JHZR2
Staff member
Hello,
First and foremost, Im not talking about some supercar used on the track, Im not talking a Ferrari, Corvette, or even an M3 or RS4. Im talking your garden variety A4, 335i, Saab 9-3, v6 altima, GTI, whatever...
Compared to a decent all-season; and lets quantify that to say an H or V-speed rated tire in 16 or 17" sizes, and all with AA traction, A temperature rating, what does it buy you?
Seems to me that it costs more to acquire, gives more noise and lower treadlife for starters, compared to an 'equivalent' quality AS tire. But what else? Does it improve:
-Fuel economy/rolling resistance? (i.e. less RR/better FE)
-Sidewall stiffness for the same speed/load rating?
-Dry handling?
-Wet traction?
-Road noise? (i.e. less)
-Dry weather traction from hard acceleration, etc.?
Anything else?
Other than what seems to be marginally better traction and roadholding in dry conditions, what do I get? What practical benefit do I get using a summer only tire in the nicer months? Something like superior wet-weather roadholding would be an acceptable answer, as it quantifies a practical benefit. Im just trying to get a grasp of benefit for cars that are capable and relatively powerful, but not really purpose-specific sports cars which would be designed to eek out every advantage they could.
I do run snow tires on all my cars in the winter, FWIW. So, for me, having summer and winter tires is an option vice A/S and winter tires, which is what we run now. But I need to see if there is a benefit to justify the cost, and I want to know as a rule what Im giving up and what Im obtaining switching to that style a tire.
Thanks in advance for any insight!
JMH
First and foremost, Im not talking about some supercar used on the track, Im not talking a Ferrari, Corvette, or even an M3 or RS4. Im talking your garden variety A4, 335i, Saab 9-3, v6 altima, GTI, whatever...
Compared to a decent all-season; and lets quantify that to say an H or V-speed rated tire in 16 or 17" sizes, and all with AA traction, A temperature rating, what does it buy you?
Seems to me that it costs more to acquire, gives more noise and lower treadlife for starters, compared to an 'equivalent' quality AS tire. But what else? Does it improve:
-Fuel economy/rolling resistance? (i.e. less RR/better FE)
-Sidewall stiffness for the same speed/load rating?
-Dry handling?
-Wet traction?
-Road noise? (i.e. less)
-Dry weather traction from hard acceleration, etc.?
Anything else?
Other than what seems to be marginally better traction and roadholding in dry conditions, what do I get? What practical benefit do I get using a summer only tire in the nicer months? Something like superior wet-weather roadholding would be an acceptable answer, as it quantifies a practical benefit. Im just trying to get a grasp of benefit for cars that are capable and relatively powerful, but not really purpose-specific sports cars which would be designed to eek out every advantage they could.
I do run snow tires on all my cars in the winter, FWIW. So, for me, having summer and winter tires is an option vice A/S and winter tires, which is what we run now. But I need to see if there is a benefit to justify the cost, and I want to know as a rule what Im giving up and what Im obtaining switching to that style a tire.
Thanks in advance for any insight!
JMH
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