We swapped a set of low-rolling-resistance OE tires for max-performance summer tires on the same midsize sedan and measured dry and wet braking plus cabin noise. Here’s what changed, by the numbers.
Test car: 2024 Honda Accord EX (FWD, ~3,240 lb curb), 235/45R18 on the same 18x8-inch wheels. Pressures set to placard 35 psi cold, verified hot between runs. Ambient 77°F dry; 72°F wet with a uniform ~1 mm water film on sealed asphalt via sprinklers. Braking captured with a Racelogic VBOX 3i (10 Hz); noise measured at the driver’s headrest with a Class 2 SPL meter.
Procedures: five 60–0 mph stops each condition, discarding outliers; noise at a steady 70 mph on smooth asphalt and coarse chip-seal. On the OE low-rolling-resistance grand-touring all-season tires, the Accord averaged 128 ft 60–0 mph in the dry (best 125 ft, worst 131 ft). In the wet, 60–0 mph stretched to 192 ft (best 186 ft, worst 198 ft). Pedal feel was consistent, but ABS intervention was frequent near the end of stops, and stability control nibbled if the surface changed midsweep.
Cabin noise measured 66.0 dBA on smooth asphalt and 71.5 dBA on coarse chip-seal at 70 mph. With max-performance summer tires (same size/load/speed rating), dry braking improved to a 110 ft average (best 108 ft, worst 112 ft), a 14% reduction versus OE. Wet 60–0 mph shortened to 153 ft on average (best 148 ft, worst 158 ft), a 20% gain over the eco tires. The initial bite was stronger, ABS cycling was less frantic, and the car stayed truer under heavy decel.
Noise rose to 68.5 dBA on smooth asphalt and 74.0 dBA on chip-seal at 70 mph—roughly +2.5 dBA, which is clearly audible at highway speeds. Subjectively, the eco tires offered gentler breakaway and longer ABS pulses, which can feel reassuring but lengthen stops. In wet panic stops, they hunted for grip once the surface pooled. The performance set built speed confidence: more longitudinal grip and better lateral support under braking, so lane changes while shedding speed felt calmer.
In shallow standing water, the performance tires resisted hydroplaning a touch better; stability remained tidy at 60 mph where the eco set asked for a small lift. Daily drivability shifts accordingly. The performance tires transmit more coarse-surface roar and small-impact thwacks, and we recorded a 0.8 mpg drop on our 30-mile 70 mph loop, consistent with higher rolling resistance. Note our test temperatures favor summer compounds; below ~45°F, max-performance summer grip falls sharply—expect the wet advantage to narrow or invert.
A top-tier ultra-high-performance all-season would likely land between these results. Bottom line: on this car, swapping from OE eco to performance tires cut dry stops by 18 ft and wet stops by 39 ft while adding about 2–3 dBA of highway noise and a modest fuel-economy penalty. If you prioritize braking safety—especially in rain—the performance set is a meaningful upgrade. If long-haul quietness and efficiency matter most, the OE eco tires remain the better fit.
