summer vs. all season tires for no snow

[John Clay]

My 540 badly needs new rubber. I've already got a set of winters on the 328, so no need for snow duties for the 540 (unless the 328 breaks, or there's a bad forecast). I've liked my Conti Extreme Contact DWS all-season tires I got for the 328, but they didn't give me enough snow grip in the rear wheel drive car to make it through much snow so I got some winters a couple of years back. I have had bad luck on the Conti's though - one pothole killed both a tire and a wheel, plus another wheel developed a leak. Obviously nothing to do with the tire though. I had a set of RA-1's rotting in the basement, so I stuck them on until winter to procrastinate on finding a replacement wheel.

I was looking at the same tires for the 540, but maybe I should get the non-all season Conti Extreme DW since I shouldn't need tires for snow duty (in the near future). Comments or other recommendations?

[BeerBurner]

For whatever it's worth, I run Dunlop summer tires year-round on the 944 without any issues (so long as there isn't snow). I have read on a lot of forums about how the tires will immediately turn in to hockey pucks at 46*F and I will slide in to the nearest tree but I have never had any problems. I just take it easy for the first couple miles until they warm up and get on with life.

However, I don't play racecar on the street so there may be something I'm missing but I have still been able to avoid the people who are trying to hit me. ;)

BB.

[markwemple]

There are some good aggressive all seasons. My michelin pilots do suck in the cold but it is more like the freezing point than 46. If you plan on using snows buy what you like but I'd do some research on the current all seasons. There are some very good ones out, now. FWIW I have no brand preference but the temp issue is real, so I'd default towards the a/s.

[Patrick3000]

For whatever it's worth, I run Dunlop summer tires year-round on the 944 without any issues (so long as there isn't snow). I have read on a lot of forums about how the tires will immediately turn in to hockey pucks at 46*F and I will slide in to the nearest tree but I have never had any problems. I just take it easy for the first couple miles until they warm up and get on with life.

However, I don't play racecar on the street so there may be something I'm missing but I have still been able to avoid the people who are trying to hit me. ;)

BB.

x2

Used summer tires year-round (RE050's) on the 44 S2 without any issues just let em warm up.

[RedOctober]

Summers on my DD G8 GT as well. Traction control cuts in a lot when they are cold from a stop if you hit it a little too hard, but no other problems whatsoever. Every year I stare at Tire Rack in DEC wondering if I should pull the trigger on a set for winter.....by the time I procrastinate some more, it is JAN and I decide spring is right around the corner. I guess that comes with being cheap :lol:

[BeerBurner]

I don't doubt that there is some loss of traction at cold temperatures but I do believe that, in general, the risks are overstated in areas like here where the temperatures are more moderate. Yes, I may have only XY% of my potential grip but the car still performs really well with that XY% so, in practice, it just isn't a problem. Just keep your eyes up and use that soft, squishy organ between your ears and things should be ok... just don't expect it to perform like you are on the track! :D

Besides, if you have another car with snow tires then just use that when it gets really ugly. If you're worried about it being broken down when you need it then it may be worth considering all-seasons but I don't think it is a real issue otherwise.

That said, I'd be more wary of the extreme performance summer tires in the cold versus your typical summer tire, but whatever. ;)

Edit: Anyway, I'm not really saying that you should get summer tires since you'll be the one driving it and not me. I just haven't had a problem doing running them year-round.

BB.

[magnetic1]

Remember it isnt just snow. COLD rain can be very bad for traction as well... but you have gone to the track and run on cold Rcomps before right? Should be able to drive around the loss of traction, unless it is wet out. That could end up bad.

[smdubovsky]

Meh. I still have the michelin PS2s on the tt (haven't had time to put the snows on yet). Its FINE in cold rain (well, no worse than warm rain.) Days below freezing they are a little slick but Im sure they still have more total grip than the soccer moms minivans w/ all-season brick hard infinitreads I have to dodge. Same grip as summer? No. But far from zero traction too. I didn't feel like I was going to die or anything this last wk w/ the snow and wet rain.

Many of the ultra high-perf all seasons have the same rubber compound as the dry summer. They're just siped for rain. So they'll have less traction when cold too.

IMO, if you have snows and don't drive crazy in the rain (hot or cold) get summers.

[BlackTalon]

^^ Besides, I thought PCA CR just mandated the use of the Michelin Sport Cups!

[John Clay]

In true internet style, I asked a question and did the opposite of what everyone suggested. I'm going to have Behe mount/balance and do an aligment, so I asked him....his opinion was to get the all seasons.

Remember - this is my giant luxury mobile, not a PCA race car.

[Potomac-Greg]

You also have to consider that if you are using all-seasons rather than summer tires on a 55 degree January day like today, you are actually giving up the grip advantage that summer tires provide. Given that we have about 5 days of snow, and you may be able to avoid driving those days (depending on your situation), winter tires are not essential.

I have winter tires on my 135i, but that's because it's my every day car, and I may just need to drive it in the snow.

[markwemple]

Meh. I still have the michelin PS2s on the tt (haven't had time to put the snows on yet). Its FINE in cold rain (well, no worse than warm rain.) Days below freezing they are a little slick but Im sure they still have more total grip than the soccer moms minivans w/ all-season brick hard infinitreads I have to dodge. Same grip as summer? No. But far from zero traction too. I didn't feel like I was going to die or anything this last wk w/ the snow and wet rain.

Many of the ultra high-perf all seasons have the same rubber compound as the dry summer. They're just siped for rain. So they'll have less traction when cold too.

IMO, if you have snows and don't drive crazy in the rain (hot or cold) get summers.

Not sure. I waited almost too long last winter. It was about 30 degrees when I decided to take a corner into my neighborhood, and needless to say it felt almost like ice, not black ice but ice. Very little moisture on the ground. Almost as bad as RA1s. They seem to have a bit of a steep drop off point, atleast my pilots.

[smdubovsky]

Meh. I've seen -9C this year and they don't feel too bad. I've also raced my old SE30 on RA1s at (sub)freezing temps & snow (the old VIR Feb enduro.) Meh.

[BlackTalon]

Not sure. I waited almost too long last winter. It was about 30 degrees when I decided to take a corner into my neighborhood, and needless to say it felt almost like ice, not black ice but ice. Very little moisture on the ground. Almost as bad as RA1s. They seem to have a bit of a steep drop off point, atleast my pilots.So you are saying the car went into a slide? Need more info on your data point, such as how much you were pushing it, how hard you turned in, did you hit the gas? etc.

And are you saying ice has more grip then 'black ice'? I'm a little lost on that one.

Just trying to pull out of this what you specifically mean.