t allow it to withstand the treadwear induced by rolling resistance and has very less mileage than its opponent.

Quick Summary

• Both these are high-performance summer tires, with the PZ4 having better dry and wet traction.
• The FK510 has a stronger hydroplaning resistance than the compared tire.
• FK510 has a decreased rolling resistance and is also very fuel-efficient.
• The PZ4 is quieter and provides superior comfort for passengers, although it struggles to maintain comfort on uneven routes.
• The FK510 has better durability and mileage.
• Both these tires are valued equally in terms of cost.