Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S Tire Review

Michelin Pilot Sport 4S for road and occasional track usage
Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S Tire Review
Exceptional dry grip and wet braking performance
The Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S tire is a high-performance summer tire derived from the Michelin Pilot Super Sport. It offers exceptional driving experience in various conditions, with dry grip and wet-braking capabilities.

The tire maintains excellent road handling and control even at high speeds, ensuring a thrilling and safe driving experience. Its Dynamic Response Technology provides ultra-precise steering, outstanding cornering power, and impressive tread life for a summer tire. The tire excels in wet conditions, delivering exceptional wet braking performance and grip, instilling confidence even on rain-soaked roads.

The tire is recognized by premium car manufacturers like Mercedes-AMG, Ferrari, and Porsche and comes with a 30,000-mile manufacturer’s treadwear limited warranty.
Dry
92
Wet
85
Comfort
85
Noise
80
Treadwear
85
Overall
86
Advantages
Superior wet and dry handling
Superb resistance to aquaplaning.
Superb acceleration and comfort
Extremely high levels of cornering grip and precision steering
DISADVANTAGES
The highway speed noise level may be a concern for some.
Subpar resistance to rolling.
Unsuitable for the cold and snowy months of winter.
It’s one of the more pricey options available.
86
Check Price
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The Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S, a top choice for high-performance vehicles, is a top-performing summer tire derived from the Pilot Super Sport. This review explores its exceptional attributes, performance under various conditions, and advanced technology, engineering, and design. It provides valuable insights into the tire’s reputation as a leader in its category, offering genuine passion and exceptional drives with every mile.

Tire Technology and Features

Multi-Compound Construction: Unleashing the Power of Multiple Compounds

The Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S features an innovative multi-compound structure. This innovation utilizes a variety of rubber compounds strategically placed into the tire’s tread. Tires use a different compound on the outside shoulder to maximize cornering grip than on the speed- and stopping-focused center tread. To optimize efficiency over a wide range of road conditions, tire manufacturers have begun strategically combining different compositions.

Dynamic Response Technology: Precision Steering and Cornering Control

Michelin designed the Pilot Sport 4 S on their own Dynamic Response Technology. This cutting-edge innovation guarantees instantaneous and exact steering reactions and commands. The tire instantly responds to the driver’s steering input, giving it more accuracy and control when turning at high speeds. Whether performing a rapid lane change or negotiating a meandering route, this technology faithfully implements your instructions.

Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S tread

Hybrid Tread Patterns: Enhancing Grip and Road-holding

Michelin’s Pilot Sport 4 S tires have hybrid tread patterns explicitly developed to enhance the tires’ grip and handling. This hybrid design takes the finest features of many tread patterns and blends them for maximum tire efficiency. It has outstanding road holding on various surfaces and delivers exceptional grip during acceleration and cornering. These hybrid tread patterns give you the performance you need, whether launching off the line or making a sharp turn.

Premium Design: Beauty and Functionality in Harmony

The Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S is a high-performance tire that looks and performs very well, thanks to its premium design. The tire’s exterior sidewall has a distinctive black velvet texture, giving your car a luxurious look. A tire with deep rim protection not only provides superior performance but also protects the aesthetic value of your vehicle by preventing minor damage to the wheels.

Acclaimed by Leading Car Manufacturers: A Testament to Excellence

The recognition Michelin obtains from the industry’s top automakers is a testament to the company’s dedication to quality. Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S tires are standard equipment on high-performance automobiles from luxury manufacturers such as Mercedes-AMG, Ferrari, and Porsche. The fact that these prestigious automakers have certified the tire as meeting their stringent quality criteria is a testament to its superior construction and performance. Some of the most prestigious car manufacturers in the world trust the Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S tire.

Performance in different conditions

Dry Conditions

The Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S is at its best in dry weather. Its high-performance design and multi-compound build make it ideal for arid conditions. This tire performs exceptionally well under all driving conditions, including quick acceleration, tight turns, and high speeds. Thanks to the responsive steering, you’ll feel completely in command of the vehicle even on dry, twisting roads.

Sport 4 S dry

Wet Conditions

The Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S is the best in dry weather and performs admirably in the rain. This tire’s superior wet grip and braking capabilities result from its innovative hybrid compound and cutting-edge tread design. You can trust the Pilot Sport 4 S to keep you in complete command, even when the roads are slick with rain. Its resistance to hydroplaning is excellent, making it a safe choice even in rainy conditions.

Sport 4 S wet

Cornering and Handling

This tire performs exceptionally well in both cornering and handling. The steering is highly accurate thanks to its dynamic response technology, so you can easily handle curves. The Pilot Sport 4 S improves your driving experience on twisty roads, whether you’re doing tight turns or long curves. It’s got an excellent middle ground between understeer and oversteer so it can handle a wide range of driving styles.

Braking Performance

The Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S performs exceptionally well when stopping, a crucial part of tire performance. It has some of the lowest stopping distances in its category, regardless of weather conditions. When you apply the brakes, your car will stop quickly and safely. When driving aggressively or in an emergency, this function will provide you peace of mind and increase safety.

Sport 4 S corner

Temperature Sensitivity

In contrast to other high-performance tires, the Pilot Sport 4 S provides exceptional grip and traction even when temperatures are on the cool side. You may take advantage of its superb performance from the minute you start driving, whether it’s a sweltering summer day or a crisp morning.

Longevity and Tread Life

The Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S is a high-performance tire with a surprisingly long tread life. You can count on it to last longer and provide more kilometers of enjoyable driving than the Pilot Super Sport it replaces. This increased tread life is evidence of Michelin’s dedication to superior traction and durability.

Sport 4 S tread life

Warranty

A comprehensive warranty package backs the Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S tire, giving drivers confidence. The manufacturer backs its high-performance characteristics with a 30,000-mile treadwear limited guarantee so you may drive confidently for a long time. Michelin also includes a standard limited guarantee that lasts for the remainder of the original tread’s helpful life or up to six years from the date of purchase (whichever comes first). This shows how confident Michelin is in the tire’s quality and longevity and adds to the tire’s worth as a premium, high-performance option.

Vehicles that Fit Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S Tire

  • Honda: Civic, CRZ
  • Nissan: 370Z, Maxima
  • VW: Golf GTI, Jetta, CC Sport, Passat,
  • Ford: Fiesta, Focus, Mustang, Fusion, Explorer, Contour
  • Lexus: RC-F, GS350, GS430, IS300, LS460L
  • Pontiac: GTO, G8, G6, Grand Prix, Trans Am
  • Audi: S4, A6, A4, A8L, TT
  • Acura: TL, RL, RSX, TLX
  • Buick: Regal, Lucerne
  • Hyundai: Sonata, Veloster
  • Subaru: Legacy, Outback, Impreza, BRZ
  • Mazda: 3, RX-8, Miata, MX-5
  • Jaguar: XKR, XK8
  • Porsche: 718, 911
  • Toyota: Supra, GT86, Corolla
  • Chrysler: 200
  • Chevrolet: Camaro, Corvette, Impala, Monte Carlo SS, Cobalt, Cruze, Malibu
  • Dodge: Challenger, Charger, Avenger
  • BMW: M4, M3, 135i, 545i, 550i, 750Li, M5, 330i
  • Mercedes-Benz: GLS, E550, SL55, SL500, SLK320, CLK430

Competition With Other Tires

Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S Vs Bridgestone Potenza Sport

The Michelin Pilot Sport 4S is the clear winner in a head-to-head comparison, with the best results across the board, especially in dry braking and rolling resistance. In addition to superior performance in both wet and dry conditions, it also makes for a more relaxing and peaceful ride. However, for those looking for a compromise between performance and budget, the Bridgestone Potenza Sport stands out as an attractive alternative thanks to its dry handling capabilities and significantly lower price point. Ultimately, the Pilot Sport 4S offers premium performance. At the same time, the Potenza Sport is a more cost-effective option with adequate capabilities, so picking between the two high-performance tires comes down to personal preference.

Continental Sport Contact 7 vs. Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S

The Sport Contact 7 is an excellent choice for enthusiasts who need high levels of grip in both dry and wet situations, thanks to its excellent dry braking and handling and remarkable wet braking and handling. The Pilot Sport 4S, on the other hand, provides a more peaceful and relaxing ride, is more resistant to aquaplaning, and has more excellent rolling resistance, all of which contribute to the tire’s efficiency and environmental friendliness. Additionally, shoppers on a tighter budget may prefer the Sport Contact 7, which is less expensive than the Pilot Sport 4S in the measured size of the tire. The final decision between these two high-performance tires should be based on your preferences, such as whether you value maximum grip or a good compromise between comfort and fuel economy.

Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S vs. Pirelli P Zero PZ4

The Michelin Pilot Sport 4S excels in dry performance and aquaplaning resistance, while the Pirelli P Zero PZ4 shines in wet braking, external noise, and rolling resistance. The P Zero PZ4 also features a significantly lower price tag. The Pilot Sport 4S is the superior tire in dry circumstances and aquaplaning, but the P Zero PZ4 has the upper hand in wet traction, less noise, and a lower price tag.

Customer Feedback

Many happy buyers have gushed over their Michelin Pilot Sport 4S tires, calling them “the best tires ever made.” When mounted on high-performance vehicles, these tires’ outstanding handling and cornering skills often come as a pleasant surprise to these enthusiasts. Drivers have reported tens of thousands of kilometers with the Pilot Sport 4S tires still running like new, which gives drivers who value both performance and durability peace of mind.

However, not everyone has had a positive encounter with the Michelin Pilot Sport 4S tires. Customers have complained about quality control issues such as tread separation and sidewall faults, which can cause loss of control and increase the risk of an accident. There has been some debate over the long-term usefulness of these tires because of their alleged lower durability than anticipated. Some motorists have also complained that the tires’ weaker grip and handling in colder weather make them less adaptable than ideal for year-round use.

Conclusion

The Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S is an outstanding tire technology and performance example. It’s a high-performance car that reaches new heights thanks to its lineage from the famous Pilot Super Sport. It’s thrilling to drive because of its excellent dry and wet grip, responsive steering, and superb road holding. You may occasionally use this tire with confidence on the road or on the track because of its exceptional performance and handling in both environments. The Pilot Sport 4 S is a good pick for enthusiasts who expect the finest in tire technology and performance, thanks to Michelin’s stellar reputation for quality and comprehensive warranty package. It’s well worth the price for individuals who share your enthusiasm for excellent drives and find satisfaction in seeing those expectations met and beyond.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S tire?

Michelin’s Pilot Sport 4 S summer tire is a high-performance option with superb handling in dry and wet situations.

How does the Pilot Sport 4 S compare to its predecessor, the Pilot Super Sport?

The Pilot Sport 4 S incorporates the best parts of the Pilot Super Sport with new features, including enhanced wet grip and increased durability.

What vehicles are suitable for the Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S?

You may put this tire on your sports car, high-performance sedan, or even on the track on occasion.

What is Dynamic Response Technology?

The Pilot Sport 4 S’s Dynamic Response Technology continually adjusts to the driving conditions, allowing for pinpoint control and steering.

Does the Pilot Sport 4 S offer good tread life for a summer tire?

It has exceptional tread life for a summer tire, 9% longer than the Pilot Super Sport it replaces.

Are there any warranties available for the Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S?

Michelin stands behind the quality and longevity of their products with a 30,000-mile limited warranty on treadwear.

Is the Pilot Sport 4 S suitable for high-speed driving?

You can trust that it provides safe and secure handling on the road, even at high speeds.

How does it perform in wet conditions?

The Pilot Sport 4 S is an excellent choice for driving in the rain because of its superior wet braking and traction.

Are any high-end automakers using the Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S?

Several high-end automakers have certified it as “homologated,” including Mercedes-AMG, Ferrari, and Porsche.

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