Direct answer For a 2020 Porsche 911 Carrera S, the best all-around street performance tire is the Michelin Pilot Sport 4S. It delivers sharp steering, strong dry and wet grip, and a smooth ride. If you run frequent track days, step up to the Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 for quicker lap times. In common 992 sizes, expect $320 to $600 per tire.
Details and fitment Most 2020 Carrera S cars use 245/35ZR20 front and 305/30ZR21 rear. Confirm the sizes on the door jamb and match your wheel diameters. Choose a Y speed rating and the correct load index. Porsche N-spec options, marked N0 or N1, match factory tuning and can improve stability at high speed.
Pick an ultra high performance summer tire when temps stay above 45 F. Summer compounds give the 911 better bite and shorter stops than all-season tires. Typical street life for UHP summer tires is 15,000 to 25,000 miles, depending on driving. Track-focused tires like Cup 2 often last 6,000 to 12,000 miles on the street and can wear much faster on track.
Top picks for a 2020 911 Carrera S
| Tire | Best for | Wet grip | Street comfort | Typical price each |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Michelin Pilot Sport 4S | Best overall street performance | Very strong | High | $320 to $580 |
| Continental ExtremeContact Sport 02 | Value and rain performance | Excellent | High | $300 to $540 |
| Pirelli P Zero PZ4 (Porsche N-spec available) | OE-like feel and high-speed stability | Very good | Medium high | $320 to $600 |
| Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 | Track days and maximum dry grip | Moderate | Low to medium | $380 to $650 |
Practical tips
- Confirm sizes: many 992 Carrera S cars run 245/35ZR20 front and 305/30ZR21 rear. Some aftermarket sets use 20 inch rears. Match your wheels.
- Look for Porsche N-spec markings if you want OEM-matched behavior. Helpful, not required.
- Set cold tire pressure near 32 psi front and 36 psi rear for street use. Adjust for load and feel. Use the door label as your baseline.
- For track days, start slightly lower cold, then bleed to about 36 to 38 psi hot. Watch wear and temps.
- Rotation is limited. You cannot rotate front to rear. You can swap left to right only if the tires are non-directional. Keep inside and outside correct.
- Replace around 3 to 4/32 inch tread if you drive in rain. Wide 911 tires hydroplane early as tread wears.
- Avoid all-season tires for spirited summer driving. If you face cold or snow, run a dedicated performance winter set.
- Get a four-wheel alignment after new tires or a hard curb hit. Correct toe and camber prevent rapid wear and keep the car stable.
Sidekick tracks your tire sets, mileage, and reminders for pressure checks, alignments, and replacements so you keep peak grip and lower costs.