all season or summer tires?

[Nooby31]

hey everyone, I bought a set of winter tires before the season started with plans too buy a separate set of summer tires this month. Now when I started shopping around for a set it seems they do not last as long as I hope for(40k-60k or around 4 years). I do not track nor do I ever intend to but just wanted a summer set for good handling in wet and dry conditions with minimal thread wear.

I am just wondering if I should just run all seasons for the summer/spring/fall and also have a dedicated winter tire set. I want summer tires with the thread life of all season tires... or sell my winters and just keep the all seasons on all year round.

I have looked around but still undecided about which tire to buy. My budget would be $500 max for 215/45/17.

Any helpful suggestions would be awesome.

[The Wolf]

I'd check these out if your max budget is $500

http://www.1010tires.com/Tires/Achilles/ATR+Sport/1301277451


Or for a bit more, a real nice tire for the $:
http://www.1010tires.com/Tires/Falken/Ziex+ZE-912/28-923-792

[Nooby31]

Hey thanks for the suggestions. I will definatly take a look at the falkens. Since these are all season but the ratings indicate it sucks in snow I may keep the snow tires and just use these for spring/summer.

Another tire added to my options lol.

[P1TA]

I'd keep the snow tires and go for a set of summers. If you already have winters, why would you want all seasons? The majority of all season tires can't compare to dedicated winters in the snow, and a summer time will work fine spring-fall, no need for all seasons.

If you're concerned about tread wear, look for a summer with a high tread wear rating.

[Rob23]

If your budget is low than stick to all seasons they will last longer. summers are generally more expensive and dont last as long. If you want good handling and like cornering get a decent set of summers. Either way you go KEEP YOUR WINTERS! Please dont use all season in the winter!

[Nooby31]

yeah I have sort of narrowed down my choices to:

1-continental extremecontact DW (summer)

2-Continental Extremecontact DWS (all season but comes with 50k warrenty i believe)

3- Falken Ziex ZE-912 (all seasons)

If I do go with all seasons i will try them out in winter and if they suck i will keep my winter tires and if not I sell them.

choices..choices....

Edit: will 225/45/17 look to bulky on a 2010 mazda 3 sedan?

[S.F.W.]

I found the 912 to wear quickly and get noisy. Not a tire I would recommend.

[Jackal]

yeah I have sort of narrowed down my choices to:

1-continental extremecontact DW (summer)

2-Continental Extremecontact DWS (all season but comes with 50k warrenty i believe)

3- Falken Ziex ZE-912 (all seasons)

If I do go with all seasons i will try them out in winter and if they suck i will keep my winter tires and if not I sell them.

choices..choices....

Edit: will 225/45/17 look to bulky on a 2010 mazda 3 sedan?

If I were you I'd PM a tire sponsor near you and ask them what they recommend at a certain price range. They can also recommend some at special pricing. Gofortires recommended several tires and I went with Toyo Extensa AS for my other ride. Great tire imo.

[midnightfxgt]

Most people like the ZE912s. However, the one thing is treadwear, its not what other All Seasons are.

All Seasons and Summers are VERY different in compound. You can not have the best of both worlds.

A great performance All Season, with off the chart mileage is the Yokohama Envigor. I run them on my VW, and they are great!

-John

[Nooby31]

Okay just sent gofortires a private message and will see what they say. I am still very interested in the continental DWS but don't think I can get in my budget...still looking at other possibilities

[aris]

Okay just sent gofortires a private message and will see what they say. I am still very interested in the continental DWS but don't think I can get in my budget...still looking at other possibilities


Good luck getting anything from them... They are temporally closed down

[Jackal]

Yes.
http://www.torontomazda3.ca/forum/showthread.php?69146-GFT-Customer-Notice-Closed-Temporarily

Try another sponsor closer to where you live or work.

[aris]

Tire23 is pretty good guys...I put down Deposit for a set of Bridgestone tires and they actually beat tire racks price

[sarujo]

Plenty of negative Yokohama Envigor reviews online - premature wear and noise. The Falken 912's have wear issues as well.

Currently pondering the Cooper Zeon RS3-A's (unidirectional) and the Hankook Ventus Concept V2 (directional). Oddly enough, Cooper offers a 40,000 mile (~64000 km) treadwear warranty, but only in the US. Hankook seems to have zippo.

Buying tires these days seems like Russian Roulette and coin flipping. :complain


Most people like the ZE912s. However, the one thing is treadwear, its not what other All Seasons are.

All Seasons and Summers are VERY different in compound. You can not have the best of both worlds.

A great performance All Season, with off the chart mileage is the Yokohama Envigor. I run them on my VW, and they are great!

-John

[midnightfxgt]

Every tire has bad reviews... welcome to the internet.

[Nooby31]

Plenty of negative Yokohama Envigor reviews online - premature wear and noise. The Falken 912's have wear issues as well.

Currently pondering the Cooper Zeon RS3-A's (unidirectional) and the Hankook Ventus Concept V2 (directional). Oddly enough, Cooper offers a 40,000 mile (~64000 km) treadwear warranty, but only in the US. Hankook seems to have zippo.

Buying tires these days seems like Russian Roulette and coin flipping. :complain

yup, it also does not help when everyone has different standards and expectations of tires. Since the tire will just be a daily driver and nothing special I am still leaning towards those continental DWS if I can get them in my budget...

oh and thanks for the heads up regarding gofortire.

I will soon let you know what I get..

[Rob23]

I found the 912 to wear quickly and get noisy. Not a tire I would recommend.

+1
also another thing to keep in mind if your buying the Falcons is that they are NOT really an all-season tire, they have less than 10% of all-season compound so they are really not meant for winter.

Again, I would really highly recommend keeping your winters. Even if you have all-seasons.

[Jackal]

+1
also another thing to keep in mind if your buying the Falcons is that they are NOT really an all-season tire, they have less than 10% of all-season compound so they are really not meant for winter.

Again, I would really highly recommend keeping your winters. Even if you have all-seasons.
I would have to agree with you there.

[Nooby31]

yes I intend to keep my winters since most all seasons I want or have looked at have crappy winter ratings.

currently emailing a lot of vendors including some sponsors about what tires they recommend.

[Punkrockjohn]

I would go with falken 912s as well, unreal tires I've been running mine for 2 summers so far. Run them only for spring/summer

[sarujo]

I was a little surprised when I inspected a set of Potenza RE760's today and it showed "made in Indonesia" on the sidewall. Can anyone comment on where the Continentals are produced. No wonder Hankook and the Koreans are really doing well now...

[Rob23]

I was a little surprised when I inspected a set of Potenza RE760's today and it showed "made in Indonesia" on the sidewall. Can anyone comment on where the Continentals are produced. No wonder Hankook and the Koreans are really doing well now...

My car sits on Hankooks all year round. They make really good quality tires.

[Woodman316]

I have winter tires and my factory tire's just died. just purchased the mother of all performance tirer's summer michelin pilot super sport 225/45/17, mounted on snow flakes. just under $900.00.Simple tire early bird special, spam alot. Consumer reports highest rated performance tire. I am dying to test race opps drive them, come on spring.

[aris]

I have winter tires and my factory tire's just died. just purchased the mother of all performance tirer's summer michelin pilot super sport 225/45/17, mounted on snow flakes. just under $900.00.Simple tire early bird special, spam alot. Consumer reports highest rated performance tire. I am dying to test race opps drive them, come on spring.

i was actually going to buy those tires but ended up buying Bridgestone tires...

[sarujo]

Have you installed these yet? Odd that I don't see any Bridgestone rebates on right now..just at Costco...


i was actually going to buy those tires but ended up buying Bridgestone tires...

[aris]

Have you installed these yet? Odd that I don't see any Bridgestone rebates on right now..just at Costco...

Im picking them up on the 23rd .... I don't live in Toronto and since I am going to the megaspeed car show I'll just get the tires same time so I don't have to make a second trip to Toronto haha.

the tires I bought are special ordered tires from the states so I won't be getting any rebates lol

[Nooby31]

I would love to buy those michilen tires but I just can't justify spending $900 on tires alone...I am also in the market for rims so trying to not go over $1100 total.

Currently trying to find a deal on hankook ventus v2 or v4 all seasons.

[aris]

I would love to buy those michilen tires but I just can't justify spending $900 on tires alone...I am also in the market for rims so trying to not go over $1100 total.

Currently trying to find a deal on hankook ventus v2 or v4 all seasons.

I cheaped out once with tires and I had a blow out... Now I buy nothing but the best...

[sarujo]

Hankook has a $60 rebate on a set of V4's:

http://www.hankooktire.ca/greatsave/

Yokohama also has their spring rebates going as well but $70 for a set:

http://www.yokohama.ca/Promotions/2013_SpringRebate/

I now have my eyes on the orange oil infused Yokohama AVID Ascends :D


I would love to buy those michilen tires but I just can't justify spending $900 on tires alone...I am also in the market for rims so trying to not go over $1100 total.

Currently trying to find a deal on hankook ventus v2 or v4 all seasons.

[sarujo]

Now what happens if one of your new ones requires replacement and them requiring special ordering from the US??


I cheaped out once with tires and I had a blow out... Now I buy nothing but the best...

[aris]

Now what happens if one of your new ones requires replacement and them requiring special ordering from the US??

then I'll buy another lol....

For some reason that particular tire I bought is not avaible in 205/50-17 in Canada lol

[sarujo]

Well yeah..but you'll have to wait for it to come in ;)

Well, then again, that super high end touring tire is likely not targeted at our budget end 3's :chuckle


then I'll buy another lol....

For some reason that particular tire I bought is not avaible in 205/50-17 in Canada lol

[aris]

Well yeah..but you'll have to wait for it to come in ;)

Well, then again, that super high end touring tire is likely not targeted at our budget end 3's :chuckle

Within a week they come in so it's doesn't take long lol


From what I read on the reviews and what tire rack guy told me I'll be happy with this tire so $900 is worth it :p

[Nooby31]

I cheaped out once with tires and I had a blow out... Now I buy nothing but the best...

Not sure what you consider cheap but for me $550-$600 is not cheap for a set of great all season tires like the hankook ventus.

Like I said I cannot justify spending $900 for a tire set that will never be used to its full potential in my regular 3.

But to each there own.

[aris]

Not sure what you consider cheap but for me $550-$600 is not cheap for a set of great all season tires like the hankook ventus.

Like I said I cannot justify spending $900 for a tire set that will never be used to its full potential in my regular 3.

But to each there own.


$900 all in isn't expensive for a set of 17" tires

I'm pretty sure your tires your talking about is plus tax so really not much difference

[midnightfxgt]

$500 is cheap for QUALITY 17" tires. That breaks down to $125ea, with no labour included, for something that is the only thing connecting your car to the road.

People have no problem spending $500 on fun things.... sadly for most, tires aren't fun, and get compromised for something "cheaper".

[Nooby31]

For me it just depends on what I need out of them and the threadwear rating. I don't ever track, and I don't drive my car hard so why would I want to spend close to $1000 on tires that are more than what my needs are.

The hankooks I want will total about $550 before tax and install and seem to have very good reviews from daily drivers on various websites.

[Rob23]

For me it just depends on what I need out of them and the threadwear rating. I don't ever track, and I don't drive my car hard so why would I want to spend close to $1000 on tires that are more than what my needs are.

The hankooks I want will total about $550 before tax and install and seem to have very good reviews from daily drivers on various websites.

$550 for a set of Hankooks? which ones are you buying? Last year I was looking at buying the V12s but they were almost $700. luckily Allen from Simply Tire had a special on the S1 Evos (must have bought a large shipment of them) so I bought those as he said they were better. $200 off normal price, less than $650 tax in. I love them.

[Nooby31]

$550 for a set of Hankooks? which ones are you buying? Last year I was looking at buying the V12s but they were almost $700. luckily Allen from Simply Tire had a special on the S1 Evos (must have bought a large shipment of them) so I bought those as he said they were better. $200 off normal price, less than $650 tax in. I love them.

A local dealer has the hankook ventus v4 all seasons for about $550 plus tax.

[The Wolf]

Edit: Too slow

[sarujo]

The S1 Evos were discontinued last year...


$550 for a set of Hankooks? which ones are you buying? Last year I was looking at buying the V12s but they were almost $700. luckily Allen from Simply Tire had a special on the S1 Evos (must have bought a large shipment of them) so I bought those as he said they were better. $200 off normal price, less than $650 tax in. I love them.

[Rob23]

A local dealer has the hankook ventus v4 all seasons for about $550 plus tax.

ok I thought you were talking summer.

[Rob23]

The S1 Evos were discontinued last year...

Lol really? Well I got them last year so. Are you sure?

[sarujo]

What size?

Don't forget the $60 Hankook rebate on the V4. See URLs I posted above


A local dealer has the hankook ventus v4 all seasons for about $550 plus tax.

[sarujo]

Yes. Google around and you will see.


Lol really? Well I got them last year so. Are you sure?

[Rob23]

Yes. Google around and you will see.

Hmm your right, do you know why? All I see are good reviews on them. I find them to be very sticky and quiet at the same time, already been to the track a few times with no problems, I wonder why they were discontinued.

[Nooby31]

What size?

Don't forget the $60 Hankook rebate on the V4. See URLs I posted above

I am getting size 215/45/17 and yes I know about the rebate.

[Woodman316]

get the 225 /45/17, speedo will be all most perfect, and help pevent curb rash.

[Nooby31]

It will look too wide on a 2010 sedan.

[Rob23]

It will look too wide on a 2010 sedan.

I have 225/45/17 and it looks good.

[Nooby31]

Can you post some pictures? It seemed too bulky or wide for a little 2.0 sedan..

[Rob23]

Heres my car thread. If you scroll down about half way you can see the pictures from Heart for Hearth last summer. Those are the only pictures I have with them on. But you can see from a few different angles.

http://www.torontomazda3.ca/forum/showthread.php?40612-Rob23-s-Black-GT&highlight=Rob23%27s+Black+GT

[doeser]

I don't understand this switching of tires. If you live in Edmonton or many parts of Canada you need to change ever other month. If you use winter tires do you change them to go south? or half way there. Winter tires will disappear quickly if you run them in hot weather. All seasons are useless and can not be used in some parts during the winter.

I have been running Nokia ALL WEATHER tires for some years and never change them. As good as Michelan Artic Alpines in the winter, but are rated for 100k, not 30k like most winter tires. Travel into the mountains or southern US anytime and never worry. There are other brands of All Weather tires, but I am not familiar with them.

When I bought the new 2012 Mazda3, I had the dealer switch the Nokias from my trade-in(2002 SER) to the new car. No way I would drive a car with All Seasons.

Maybe, I don't know, they are a little more expensive, but save that on not changing tires several times over.

[peterm15]

I don't understand this switching of tires. If you live in Edmonton or many parts of Canada you need to change ever other month. If you use winter tires do you change them to go south? or half way there. Winter tires will disappear quickly if you run them in hot weather. All seasons are useless and can not be used in some parts during the winter.

I have been running Nokia ALL WEATHER tires for some years and never change them. As good as Michelan Artic Alpines in the winter, but are rated for 100k, not 30k like most winter tires. Travel into the mountains or southern US anytime and never worry. There are other brands of All Weather tires, but I am not familiar with them.

When I bought the new 2012 Mazda3, I had the dealer switch the Nokias from my trade-in(2002 SER) to the new car. No way I would drive a car with All Seasons.

Maybe, I don't know, they are a little more expensive, but save that on not changing tires several times over.

Paraphrasing Rick Mercer.

We live in Canada. There is no such thing as " all season or all weather " footwear. What makes you think it's fine for your car.

We get snow. Having a tire designed specifically for cold snowy weather is better no matter what.

Seeing as you travel to warmer destinations as well as up mountains in your car it for sure makes more sense for you to have all weather tires. For the rest of us it's better to have season specific tires.

[doeser]

The Nokia is a winter tire with the snow flake plus M & S. But it is also designed for 100km and hot roads. I live in southern Ont. and there is lots of that white crap here. My experience is the All Weather tire is as good or better that most winter tires. But it doesn't wear out when I travel to Tennessee in the summer. It is also is not as noisy as the Artic Alpines.

So no, it does not make sense.

[sarujo]

The Nokian All Weather+ has 1 size in 17" and 18". During the spring and summer I want performance, not a jack of all trades tire with limited tire sizes. Sure, having two sets may cost a little more, but with proper care, 4 to 5 solid seasons are possible. My Gislaved's provide me with Nokian calibre winter performance at a fraction of the Nokian cost.

Having two sets also means I can clean (both sides) and fully inspect my tires and rims more frequently and easier than 1 set that's on all the time.

[Rob23]

The Nokia is a winter tire with the snow flake plus M & S. But it is also designed for 100km and hot roads. I live in southern Ont. and there is lots of that white crap here. My experience is the All Weather tire is as good or better that most winter tires. But it doesn't wear out when I travel to Tennessee in the summer. It is also is not as noisy as the Artic Alpines.

So no, it does not make sense.

lol thats one magic tire!

[3sTheMagic#]

I did some research on tires when I was looking for a cost effective winter set. Before you purchase your tires ...think of what you want them to do for you. Each tire brand has a rating for weather conditions.

[r4mi5awi]

After searching for an adequate wheel and tire combo, I have some interest in toyo proxes 4 for a 'summer' set up. Their labelled as ultra high performance all seasons. I'm realistically hoping to get use out of these for 6 months in the year, May through October. Seems adequate and more realistic to my needs than real summers.

[Zuluwun]

lol thats one magic tire!

+1

How bout some first hand experience doeser? click me! (http://www.subaruforester.org/vbulletin/f72/nokian-wr-g2-follow-up-review-88013/)

There are lots of threads on RFD about this tire if you want to read all few dozen pages.

You can't have your cake and eat it too unfortunately. If you want year round performance, that's gonna cost something; in this case, it seems to be longevity and a compromise on grip. For high-$200s per tire, you can afford to buy a summer and winter set. Interestingly enough, neither TireRack nor 1010tires are currently selling the tire.

And, as previously mentioned, they will not perform as well as a dedicated summer or winter (hell, some all-seasons could outperform it in the dry). For someone pottering around town, meh, maybe it'll do. For a real driver, no chance.

[Hads_Carbon3]

not name dropping or anything but i recommend the continental contiprocontact ultra touring all-season

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires.jsp?tireMake=Continental&tireModel=ContiProContact

I've had them for 5 years and i only started swapping winter tires on 3 years ago. The tires can definitely last another season or two. I like them cause they're extremely quite to, i went with a harder compound tire from a company called wanli back when i used to have my e36 and i found it to be very loud. If you want long laster treadwear you'll want summer tires cause they've got a harder composite but the harder the rubber the more rolling noise they'll make.

[doeser]

First let me say I am not promoting Nokian tires, just all-weather tires. Secondly, when someone talks about summer performance I am not sure what they mean, but I am not talking about racing slicks.

This story starts in Edmonton. If you noticed the news about a month ago there was a big pile up south of of Edmonton with about 100 people injured. That is the strip of expressway that my wife drove frequently at all times of day and night to get to the airport. Not as much snow there as here in Ont. but black ice and blowing snow is treacherous. No one should be on that road without damn good tires.

When we got the SER, I did like everyone else and bought Michelin (Artic Alpines I think) winter tires and switched them with the crappy OEMs. The Michelins were good for the first winter and so so for the second. Noisy as hell on wet roads. The problem was they were never on at the right time. A snow storm in Sept. in Alberta is not unusual. If you go south in the winter you need snow tires to get past Ont., Michigan, Ohio, or Alberta, North Dakato, etc. and then summer tires for Florida or Arizona. When do you change?

After the winter tires and the OEMs wore out (30k on the Michelins, 50k on the OEMs), I did a lot of reading and talking to tire shops. The result was the Nokians WR. We have been really pleased. In the winter they are as good or better than the Michelans. In the summer they are smooth and quiet.

A little over a year ago thanks to Lubex, I demolished one tire and it looked like a second might be damaged. (They set the tire pressure at 23 instead of 33). Since the Nokians had 70k, I decided to replace the whole set. The tread was still pretty good. So I think 100k rating is reasonable.

When I bought the Mazda 3, I had the dealer switch the OEMs for the Nokians. So I have never driven the car with OEMs other than a short test drive. When you live in Goderich you do not putter around town much. We are on the highway regularly and we drive to Tennessee four or five times a year. And I didn't drive the SER with a light foot.

The point is switching tires is a waste of money and a damn nuisance when you can get good All Weather tires.

As I type I notice that there is a blizzard outside. Hope you haven't changed your tires yet.

[midnightfxgt]

The point is switching tires is a waste of money and a damn nuisance when you can get good All Weather tires.



False.

You can not get the same performance out of an "All Weather" in the winter, as you can a dedicated winter. Nor will it perform as well as a dedicated summer tire. Its basically an All Season tire that better in the winter than most All Seasons.

The Nokian WR is a decent tire, although many have had premature wear issues (pro rated warranties also do not work in your favour).

-John

[Rob23]

when someone talks about summer performance I am not sure what they mean, but I am not talking about racing slicks.

When we say summer performance tire, we do not mean racing slicks those are illegal on the streets. We mean a summer rated tire that are NOT to be used in winter.

[Rob23]

False.

You can not get the same performance out of an "All Weather" in the winter, as you can a dedicated winter. Nor will it perform as well as a dedicated summer tire. Its basically an All Season tire that better in the winter than most All Seasons.

The Nokian WR is a decent tire, although many have had premature wear issues (pro rated warranties also do not work in your favour).

-John

+1

[Hotsky]

I got cheap winter tires from Walmart and had them on for the last 2 winters. I have to say they been great and I couldn't ask for more from them. I highly doubt that any all season tire wold even come close to it. You can't find a substitute for a winter tire. Some all seasons will be decent in snow but snow tires will always be much better.

[Hotsky]

I'd check these out if your max budget is $500

http://www.1010tires.com/Tires/Achilles/ATR+Sport/1301277451


Anyone use Achilles tires? I called a few shops and no one heard of them. Who carries them?

[Rob23]

Anyone use Achilles tires? I called a few shops and no one heard of them. Who carries them?

I have, they are actually a pretty good low cost tire. I was impressed with the grip from a tire thats $100 each. Not on my car though.

[midnightfxgt]

Anyone use Achilles tires? I called a few shops and no one heard of them. Who carries them?


not sure about Hamilton, but Allen at Simply Tire does

[Odin]

False.

You can not get the same performance out of an "All Weather" in the winter, as you can a dedicated winter. Nor will it perform as well as a dedicated summer tire. Its basically an All Season tire that better in the winter than most All Seasons.

The Nokian WR is a decent tire, although many have had premature wear issues (pro rated warranties also do not work in your favour).

-John

+1

[Zuluwun]

Secondly, when someone talks about summer performance I am not sure what they mean, but I am not talking about racing slicks.

Summer performance generally means the measurable amount of grip (braking distances and cornering G loads) and water evacuation (hydroplaning resistance). Racing tires are a whole other ball game, we're talking street tires here.


I understand your gripe about having to drive through changing climates to get to the Southern states but you have to understand that you're talking about driving part way across a continent... that's like ~20-25 degrees of latitude man, that's significant!

I don't have an easy solution for you if you want to drive - the easy solution is to fly. I know that's not ideal but neither is carrying 2 sets of tires every time you drive down OR using a tire that won't perform best in either climate. It's the nature of things, you have to compromise somewhere, I'd just rather not have the compromise be my tires.

[doeser]

Your right Zuluwun. "It's the nature of things, you have to compromise somewhere"

I would assume there are winter tires that will out perform my all weather tires, and I would assume that there are summer tires that will out perform my all weather tires. But why spend a $150 a year chasing the weather unless you have a weather forecaster that is better than mine.

In a few weeks we head through Kentucky and Tennessee. I wonder what to expect? Snow in Ont. and Michigan, torrential down pours in Ohio, and 90F in Tennessee.

How many have already switched to summer tires today? Really nice in TO with freezing rain and ice pellets. Is having summer tires today a good compromise. Yes, the All weather tires are a compromise but I want good tires all the time, any time, any place.

[Nooby31]

So....I finally got new tires and rims put on yesterday and so far I am really happy with the end product.

I got 18x8 avid rims and some no name tires called neuton which I intend to replace as soon as they wear down. But so far no issues with the tires expect poor winter performance even though they are rated m+s but no big deal, I did not intend them to be good in winter anyways.

So yeah. Thanks for all the advice given and a big thanks to wheelsco for putting up with my questions and back and fourth I had with various rims.

[midnightfxgt]

Neuton is made by Nexen if I remember correctly.

[midnightfxgt]

I would assume there are winter tires that will out perform my all weather tires, and I would assume that there are summer tires that will out perform my all weather tires.

Any winter tire will outperform a non-winter, and almost any summer will outperform a non-summer. It's simple.


But why spend a $150 a year chasing the weather unless you have a weather forecaster that is better than mine.


Because $150 is a drop in the bucket compared to insurance hassle/costs. Even if you're the best driver on the road, others are not. Being able to stop in a much shorter area is beneficial to ANY driver. If that $150 is too much for you, so be it.

[GSXi]

Don't mean to skew this topic off-track...

But lets say I'm sticking with winter tires for winter, and all-season for summer.

Are Continental ExtremeContact DWS excellent for rain? Hydroplaning is my biggest concern during the spring/summer. Or does summer (not all-season) do a better job with preventing hydroplaning?

[midnightfxgt]

Don't mean to skew this topic off-track...

But lets say I'm sticking with winter tires for winter, and all-season for summer.

Are Continental ExtremeContact DWS excellent for rain? Hydroplaning is my biggest concern during the spring/summer. Or does summer (not all-season) do a better job with preventing hydroplaning?


The DWS's are great. Thats a good route to go. I run an All Season in summer on my Daily Driver, since the wear is better. A Summer tire will provide better performance, but for my daily needs in my VW, the Yokohama Envigor I use have enough performance :)

[Rob23]

Don't mean to skew this topic off-track...

But lets say I'm sticking with winter tires for winter, and all-season for summer.

Are Continental ExtremeContact DWS excellent for rain? Hydroplaning is my biggest concern during the spring/summer. Or does summer (not all-season) do a better job with preventing hydroplaning?

Depends on the summer performance tire. Some are for wet/dry conditions and some are more for dry only.

[Zuluwun]

Depends on the summer performance tire. Some are for wet/dry conditions and some are more for dry only.

+1

As I understand it, hydroplane resistance comes down to water evacuation which means tread pattern to me. That characteristic will vary tire to tire, the compound (all season vs summer) has little to do with it.

So the short answer to the question that Rob bolded is "not necessarily".

I have no experience with the Contis but TireRack rates them an 8.8/10 for hydroplaning resistance so I'd say it's a safe bet if that's what you're looking for.