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From Tire Rack (which it seems the information is pulled directly from manufacturer's sites). You are basically rolling the dice exposing the Michelins or Continentals to sub freezing temperatures. Interesting that the Bridgestones don't have similar warning.
From Tire Rack (which it seems the information is pulled directly from manufacturer's sites). You are basically rolling the dice exposing the Michelins or Continentals to sub freezing temperatures. Interesting that the Bridgestones don't have similar warning.
I don't think the stock tires are a true summer tire like they say. Or maybe not in the same performance category.
For what it's worth, I spent 2 winters on Pilot Super Sports in my Corvette. No cracked tires. With a good bit more torque than the IS as well, I just drove gently and I was fine. My commute is short, though, and mostly 45 mph or less. It was kinda funny being able to spin the tires in 4th gear just barely touching the throttle though I did put some AS3+ tires on it eventually to be safer in the winter since it was my DD.
If the Bridgestone's aren't truly a summer tire then maybe I should put on the PS4S for summer fun and keep the Bridgestone's for the occasional winter use on dry roads instead of tossing them away. I think I stil have some tread left. LOL.
I don't think the stock tires are a true summer tire like they say. Or maybe not in the same performance category.
For what it's worth, I spent 2 winters on Pilot Super Sports in my Corvette. No cracked tires. With a good bit more torque than the IS as well, I just drove gently and I was fine. My commute is short, though, and mostly 45 mph or less. It was kinda funny being able to spin the tires in 4th gear just barely touching the throttle though I did put some AS3+ tires on it eventually to be safer in the winter since it was my DD.
I would strongly advise against driving on the OE Bridgestones in winter, especially in snow or below freezing.
I would strongly advise against driving on the OE Bridgestones in winter, especially in snow or below freezing.
I drove below freezing many times, they were fine. Not in snow or ice, just cold mornings that didn't stay cold for long. Made it through 2 1/2 winters! The worst moment I had with these tires was actually in the wet, not in below freezing. If the inside tire wear didn't hit me I would still have them on my car because I hate wasting certain things no matter how bad lol
I drove below freezing many times, they were fine. Not in snow or ice, just cold mornings that didn't stay cold for long. Made it through 2 1/2 winters! The worst moment I had with these tires was actually in the wet, not in below freezing. If the inside tire wear didn't hit me I would still have them on my car because I hate wasting certain things no matter how bad lol
Oh, I believe you. As a matter of fact, I drove on mine once when it was 36 degrees F, when I was still at my apartment and parking outside. They did fine. However, they were noticeably less grippy in the cold than the warm, and also, this was very early in the morning on a Saturday with very little traffic. If they're advertised as summer tires, I do not like the idea of treating them like they're all-seasons.
Like I said, I think the Pilot Sport 4S I had on my IS 350 felt better in the cold than the Bridgestones, subjectively, and yet, they still had the warning saying not to drive them in temperatures below 40. There was one day I ended up driving them at close to 40, when I was on a mountain run, and there was some melty snow on the ground in the mountains that I was not expecting. Yet, the Michelins did pretty well. There was not a lot of traction, but, driving conservatively, they felt OK. Not great, mind. Just OK. I can imagine being on the Bridgestones would have made that even more sketchy, since they are not as good in the wet.
^^^ Yeah they suck all the time lol but if you're careful the tires will be fine. Traction is very low, but they won't crack and leak or anything.
My Pilot Super Sports were significantly worse than the bridgestones in below freezing temps. I never even had a close call with those thank God. I'm sure my short, flat, mostly slow commute helps. Plus when I leave for work and its freezing cold all the unemployed lazy butts this place is full of aren't awake yet so I mostly get the road to myself
I just passed 10k miles this month. I discovered that the outer threads on my front tire are almost gone, but the rear looks okay (more inner wear). I plan to change all of them anyway, as the stock tire is not good. After reading this thread, it seems that the Pilot Sport 4S summer tire is the best performer, and I want to give it a shot. However, I am debating whether or not to go wider, e.g., 245 front and 275 rear. Could any of you educate me on the pros and cons of going slightly wider?
I had a chance to drive on the Conti ECS02 tires up in the mountains (with @DLPTony and a couple others from the club ).
Well, I have to say, overall they are nice to drive on. Steering response is great, and the ride and noise levels were both respectable. I felt good even after driving for hours. And, they put down the power well out of corners. However, I feel that, near the limit of grip, it felt like the tire got squishy underneath me. Compared to the PS4S, it just seems like the Contis are softer. By the way, I was running 36 front, 37 rear PSI cold. So, just above the manufacturer's recommendation. I might have been able to get a little more grip out of them with less air, but it may have exacerbated the squish that I was feeling. This could also be a function of the tread depth, as the Contis have 10/32" of tread depth compared to most other options in the segment having 9/32". These tires are also new, with only about 1,000 miles on them. Anyway, it also was somewhat damp in areas as well as being in the 50-60 degrees F temperature range, so maybe that also was coloring my perception of their performance. Overall - very good. As sharp as the Michelins? It's a bit hard to say, since I have only driven them on my former IS 350. In that car, I remember installing the tires and thinking it completely transformed the car. Here, it's more of a half-transformation - better than stock, but not by a huge margin. Would I recommend these? Yeah. I think they provide a nice trade-off option for the PS4S. The price advantage and the slightly better comfort make up for the reduction in "sporty" character.
Anybody hear of or tried Goodyear Eagle Exhilarate?
I didn't know they were bought out by the Chinese I get enough cheap Chinese junk from Amazon (so much I stopped using Amazon as much), don't need it on my car.
I read they made a huge investment in the American market with the new P Zero AS Plus 3 tires and it basically has to succeed because something like 95% of every tire they sell is an all season. Also figured they make tires for Formula 1 so they should be good for me lol but those tires are probably made in special European factories. Pirelli and Michelin AS tires are made in Mexico.
So far the reviews I've read put the Pirelli ahead of Michelin for all seasons, but probably because the Michelin is an old tire now. They should have an AS 5 coming out soon since the Pilot Sport 5 has been out for a while. Maybe when my tires are worn I'll get lucky and they new AS 5 will be out.
Thanks for the heads up! Now I'm Mr. Super Indecisive lol
Past decade i've only used Continental Extreme Contact Sport (both original and the 02), I really like that tire. But this time I decided to go a different route. I've read nothing but good things on the Yokohama ADVAN Apex v601 [OEM sizes] for the money [ages ago when I had my 300zx, the now discontinued Yoko S-drives were my go-to on the weekend car].
Given the IS500 is probably the softest car i've ever owned, I rather like the stiffer sidewall feel that the Yoko Apex's provide. So far they're pretty quiet and steering feel is improved. I'll report back on grip after a few 100 miles on them, but i'd imagine they're good in the corners!
What about Yokohama min
What about Yokohama Advin Sport A/S +
I'm really undecided with my 24 due in a few weeks
Anybody hear of or tried Goodyear Eagle Exhilarate?
I had them on my GTI. They're a pretty good all-season tire. I don't think I'd run them now because they're older than most other premium tire options.
Pretty bad to pay for a 500 and need to worry about tires as you leave the showroom floor
If you’re just cruising, the OEMs are perfectly fine. However…if you’re remotely an aggressive driver, they’ll break traction super easily. Those tires suck ***, plain and simple.
Originally Posted by AmbyBomb
You don't. The OEM tires are fine, they're just not great.
I did put some AS3+ tires on it eventually to be safer in the winter since it was my DD.
).
I get enough cheap Chinese junk from Amazon (so much I stopped using Amazon as much), don't need it on my car.
