2WD Trucks and Wet Traction - a losing battle?

[CapriRacer]

"Super Cars? They need big diameter brakes. That means wide, low profile tires - which also happen to have a larger contact patch = more grip."

What does fitting big brakes under a larger wheel diameter have to do with wheel width? Those things are independent of one another.

So you're saying that unsprung weight affects rolling resistance more than anything else?

Ah ..... Mmmmm ..... Not exactly.

When tires are chosen for a vehicle, the most important consideration is load carrying capacity. Too little and the tire fails. Too much and you can't extract the most out of the tires. Car manufacturers have various ways of determining what's best, but they all seem to get about the same answer.

Once load carrying capacity is determined, then size. Tires with about the same load carrying capacity get wider and lower as the rim diameter gets larger. Ergo Super Cars would be using large diameter wheels and by necessity, they would be lower profile and wider tires.

So bigger brakes are related to tire width. They are not independent of each other.

 

[The Critic]

Replaced the original GY’s with a set of Michelin Defender LTX’s.

Sold the GY’s to a local used tire shop for $60.

 

[OVERKILL]

Replaced the original GY’s with a set of Michelin Defender LTX’s.

Sold the GY’s to a local used tire shop for $60.

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Can't go wrong with those!

 

[edyvw]

Replaced the original GY’s with a set of Michelin Defender LTX’s.

Sold the GY’s to a local used tire shop for $60.

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Best option!
How do they drive?

 

[The Critic]

Best option!
How do they drive?

I’ll let you know in a few hundred miles.

 

[nthach]

"Super Cars? They need big diameter brakes. That means wide, low profile tires - which also happen to have a larger contact patch = more grip."

What does fitting big brakes under a larger wheel diameter have to do with wheel width? Those things are independent of one another.

So you're saying that unsprung weight affects rolling resistance more than anything else?

Supercars are meant to excel in benchmarks(the skid pad, 0-60-0 and 1/4 mile) and on the track, if you race it. A regular car is more concerned with MPG, NVH and space.

BMW started the “skinny but big” trend on the i3, it was a 185/195 wide tire on a 20” wheel, a departure from skinny and small on the Prius and Insight that used 185/65-15 or 175/60-14 tires and wheels. It was a special Bridgestone Ocology tire. Tesla is trying with the kitchen sink approach with the same tire sizes used on sports/supercars but a LRR/noise attenuating design.

 

[CharBaby]

If I have OE tires that I don't like, I do the same thing as you Critic.
I change'em out the OE while they still have decent tread on them as to make them sellable.

 

[Arc]

Yeah, not happening.

I know but it sounded good

 

[The Critic]

I’ll let you know in a few hundred miles.

Let's just say that the presence of mold-release compound was evident, and so was tread squirm. Those two "issues" are mostly resolved after 200 miles of highway driving. 3 of the tires are from the 11th week of 2023, 1 is from the 51st week of 2022.

I do think the tires are a bit of a downgrade from a steering response standpoint, but that may improve over time as they see some wear.

Edit:
Continental has a well-written page about the break-in of new tires. Looks like 500 miles is their estimate:
https://www.continental-tires.com/c...fitting/changing-tires/braking-with-new-tires

 

[edyvw]

Let's just say that the presence of mold-release compound was evident, and so was tread squirm. Those two "issues" are mostly resolved after 200 miles of highway driving. 3 of the tires are from the 11th week of 2023, 1 is from the 51st week of 2022.

I do think the tires are a bit of a downgrade from a steering response standpoint, but that may improve over time as they see some wear.

Edit:
Continental has a well-written page about the break-in of new tires. Looks like 500 miles is their estimate:
https://www.continental-tires.com/c...fitting/changing-tires/braking-with-new-tires

Take into consideration that these tires do everything well, and nothing excellent. I know people who use them as snow tires. They are very popular here as all year tire. They use them to do off roading. They have extremely strong sidewalls and somehow they are one of the lightest tire in category.
Considering design, I can see being bit less responsive.

 

[drtyler]

Replaced the original GY’s with a set of Michelin Defender LTX’s.

Sold the GY’s to a local used tire shop for $60.

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So how are the new Michelins? Did you consider the Continental TerrainContact H/T at any point?

 

[The Critic]

So how are the new Michelins? Did you consider the Continental TerrainContact H/T at any point?

It hasn't rained since the tires were installed, so not sure. So far, the new tires deliver a crisper steering response (not by much) and a 1 mpg reduction in fuel economy. And my wallet is $1000 lighter.

The Continentals were on a long backorder whenever I looked, plus the Michelin's were cheaper with the pricematch.

 

[Jetronic]

so the steering response issue has resolved itself?

 

[The Critic]

so the steering response issue has resolved itself?

Yes - new tires needed to wear in a bit.

 

[Jetronic]

Yes - new tires needed to wear in a bit.

Took 6-700 miles on my Cross climates

 

[The Critic]

Took 6-700 miles on my Cross climates

Oddly enough I have never experienced this with CrossClimate2’s.

 

[Jetronic]

Oddly enough I have never experienced this with CrossClimate2’s.

This was on the original crossclimates, felt like I was skating rather than driving. But it's not wear related, there was no visible wear as the issue gradually resolved.

My Goodyear eagle f& assymetric 6 also did it but not to the same extent. Other tyres I can't remember doing anything of the sort.