Table of Contents
Why Choose Pirelli Tires?
Sustainability
Pirelli’s sustainability policies are molded after the United Nations Global Compact, a collective of over 12 000 companies who have pledged to adapt to sustainable business models.
One of the largest areas of improvement for tire manufacturers is in the rubber processing stage. Pirelli’s Sustainable Natural Rubber Policy aims to become more sustainable from one end of the production chain all the way to the other. This involves not only producing more efficient tires that create lower carbon emissions, but also a commitment to trying to maintain the ecological balance in the ecosystems regularly devastated by mass rubber harvesting. As such, the policy’s core consists of taking care of people, preserving flora and fauna, and preventing large-scale deforestation with peat and burning.
The policy is available for your perusal on the Pirelli website: https://corporate.pirelli.com/corporate/en-ww/sustainability/policies/sust-sustainable-natural-rubber-policy
Ethical Code
The engine behind this mission to reduce the environmental impact of tire manufacturing is an ethical principle. The idea behind become more sustainable is an ethical one: counting on a company’s moral compass to invest in more than just profit. Part of this push is to find any corruption, either inside the company itself, or the places of manufacture, that might hinder the environmental initiatives. Pirelli has consequently come up with a detailed set of guidelines to govern the way it’s cultivation, processing, and distribution functions.
Find more details about Pirelli’s mission here: https://corporate.pirelli.com/corporate/en-ww/sustainability/policies/sust-ethical-code
Innovative Tire Technologies
We’ve introduced a few of Pirelli’s innovative tire technologies in this article to showcase how this company places your safety as comfort at the center of their design process.
The Seal Inside, Run Flat, and PNCS are only the three main techniques Pirelli uses to distinguish itself. The company is also embarking on an aesthetic journey with their newest lines. Models like the Collezione are combining the vintage look of old fashioned tread patterns with brand new optimized technologies. These include the latest in high tensile steel reinforcements; a dual-ply carcass built from ultra-high-performance nylon; metallic bead geometry combined with high tensile steel wire in the sidewall; and tread compounds that provide excellent performance while adhering to aromatic oil-free environmental standards.
Reliability
Pirelli is an extremely well established and reliable brand. With over 150 years of experience in tire design, you can count on this brand to provide excellent products and efficient service. This being said, you are partly in control of the product’s performance. Always make sure you are purchasing your Pirelli tires from a reputable supplier and have them fitted properly and safely.
Pirelli Tires Features
PNCS Technology
PNCS technology, or the Pirelli Noise Canceling System, is the technology that Pirelli uses to reduce the noise produced in their tires. While you might think noise reduction happens from the outside, the technology relies in large part on the interior lining of the tire. Pirelli tires are filled partly with an open-cell foam, also called polyurethane foam, that consists of small sealed cells that allow air (or water if exposed) into the foam. These open cells allow the foam to maintain a high degree of structural integrity as it can be compressed tightly and then regain its original shape — think memory foam. This property is what makes it particularly popular in furniture, car seats, and car tires. In tires, this foam works mostly to minimize sound by acting as a buffer. Noise caused by tires comes from irregularities in the surface of the rubber, which causes reverberations, in turn producing noise (which means a quieter ride is almost always a more comfortable ride). The foam lining means that even as tires wear down and cause increased vibrations, the sound will still be absorbed into the cells and you can keep enjoying a quiet, comfortable ride.
Seal Inside Technology
This innovation from Pirelli helps protect you and your vehicle in the event of puncture by preserving the tire’s structural integrity. The Seal technology consists of an interior layer that rests just under the rubber tread. In the event of a puncture, this layer becomes a sealant and blocks the hole to prevent air from escaping. This allows you to keep driving without compromising your safety until you get to the next repair station. Launched in 2015, this innovation has become standard in some Pirelli tire models and has been successfully tested across the world, including in Italy’s Quattrotuote auto magazine.
Rolling Resistance
As alluded to previously, Pirelli incorporates low rolling resistance technologies into most of their designs. They achieve this by carefully balancing the tread pattern with the nano rubber compound. The tread pattern is designed to minimize unnecessary friction between the tire and the road surface while wearing down evenly. The rubber compound combined with nanoparticles increases the car’s ability to maintain a clean and consistent forward motion with only the most productive grip.
Pirelli Run Flat
This technology goes hand in hand with the PNCS technology. This additional design feature allows you to keep moving forwards safely even when losing air rapidly. The run-flat technology provides strategically placed reinforcements inside the tire’s sidewalls. This additional support on both sides of the tire helps maintain its structure even when it is deflating. As the air pressure decreases, the reinforcements provide both lateral and transverse support to counteract the loss of air. All this means that you can keep driving safely in the event of a puncture even without adequate pressure in your tires. It goes without saying though that if you do experience a puncture, you’ll want to find yourself a repair shop as quickly as possible.
Pirelli Warranty Information
Pirelli tire warranties vary from one model to the next but generally range between 50 000 and 70 000 miles. All tires come with a one year or 2/32″ initial warrantee. If you find yourself unable to use your Pirelli tires in this time period due to a manufacturing or installation error, simply take your purchase receipt to your local dealer to have a new matching set fitted. After this one year period, you will have to pay for repairs yourself, unless a separate auto or property insurance policy can cover the costs.
Best Selling Pirelli Tires
Pirelli Winter Sottozero 3
The Pirelli Sottozero 3 are ultra-high-performance winter tires designed to deal with all kinds of weather. The stud-less model minimizes the noise levels of the tire while providing exceptional grip usually reserved for studded products. The unidirectional siping pattern supplies straight traction, guiding your tires seamlessly as you cover uneven winter roads. The tire features three raised columns each imprinted with a unique siping pattern. Both shoulder columns feature thick block tread separated by deep cuts which allow the tire to bite and pull its way through the snow. Shallower scoring on the surface of each block allows the tire to accumulate snow strategically to increase traction. The central column sports an intricate pattern of intersecting diagonal and straight cuts. These maximize the tire’s grip on slippery surfaces and decrease any chance of blockages in the siping. Two thick grooves run the whole way around the tire to quickly clear slush and water from beneath the rubber and increase grip on wet roads.
What We Like
- Excellent dry grip
- Excellent wet grip
- Excellent road feedback and handling
- Great tread life and comfort
- Impressive snow and ice performance
- Provides excellent road feedback
P Zero, Max Performance Summer Tire
These Pirelli P Zero tires are ideal for tearing around at high speeds. The Pirelli P Zero is an ultra-high-performance summer tire designed especially for racing and performance vehicles. The model is characterized by its low profile, meaning the sidewall of the tire is shallower than usual. This increases the tire’s handling ability and makes steering especially snappy and satisfying.
The tread is relatively intricate for a high-performance model. The shoulders feature a medium block treat which helps balance and stabilizes the tire when moving at high speeds. The three central columns showcase two kinds of sloping sipes, each of which increases the tire’s grip on the road beneath. The grooves dividing these columns are predictably quite deep to provide the necessary irrigation beneath the tire for driving on wet days. While the tread pattern is impressive in itself, it’s the tread compound that really deserves the spotlight. This Pirelli tire uses nano compounds to create an unparalleled racing grip. Nano compounds are essentially nanoparticles that are added to standard materials to increase their performance. In this case, the nanoparticles increase the tire’s contact with the road while also maximizing structural integrity to make sure they remain sturdy as you take high-speed turns. All in all, this is a wicked tire for anyone planning a summer on the track. As this is a high-performance summer tire, it is unsuitable for winter driving.
What We Like
- Excellent dry traction
- Impressive wet traction and high resistance to hydroplaning
- Excellent steering response and cornering ability
- Great road feedback and comfort
Cinturato P7, All-Season Plus Touring Tire
The Pirelli Cinturato P7 are the company’s latest touring all-season tire. Built for all standard passenger vehicles (sedans, coupes, etc.) these tires are designed to provide solid grip year-round while maintaining a high degree of fuel efficiency. The tread compound once again features a carefully balanced chemical ratio. The rubber is treated with silica, which increases the tire’s flexibility in cold weather to help resist splitting while custom polymers help reduce rolling resistance. Lower rolling resistance means that your car requires less energy to move forwards, meaning you need to refuel less overall and get to save gas money.
The two wide shoulders feature a thick block tread with medium depth scoring to ensure excellent grip on summer roads as well as lightly snowy terrain. The middle of the tire is split into three columns, each customized with unique sipes. These, combined with the deep grooves separating them allow for maximum grip and excellent handling on corners, as well as efficient water clearance for excellent wet performance. The interior of the tire is reinforced with twin steel belts and a polyester cord which acts as a kind of buffer and shock absorber to make your ride as comfortable as possible. All in all, this high-performance all-season model is sure to impress.
What We Like
- Excellent dry grip
- Excellent wet and snow performance
- Very impressive ice traction for an all-season model
- Fuel efficient design
- Good tread life
- Excellent cornering ability, road feedback, and handling
- Comfortable and quiet on the road
FAQs
Are Pirelli tires any good?
Yes. Pirelli tires are among the best on the market. Their slightly higher than average price point reflects this brand’s top quality. Legions of positive customer reviews online should leave you assured that when you Pirelli, you buy quality.
Is Pirelli better than Michelin?
There isn’t a clear answer to this ultimately very personal preference. Both Pirelli and Michelin manufacture excellent products and both companies have an impressive history. Michelin tires tend to have more options at a lower price range while Pirelli is pretty consistently upmarket. If you’re looking for an every day, cheaper tire, then Michelin might be your best bet. But, if you’re looking to invest a little more in specialized tires that provide want optimal performance and comfort, go ahead and splurge a little on Pirelli.
Which tire is better Pirelli or Goodyear?
Similar to the above answer, this is ultimately a question of personal preference. If you’re looking for especially intense off-road driving such as rocky mountains or dense brush terrain, Goodyear tires might be the way to go given the company’s expertise with designing tires to deal with rough rides. In terms of affordability, Goodyear is more likely to have low-cost options whereas a set of Pirelli tires will cost upwards of $130. If you’re looking for a long-term set of tires with truly pioneering built-in technology for your comfort and safety (eg. run-flat and seal inside technologies), the Pirelli tires won’t disappoint.