There are four things you need for a perfect burnout. Any car with a lot of power, rear wheel drive, manual transmission, and the best tires for burnouts. Your presence here indicates that you already have the first three items from the list. Let’s tick the fourth item off the list.
Street tires are best for doing a smokey burnout. These tires have smoother surfaces that put out a lot of smoke under severe friction. Plus, these surfaces prevent the tread from breaking down too quickly. So, you won’t be ordering another pair after just one or two burnouts.
However, if you need a set of tires that can strike the perfect balance between street performance and for daily driving, performance or high-performance tires are your best bet. These tires may not produce as much smoke as UHP tires, but they will provide a sound overall performance.
Finally, as you’ll see in the reviews section, it is not necessary to blow your budget to get the best tires for burnouts. The entry of slicks from Chinese tire brands means that you can get good designs in a pocket-friendly price range. Although it must be noted that these tires aren’t for excessive drifting.
#1. Pirelli P Zero High-Performance – Best Overall
Their ability to perform in high-temperature situations make the Pirelli P Zero High-Performance the best tires for burnouts. These tires have a slicker rubber compound that helps them grip the road, making sure that you can produce smoke without putting much strain on the engine.
Nano composites in the tread compound improve this tire’s gripping power and provide added steering response and stability. An asymmetric tread pattern is both attractive and aggressive, enhancing this model’s cornering performance and high-speed stability.
The trio of longitudinal grooves, unique “S” sipes and a wide circumferential groove works together to minimize the risk of hydroplaning. The S sipes also dissipate road noise, making this tire as comfortable as any ultra-high-performance tire could be.
Unfortunately, this tire suffers from the same flaw that repels most buyers from UHP tires. Its treadlife is nowhere near enough for this tire to be used for everyday driving. Still, as far as the main purpose (performing burnouts) is concerned, it is one of the best options.
Pros
- Great grip on dry and wet road surfaces
- Stickier rubber compound helps achieve burnouts
- Low road noise for an ultra-high-performance tire
Cons
- Braking distances aren’t short on icy roads
#2. Goodyear Eagle Sport – Best Runner Up
The Goodyear Eagle Sport is different from most of the best tires for burnout. This tire is available at a competitive asking price and is backed with an extensive treadlife warranty, especially for a UHP tire. It would thus weigh light on your pocket in the short and long-term.
An all-season tread compound helps this model deliver outstanding tread performance, whether you’re driving in dry or wet conditions. An asymmetric tread pattern increases the model’s grip levels, with high-speed handling and stability following suit.
Steering response is enhanced by the coming together of outboard shoulder blocks, notched center rib, and inboard shoulder blocks. This partnership also ensures even distribution of water throughout the contact patch. The result? Uniform wear and long tread life.
Goodyear has equipped this tire with industry-standard treadwear indicators. These are narrow rubber bars using which you can estimate the tread’s remaining life. A 50,000-mile treadwear warranty, almost unheard of in UHP tires, is also on offer.
Pros
- 50,000 mile treadwear warranty
- Comes with industry-standard treadwear indicators
- Offers excellent steering responsiveness and high-speed handling
Cons
- High road noise
#3. Kumho Ecsta SPT KU31
The Kumho Ecsta SPT KU31 is a unique performance tire. This model features a dye in its tread compound that helps it produce colored smoke. A shade of pink on the outer shoulder block further distinguish this UHP tire from its competitors.
Aesthetics isn’t the only area where this tire excels, though. Its tread compound has been molded into a directional tread design to provide predictable handling and stability, while independent shoulder blocks enhance this model’s cornering performance.
Inside the tire, twin steel belts are reinforced by a jointless nylon cap ply for added durability. A rayon carcass plies ensures that even with regular abuse this tire retains its radial shape. Plus, multiple grooves improve hydroplaning resistance for better wet traction.
Not everything about this tire is great, though. The fact that it was released only recently means we need to wait to get credible reports about its treadlife.
Pros
- Produces colored smoke
- Enhanced cornering performance
- Excellent hydroplaning resistance and wet traction
Cons
- Might have small treadlife
#4.Michelin Pilot Super Sport
A decade has passed since the release of the Michelin Pilot Super Sport. All that elapsed time has seen the arrival of various UHP tires with the latest technologies. Yet this tire continuous to attract respectable sales. Want to know why?
Start with its lightweight construction. The Filament At Zero Degrees (FAZ) technology has reduced this model’s weight for low rolling resistance and improved fuel economy. Improved handling and performance are secondary benefits of this technology.
Michelin’s Acoustic Technology reduces this tire’s road noise by placing a sound-absorbing foam in its inner lining. The foam soaks most of the road disturbances, ensuring a comfortable ride. Or at least as comfortable as the ride of any UHP tire could be.
The fact that the Pilot Super Sport is over 12-year old goes in your favor. As it has forced Michelin to slash this tire’s asking price to help it stay competitive. Add a 30,000-mile treadwear warranty to the mix, and there aren’t many complaints you can have about this model.
Pros
- 30,000 mile warranty
- Excellent steering and handling response
- Superb cornering performance
Cons
- Wet grip isn’t as good as that of its modern competitors
#5. Toyo Proxes R1R
The Toyo Proxes R1R has everything to excel on the street. An attractive tread design provides this model with exceptional straight line stability. The tread design also has multiple grooves to evacuate water from the tread area, resisting hydroplaning and improving this tire’s wet traction.
An overall wider footprint means you can count on this tire to ensure excellent cornering grip. Large, stiffened tread blocks help the tire stay in your control while cornering at high speeds, helping the R1R stay glued to the road as you’re enter and exit corners at vicious speeds.
Stability Control Slits (the term Michelin uses for lateral grooves) are built into the tread design to keep premature wear at bay. Aside from that, a flexible sidewall balances the stiffness of the shoulder blocks for enhanced comfort and fuel efficiency.
Little surprise than this tire carries a 200 UTQG (Uniform Tire Quality Grading) rating. However, the absence of any treadwear warranty might be a deal-breaker.
Pros
- Provides brilliant traction at high speeds
- Has a smooth, straight release
- Less rolling resistance translates to better fuel efficiency
Cons
- Doesn’t come with a treadwear warranty
#6. Falken Azenis RT615K+
The Falken Azenis RT615K+ might not be the most comfortable tire on the market. But there aren’t many tires that could compete with this model on the street. High-speed stability, cornering performance, straight line tracking – this tire impresses on all street-performance parameters.
Solid center rib and shoulder blocks help this tire withstand all the abuse you can send its way. A nanotech formulated compound enhances its traction and grip in wet and dry conditions. Plus, notched tread blocks help this model excel in the wet handling department.
Multiple circumferential grooves evacuate water from the tread area, minimizing the risk of hydroplaning while improving traction. A high-tension carcass construction improves high-speed stability on the street, resulting in faster acceleration and quicker lap times.
Bear in mind, though, that this tire needs to be warmed up before it can deliver competition-level grip. Once the tire is all nice and hot, though, it would stick to the road unlike any other street performance tire you may have used before.
Pros
- Exceptional dry traction and grip
- Wears evenly and is quite durable
- Delivers an unsurpassed cornering response
Cons
- Fares poorly in terms of ride comfort and road noise indicators
#7. BFGoodrich Radial T/A
The BFGoodrich Radial T/A matches classic looks with modern performance. For well over 40 years this tire has been one of the most popular among drivers of muscle cars, sport trucks, and street rods.
An all new tread compound has been molded into an asymmetric tread pattern to improve the tire’s traction. How would this affect its ability to achieve a successful burnout? The enhanced traction means your car’s engine won’t have to expend much power to roast this tire.
BFG’s g-Wedge Technology is a relatively recent addition to this tire. This technology has added a stabilizer to this model’s sidewall to increase steering response and lateral stability. Before being featured in this tire, this technology was found in several of BFG’s high-performance tires.
All in all, the Radial T/A is a dependable tire that not only attracts eyeballs when you set it on fire. This model’s classic looks make it look on almost any vehicle and in almost any scenario. It is safe to expect this tire being featured in the reviews for the best tires for burnouts 50 years from now.
Pros
- Classic muscle tire with strong appeal
- Tread life and ride quality are very good
- Steering response and high-speed handling are above average
Cons
- Not the best in harsh wintry conditions
#8. Hankook Ventus V2 Concept 2
The Hankook Ventus V2 Concept 2 is an affordably priced sport tire. If that is something that sounds contradictory, that is because it is. Sporty tires aren’t meant to be available in a budget price point. Count your blessings, then, that this tire is different.
An all-season tread compound molded into a symmetric ribbed tread design enhances this model’s traction in dry and wet conditions. That means that come rain or sunshine, this tire will be capable of producing spectacular burnouts.
Wet performance is pretty good too, especially for a mid-range tire. Four circumferential grooves – as well as the V shaped tread design – also help reduce the risk of hydroplaning. Their ability to keep the contact patch dry is another reason why this tire excels in slippery conditions.
Treadwear warranty is also above-average for a sporty tire. A 45,000-mile warranty means that this tire can and probably will last a couple of years, even with burnouts. And if you use this tire with caution, there’s no reason why its life will be three times that.
Pros
- Offers excellent all-season traction
- Brilliant hydroplaning resistance
- Low levels of unwanted road noise
- Offers a comfortable driving experience
Cons
- Poor snow performance
#9. Federal 495 RS-RR
The Federal 495 RS-RR is an extreme performance street tire that targets track day bros, autocross racers and street enthusiasts. Its grip is phenomenal, even for a street performance tire, getting you one step closer of turning your drive into a racing car.
The sidewall’s rigidness means you’ll get more response behind the steering than what you know what to do with. Just make sure to give this tire a bit of heat before you take it out on the rack, and you’ll be good for rest of the sessions for the day.
Flame-shaped grooves are specifically designed to allow for easy water evacuation and reduce the risks of hydroplaning while attempting burnouts in wet conditions. Plus, the fact that this tire has a large footprint means it will give you massive peace of mind at high speeds.
Another area where this tire impresses is price. I’ll encourage you to go on and check out the prices of similar tires on any retailer of your choice. If it’s your lucky day, the likes of BFGs, Michelins, and Falkens would ‘only’ cost double as much.
Pros
- Competitively priced street performance tire
- Flame-shaped grooves resist hydroplaning like a charm
- Gives amazing response behind the steering
Cons
- Poor snow performance
#10. OHTSU FP7000
The OHTSU FP7000 is the cheapest burnout tire on our list. So, it is safe to expect that some corners have been cut – this tire’s treadlife isn’t as impressive as that of its premium counterparts. Neither is it backed with any treadlife warranty.
Yet there are areas where this tire impresses. OHTSU has make sure that this tire provides plenty of grip on dry surfaces, making it capable of producing billows of smoke. A flexible rubber compound offers comfortable driving, while rigid shoulder blocks enhance handling.
Steering response is also pretty quick thanks to the continuous center rib. And the brake performance is much improved over its predecessor due in part to the non-directional tread pattern. And OHTSU’s variable shoulder block design keeps unwanted road noise at bay.
All in all, this tire might not be able to compete with the premium Michelin or BFG models mentioned in some areas. Yet in others it performs an extraordinary job. At a lower price point, it should appeal to anyone learning how to achieve a successful burnout.
Pros
- Comes with QuickView maintenance indicators
- Short braking distances for a tire in this category
- 80,000-mile treadwear warranty on some models
Cons
- Braking distances aren’t short on icy roads
Tips to Achieve Successful Burnouts
Apply these tips to increase your chances of achieving a successful burnout:
- Opt for a gravel surface. A patch of loose gravel will offer all the help you need to achieve a successful burnout. However, if there are onlookers nearby, warn them to stand clear before small stones start flying in all directions.
- Wet tires are best. This is one of those scenarios where a little (or lot of) water can be incredibly helpful. It is easier to achieve a successful burnout with wet tires because of the added slipperiness.
- Brake pads must be in excellent condition. Thoroughly check the brake pads before you begin. If they are worn out, the burnout might not happen. Or even if it does happen, it might not be as successful as you hoped for.
- Diesel cars give better burnouts. Since they have a higher torque figure, diesel cars can produce more power at a lower RPM. For this reason, it is easier to achieve better burnouts with a diesel car.
Warnings and Precautions
1) Practice First
Attempting your first ever burnout at an auto show is the perfect recipe for trouble, as you may end up causing damage to yourself, your car and/or others. It is recommended to perfect your technique in an empty parking lot with a professional guiding you from the front passenger seat.
2) One Burnout per Week
It’s important to remember that doing too many burnouts in a short span of time can shorten the treadlife of your tires significantly. Frequent burnouts can also damage a tire’s rubber beyond repair. It is thus recommended not to roast your tires more than once a week.
3) Watch Out for Clutch Burn
If, during the course of the burnout, you smell something that isn’t burnt rubber, chances are that you aren’t lifting your foot off the clutch as quickly as needed. Turn off the ignition, take both feet off, and let your car cool down for a few minutes before attempting again.
4) Avoid Areas with Obstacles
YouTube has hundreds of videos of a burnout causing an accident. There is no reason why those accidents always have to be benign. So, never attempt burnouts near anything your car could run into, including obstructions, poles, speed barriers, curbs, etc.
5) Stay Away from People
Make sure there is nobody around you when you’re attempting a burnout. There are risks of flying broken parts, flying road debris and flames anytime somebody does a burnout. It is thus imperative that there isn’t an onlooker standing too close to your car.
How to Do a Burnout on a Manual
It is much easier doing a burnout on a manual car than on an automatic. Yet, there are a few steps that you must follow to achieve the desired results. Here’s a step by step guide to performing a burnout on a manual transmission car:
Step 1: Make sure your car has lots of power
It is easiest to do burnout on a car with lots of horsepower. Examples include Holden Commodore, Ford Falcon, Dodge Challenger SRT, Dodge RAM SRT-10, etc. These cars, and others like them, ensure that the only thing you burn on the track is tire rubber.
Step 2: Put the car in first gear
Next, depress the clutch with your left foot and the accelerator with the right. Make sure that the handbrake is still locked when you’re doing all this. That means that the handbrake should be sitting at an angle and not level against the surface underneath it.
Step 3: Release the clutch
Once the clutch is fully released, the tires will start spinning very quickly, creating clouds of smoke that will eventually envelop the rear of your car. If you want to stop the burnout, just take your foot off the accelerator and let go of the brake.
How to Do a Burnout on Automatic (Front Wheel Drive)
While doing a burning with an automatic transmission is difficult, it isn’t impossible, especially if you follow the instructions given below. Just make sure that your tires are wet, the brake pads are in a perfect condition and the car has a high horsepower.
Step 1: Disable Traction Control (if applicable)
Without doing this, all your attempt at burnout will be unsuccessful. The issue with traction control is that it limits engine power when detecting slippage, preventing you from achieving a successful burnout. Check your car’s owner’s manual to see how this can be done.
Step 2: Lock the Emergency Brake
Make sure the emergency brake is fully engaged. This is crucial because it is the emergency brake that will jam the rear tires, forcing the front tires to spin and cause a burnout.
Step 3: Attempt the Burnout
Put your left foot on the brake and the car into Drive (D1) mode. Next, take your foot off the brake and mash the accelerator all the way. If you have followed all the steps correctly, your front tires should start spinning down, and you should be DOING A BURNOUT.
How to Do a Burnout on Automatic (Rear Wheel Drive)
Step 1: Disable Traction Control (if applicable)
Start by disabling traction control.
If you’re unsure as to whether your car has this feature, or if your car has traction control and you don’t know how to disable it, check the owner’s manual.
Step 2: Engage the Brake Pedal with Your Right Foot
Next, put the vehicle into Drive (D1) mode.
Step 3: Attempt the Burnout
Mash the gas pedal/accelerator to the floor with your right foot. At this point, your rear tires should start spinning, and you should be doing a burnout.
If your rear tires don’t start spinning, release some pressure form the brake pedal and keep on doing it until your rear tires begin spinning.
Conclusion
Before installing any of the tires recommended above, make sure your car is in excellent condition. A burnout puts a lot of a stress on a car and many cannot withstand it. Only a car with a high horsepower can produce a lot of smoke using the street tires recommended above.
