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The Pilot Sport AS 3 is one of Michelin's high end all season tires that is designed to be driven in dry, wet, and light snow conditions. It comes in an H speed version (up to 130 mph) and V speed version (up to 149 mph) and an ultra high performance W and Y version to be reviewed in the future.
Michelin's Pilot Sport A/S 3 was developed using a special Helio material that increases traction in the rain and snow. This is done with proprietary silica compounds and sunflower oil which prevent the tire from shriveling up in cold weather.
Like all of Michelin's all season tires, this one is built with circumferential grooves that channel water to prevent hydroplaning, and sipes (small slits) to provide traction in the snow and ice. Although this is an all season tire, it is supposed the boast the same extreme performance that summer tires provide. This tire also utilizes the very unique Variable Contact Patch technology that was developed in Michelin's racing lab, which makes the tire more sturdy at high speeds when corning. Tested: Does the Pilot Sport A/S 3 live up to expectations? When taken for a ride to test all sorts of road conditions including slow driving, cornering, and high speeds on the freeway, this tire provides the type of performance you would expect from Michelin. In dry road conditions the Pilot Sport AS 3 grips the road even when driven very aggressively. For those that like to have fun and put the pedal to the metal on windy roads this is a great tire to do it with. With some sprinklers providing rain like conditions on the track, the tire's wet traction and hydroplaning resistance were tested. The Pilot Sport A/S 3 tires proved that whether wet or dry they provided great grip and traction. With a large puddle for testing hydroplaning at high speeds, the tires were taken around a subtle curve to mimic highway driving in the rain. Not until reaching speeds of 80 mph did the tires start to stray from the intended path. On the highway the tires were tested for noise, and proved to be about average for an all season performance tire. The sipes on a tire such as this will generally produce more noise than a summer tire. When taken through some potholes and other miscellaneous road conditions the tires provided a fairly smooth and comfortable ride. When taken through light snow conditions the tires provided good traction, but nothing like a dedicated snow tire would. This is to be expected from an all season tire such as this. Ice traction was ok, but the tires did slip a bit when turning harder or driven more aggressively.
Conclusion:
Michelin does not disappoint with the Pilot Sport A/S 3 line of tires. When tested, this tire was a lot of fun to drive and provided great traction in both dry and wet conditions. If you live in area where you need all season traction and drive in the snow a few times a year this tire is a good option. If you drive in the snow / ice more frequently I would go with a dedicated winter tire like the Michelin X-Ice Xi3 and then swap them out for dedicated summer tires like the Michelin Pilot Super Sport. |
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All Season Performance Tires
Excellent response and handling in wet and dry conditions, as well as light snow.
Excellent response and handling in wet and dry conditions, as well as light snow.
Performance Summer Tires
Low profile tires provide great handling and traction for both dry and wet conditions
Low profile tires provide great handling and traction for both dry and wet conditions
