Summer tires: they're not kidding!

Monkeyleg · 10-31-2009, 06:12 PM

I've got some Goodyear F1 Supercar 255 and 285's on my car. There's an s-shaped entrance ramp to the expressway that's about 1/4 mile, with two moderately sharp turns. I generally stop at the beginning of the ramp, then floor it and go through the two turns as fast as I feel is prudent before slowing to merge with traffic.

Today temps were only in the forties, and I'd only driven a couple of miles to the entrance ramp, so the tires were still cold. I floored it and the rear end fishtailed left and right very vigorously. It startled me. As I went through the turns, I was much more cautious and drove more slowly, not wanting to slide into the concrete barriers.

I guess they were right about these being summer tires.

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Sleeper_08 · 10-31-2009, 06:27 PM

My understanding is that high perfomance summer tires are good down to about 50 F.

Here is the Tire Rack disclaimer for the Goodyear F1 Supercar's - "Eagle F1 Supercar tires are designed to emphasize dry road traction and handling. Like all summer tires, they are not intended to be driven in near-freezing temperatures, through snow or on ice."

I switched my KDW tires out two weeks ago to the Brigestone Blizzak snow tires

howarmat · 10-31-2009, 06:35 PM

most summer tires are 40 and above IMO. I still haev not swapped but will this week. its dangerous and bad for the tires otherwise

Doogie65 · 10-31-2009, 07:12 PM

Hey monkeyleg, where you at in WI?? I am just east of Lake Geneva.

I am running the same tires, but since it is not a DD and does not really see much of our colder weather, not too concerned.

Nuke · 10-31-2009, 07:48 PM

Even though I don't drive my Stang in snow (my SUV is my DD), I still put a set of the Eagle F1 A/S's on since I still take her out in the winter when it's dry. Since I don't do any X-cross or track, I don't feel as if I gave up too much.

It surprises me how selective we are about performance tires for dry weather and those that drive their Stangs in winter seem to shake their heads when they have problems with tires that are deficient in poor conditions. I'm not implying this about the OP, just the forum in general.

Monkeyleg · 11-01-2009, 01:46 AM

I'm in Milwaukee, Doogie65.

The car will be in storage by the 15th of the month. No snow, no salt, and I try not to get caught in the rain (messes up the engine bay).

I've really had to work to get these tires to break loose from the pavement during the summer; they're really sticky for a street tire. That's why I was so surprised today (as was the guy behind me who was honking for me to move).

Nuke · 11-01-2009, 07:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Monkeyleg

...I've really had to work to get these tires to break loose from the pavement during the summer; they're really sticky for a street tire. That's why I was so surprised today (as was the guy behind me who was honking for me to move).

The guy behind you saw a hot Stang and simply wanted you to light 'em up...

jahudso2 · 11-01-2009, 12:46 PM

Grip decreases a lot on m+s tires as well. My stock pirellis were hooking decently during the summer, but now i can spin the tires for 2-3 seconds on the 1-2 shift. I think this is a combination of more power due to the cold air and also less grip.

Norm Peterson · 11-01-2009, 05:14 PM

I'd blame the loss of tire grip for most of it . . .

Norm

mmorningstar · 11-02-2009, 02:19 PM

my dad has those on the GT500 and they are terrible below 50 degrees, I just swapped out my KDW's as well, however I am getting a Civic for a beater later this week, so the snows are up in the classifieds section, after this week the stang no longer sees crappy weather!