I know the stock 18's aren't good for year around tires. I currently have the 17's and get some pretty bad weather here in D.C. - What would my option be if I wanted the stock 18's but all-season tires so I don't have to switch them up every season? Is that a good idea to leave the 18's on all year with good tires?

I really dont want to keep my 17's and switch them up in the winter. Figure my 17's are almost brand new right now anyways.

'04 Coupe 5AT
D. Graphite/Graphite | Premium | Splash | Clears | Drilled Pedals | 35% TINT | Z-Tube Waiting to be Installed

 

I was going to do the samething once my stock 18's wear out. It does'nt snow very much here, but it does get cold.

I was looking at either Continental ContiExtremeContac tires or Michelin Pilot Sport A/S. The contis are cheaper, but I heard of flatspotting problems with them. I heard nothing but raves on the A/S pilots, but they are $$$. But most have said it's worth it...

 

Thanks. I always heard the Michelin's to be overrated. It may not mean much but the reviews at TireRack say the same thing. Contis seem like a good pick.

'04 Coupe 5AT
D. Graphite/Graphite | Premium | Splash | Clears | Drilled Pedals | 35% TINT | Z-Tube Waiting to be Installed

 

Bridgestone makes a good all weather tire, like them better then the stock Michelins which wore out very quickly.

 

The BF Goodrich G Force KDW are good for wet and dry...they also make a KDWS which works in snow...I like the KDW's...

Northface

 

all depends on how hard u drive...i smoked my set in 12k...

Northface

 

Mine are about shot at 16k mi. And the way to tell is just feel for the wear bars on the tire. Once the tread is even with the bar it is technically illegal to use the tire on the street.

 

If as new performance [coefficient of friction] is what you desire, then most tires are pretty well shot when half worn!
As the rubber [soft or hard initially] continues to vulcanize with road and friction heat.

Always chuckle when I read "my brand new [cheapo brand X] tires feel/handle/brake so much better than my old worn out Michelin tires". Duh ---- of course they do for a little while.

Some tires go to hell in a few thousand miles others last 8,000 some even 12-15,000 miles. Lots depends on the real weight to load reserve ratio. Many fitments have ZERO excess capacity when braking on the front.

Feds are in the midst of a major 2 year tire durability test in Arizona........the results next year will show: that tires should not be used more than 2 years and should be changed at 20,000 miles if you want the ultimate reliability. Internal failures from heat stress are almost non existent till then.

Something the tire industry and car manufacturers have known for 20 years. Why oem tires are soft fast wearing so they are off the car by 20k to relieve the car manufacturer of some liability. These soft compounds help the cars score well in magazine test

If you want to extend the life of a tire always find one with a higher load index than the factory fitment.....even 5% [70 pounds] is very significant [say a 94>96 or a 91>94]

 

So my question is, is it not a good idea to get all season 18" tires? My car is a month old and haven't driven it too hard - Unfortunately I'm stuck in traffic way too much so i'm not worried about tread life.

'04 Coupe 5AT
D. Graphite/Graphite | Premium | Splash | Clears | Drilled Pedals | 35% TINT | Z-Tube Waiting to be Installed

 

Well I knew my pilots were done when I was at the safety tread. If you look in the treads there is a perpendicular ridge that runs along the width of the tire...when you start to wear that down its telling you to get a new tire.

Northface