Time for new tires, Suggestions please , summer tires or so cal tires Options

[Superhawk996]

3 pages of discussion on tires? (IMG:style_emoticons/default/lol-2.gif) No debate here!. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/stirthepot.gif)

There is no right answer and getting useful technical information on tires is near impossible unless you have access to a flat track tire measurement rig like the OEM and tire manufacturers use.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=96ME_I5s-gQ


I've found large disparity and information between Tire Rack (or any of the on-line tire retailer) reviews and what I know to be the case from flat track data I have access to. Not to say they aren't worth reading but don't take them as gospel but general crowd sourced data.

To compound matters, any particular tire brand or model can have several different compounds, tire constructions, and manufacturing plants. Even though externally they appear to be the exact same tire, they are not. Coefficient of friction (mu) varies, stiffness of the side wall (i.e. cornering stiffness) can all vary to a large degree even though the tires look the same.

Three bits of information that can be highly useful:

1) DOT codes. This is like the tire fingerprint. A unique code is assigned for each unique tire construction.. When I have to go get tires out of our tire storage areas, I'm looking at DOT codes to make sure I have the right tires for a given test. The DOT date code also tells when it was manufactured. Beware of local tire dealers if they don't move volume. No sense in buying a "new" tire that is really 4 years old and has been sitting in a hot warehouse. Likewise, verify the DOT code is the same on all four tires. I've seen tire stores deliver 3 of one code and the 4th of another. This is not good! It took about 1/2 hour of argument with the tire store to get them to address it and only then it was after I had to explain to them what a DOT code is. Scary!

2) UTQG codes.
Pick tires with Traction and Temperature grades A, they will be better tires than those with B or C as a generalization.

2A) Treadwear code is a part of the UTQG code. The lower the Treadwear number, the less life you'll get but likewise that typically is due to the tire having more GRIP. Summer tires will be quite low, but the grip is amazing. I used to Run Bridgestone RE-71 as a DOT legal autocross tires which at the time were rated Treadwear= 71. I used to get about 12,000 miles (i.e. two summers). They were so grippy and picked up so much road debris they eventually sandblasted the rockers on my Miata.



Here is a good Tire Rack primer on what UTQG codes are.

https://www.tirerack.com/tires/tiretech/tec...p;affiliate=HM5

Here is how to read the DOT Date code.
https://www.tirerack.com/tires/tiretech/tec...e.jsp?techid=11

Decoder of DOT code manufacturing locations
http://www.tiresafetygroup.com/tire-dot-pl...d-manufacturer/

[Superhawk996]

I beginning to realize a tire failure on these cars could be especially dangerous

Cause lets face it a 914 gets driven harder then
A toyota

@thelogo

Dude, I saw one of your posts elsewhere and didn't respond. I think it was you (forgive me if I'm confused) that you're running around with a seat belt tensioner that doesn't maintain tension as you wear it.

Take this advice from an automotive engineer: Spend your money on a functional seat belt 1st.

Right after that, I'm with you tires are the most important things that affect your safety. But to not have a functional seat belt is silly. Having slack in the seat belt is nearly worthless and/or actually increases G loads on your body when or if your body finally hits it, assuming your head hasn't already hit the glass.

Sorry to sound preachy but if you're going to worry about the safety implications of tires, think about the implication of a seat belt 1st. I say that as someone that rides motorcycles, has road raced motor cycles, and has done stupid things that I'm lucky to have survived. I understand risk taking, but, I'd argue that not wearing a properly fitting seat belt probably isn't a risk worth taking.

[thelogo]

I beginning to realize a tire failure on these cars could be especially dangerous

Cause lets face it a 914 gets driven harder then
A toyota

@thelogo

Dude, I saw one of your posts elsewhere and didn't respond. I think it was you (forgive me if I'm confused) that you're running around with a seat belt tensioner that doesn't maintain tension as you wear it.

Take this advice from an automotive engineer: Spend your money on a functional seat belt 1st.

Right after that, I'm with you tires are the most important things that affect your safety. But to not have a functional seat belt is silly. Having slack in the seat belt is nearly worthless and/or actually increases G loads on your body when or if your body finally hits it, assuming your head hasn't already hit the glass.

Sorry to sound preachy but if you're going to worry about the safety implications of tires, think about the implication of a seat belt 1st. I say that as someone that rides motorcycles, has road raced motor cycles, and has done stupid things that I'm lucky to have survived. I understand risk taking, but, I'd argue that not wearing a properly fitting seat belt probably isn't a risk worth taking.

Im much more about active saftey then passive saftey
But where do i buy em ?

[Literati914]

I really, really want 205/60R15 tires and I need to get a set before I do body and paint because I may have to slightly pull the rear fenders... so I came across a set of brand new Yokohama Advan A048's in 205/60R15 for $100 each w/local pick up. I know nothing about them but they look aggressive - so I figure they are mostly gonna be summer performance tires, but then my car won't be drivable 'til summer anyway. What's the concensus on this "deal" - is it too good to pass on (I think they retail for $220 ea or so), or - why bother since they're not all season, etc? Anyone have experience with them on a street car or otherwise? I need to make a decision.

[Superhawk996]

Im much more about active saftey then passive saftey

But where do i buy em ?

@thelogo

If by active safety you mean paying attention, looking down the road as far as possible, and having situational awareness . . . . I applaud you. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/cheer.gif) However, I can tell you from personal experience that things can go drastically wrong in spit second and it doesn't even have to be your fault.

Likewise tires are a big deal. Don't get me wrong. Most people roll up to the tire counter simply looking for a cheap tire that has a 40,000 - 50,000 life. Let that one sink in a bit. The ONE thing that has the largest effect on stopping distance and they compromise it right out the chute. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/slap.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/confused24.gif)

Where to buy a decent seatbelt? Classifieds on this site will likely turn up a decent set of used but functional belts for minimal cost.

Also there are a number of threads that seem to point to these guys as decent replacements:

https://www.seatbeltplanet.com/i-30498046-1...ategory:1389288