I'm planning on buying summer performance tires for the first time (I run Blizzaks in the winter). Since most reviews for summer tires are performed in warmer climates (ie. California), I thought that I would see what other Canadians recommend.

I've heard that some tires lose their grip around 10C. Since a lot of Calgary nights go down to this temp in the summer is this something that I have to worry about with summer tires?

Here are the three that I am currently considering:
- Yokohama s.drive
- Falken 452
- Kumho Ecsta SPT

Any advice would be appreciated.

 

I think it is more like 6 or 7 celcius is about as low as you want to go on summer rubber. But if it goes a little lower than that once in a while you should still be ok as long as you aren't trying to tear up the roads. keep to the speed limits and you should be fine.

 

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/review...surveyComments
I found this helpful. I use the pilot sports and like em.

 

So what unofficial date does everybody start switching from their winter tires to summers (May 1, May long weekend.....)?

 

I was driving my pilot sports into december when the roads were still clear. I had no issues when the temperatures were getting low, I just watched my throttle and it was fine. I am bringing my car out in the beginning of april and figure the tires should be fine then with the daily temperatures getting a bit higher now, but for switching over, may would probably be your best bet as we will likely still get some snow before then.

 

I am currently using Falken FK-452's for the summer, I generally run them from mid April to about November, once the weather starts to consistently stay in the single digits for the daytime high.

 

Go with the Falken 452's I find they are very common not only on our cars

Also if you ever need one say you get a flat/damage, it would be alot easier to find a used one, I was going to get Nitto's but as they are rare it would be difficult finding a replacement if I ever needed one.

Like knight said if you stick to the conditions and are not doing 250km/h you'll be fine (I don't know about you guys but since that guy got caught I feel our cars are finally getting the performance respect it deserves)

Back on topic, for me I want to change to my summer rims NOW but with salty roads I don't want to ruin the finish on my wheels and who knows how many pot holes are going to emerge this season

 

I had s.drives on my cl-s, and ran them into december they were great, quality tires, but i am not sure how the rwd will be treating them, I am also looking for new tires this summer, and I am probably going to pick up so more s.drives. I am a spirited driver and in 5 months i ran them about 15K, intial tread depth was 10, they now read 8,8,7,7.. meaning they still go quite a bit of life.

 

How are you guys finding the tread wear and noise on the Falken 452's?

I won't be tracking my car just driving it 90km round trip each day to work so I want a decent life span out of the tires. I also want to find a tire that also doesn't make too much noise since I'm in my car way too much.

 

Thanks for the update on treadwear. That's the one variable of the s.drives that I was worried about the most.

 

You guys will proabably laugh at me for this.

When I first moved to Calgary from Regina in my turbo del sol I only had my Dunlop Direzza DZ101 Tires. As you know these are high performance summer tires that proceed to turn into bricks in winter.

I drove 2 complete winters with these summer tires on and although starting and hill climbing was a serious bitch... I managed it without crashing or hitting anyone or anything.

However!! I have to say that the Dunlop Direzza DZ101 Tires were like glue in the warm weather and I highly reccomend them to anyone looking.

OH AND the most important feature! They have a rubber lip that protects your rims if you ever get too close to the curb (assuming your not a total parking noob). I never road rashed my rims ones with those tires.

Later

 

I drive on Federal summer tires nice tread design and grip and I am quite satisfied with them. Looking to buy Falken's next.

 

i've decided on the Kumho Ecsta SPT KU-31s and will be ordering them within a day or two. Planning on having them on by next weekend!

 

Mid-April to May for me, usually.

 

I've always heard Falken's are great all around, tread wear, noise, handling......

For Ontario people, think it's too soon to switch this weekend??