Still prefer an atlas over GPS, but I do use that handy built-in compass in the rearview.

 

Yeah my tires were spinning alot. I'm looking for new tires now. Need something with more grip. Been looking at the Goodyear eagle F1 tire. I'm also hearing "wider is better"

 

Had some of them F-1's, super cornering, great in water and snow, good dry traction not great, but they separated some belts at 17000 miles. Of the five different tires I have tried, the Conti DWS had the best dry traction. The tire I would buy again is the ones I'm running now gmax03, 255x40's

 

I am going with the F1 Asymmetrical All Seasons that just came out. They are from my friends at the Goodyear Tech center the best to fit my needs and they have the latest compounding tricks for wear and grip.

 

But how do they ride ? I have a set of them fancy asymmetricals, They ride like a brick, but channel water the best.

 

According to Motor Trend, Road and Track and Winding Road test they all loved the ride and handling. They all rated it over the Pilot, Yokohama and Kumo.

Asymmetical as nothing to do with ride and more with handling and water control.

Ride is more due to tire construction and sidewall distortion.

Performance tires for the road are a great comprimise with handling, traction and all weather ability. The summer only tires handle the best but lose on the weather ability. Most all seasons give up a little handling for more traction in the weather.

What Goodyear and many other companies are doing is playing with the new ways to compound tires to give more grip in weather and make them stick in the dry while not giving up any mileage. The latest from Goodyear is proving they have gotten it right. Goodyear for the last 5-7 years has invested a lot of money and time into new compounds and it has paid off.

Also do not confuse the Eagle F1 tires. There are so many even Discount Tire confuses them. The newest models are state of the art and the old tires are just that old tires with old technology. Same goes for Pilots and the rest.


The new F1 Asymmetrical All Seasons are top for their class as are the F1 Supercar tires that are on the new ZL1 and Shelby 500. They other depend on how long they have been out. Some F1 models went into retirement already.

 

Sounds like I may not be the only one anal about tires,

I want to hear what you say after trying some, I'm very pleased with my gmax 03, but wish I could buy some T1R's for it.

 

Not anal just from Akron.

In this area you live and grow up with Engineers and tire builders from all the major brands here. Or at leaste used to till they were bought out buy 4N companies accept for Goodyear.

We still have Goodyear and Bridgestone Firestone tech centers here and the Goodyear headquarters. they both build nearly all the race tires here. Goodyear even has their test track here yet.

By knowing these people you learn a lot from them.

My Grandfather and father retired from Goodyear as well as my Mother in Law. I still get the employee discount and that is why I tend to stick to Goodyear.

Goodyear was losing money in buckets and around ten years ago they started to turn things around. They got our of the OE market as it is a money looser and only stayed where they make money. They also investing in new technology and it has really shown in their newest tires. 10 years ago their tires were crap now the only crap ones are the oldest or cheapest lines.

I also work for a company that did a lot of work with Goodyear, Firestones/Bridgeston. Michelin/BFG/Uniroyle, General, Kumo, Hankook, Dunlop etc. We would mock up tires and deal with many of the prototypes and racing tires for display. We often worked with the engineers and designers to get them right. They would teach us much on them. A lot of it is common sense noise, design and style when it comes to tread but Compounding is the real high tech area today.

The key to getting a good tire is getting one with the most up to date technology and compounding. If yo go buy a Eagle LS, RSA or even A F1 GS these are very old tires and designs. Now you get a Eagle or Assurance tire released in the last year you will get a much better tire. This hold true to any company. Tires are like car lines and the newest models will always be better than a old platform.

Case in point my factory Pilots on the HHR are really poor tires in traction and wear but to be fair they are an old design with old componding. GM could have gotten a newer tire but they would have had to pay more for it.

Today if you look at most average cars they come with cheaper Hankook and other older model tires unless they are something like a ZL1. ZR1 or CTSv.

the guy who used to direct the OE maket in Detroit for Firestone Bridgestone told me once he wished they would get out as they don't make money and often sell older tires that do them little good with public preception. THis keep in mind was before the Explorer roll over issues they had too.

Auto makers only spend money on tires where it helps the car. This is why they are putting the more expensive Fuel Max Goodyears on the Volt and Prius. These tires really help MPG or range but still have grip unlike other low rolling resistance tires. Again Compounding has helped.

I will get my tires this winter and install them this spring. I will post the results. I run Goodyear Assurance Tripletreads in the snow and they never put a tire wrong. They have been great and have never been a issue in snow or rain.