2013 Summer Tires Question

[3ponies]

I am looking at trading my 2010 SHO for a 2013. I am in Chicago and don't see the summer tires as a winter option. Does anyone have these tires in the snow belt? My research doe not show any clear recommendation.

On another note, I did have my local dealer take care of the brake issue under waranty. I took it in as it was grinding when cold and they did a bunch of NC warranty work that made a big difference.

I am a drop in reader here and have had 2 SHOs now. Maybe 3 is in the works.
Thanks

 

[Skyking]

Are you looking for a recommendation if the summer tires are OK to use in the snow/winter?? Because this obviously should be a NO they are not.


Please, if you are going to get summer tires, also plan on buying at a bare minimum a good all season set to put on in the winter, or even better a dedicated winter set.

 

[3ponies]

Yep, that was the question

Are you looking for a recommendation if the summer tires are OK to use in the snow/winter?? Because this obviously should be a NO they are not.


Please, if you are going to get summer tires, also plan on buying at a bare minimum a good all season set to put on in the winter, or even better a dedicated winter set.

I am not sure what makes a summer tire a summer tire. My thought is if I buy the car just pull them and replace with all season performace tires.
Thanks

 

[Skyking]

I am not sure what makes a summer tire a summer tire. My thought is if I buy the car just pull them and replace with all season performace tires.
Thanks

A winter tire will have more biting edges to help with snow/slush traction. They also have an added ability of actually holding more snow within its tread to provide additional traction on ice. They are also made up of different rubber compounds that retain their friction in lower temperatures.



Summer tires are made with as big of tread blocks as they can while still providing channels to evacuate water to prevent hydro-planning. Some are even better at this than an all season. They are also made of rubber compounds that provides more friction as they heat up. This in however lowers their friction available in lower temperatures. Which is why essentially they are not "really" suitable in the winter, where it gets cold, even if there is no snow. The lower temps will lessen the amount of friction they can provide even on dry pavement, and more so on wet.



An all Season is just a compromise between the 2.

 

[3ponies]

Thanks SkyKing. I was unclear on the temp part but figured they had to be OK in the wet. I really like the way my current SHO handles all year round with the All Weather tires. It is so much easier with the Track Roush, just buy Cooper RS3s every two years and be happy !

 

[EcoBrick Bob]

I ran "Summer" Conti DW's at the strip last fall on my Flex when it was in the mid-40's. They had real grip issues. I was able to heat them up on a few occasions, one of which I turned the 12.904. Definitely not suitable for cold weather or snowy conditions. One needs to either get a set of winter tires + wheels, or go to a high quality all season tire, which will work in moderate snow.

 

[3ponies]

Thanks EcoBrick Bob, yep good conformation on what I thought. I can get Firestone Firehawk Wide Oval AS on the car for 850 out the door or Michelin Primacy MXV4 performance/touring tires for $1281 installed.. I am leaning toward the Firestones if I buy the 2013. Going to the dealer Monday night, too much good Football tomorrow!

 

[RonPorter]

IMO, all-season tires are "No-Season Tires". Their compromise makes all driving mediocre.

Winter tires are well worth it for the winter. Their compounds and treads work better in the cold in the wet OR dry (think "braking"). They also work better in slush or ice, and most work far better in reasonable amounts of snow. Many winter tires, like Blizzaks, have an M&S rating, but if you lived in areas that had a lot of snow, there are others that are better geared toward regular 4"+ of snow.

 

[3ponies]

Thanks Ron, I have a garage full of tires & Wheels for my 3 Mustangs. I am going with the AS = NS tires. I have had the SHO with the AS tires for 31 months and it has served me well in Chicago. I understand there are better options for winter but for my DD I want to stay simple.

Thanks again,
Rick

 

[RonPorter]

If you want to stay with a/s, get either the Conti DWS, or, my favorite choice is the Nokian WR GR2 tires. Scandanavain a/s tires with a M&S rating. They were a favorite with the Subie guys, then I put a set on my wife's (former) Del Sol for year-round use. A few SHO guys got them, and also loved them.

IMO, probably the best a/s tires out there.

 

[EcoBrick Bob]

Have you checked out TireRack's winter tire & wheel packages. You may be able to get a full set in the $1,200. to $1,300. range and end up with 2 sets.

 

[NoSlo]

I would definitely recommend a set of Nokians as a 1/4 season tire if you might see ice or snow, I had Hakkapeliitta 1's with eco-studs, and they were completely unstoppable, going right up hills where 4x4s were peeling out, and more importantly, not able to stop.

 

[RonPorter]

Yep, the Hakkas are serious snow tires!! Nokians do quite well in all but the heaviest stuff, and they wear well for year-round use.

Got my TR Inside Track in the mail today, but I see that it's also online. Some good info for those unfamiliar with Winter tires, as well as some vids of their Winter tire tests:

http://www.tirerack.com/images/pdf/TRinsidetrackLR_wint12.pdf

 

[typhoon5000]

From page 230 of your 2010 Taurus Owner's Manual:

SUMMER TIRES

Your Taurus SHO may be equipped with summer tires to provide
superior performance on wet and dry roads. Summer tires do not have
the Mud and Snow (M+S or M/S) tire traction rating on the tire side
wall. Since summer tires do not have the same traction performance as
All-season or Snow tires, Ford does not recommend using summer tires
when temperatures are below 40°F (5°C) or in snow / ice conditions. If
you must drive in those conditions, Ford recommends using Mud & Snow
(M+S or M/S), All-season or Snow tires.

http://www.motorcraftservice.com/pubs/content/~WOATAU/~MUS~LEN/41/10tauog3e.pdf (only works in IE)

Because what other's have mentioned. Summer tires are for summer only unless you live in an area with summer weather all year. I can tell you driving my Mustang (came with summer performance tires) the past few days in temps below 40 in the morning, I have activated the stability and traction controls much more often LOL.

It's amazing what you can learn from your owner's manual. Ford puts a lot of work into it for a reason.

 

[G1Ravage]

Just so you know, you *can* order a 2013 SHO with optional 20" All-Season tires. That's what I have for New York City.

 

[EcoBrick Bob]

Just DO IT!!!! LOL

 

[RonPorter]

If you are into performance cars at all, two sets of wheels/tires are the ONLY way to go!!

Even if you never see snow/slush/ice, winter tires work better on cold pavement for things like STOPPING!!

Even though I have a/s tires on the SVT Focus, the winter Blizzaks are going on soon.

 

[wchain]

Why not find a set of 18" SEL wheels and buy some dedicated snow tires?

 

[EcoBrick Bob]

The rubber in summer tires gets really hard in cold temps. I had this issue with my Flex at the strip. It was in the 40's and my CONTI DW's were very hard and spun. I was able to partially solve the issue by spinning them before the tree, but even then they didn't want to hook up properly, like they always did when it was 60 or above. SO.. they would have stopped just as poorly. Wet cold roads would keep them cold and really increase stopping distances.

 

[thebigjimsho]

Nothing like spinning the PS2s on my V in 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th all the way down the strip when they cooled off in 40 degree weather...