Which type of tires should I get? All-season or Summer?

[FatFree]

I live in Seattle and I don't ever drive in the snow. But I still need the tires to handle well in the rain. I've got the stock Primacys on right now and they are pretty crappy. I like the stock wheels so I'm not planning on changing those. I don't want to spend more than $150 per tire not including all the other little costs. I'm leaning towards getting a max performance summer tire but I would like to hear some suggestions. Will summer tires still handle well in decent amounts of rain? Is the main purpose of all-season tires just to allow driving in light snow? Thanks for the help!

[mwjcyber]

Max summer tires typically have great wet handling. All seasons excel in cold weather, whereas summers will be slick when the tire is cold, less than 50°F. In Seattle you should be good with max summer tires year round, except when it snows.

[FatFree]

I tried searching the forum to answer my question and I had no luck. But as soon as I made this post the forum directed me to similar posts and it pretty much answered my question about which tire to choose.

From December through February the temperature in Seattle ranges from about 30degrees F to the high 50s. So summer tires will do fine in wet conditions but they won't do so well in colder conditions right? If so, will I be ok to drive in the December through February conditions with summer tires? Is it pretty much pointless to get all-season tires if I'm not going to be driving in light snow?

[Doctor Who]

I have continental extreme contact DW (dry and wet) and I love em.

[FatFree]

Yeah I've been looking at those. I'm also looking at the Michelin Super Sports. They are reviewed very well but cost a bit more than the Continentals.

[mwjcyber]

I have the new Michelin Pilot Sport A/S 3s, and they are phenomenal. They are very predictable, consistent and have exceptional dry and wet grip. In Albuquerque most winter mornings are below freezing, and we typically get a half dozen snow storms a year. My stock primacy tires were terrible in light snow, whereas the new Pilot Sport all season tires plowed through similar snow. Pretty much there are lots of summer tire choices but if looking all season tires, the Pilot Sport A/S 3s out perform all others. Search these forums for them, and check out tire track for their ratings and reviews.

[Suberman]

There's no such thing as the all purpose tire.

However, having driven my SAAB Aero in an early snowstorm with its new set of Michelin Pilot Sport A/S Plus tires I can endorse these tires as magic, pure magic.

However, Michelin just released a new version: the Pilot Sport A/S 3.

These appear to be the perfect summer tire for this car if you have to drive in any cold weather.

Google Michelin Pilot Sport A/S3 and decide if that's the tire for you. If it isn't then get summer tires.

[FatFree]

Ok, I see what my options are now. I'm going to think about it for a while. I have no real need to switch up my tires right now but I would like to upgrade them. I'm leaning towards the Michelin Pilot Super Sports. But the Pilot Sport A/S 3s do seem to fit my situation.

[Nevermore]

I've been looking at tires a lot recently and still can't decide which ones I like, though I'm not in a rush since I won't be buying new wheels anytime soon, but still need some research. I really like the look of the Pilot Sport A/S3 and so far they're the best I've seen for what I want. I wanted the Super Sport, but the lower life and tread wear make me hesitate to drop that kind of money on something that wears out. I've looked at a couple of the Hankooks which are much cheaper than any of the Michelins.

[NLSP]

I live in Vancouver, BC, so I pretty much have the same weather as you. If you do any performance/spirited driving, I don't think you'll be that be that happy with all-seasons. I love the Michelin Pilot Super Sports; grip is great in the rain. I used them on my Subaru Legacy last summer and they'll be mounted on my FR-S once the weather warms up. I'm currently on Michelin X-Ice Xi3 until then.

[OICU812]

One thing I can vouch for with Michelins A/S is they're incredible in rain. Given OP is in Seattle be a fine choice really.

[reeves]

If you really want the Pilot A/S 3, see if you can find a local tire shop who'll order the V-rated version for you. They're $30-40 cheaper per tire than the W-rated version. The tread pattern, traction rating, & treadlife are all the same.. the only difference is the cheaper A/S 3 has a lower speed rating.

For comparison, here's the Speed Rating & current TireRack price for the V & W in the OEM 215/45/17 size..

V: 149mph max speed, $123
W: 168mph max speed, $163

Since I never plan to drive faster than 149mph, I got the V-rated version of the A/S 3.

[FatFree]

Yeah I'm still kinda split between the pilot super sports and the as3s. I really don't do that much spirited driving but I definitely do from time to time.

The only concern I really have with summer tires is the ability to be safe in temps below 40degrees because we do get a bit of that here in Seattle. If it were to snow even just a couple inches I probably wouldn't risk driving my baby, even with all seasons, out of fear of getting hit by someone else. Lots of bad drivers in Seattle especially when it snows.

So the temperature thing is really all that concerns me. But I've been driving with the stock tires in sub 30degree weather for the past few days and it hasn't seemed too bad. The ride does seem a little more harsh though...


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[OICU812]

Originally Posted by FatFree

Yeah I'm still kinda split between the pilot super sports and the as3s. I really don't do that much spirited driving but I definitely do from time to time.

The only concern I really have with summer tires is the ability to be safe in temps below 40degrees because we do get a bit of that here in Seattle. If it were to snow even just a couple inches I probably wouldn't risk driving my baby, even with all seasons, out of fear of getting hit by someone else. Lots of bad drivers in Seattle especially when it snows.

So the temperature thing is really all that concerns me. But I've been driving with the stock tires in sub 30degree weather for the past few days and it hasn't seemed too bad. The ride does seem a little more harsh though...


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Based on this the as/3 would be best choice for you. They're also Aysmetrical to which is good for rotating and life span.