Lightest 18 inch tire - Toyota GR86, 86, FR-S and Subaru BRZ Forum & Owners Community

ysr50guy · 07-26-2013, 04:35 PM

Does anyone know what's the lightest 18in tire? Preferably a 245/35 since it seems to be the one most commonly use. I've also noticed alot of people are concern about getting the lightest wheels possible but dont seem to care about the weight of the tire. Why is that?

brianlo622 · 07-26-2013, 04:43 PM

In general stickier compounds are usually heavier.

Also, tires are a wear and tear item, wheels, not so much.

With that said, if you are looking for a good street summer tire, I find the Continental Extreme Contact DWs to be one of the lighter ones. These are by no means auto-X competition tires though but receives good reviews, especially on wet traction.

qoncept · 07-26-2013, 04:52 PM

I don't remember ever seeing so many people worry about the weight of tires. Yes, a heavy tire impacts performance, but the compound is WAY more important. If you want the best performance, find the stickiest tire, not the lightest.

The importance of wheel weight for a daily driver has been way overblown, too. If you aren't tracking your car and actually competitive there is no reason to go crazy with wheel weights. At 20lbs our's are horrible compared to other stock wheels, so you probably aren't going to do any worse.

miodculae · 07-26-2013, 06:35 PM

As mentioned, the Conti Ex DW or DWS are both light-weight, offer great wet traction, and high UTQG (strong wear resistance).

ysr50guy · 07-26-2013, 10:54 PM

I appreciate the replies, having a grippier tire makes more sense than having a lighter tire. Anyone else have more tire suggestions?

Miniata · 07-26-2013, 11:00 PM

The Continental DW's seem to be in the sweet spot for light weight, grip, and price. Planning to put them on a couple of my cars when they are due for new tires in the coming months.

horrorbiz · 07-27-2013, 01:22 AM

I have the Continental Extreme DW's. I bought them because they got solid reviews and were still light. I've been happy with my choice so far. Mine are 224/40-18 and only weigh 22lbs, for reference The 245/40-17 Dunlop Direzza Zii's on my WRX weigh 26lbs.

bkblitzed · 07-27-2013, 01:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ysr50guy

Does anyone know what's the lightest 18in tire? Preferably a 245/35 since it seems to be the one most commonly use. I've also noticed alot of people are concern about getting the lightest wheels possible but dont seem to care about the weight of the tire. Why is that?

like others have said, worry more on compound than anything else for tires. Also people worry more about the wheel just because the wheel would be more permanent than a wear and tear item such as tires.

FR-S Matt · 07-27-2013, 01:46 AM

I love my Continental ExtremeContact DW's, 245/35/18. Awesome tread, not loud road noise, and amazing wet traction as well. Handling is also really great. Overall a fantastic tire that doesn't break the bank like the Pilot Super Sports.

Joakim3 · 07-27-2013, 11:39 AM

Like everyone else said, definitely go with the Conit DWS. We have them on or 9-5 Aero and Viggen, kick ass tire... definitely saved my rear end in the rain on more then one occasion

Suberman · 07-27-2013, 11:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Joakim3

Like everyone else said, definitely go with the Conit DWS. We have them on or 9-5 Aero and Viggen, kick ass tire... definitely saved my rear end in the rain on more then one occasion

DWS is the all season version, great tire but it is the DW that is the summer only version.

07-26-2013, 04:35 PM	#1
ysr50guy Member Join Date: May 2012 Drives: brz Location: CA Posts: 66 Thanks: 41 Thanked 31 Times in 12 Posts Mentioned: 4 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	Lightest 18 inch tire Does anyone know what's the lightest 18in tire? Preferably a 245/35 since it seems to be the one most commonly use. I've also noticed alot of people are concern about getting the lightest wheels possible but dont seem to care about the weight of the tire. Why is that?

07-26-2013, 04:43 PM	#2
brianlo622 Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2012 Drives: 2013 FR-S, raven Location: East Bay, California Posts: 421 Thanks: 261 Thanked 204 Times in 123 Posts Mentioned: 20 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	In general stickier compounds are usually heavier. Also, tires are a wear and tear item, wheels, not so much. With that said, if you are looking for a good street summer tire, I find the Continental Extreme Contact DWs to be one of the lighter ones. These are by no means auto-X competition tires though but receives good reviews, especially on wet traction. __________________ 悪魔のハチロク 2013 Scion FR-S, Raven Current Mods: TRD Full Body Kit \| TRD JDM Exhaust \| SQ Audio by Simplicity in Sound Stance Coilovers & LCA \| TE37SL18x9.5PressedGraphite

07-26-2013, 11:00 PM	#6
Miniata Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2012 Drives: 13 BRZ - 90 Miata - 07 FXT -05 Mini Location: Ohio Posts: 546 Thanks: 6 Thanked 142 Times in 105 Posts Mentioned: 2 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	The Continental DW's seem to be in the sweet spot for light weight, grip, and price. Planning to put them on a couple of my cars when they are due for new tires in the coming months. __________________ 17x7 Kosei K1-TS w/ 215/45-17 Dunlop Star Specs Nameless Track Pipe - Strano front sway bar

07-27-2013, 11:39 AM	#10
Joakim3 Senior Member Join Date: May 2013 Drives: 04' Saab 9-5 Aero Location: Elkridge, MD Posts: 602 Thanks: 7 Thanked 199 Times in 136 Posts Mentioned: 3 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	Like everyone else said, definitely go with the Conit DWS. We have them on or 9-5 Aero and Viggen, kick ass tire... definitely saved my rear end in the rain on more then one occasion __________________ _____________________ You know what they say... pick two: cheap, fast, reliable.

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07-26-2013, 06:35 PM	#4
miodculae FRS Adept Join Date: Jun 2012 Drives: Firestorm FRS Location: NYC Posts: 171 Thanks: 45 Thanked 32 Times in 22 Posts Mentioned: 1 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	As mentioned, the Conti Ex DW or DWS are both light-weight, offer great wet traction, and high UTQG (strong wear resistance).

07-26-2013, 10:54 PM	#5
ysr50guy Member Join Date: May 2012 Drives: brz Location: CA Posts: 66 Thanks: 41 Thanked 31 Times in 12 Posts Mentioned: 4 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	I appreciate the replies, having a grippier tire makes more sense than having a lighter tire. Anyone else have more tire suggestions?

07-27-2013, 01:22 AM	#7
horrorbiz Senior Member Join Date: May 2013 Drives: ‘22 BRZ Limited Location: CT, USA Posts: 174 Thanks: 109 Thanked 66 Times in 42 Posts Mentioned: 2 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	I have the Continental Extreme DW's. I bought them because they got solid reviews and were still light. I've been happy with my choice so far. Mine are 224/40-18 and only weigh 22lbs, for reference The 245/40-17 Dunlop Direzza Zii's on my WRX weigh 26lbs.

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