'Summer' or 'all-season' tire recommendations?

[nhsjpeterson]

I just purchased a GT2 AWD (but don't have actual possession yet).

I want to buy new tires for non-snow conditions in North Dakota. This would be the months from March through November. It can get well below freezing in some of those months, even though there may be no snow yet.

Would a 'summer' tire be ok for those cold temps, or do I need another all-season tire? I will be putting snow tires on for winter, so the fact that 'all-season' tires can supposedly be used in snow, that doesn't enter in to my situation.

Could you give some brand recommendations? I really don't need a 'performance' tire -- a 'passenger' tire will be fine, although if a performance line isn't too much more than passenger, I might consider a performance tire.

 

[MerlintheMad]

I think you mean, November through March. This is the northern hemisphere, after all!

There are quite a few discussions about tires. You could research them. But here, for now, it is the consensus that Michelin, et al. SUMMER sport tires do not hold up to extended freezing or even just very cold conditions. Their warranty explicitly warns against using summer tires in temps at or above freezing (even into the low 40sF, if you can believe it). I think that new tires are okay because they have full tread. But as a tire wears down it becomes highly susceptible to cracking. There are some really creepy photos of worn tires that have gnarly cracks in them from having been driven in cold conditions.

I have Michelins for summer and I am going to swap them out for as high performance winter tires as I can find. The staggered 19" rims have less options than the straight 18s.

 

[Kamauxx]

I think you mean, November through March. This is the northern hemisphere, after all!

There are quite a few discussions about tires. You could research them. But here, for now, it is the consensus that Michelin, et al. SUMMER sport tires do not hold up to extended freezing or even just very cold conditions. Their warranty explicitly warns against using summer tires in temps at or above freezing (even into the low 40sF, if you can believe it). I think that new tires are okay because they have full tread. But as a tire wears down it becomes highly susceptible to cracking. There are some really creepy photos of worn tires that have gnarly cracks in them from having been driven in cold conditions.

I have Michelins for summer and I am going to swap them out for as high performance winter tires as I can find. The staggered 19" rims have less options than the straight 18s.

Agreed.

And to reiterate I think one of the main issues for someone in ND will be where the tires are kept when not in use. So many of the max performance summer tire makers say not to even STORE the tires where temps will dip below freezing. Essentially you will either need a heated or garage or a place in the house to store the tires when you switch your setup in November.

I think the best option for you would be a performance all season tire.

 

[westcoastGT]

There is a lot of info in the Tire and Wheel section here , I chose the AS UHP option and sold my OEM Michelins tires on Craigslist for $300 more than my new AS !

 

[nhsjpeterson]

I realize there are plenty of threads -- too many for someone like me who knows nothing about tires. I was just hoping to get insight on the 'non-snow but still very cold' conditions that we get (and yes, it's from November through March).

I won't go in to the reason why I'm planning on getting new tires rather than use the stock tires -- too complicated to go in to here.

 

[westcoastGT]

I realize there are plenty of threads -- too many for someone like me who knows nothing about tires. I was just hoping to get insight on the 'non-snow but still very cold' conditions that we get (and yes, it's from November through March).

I won't go in to the reason why I'm planning on getting new tires rather than use the stock tires -- too complicated to go in to here.

OK , so go on the Tirerack website , enter your car info and they will show you all the options and recos ,

 

[BlaydeX15]

For snow/winter condition: Snow tires
For cold months (Driving under 40f): UHP All Seasons
For Summer: Summer tires

As for getting spare tires, IMO it's worth getting 18x8 wheels to save money on winters, as there are basically no winter tires in the stock offset 19" size. All Seasons and Summers aren't as bad so you can stick to the stock 19's.

You really don't want to be rolling on Summer tires when it drops below ~40. At that temp, they basically turn into hockey pucks and lose all traction in addition to cracking and breaking. If your concerns are cold instead of snow and slush, UHP All Seasons are fine. When you start considering snow and slush, you want Winter tires.

That being said, you can live with 2 sets instead of 3 if you're willing to give up some bleeding edge performance by running smaller winter tires all winter.

As far as recommendations:

Summer
Michelin Pilot Sport 4
Michelin Pilot Sport 4s
Continental ExtremeContact Sport
Bridgestone Potenza

All Season
Goodyear Eagle F1
Michelin Pilot Sport A/S3
Goodyear Eagle Sport

Winter (on 18x8)
Michelin X-Ice
Nokian Hakkapeliitta
Bridgestone Blizzaks

 

[MerlintheMad]

You really don't want to be rolling on Summer tires when it drops below ~40. At that temp, they basically turn into hockey pucks and lose all traction in addition to cracking and breaking.

This must be qualified by duration? I didn't experience any loss of traction, and certainly no cracking, in the few times I drove in March and April with outside temps registering at 32F. The road surface was not that cold. But certainly it was in the upper 30s or 40s, well above freezing, but also well within the "Warning Will Robinson!" stage. I shot up and over Soldier Summit without the first trace of sliding. The road was very wet. Snow/sleet was flying. But there wasn't anything worthy of the name "slush" to speak of. I was warry! Now I am almost paranoid, after reading all this subsequent text on the hazards of going into cold climes in Summer Tires, etc.

 

[MerlintheMad]

https://www.tirerack.com/tires/Tire...ar=2018&autoModel=Stinger+GT+AWD&autoModClar=
My first Tire Rack search for winters for the staggered 19s. Pirelli. What do you think?

there are basically no winter tires in the stock offset 19" size.

 

[BlaydeX15]

This must be qualified by duration? I didn't experience any loss of traction, and certainly no cracking, in the few times I drove in March and April with outside temps registering at 32F. The road surface was not that cold. But certainly it was in the upper 30s or 40s, well above freezing, but also well within the "Warning Will Robinson!" stage. I shot up and over Soldier Summit without the first trace of sliding. The road was very wet. Snow/sleet was flying. But there wasn't anything worthy of the name "slush" to speak of. I was warry! Now I am almost paranoid, after reading all this subsequent text on the hazards of going into cold climes in Summer Tires, etc.

Not sure 100%, It's a pretty steep degradation of performance, but I'm thinking you were offset by being in motion the whole time. A tire at freeway speeds is ~50f warmer than a tire that's been sitting there. I'm thinking if you pulled over for an hour nap and then tried to drive off in that weather, the handling would have been noticeably worse.

As for the Winter tires, those are (I think) the only options in the stock stagger, and that set is more expensive than new wheels and tires in 18's. Considering the road hazard danger in winter (Oh, was that a pothole under all that slush and ice? Oops, there go my 19" low profile wheels, bent and cracked!), putting 18x8's on the car is really beneficial in the winter and saves you a lot of money down the road when you're on your second set of tires.

 

[eflyguy]

Could you give some brand recommendations? I really don't need a 'performance' tire -- a 'passenger' tire will be fine, although if a performance line isn't too much more than passenger, I might consider a performance tire.

I know what you're asking and why.

Not all summer tires are equal, i.e. some may be more tolerant of colder weather. However, you don't need a summer tire, there are some very good all seasons out there.

My daughter's Challenger came with Bridgestone G-FORCE COMP-2 A/S 245/45R20 - and we're now on the third set. They're all-season (it's her daily drive) and handle everything like a dream - and as a RWD, heavy vehicle, you need good performance in a variety of conditions. We get down into the teens or colder in winter quite often. Over four years now on them and never an issue - which, in Atlanta is saying something, let alone the fact it was her 16th b'day present..

I get them at Costco, which is about as cheap as you'll find, and includes road hazard protection. Look them up on tirerack as well - very well liked!

 

[eflyguy]

Talk about timing.. Jason just published this!

 

[Paul32]

I just purchased a GT2 AWD (but don't have actual possession yet).

I want to buy new tires for non-snow conditions in North Dakota. This would be the months from March through November. It can get well below freezing in some of those months, even though there may be no snow yet.

Would a 'summer' tire be ok for those cold temps, or do I need another all-season tire? I will be putting snow tires on for winter, so the fact that 'all-season' tires can supposedly be used in snow, that doesn't enter in to my situation.

Could you give some brand recommendations? I really don't need a 'performance' tire -- a 'passenger' tire will be fine, although if a performance line isn't too much more than passenger, I might consider a performance tire.

I thought your original question was what tire to use from March through November? If that was your question, why not use the tires the car comes with for the summer months and winter tires for the cold months. You could stretch the winter tires to Oct-Apr. I'm assuming the GT2 AWD is coming with summer tires?

 

[MerlintheMad]

As for the Winter tires, those are (I think) the only options in the stock stagger, and that set is more expensive than new wheels and tires in 18's.

This is good to consider all the options. But price is not the only consideration with me. I've said in another thread on tires and wheels that I have no desire to "ugly" my car. Some people think it's the way to go running solid steel wheels and winter treads. UGLY! I already dislike winter for enough reasons. Adding on making my Stinger ugly isn't an option. I intend to run my pretty rims. They already have curb rash. In the spring I will buy new and put the summers on them, and keep these original rims with the winter tires. I'm not too worried about potholes and crashing my 19s just because it's winter. I'm a careful driver in the snow, etc. So the price of those Pirelli winters seem worth it, if I can maximize control of the car and only run them three to four months out of the year. But, also, if I did see a spiff set of 18" rims that will hold up well in the weather for year after year, I might reconsider and run 18" winters in a square setup. I have difficulty believing that nice 18" rims and winter tires would be less expensive than four Pirellis.

 

[eflyguy]

I thought your original question was what tire to use from March through November? If that was your question, why not use the tires the car comes with for the summer months and winter tires for the cold months. You could stretch the winter tires to Oct-Apr. I'm assuming the GT2 AWD is coming with summer tires?

His car is coming with all-season tires, most AWD in the northern states do.

I agree, though - I missed that he was buying snow tires for winter. The all seasons are not suitable for the kind of snow they get up there.

So, yes, in that case, why not use the provided AS tires until winter?

 

[Waynerm002]

This is good to consider all the options. But price is not the only consideration with me. I've said in another thread on tires and wheels that I have no desire to "ugly" my car. Some people think it's the way to go running solid steel wheels and winter treads. UGLY! I already dislike winter for enough reasons. Adding on making my Stinger ugly isn't an option. I intend to run my pretty rims. They already have curb rash. In the spring I will buy new and put the summers on them, and keep these original rims with the winter tires. I'm not too worried about potholes and crashing my 19s just because it's winter. I'm a careful driver in the snow, etc. So the price of those Pirelli winters seem worth it, if I can maximize control of the car and only run them three to four months out of the year. But, also, if I did see a spiff set of 18" rims that will hold up well in the weather for year after year, I might reconsider and run 18" winters in a square setup. I have difficulty believing that nice 18" rims and winter tires would be less expensive than four Pirellis.

You can get a nice set of alloy wheels (not steelies) with winter tires from tirerack, I've done it on my past cars. The steel stuff is so yesterday, lol, come on Merlin, get with the times. They have a lot of choices in alloys you can get in 18" size that will look good on the car.

 

[eflyguy]

I was thinking more like:

 

[Waynerm002]

LOL!! Now that's just wrong! That just looks like it's 4 spare wheels and tires, that wheel can't run proper winter tires.

Then again, I remember back in the day when I sold cars, a guy just wanted 4 steel wheels. To get the price of the car lower he negotiated for those instead of the alloys. I still think the finance guy came out on top but he was happy with it.

 

[MerlintheMad]

@FlyGuy GAH!!

 

[nhsjpeterson]

I'll know a bit more of what I'm going to do by Monday -- as I said in Post #5, there's a reason I'm not planning on using the stock tires, but the reason for it isn't important enough to include it in a post.