Summer vs All-Season tires

[O'Neall]

I'm trying to decide between BFG G-force T/A KDW (Ultra HiPo Summer tire) and KDWS (Ultra HiPo All-Season tire) for my 77 T/A. Price difference is negligible, so that's not really an issue... and both come is the sizes I want.

I live in Phoenix where I drive my car all year round. In the summer obviously the KDW-summer is a great choice, but I'm more worried about the winter. Phoenix winters are obviously mild, but I do like to take my car out either early in the morning or late at night sometimes, and in the winter time it can get down near freezing (sometimes even a bit below freezing) during these times and summer tires aren't meant to be driven in near freezing temps... SO... based on this I'm thinking of going with the KDWS-All-Season.

Question is... how much performance loss (if any) will there be between the KDW and the KDWS?

I know that the new Corvette comes with All-Season tires from the factory, but the Z06 (I believe) does come summer tires (please correct me if I'm wrong).

My car is strictly a street car... I don't autoX, or road race or anything, but I am building it to handle more like a 4th Gen T/A.

Suggestions and info/enlightenment greatly appreciated!

[68/CamaroFL]

I'm trying to decide between BFG G-force T/A KDW (Ultra HiPo Summer tire) and KDWS (Ultra HiPo All-Season tire) for my 77 T/A. Price difference is negligible, so that's not really an issue... and both come is the sizes I want.

I live in Phoenix where I drive my car all year round. In the summer obviously the KDW-summer is a great choice, but I'm more worried about the winter. Phoenix winters are obviously mild, but I do like to take my car out either early in the morning or late at night sometimes, and in the winter time it can get down near freezing (sometimes even a bit below freezing) during these times and summer tires aren't meant to be driven in near freezing temps... SO... based on this I'm thinking of going with the KDWS-All-Season.

Question is... how much performance loss (if any) will there be between the KDW and the KDWS?

I know that the new Corvette comes with All-Season tires from the factory, but the Z06 (I believe) does come summer tires (please correct me if I'm wrong).

My car is strictly a street car... I don't autoX, or road race or anything, but I am building it to handle more like a 4th Gen T/A.

Suggestions and info/enlightenment greatly appreciated!

Jon Check out this Nitto Invo Tire there Great and ride is Excellent
I Really like them here is the review
http://www.nittotire.com/#index%2Etire%2Einvo

[Blown353]

As you said... some of the "summer only" tires use tread compounds that get quite slick in colder weather, and tend to have less focus on water channeling ability.

For instance the RE070 Bridgestones on my daily driver Subaru STI start losing cornering grip much below 50F, and down around 35-40F the amount of grip lost is quite noticeable. The tire compound is just more sensitive to the lower temperatures. The Kumho MX's on the Chevelle act very similarly even in a straight line. When the outside temps are in the high 30's in a straight line the car won't hook up until 35-40mph faster than on a 65 degree day. Cornering grip is down too and "recoverability" of the tire suffers too once traction is lost, it slides around quite a bit longer until biting again. It's very obvious the tires just aren't very happy at the reduced road temps and reduced tread temps. Dangerous? Not really IMO if you remember the reduced traction in colder temps and adjust your driving accordingly.

I would rather sacrifice a bit of colder weather traction for 2-3 months out of the year and have better traction the other 9 months with "summer only" tires on my fun cars compared to A/S tires.

[Damn True]

I was considering running something like the Nitto NT-01 or Toyo R-888 or even perhaps something as agressive at Hoosier R-6's or the new BFG DOT slick.

But after seeing the XV Trackday photos I am strongly reconsidering.

[streetrod77]

I have notice the samething as Blown353 about MX tires. I do like the R888 but don't know about any other tires.