A good source of info is the Tire Rack wet braking distance tests. Notice how some worthless tires take 20>30 feet longer to stop from just 50 mph on just a damp pavement.

In this test you get what you pay for especially in avoiding rearending someone.

 

actually, how wide are the tires?

if it's something ridiculous as 275/285, etc, there's your reason right there.

The tires are too wide and not putting enough "pressure" onto the pavement.

 

My 285 Falkens have no problem stopping in the rain.....

 

that's cool

 

imo, nitto and falken are just as bad.

 

I have had 3 sets of Nitto 555s. Never really had any issues in the rain except once and that was when I was due for a new set. No problems if they were new. Might be a really different story now that I am in WA. I will do a lot more research on my next set seeing as it rains a ton more here than SoCal.

 

Well good luck and let us know how it is. This wekend it poured here and my car drove like ****. Even my passenger was scared.

 

I have a new set (well have about 4k or so on them now) of Nitto 555s that overall I like, but for a high-performance (or are they maximum performance) tire they lack the dry grip and comfort that I would expect.

I'm running 245/35/19 all-around (on a 6mt sedan), but overall am happy with them. They aren't fantastic in the rain, but even with VDC off I'm comfortable if I'm not caught hydroplaning. They are a quiet tire and aside from lack of confidence at times taking higher speed turns (on the freeway doing 80 or so on somewhat tight corners), I'm pleased for the deal I got on them.

I knew what to expect however and did my research pretty thoroughly before the purchase. My next set...most likely Sumo IIIs, which have great reviews for a Summer Tire!

Sorry to hear about your poor experience thus far however...

 

Sumitomo? LOL.

 

Dick. Just messin...

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires....1=yes&place=17

They are highly rated and a great Summer tire despite their small name/reputation.