Tyres

All part of the performance

It’s not only the engine that creates the dynamic sports car performance of your Porsche. The tyres play an essential role too. After all, they are the only part of your Porsche in direct contact with the road. So every revolution of the engine, every movement of the steering wheel, and every touch of the brake pedal can only have an effect thanks to the right tyres.

Of course the right tyres vary according to the Porsche model, and the type of wheel. The wrong, non-approved choice could negatively affect performance, handling, and safety. That’s why your personal Service Advisor will provide you with the information you need on the latest Porsche-approved N-rated tyres, and why you should never fit any others to your Porsche.

Porsche Tyres

Summer Tyres

Did you know that asphalt can reach temperatures of up to 60°C in the summer? Or that your Porsche is subjected to lateral loads of up to 1.3 g when cornering? With a special rubber compound designed for high-temperature stability and a tread pattern optimised for summer road surfaces, the N-marked summer tyres offer convincing grip, cornering stability and short braking distances combined with a low rolling resistance that helps to ensure fuel or energy efficiency.

Winter Tyres

Many drivers find driving on snow to be highly challenging. Porsche recommended winter tyres provide you with a firm footing and greater confidence in winter driving conditions. The secret of N-marked tyres lies in their material composition. Manufactured from a rubber which does not harden in the cold, they maintain their grip even at low temperatures. They also feature tread patterns specially designed to deflect water, provide good lateral support and pick up snow – which can increase the grip.

Sport Tyres

Featuring a shallower tread depth, specialised tread pattern and substructure, these tyres are designed for use on racing circuits: for driver safety training, performance driving training and motorsport. Providing better dry weather grip than normal street tyres, they also offer optimised wear characteristics.

‘N’ for safety and pleasure

N fits neatly.

All tyres from your Porsche Centre are part of the Porsche custom tyre range. This range has been created by Porsche over many years in close collaboration with leading tyre manufacturers. Porsche works with the tyre manufacturers to jointly develop the ideal tyre type for each model to meet its special performance requirements. The fact that the tyres have been thoroughly tested and approved by Porsche is indicated by their N-marking (the letter stands for “Nürburgring” where the tyres are tested).

Following the N, a second letter indicates the model line. Further details can be found in each tyre’s technical data.

For example, the Porsche 992 tyre will be marked NA, indicating it is:
N – approved by Porsche
A – developed for the Porsche 992

Porsche N-marked tyres differ from others primarily in terms of geometry, rubber composition and testing methods. Testing covers three main areas:
1. Subjective outdoor criteria, such as handling and driving comfort
2. Objective outdoor criteria, such as braking performance and service life
3. Indoor criteria, such as rolling resistance and high-speed performance

During development, tyre geometry and rubber composition in particular are tailored to Porsche vehicles. Whether all-season, summer, winter or sport, Porsche N-marked tyres provide excellent driving stability and maximum driving pleasure. They also ensure your vehicle retains its original driving performance and safety margins, even after being fitted with a new tyre.

Tyre construction

Bead core: is made of steel wire. Ensures the tyre fits securely on the rim.

Carcass: several layers of rubberised textile fibres (mainly rayon) run radially (at right angles) to the direction of travel. These layers determine the tyre's load capacity.

Belt layers: stabilise the contact area and provide directional stability. At least two crossed layers made of steel cords.

0° cover: this layer, made of reinforced, rubberised nylon threads, reduces the heat generated by friction. It ensures that the tyre retains its shape at high speed.

Tyre wall: protects the tyre from damage. Affects driving characteristics and comfort. The tyre designations are also stamped here.

Inner liner: airtight inner layer (butyl layer).

Apex: is located above the bead core. It affects tyre deformation in the event of lateral forces, steering response and driving comfort.

Tyre marking

Tyre type: indicates the tyre model. The N-marked LATITUDE Sport 3 manufactured by Michelin is a tyre approved for the Macan.

N-marking (N0): identifies tyres developed specifically for the requirements of Porsche vehicles. The number describes the technical status at the time approval was obtained.

DOT identification: provides information about the tyre's manufacturer, size, type and production date. DOT stands for (US) Department of Transportation.

Production date: consists of the week and year of production (4812 = week 48, 2012). Incidentally, a tyre is considered new for up to 5 years after production.

Load & speed indices: indicate the tyre's maximum load in encrypted form (101) and maximum permitted speed (Y) at the prescribed air pressure.

Tyre size: is determined by width in millimetres (265), height/width ratio in percent (40), tyre construction (R = radial tyre) and rim diameter in inches (21).

Just five good reasons for taking a closer look

EU tyre label

The EU label's 5 criteria.

Since the end of 2012, commercial car and truck tyres have required an EU label. Even some countries outside the EU – for example, Korea – have introduced the label, or plan to do so in future. The label or sticker shows a rating based on the following 5 criteria: Fuel efficiency, wet grip, and rolling noise. On 1 May 2021, additional symbols to indicate snow and ice grip were introduced.

Fuel efficiency.

Fuel is saved by decreasing rolling resistance, which also lessens CO₂ emissions. The energy efficiency classes range from A (most efficient) to E (least efficient).

Fuel savings generally depend on the individual vehicle and driving conditions. Driving economically can considerably reduce fuel consumption. In order to achieve optimum fuel efficiency, the prescribed tyre pressure should be adhered to.

Wet grip.

The wet grip class provides information about braking properties during wet weather conditions, and ranges from A (shortest braking distance on wet tarmac) to E (longest braking distance).

The efficiency generally depends on the vehicle and driving conditions. In order to achieve optimum wet grip, the prescribed tyre pressure should be adhered to.

Rolling noise.

The rolling noise classification provides information about how loud the tyre is when driving. The classification includes classes A (low-noise) and B (more external noise). Noise levels that previously conformed to class C are no longer permitted. Volume is provided Wet grip.

The wet grip class provides information about braking properties during wet weather conditions, and ranges from A (shortest braking distance on wet tarmac) to E (longest braking distance).

The efficiency generally depends on the vehicle and driving conditions. In order to achieve optimum wet grip, the prescribed tyre pressure should be adhered to as an absolute measured value in decibels (dB).

The following rule applies here: a 10 dB increase to noise levels is subjectively perceived as twice as loud. 70 dB is equivalent to a loud conversation, and 80 dB is equivalent to heavy road traffic. Incidentally, external rolling noise is not identical to the noise level inside the vehicle.

Snow grip.

Tyres suited to extremely snowy conditions have an "Alpine" symbol on the sidewall of the tyre with 3 summits and snowflakes.

Ice grip.

The symbol for ice grip indicates Nordic winter tyres, which are designed for use on icy road surfaces or hard snow drifts. Nordic winter tyres should only be used in very bad weather conditions (e.g. low temperatures). Using Nordic winter tyres in less severe weather conditions (e.g. wet weather or warm temperatures) can lead to suboptimum performance, particularly with regard to wet grip, handling and locking.

The EU label. No replacement for the Porsche "N" mark.

The new EU tyre label only features 3 established criteria, as well as notes on snow and ice grip for car and truck tyres, and is no replacement for Porsche's "N" mark.

There is often a conflict of interest when considering the EU label's criteria: A tyre with a particularly low rolling resistance will always provide a worse wet grip. Porsche makes no concessions when it comes to safety, and rates grip – on both dry and wet roads – more highly than fuel efficiency during tyre tests. The savings potential of a tyre with optimised rolling resistance may be tempting at first, but in an emergency situation, every metre of braking distance counts.

Only N-marked tyres provide you with the certainty that you're buying high-quality tyres tested specifically for your model of Porsche.

You can find more information about tyre labelling on the Commission's website (Tyres | EU Commission (europe.eu)). Fuel consumption can be considerably reduced by eco-friendly driving. Tyre pressure should be checked regularly to improve fuel consumption and wet grip. Particular attention must always be paid to stopping distances.

Porsche and Michelin Tyres

Porsche and Michelin have been working together closely for almost half a century. Since 2002, Michelin has also been Porsche`s global tyre cooperation partner. As such, we collaborate on developing tyres specifically tailored to the demands of a new model long before a vehicle’s market launch to fine-tune its safety, agility, control and performance features.

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