Michelin Pilot Sport All Season 4 is an ultra-high-performance tire that is developed for people who love driving aggressively. It can be used on performance-driven SUVs, CUVs, coupes, and sedans. Since the first time, Michelin Pilot Sport All-Season 4 was released in July 2021, it’s been the most preferred performance tire in the market. I’ve spent some time with these tires. I can confidently say that it’s an authentic performer. Though, compared to grand touring tires like Michelin Primacy A/S it has some disadvantages also. In this article, I’m going to expose Michelin Pilot Sport All-Season 4 and try to explain which conditions are best for this tire. Let’s begin!
At a Glance
| Michelin Pilot Sport All Season 4 | |
|---|---|
| Best for | Performance-driven longevity, Mostly warm regions for below 3,500 lbs vehicles, 3 seasons + light snow traction for over 3,500 vehicles, Responsiveness |
| Pros | Smooth & quiet ride, Insane responsiveness, Fuel efficiency (compared to other UHP tires), Long-lasting rubber |
| Cons | If you’re changing from an all-season tire, you may experience a bit noisier ride Winter performance is highly limited as expected from UHP tires |
| Vehicle | Sport sedans, Sport coupes, SUV, CUV |
| Test Report | Read the full test report (September 21, 2021) |
| Available Sizes | 15”, 16”, 17”, 18”, 20”, 22” |
| Made In | United States, Mexico |
| Warranty | 45,000 miles |
As a former Bridgestone engineer, from my standpoint Michelin Pilot Sport All Season 4 is a longevity-driven ultra high-performance tire. Even though it can handle wet and dry conditions very well, when it comes to cold weather with powder snow, its traction is limited. Though, its responsiveness and cornering stability are insane. Michelin Pilot Sport All-Season 4 provides a quiet and smooth riding experience. Yet, if you’re changing from the all-season tires, you may feel a bit rough ride for a while.
All-Season Tires Cheat Sheet
My team & I have analyzed 100 different tires and generated this ‘Quick Answer Sheet‘ for those who don’t wanna spend too much time during tire selection.
Before we start, here are the incredibly helpful articles I highly recommend to take a look at;
- How to keep tire noise down:
https://www.tirerack.com/upgrade-garage/why-do-tire-tread-patterns-make-noise - Fuel-Efficiency:
https://www.tirerack.com/landing/fuel_efficiency - Traction/Stability control for AWD/4WD (All-Season tires specific)
https://www.tirerack.com/upgrade-garage/traction-stability-4ws-awd
Depending on your needs, the below article might help;
Table of Contents
Dry Traction
Dry traction is all about the rubber amount you put on the ground. In fact, that’s the reason most performance tires have an asymmetrical pattern.
In that case, the real idea is to put more rubber on the outer shoulder.
Putting more rubber on the shoulder section enables two things,
- Since this method decrease the void area in the center section, it decreases the noise level
- Since you have robust shoulders, it improves the handling capability
Just like all other all-season tires, Michelin Pilot Sport All-Season 4 provides excellent dry traction. The real game changer out here is the next two sections. Cornering stability and responsiveness.
Responsiveness
The handling capability is the litmus for good ultra-high-performance tires.
Due to their soft compounds, these tires provide decent traction anyway. Yet, these tires are running at high speed. Hence, while cornering, the lateral forces become huge and that generally decreases the handling capability. That might not happen if you’re a careful driver.
But, hey, if you’re a careful driver, why are you buying performance tires? Don’t buy them and check this article out instead (Michelin Primacy Tour A/S Review).
For the ones who are still here, let’s move on.
Ultra-high-performance tires must be agile to provide quick steering response. So, this responsiveness is related to two dimensions. The tread, especially the center section, and the internal structure, especially the weight.
So, here is the deal, Even though Michelin Pilot Sport All-Season 4 has an asymmetrical pattern, its center rib is way much flat than the competitors. The continuous center rib is the key to quick steering response.
Michelin is able to make a flat center rib because of the tread width of this tire. The tread of the Michelin Pilot Sport All-Season 4 is wider than the competitors. Hence, it doesn’t need to notch the center rib that much for better traction.
While doing this, Michelin achieves the keep tread depth at 10/32”, and even though it’s only available in ZR sizes, it still weighs the same as the competitors.
Michelin Pilot Sport All-Season 4 is a great option if responsiveness is the most important feature for you.
Cornering Stability
The Michelin Pilot Sport All Season 4 is a high-performance all-season tire that is designed to deliver excellent cornering stability. It features an asymmetric tread pattern that is optimized for both dry and wet conditions, as well as Michelin’s Dynamic Response Technology, which helps to provide crisp handling and precise steering response.
The tire’s tread design includes large, rigid tread blocks on the outside shoulder of the tire to provide maximum contact with the road during cornering. This helps to improve the tire’s cornering stability and grip, especially during high-speed maneuvers. The tire’s tread also features deep, wide grooves to evacuate water and improve wet traction.
Additionally, the Michelin Pilot Sport All Season 4 uses a special tread compound that is designed to remain pliable in a wide range of temperatures. This helps to improve the tire’s grip and handling in both hot and cold weather, making it a great option for drivers who experience a wide range of weather conditions.
Overall, the Michelin Pilot Sport All Season 4 is a high-performance tire that delivers excellent cornering stability and grip in both dry and wet conditions.
Wet Performance
The Michelin Pilot Sport All Season 4 is designed to provide excellent wet performance, thanks to its advanced tread design and specialized rubber compound.
The tire’s tread pattern features wide, deep grooves that are designed to evacuate water quickly and efficiently, reducing the risk of hydroplaning and improving wet traction. The tire also features a high-silica content tread compound that is optimized for wet conditions. The silica helps the tire maintain flexibility in cold, wet conditions, while also improving grip on wet roads.
In independent testing, the Michelin Pilot Sport All Season 4 has demonstrated excellent wet performance. For example, in testing conducted by Tire Rack, the tire received the highest wet traction rating among all tested tires in its category. Reviewers praised the tire’s ability to provide confident handling and grip in both light and heavy rain, as well as its resistance to hydroplaning.
Overall, the Michelin Pilot Sport All Season 4 is an excellent choice for drivers who prioritize wet performance, as it is designed to deliver confident handling and grip in a variety of wet weather conditions.
Winter Performance
While the Michelin Pilot Sport All Season 4 is designed to provide good performance in a range of weather conditions, it is not specifically designed for winter use. However, Michelin has incorporated some winter-specific features into the tire’s design to help improve its performance in colder temperatures and light snow.
The tire features a specialized compound that includes sunflower oil and special resins to help the tire remain pliable in cold temperatures. This helps to improve traction and handling in winter weather, although it is not as effective as a dedicated winter tire.
In independent testing conducted by Tire Rack, the Michelin Pilot Sport All Season 4 received mixed results for winter performance. While the tire received good scores for its traction and handling in light snow, its performance in deeper snow and ice was less impressive.
Overall, the Michelin Pilot Sport All Season 4 is a great tire for drivers who want a high-performance tire that can handle a variety of weather conditions, including light winter weather. However, for drivers who frequently encounter deep snow or ice, a dedicated winter or at least an all-weather tire would be a better choice.
Longevity
The Michelin Pilot Sport All Season 4 is designed to provide a balance of high-performance handling and good tread life, thanks to its advanced tread design and specialized rubber compound.
Michelin uses a unique tread design for the Pilot Sport All Season 4, with large, rigid tread blocks on the outside of the tire and a variable thickness sipe design that helps to distribute forces evenly across the tread surface. This helps to improve the tire’s handling and stability, while also minimizing uneven wear.
The tire’s tread compound is also designed to provide good wear resistance. Michelin uses a high-silica content compound that is optimized for longevity, helping the tire to last longer without compromising its high-performance handling capabilities.
In independent testing conducted by Tire Rack, the Michelin Pilot Sport All Season 4 received excellent scores for tread life. Reviewers noted that the tire provided good wear resistance and retained its high-performance handling characteristics even as it wore down.
Overall, the Michelin Pilot Sport All Season 4 is a great choice for drivers who want a high-performance tire that offers good tread life. While the tire is more expensive than some other options on the market, its balance of performance and longevity makes it a good value for drivers who prioritize both factors. Though worth reminding, ultra-high-performance tires offer last shorter than grand touring tires. For this reason, if longevity is your priority, I do recommend grand touring tires.
Getting maximum wear life from a tire is related to you as well as your tire,
If you’d like to learn how to get maximum tread life:
Warranty
The Michelin Pilot Sport All Season 4 comes with a limited warranty that covers defects in materials and workmanship for a period of 6 years or 45,000 miles, whichever comes first.
The warranty includes free replacement during the first year of service, or the first 2/32 inch of tread wear, whichever comes first. After that, the warranty is prorated based on the remaining tread depth, meaning that the amount of coverage decreases as the tire wears down.
The warranty also includes Michelin’s 30-day satisfaction guarantee, which allows customers to return the tires for a refund or exchange within 30 days of purchase if they are not satisfied with the performance of the tires.
It’s worth noting that the warranty does not cover damage caused by road hazards, such as punctures or impact damage, or damage caused by improper installation or maintenance. Additionally, the warranty is only valid for the original purchaser of the tires and is non-transferable.
Michelin Pilot Sport All-Season 4 Warranty Document:
https://www.tirerack.com/images/pdf/warranty/MI0619.pdf
Comfort & Noise
The Michelin Pilot Sport All Season 4 is designed to deliver a comfortable and quiet ride, thanks to its advanced construction and unique tread design.
The tire features Michelin’s Comfort Control Technology, which uses computer-optimized design and precision manufacturing to reduce road noise and vibrations. This helps to provide a smoother and quieter ride, which can be particularly noticeable on highways or rough roads.
Additionally, the tire’s tread design includes variable thickness sipes and optimized contact patch shapes that help to reduce road noise and improve ride comfort. The tire’s tread blocks are also designed to be rigid and stable, which helps to reduce the amount of flexing and movement that can contribute to noise and discomfort.
In independent testing, the Michelin Pilot Sport All Season 4 has received high marks for its comfort and quiet ride. Reviewers have praised the tire’s ability to provide a smooth, comfortable ride even on rough or uneven roads, as well as its low levels of road noise.
Overall, the Michelin Pilot Sport All Season 4 is an excellent choice for drivers who prioritize a comfortable and quiet ride, as well as high-performance handling and good tread life.
Though worth reminding, due to its strong sidewalls, Michelin Pilot All-Season 4 provides a rougher ride than grand touring tires.
Sizes
| 16” Wheels | 17” Wheels | 18” Wheels | 19” Wheels | 20” Wheels | 21” Wheels | 22” Wheels |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 205/55ZR16 94Y XL Eco: Michelin Total Performance | 205/40ZR17 84Y XL Eco: Michelin Total Performance | 215/40ZR18 89Y XL Eco: Michelin Total Performance | 225/35ZR19 88Y XL Eco: Michelin Total Performance | 235/35ZR20 92Y XL Eco: Michelin Total Performance | 245/35ZR21 96Y XL Full Ring Velour | 265/35ZR22 102Y XL Full Ring Velour |
| 225/50ZR16 96Y XL Eco: Michelin Total Performance | 205/45ZR17 88Y XL Eco: Michelin Total Performance | 215/40ZR18 89Y XL Eco: Michelin Total Performance | 225/40ZR19 93Y XL Eco: Michelin Total Performance | 235/40ZR20 96Y XL Eco: Michelin Total Performance | 245/45ZR21 104Y XL | 265/40ZR22 106Y XL Full Ring Velour Eco: Michelin Total Performance |
| 205/50ZR17 93Y XL Eco: Michelin Total Performance | 215/45ZR18 93Y XL Eco: Michelin Total Performance | 225/45ZR19 96Y XL Eco: Michelin Total Performance | 235/45ZR20 100Y XL Eco: Michelin Total Performance | 255/35ZR21 98W XL T0, Acoustic, Full Ring Velour Eco: Michelin Total Performance Noise Reduction Technology Electric Vehicle Tuned | 275/35ZR22 104Y XL Full Ring Velour | |
| 215/45ZR17 91Y XL Eco: Michelin Total Performance | 225/40ZR18 92Y XL Eco: Michelin Total Performance | 225/55ZR19 103Y XL Eco: Michelin Total Performance | 245/30ZR20 90Y XL Eco: Michelin Total Performance | 255/40ZR21 102Y XL Full Ring Velour | HL275/35R22 107V HL MO1 Mercedes, Acoustic Tech Eco: Michelin Total Performance Noise Reduction Technology Electric Vehicle Tuned | |
| 215/50ZR17 95Y XL Eco: Michelin Total Performance | 225/45ZR18 95Y XL Eco: Michelin Total Performance | 235/35ZR19 91Y XL Eco: Michelin Total Performance | 245/35ZR20 95Y XL Eco: Michelin Total Performance | 265/35ZR21 101Y XL Full Ring Velour | 275/40ZR22 108Y XL Full Ring Velour Eco: Michelin Total Performance | |
| 215/55ZR17 98Y XL Eco: Michelin Total Performance | 225/50ZR18 99Y XL Eco: Michelin Total Performance | 235/40ZR19 96Y XL Eco: Michelin Total Performance | 245/40ZR20 99Y XL Eco: Michelin Total Performance | 265/40ZR21 105Y XL Full Ring Velour | 285/35ZR22 106Y XL Full Ring Velour Eco: Michelin Total Performance | |
| 225/45ZR17 94Y XL Eco: Michelin Total Performance | 235/40ZR18 95Y XL Eco: Michelin Total Performance | 235/45ZR19 99Y XL Eco: Michelin Total Performance | 245/45ZR20 103Y XL Eco: Michelin Total Performance | 265/40R21 101V SL NE0 Porsche Eco: Michelin Total Performance | 285/40ZR22 110Y XL Eco: Michelin Total Performance | |
| 225/50ZR17 98Y XL 26.3″ Overall Diameter Eco: Michelin Total Performance | 235/45ZR18 98Y XL Eco: Michelin Total Performance | 245/35ZR19 93Y XL Eco: Michelin Total Performance | 255/35ZR20 97Y XL Eco: Michelin Total Performance | 275/35R21 103V XL MO1 Mercedes | 295/40ZR22 112Y XL Eco: Michelin Total Performance | |
| 225/55ZR17 101Y XL Eco: Michelin Total Performance | 235/50ZR18 101Y XL Eco: Michelin Total Performance | 245/40ZR19 98Y XL Eco: Michelin Total Performance | 255/40ZR20 101Y XL Eco: Michelin Total Performance | 275/35ZR21 103W XL T0, Acoustic, Full Ring Velour Eco: Michelin Total Performance Noise Reduction Technology Electric Vehicle Tuned | ||
| 235/45ZR17 97Y XL Eco: Michelin Total Performance | 235/55ZR18 104Y XL Eco: Michelin Total Performance | 245/45ZR19 102Y XL Eco: Michelin Total Performance | 255/45ZR20 105Y XL Eco: Michelin Total Performance | 275/40ZR21 107Y XL | ||
| 235/50ZR17 100Y XL Eco: Michelin Total Performance | 245/35ZR18 92Y XL Eco: Michelin Total Performance | 245/50ZR19 105Y XL Eco: Michelin Total Performance | 255/55ZR20 110Y XL Eco: Michelin Total Performance | 275/45ZR21 110Y XL Full Ring Velour | ||
| 235/55ZR17 103Y XL Eco: Michelin Total Performance | 245/40ZR18 97Y XL Eco: Michelin Total Performance | 255/30ZR19 91Y XL Eco: Michelin Total Performance | 265/30ZR20 94Y XL Eco: Michelin Total Performance | 285/40ZR21 109Y XL Full Ring Velour | ||
| 245/40ZR17 95Y XL Eco: Michelin Total Performance | 245/45ZR18 100Y XL Eco: Michelin Total Performance | 255/35ZR19 96Y XL Eco: Michelin Total Performance | 265/35ZR20 99Y XL Eco: Michelin Total Performance | 295/35R21 103V SL NE0 Porsche Eco: Michelin Total Performance | ||
| 245/45ZR17 99Y XL Eco: Michelin Total Performance | 245/50ZR18 104Y XL Eco: Michelin Total Performance | 255/40ZR19 100Y XL Eco: Michelin Total Performance | 265/40ZR20 104Y XL Eco: Michelin Total Performance | 295/35ZR21 107Y XL Full Ring Velour Eco: Michelin Total Performance | ||
| 245/50ZR17 103Y XL Eco: Michelin Total Performance | 255/35ZR18 94Y XL Eco: Michelin Total Performance | 255/45ZR19 104Y XL Eco: Michelin Total Performance | 265/45ZR20 108Y XL Eco: Michelin Total Performance | 295/40ZR21 111Y XL Full Ring Velour Eco: Michelin Total Performance | ||
| 255/40ZR17 98Y XL Eco: Michelin Total Performance | 255/40ZR18 99Y XL Eco: Michelin Total Performance | 265/35ZR19 98Y XL Eco: Michelin Total Performance | 275/30ZR20 97Y XL Eco: Michelin Total Performance | 315/30R21 105V XL MO1 Mercedes | ||
| 255/45ZR17 102Y XL Eco: Michelin Total Performance | 255/45ZR18 103Y XL Eco: Michelin Total Performance | 265/40ZR19 102Y XL Eco: Michelin Total Performance | 275/35ZR20 102Y XL Eco: Michelin Total Performance | |||
| 275/40ZR17 98Y SL Eco: Michelin Total Performance | 265/35ZR18 97Y XL Eco: Michelin Total Performance | 265/50ZR19 110Y XL Eco: Michelin Total Performance | 275/40ZR20 106Y XL Eco: Michelin Total Performance | |||
| 315/35ZR17 106Y XL Eco: Michelin Total Performance | 265/40ZR18 101Y XL Eco: Michelin Total Performance | 275/35ZR19 100Y XL Eco: Michelin Total Performance | 285/30ZR20 99Y XL Eco: Michelin Total Performance | |||
| 265/45ZR18 104Y XL Eco: Michelin Total Performance | 275/40ZR19 105Y XL Eco: Michelin Total Performance | 285/35ZR20 104Y XL Eco: Michelin Total Performance | ||||
| 275/35ZR18 99Y XL Eco: Michelin Total Performance | 285/30ZR19 98Y XL Eco: Michelin Total Performance | 285/45ZR20 112Y XL Eco: Michelin Total Performance | ||||
| 275/40ZR18 103Y XL Eco: Michelin Total Performance | 285/35ZR19 103Y XL Eco: Michelin Total Performance | 295/30ZR20 101Y XL Eco: Michelin Total Performance | ||||
| 285/35ZR18 101Y XL Eco: Michelin Total Performance | 285/40ZR19 107Y XL Eco: Michelin Total Performance | 295/35ZR20 105Y XL Eco: Michelin Total Performance | ||||
| 295/45ZR20 114Y XL Eco: Michelin Total Performance | 305/35ZR20 107Y XL Eco: Michelin Total Performance | |||||
| 315/35ZR20 110Y XL Eco: Michelin Total Performance | ||||||
If you’d like to reach detailed specifications by size:
Conclusion
In my point of view, Michelin Pilot Sport All Season 4 is a great tire if you’d like to combine sporty driving feeling with longevity. Since this tire is a bit stiffer than its competitors, it’s a great option for relatively heavier sedans (or sports cars) like Lamborghini, Dodge, Tesla, Mercedes, BMW, or even the SUV and CUVs. It’s not the best performance tire but if you’re looking for something all-round, it’s a great option. Though worth reminding, its winter performance is behind the competition. It’s okay on bare pavement but when it comes to centerline bare pavement, it starts to slide.
| Michelin Pilot Sport All Season 4 | |
|---|---|
| Best for | Performance-driven longevity, Mostly warm regions for below 3,500 lbs vehicles, 3 seasons + light snow traction for over 3,500 vehicles, Responsiveness |
| Pros | Smooth & quiet ride, Insane responsiveness, Fuel efficiency (compared to other UHP tires), Long-lasting rubber |
| Cons | If you’re changing from an all-season tire, you may experience a bit noisier ride Winter performance is highly limited as expected from UHP tires |
| Vehicle | Sport sedans, Sport coupes, SUV, CUV |
| Test Report | Read the full test report (September 21, 2021) |
| Available Sizes | 15”, 16”, 17”, 18”, 20”, 22” |
| Made In | United States, Mexico |
| Warranty | 45,000 miles |
I hope the article was helpful, if you need any further support about tire selection, feel free to leave a comment below or contact me via email. Have a safe ride folks!