Thoughts on tires? A great all-season or a great summer tire?

[PandaSPUR]

Originally Posted by JazzleSAURUS

The DWS is one of the better all season tires out there.

Don't run summer tires in the winter, they aren't meant for that. Also, in the area that you are, you will benefit hugely from proper winters.

If you're getting new wheels and tires anyway, buy some cheap, summers with your wheels like V12's, and buy some winter tires for your stock wheels this fall. General Altimax Arctics are amazing tires, and very cost effective.

So I know its not the safest route to use all-seasons year round, but right now my reasons are:

1. I dont have a driveway/garage where I can easily swap my tires
2. Temps in NYC are annoying. Just this week we've approached the 40s and summer tires lose traction at <40-45F
3. I would never choose to drive in a blizzard, snow storm, or unplowed roads anyway.
4. I don't drive much in general. (5500 miles in 1.5yrs)

Hence I want to stick with all-seasons. If I were to seriously track my car, then I'd reconsider having summers for sure. But for the random fun drive, I dont think having all-seasons in the summer would bother me.

[buruguduy]

Originally Posted by xFury

So for someone that lives in Vegas, its better to get a Summer Tire than All Season?

From Vegas here sir, I am running the BFG G-Force Comp-2 A/S (UHP). It has been great so far.

[JazzleSAURUS]

Originally Posted by PandaSPUR

So I know its not the safest route to use all-seasons year round, but right now my reasons are:

1. I dont have a driveway/garage where I can easily swap my tires
2. Temps in NYC are annoying. Just this week we've approached the 40s and summer tires lose traction at <40-45F
3. I would never choose to drive in a blizzard, snow storm, or unplowed roads anyway.
4. I don't drive much in general. (5500 miles in 1.5yrs)

Hence I want to stick with all-seasons. If I were to seriously track my car, then I'd reconsider having summers for sure. But for the random fun drive, I dont think having all-seasons in the summer would bother me.

Then my honest suggestion is to trade your car in for a basic commuter car. The most important part of the car is the tires. It's what allows you to be in contact with the road. If you lose that, you're losing the vast majority of the feel that a good summer will provide you with. If your 86 is a fashion piece then I suppose that's fine.

I run RE71R's in the summer on my Forester XT, if they are exposed to near freezing temps they are ruined, simple as that. I just run my winters a bit longer, problem solved.

If storage of the wheels and tires isn't a major problem, I still think that having two sets is the better choice. (I will always advocate for winters and summers for anyone who drives up North.)

The city slush is terrible, and honestly where a winter tire will make a massive difference as well.

[PandaSPUR]

Originally Posted by JazzleSAURUS

Then my honest suggestion is to trade your car in for a basic commuter car. The most important part of the car is the tires. It's what allows you to be in contact with the road. If you lose that, you're losing the vast majority of the feel that a good summer will provide you with. If your 86 is a fashion piece then I suppose that's fine.

I run RE71R's in the summer on my Forester XT, if they are exposed to near freezing temps they are ruined, simple as that. I just run my winters a bit longer, problem solved.

If storage of the wheels and tires isn't a major problem, I still think that having two sets is the better choice. (I will always advocate for winters and summers for anyone who drives up North.)

The city slush is terrible, and honestly where a winter tire will make a massive difference as well.

I agree with how important tires are, but I feel like you're over exaggerating the difference between a summer and all-season tire for just spirited/fun daily driving. I mean, I've driven the stock summers in temps as low as 10-20F before and I still enjoyed the car. I just had to be more cautions about turns at speed and aware of my longer braking distance.

Getting a commuter car would be pointless for me, I own a car because I like cars, not because I need one to get around.

EDIT: Of course if the difference really is that huge, I'd reconsider. Really wish I just had my own garage or driveway -.-

[JazzleSAURUS]

Originally Posted by PandaSPUR

I agree with how important tires are, but I feel like you're over exaggerating the difference between a summer and all-season tire for just spirited/fun daily driving. I mean, I've driven the stock summers in temps as low as 10-20F before and I still enjoyed the car. I just had to be more cautions about turns at speed and aware of my longer braking distance.

Getting a commuter car would be pointless for me, I own a car because I like cars, not because I need one to get around.

EDIT: Of course if the difference really is that huge, I'd reconsider. Really wish I just had my own garage or driveway -.-

My experience has shown me that the best all seasons, (DWS,) are bested by basic summers like V12's substantially, and stepping into the next rung or two up like S-04's/PSS is as big of a jump from all seasons.

If they work for you then more power to you, but I don't want you to miss out on a proper tire. It seems as though the decision has already been made, but if you look at any of the online independent testing it mimics my experience with tires.

[turtlefeeder]

feel like summer tire would always do the trick. if you're in sever weather just drive safely, when the suns out you can do more spirited driving.

I mean even with all weather or summer tire I wouldn't drive crazy in bad weather

[PandaSPUR]

Originally Posted by JazzleSAURUS

My experience has shown me that the best all seasons, (DWS,) are bested by basic summers like V12's substantially, and stepping into the next rung or two up like S-04's/PSS is as big of a jump from all seasons.

If they work for you then more power to you, but I don't want you to miss out on a proper tire. It seems as though the decision has already been made, but if you look at any of the online independent testing it mimics my experience with tires.

Oh yea I have no doubt that summers are better than all seasons in the right conditions. I know grip will suffer (and thus I'll have slightly worse acceleration and longer braking distance as well) but as long as the car still feels fun to me, thats what matters. Fun and relatively safe lol.

Originally Posted by turtlefeeder

feel like summer tire would always do the trick. if you're in sever weather just drive safely, when the suns out you can do more spirited driving.

I mean even with all weather or summer tire I wouldn't drive crazy in bad weather

Yea I'm tempted to just do that again since I've been through two winters with summer tires only. Just had to drive real carefully but its just too risky IMO to not have at least all-seasons. Plus my new wheels will be wider than stock, making them even worse in snow.

[Scenic Driver]

Originally Posted by PandaSPUR

Oh yea I have no doubt that summers are better than all seasons in the right conditions. I know grip will suffer (and thus I'll have slightly worse acceleration and longer braking distance as well) but as long as the car still feels fun to me, thats what matters. Fun and relatively safe lol.

HPDE with all season tires, I had fun, do what works best for you (except for using all seasons in snow).

[ame="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eoDn0jiNK3s"]AudiFest at Mid-Ohio 2015 - YouTube[/ame]

[OUGrad05]

Originally Posted by justatroll

For OK weather (rarely has snow actually collect on roads) I would go with an All-Season tire and be comfortable.


My favorite AS tire is the Goodyear Assurance Triple-tread.
I just put a set on my daughters car a couple months ago and yesterday mounted 4 to my Wife's Passat.

OK weather isn't much of a factor because I have a different DD. Driving in sub freezing temps though is common here. Which can play havoc on summer tire compounds...

Originally Posted by PandaSPUR

I was going through this same thought myself... getting new wheels in the next month or so.

Right now I'm pretty set on all-seasons since I only drive my car on the weekends. 5500 miles after 1.5 years so far.

Planning to get Continental Extreme Contact DWS, but now I'm worried that no ones mentioned them in this thread D: Any opinions?

I'm in NYC so I've driven the car in some snow before, but always plowed roads (except once... 3" unplowed... that was scary). But again, I never need to drive the car so if its snowing badly I just dont go out. I want all-seasons mainly so I don't need to keep swapping, and theyre better for the lower temps I experience even without snow (right?).

The DWS is a great all season, I owned it for awhile on a mazdaspeed3, the tire sidewall is way too soft. The DWS06 or whatever the new version is, supposedly has a much stiffer sidewall. In NY it may be worth checking those out.

[justatroll]

Originally Posted by OUGrad05

OK weather isn't much of a factor because I have a different DD. Driving in sub freezing temps though is common here. Which can play havoc on summer tire compounds....

I know about the weather, I am also a Sooner, class of 93.
That is why I suggested that you could survive on good all seasons.

[OUGrad05]

Originally Posted by justatroll

I know about the weather, I am also a Sooner, class of 93.
That is why I suggested that you could survive on good all seasons.

Well i hope this sooner joins you soon in CO

[Dadhawk]

After 60,000 miles on the Primacy tires I changed out for Bridgestone Ecopia EP422 Plus all-seasons which now have about 20,000 miles on them and have been very happy with the change. They are a bit "grippier" and do not squeal as much in non-aggressive corners but are still willing to break loose with a little pressure. What I have not had happen with them that happened with the Primacy is the slippery when wet syndrome I saw previously.

The best part is my gas mileage has actually gone up with them (marginally). I really expected it to go down.

[dalli]

Originally Posted by PandaSPUR

So I know its not the safest route to use all-seasons year round, but right now my reasons are:

1. I dont have a driveway/garage where I can easily swap my tires
2. Temps in NYC are annoying. Just this week we've approached the 40s and summer tires lose traction at <40-45F
3. I would never choose to drive in a blizzard, snow storm, or unplowed roads anyway.
4. I don't drive much in general. (5500 miles in 1.5yrs)

Hence I want to stick with all-seasons. If I were to seriously track my car, then I'd reconsider having summers for sure. But for the random fun drive, I dont think having all-seasons in the summer would bother me.

I drove upstate NY with brz on stock prius tires for winter(got my car in winter)

I seen temps around -10 degrees F at times and I had no problems with the Michelin tires.

snow on the ground? no problem,


also for a short review of the new tires i had put on a while ago(2.5 years ago). The AS3 all season tires square setup 18 inchs 235mm width.

Snow is same as stock, big difference in 0 degree weather where i can spin less tires on dry pavement.

I feel the grip a lot in the summer/spring/fall. To be honest, get winter tires for Snow. As3 disappointed me.


Wet roads and extremely heavy rains(about 5~10% visibility with vipers on full). They feel the same, stock and AS3 can speed through the water without killing you.

I have about 19k miles on AS3(rear tire got nail but patched @ around 16k miles in)


will be putting back on stock wheel but the stock tires from FRS( All season turanza from bridgestone)..lets see how it compares


edit: drove on average 5 to 6 hours in 3 different snow storms on stock tires(michelin)

[PandaSPUR]

Originally Posted by dalli

I drove upstate NY with brz on stock prius tires for winter(got my car in winter)

I seen temps around -10 degrees F at times and I had no problems with the Michelin tires.

snow on the ground? no problem,


also for a short review of the new tires i had put on a while ago(2.5 years ago). The AS3 all season tires square setup 18 inchs 235mm width.

Snow is same as stock, big difference in 0 degree weather where i can spin less tires on dry pavement.

I feel the grip a lot in the summer/spring/fall. To be honest, get winter tires for Snow. As3 disappointed me.


Wet roads and extremely heavy rains(about 5~10% visibility with vipers on full). They feel the same, stock and AS3 can speed through the water without killing you.

I have about 19k miles on AS3(rear tire got nail but patched @ around 16k miles in)


will be putting back on stock wheel but the stock tires from FRS( All season turanza from bridgestone)..lets see how it compares


edit: drove on average 5 to 6 hours in 3 different snow storms on stock tires(michelin)

Thanks for the info, it actually makes me more confident going with all seasons. I avoid driving entirely when it snows, unless its just a flurry. The cold temps concern me more. I'm in Manhattan so the roads get plowed pretty quickly once a storm ends. Wouldn't dream of trying to drive in an actual storm though. Too many other people on the road, even the slightest slide could end real badly.