Anyone running Nitto NT05's in sizes 245/40-18 front & 295/40-18 rear? My wheels are 18x9/18x10. Just wondering how the 245's will look on a 9" wheel. My current tires are NT555 in 255/45-18 & 295/45-18. I want something stickier. My other tire choice is the Falken RT-615K and it's available in 245/40-18 & 255/40-18 along with 295/40-18. I prefer the NT05 but it sucks that it's not available in 255/40 or even 45. Thoughts?

 

I'm running the Falken's, they stick when warmed up. I was actually surprised that when warmed up they hold all the way through 3rd while putting down over 900 to the rear wheels... 1st and 2nd not so much, but I just short shift through those. Have no experience with the NT05s.

 

What size tires are you running? How are the Falkens in the rain?

 

295/40R18's rear, 255/40R18's front. I try not to drive in the rain due to my cold air intakes being low to the ground just inside the wheels. I don't think I'd trust them in the rain for much grip simply because there is so much contact, they are almost slicks, but I have driven them is the rain on the highway, probably halfway from LA to the bay area when the rain let up. A little bigger view of the tires/wheels.

 

The 40 aspect ratio looks good. Makes my decision to drop down from a 45 easier. Plus it'll restore my gear ratio not having such a tall tire. Anyway, I read more reviews of the RT-615K and most people say it does poorly in the rain but some say they're ok. On the other hand, the NT05 users were surprised how well the Nittos did in wet conditions because of the two huge grooves that channel water. I think I'll try the NT05s.

 

I run 275/40/18's rear & 255/40/18 front and like the gear help a lot since I have the 2.73:1 gear. Mine are Yokohama, wide tire's will hydro-plane, ask me how I know.

 

If RT615K's are anything like their earlier non-K version, they will be better in the wet than their tread pattern and tread block size suggests . . . at least for speeds under about 60 mph (I used to autocross on the 615's, and they were surprisingly good on wet days). However, they will heat-cycle out before they wear out, meaning that you'll gradually lose the nice extra dry grip that they have initially.

OP - if you need good wet weather behavior and can get past availability and budgetary hurdles you might want to consider the Michelin PSS.


The right wide tires don't have to hydroplane under most circumstances, including up to nearly an inch or so of water depth. Think WOT in 3rd, leading throttle on corner exit, and 110+ down the main straight at the end of the video when I could actually see the whole straight (around 11:00 you'll see how that managed to happen, but watch a couple of the early laps first). Just for you, Al, 285/35-18 MPSS all around absolutely do beat the OE 235/50 KDWS, at any wet driving speed, and are more than likely better than whatever Ford has provided in 18" GT sizes since.




Norm

 

Too bad the Michelin PSS doesn't come in 295/40R18. Nitto is coming out with the NT555 G2 in November and I would love to try those but I need tires now.

http://www.steeda.com/blog/2015/09/s...ting-nt555-g2/