Hi all y'all,

There is a strong possibility that I might relocate from Austin, TX to Seattle. It is odd timing for me since I'm about to purchase RPF1 9.5" +15 with 265 / 35 Nitto NT05, but now I'm second guessing that decision. Central Texas is really hot most of the time, so summer tires are no problem, but what about Seattle? What are you guys running up there? Are you swapping summer with all season, going with an all season all year, or throwing dice at summer only tires. What choices have you made and why? Should I buy two sets of tires (summer and all season), or is there an in between answer. I know the weather up there hovers around 40 - 50 degrees in the winter with about 4 or 5 snow days. What can I get away with and still have awesome performance and safety in the wet/cool air?

I also like the Nitto INVO and the Dunlop Direzza, and Pilot SS, but these are all summer tires. Continental DWS comes to mind for all season, but I just don't know, and there are way too many reviews out there from people who don't drive as fast and hard as most Evo owners I know do. I need solid Evo owner advice.

Cheers!

 

I run all-season (continental DWS) year-round because I commute ~15k miles / year and can't be buying a new set of tires ever 12-15 months

most people have a dedicated set of summer and winter tires that the switch off. I don't track my car, so i'm not useful there. The sidewalls on the DWS are a bit soft, if I take a big sweeping freeway onramp that suggest 25mph I'm comfortable at 45mph but can feel the tires rolling over a bit on entry. I'm not an all-around aggressive driver, so I can get away with all-seasons just fine

a few higher-hp cars (awd and rwd) run the invo's and have nothing but good things to say about them. I was going to buy them if i'd gone with two sets of tires

 

I personally run all seasons during the winter (im in oregon, so lots of rain for a good 8 months), and then run summer tires in the summer. I'm getting into autox so thats part of the reason I do that as well. The nice thing (or not nice) about the PNW is summer is relatively short, so your summer tires should last a couple seasons!

 

Thanks for your feedback. With some more searching, it seems lots of folks in the Seattle area have luck with DWS. I realize the Continentals have a softer sidewall, and you lose out on all season, but it is safer. I see the load range is XL so maybe they've changed the design. Assuming I move, I might buy these here to save taxes, and pick up Nitto's for summer.

 

what tires are you running for autocross?


And to add to the original question,
you will probably want a summer and a winter tire.
it would make life much easier.

 

Dunlop direzza z1 star specs. Used and I haven't run them quite yet haha. Just recently got some bbs' to mount them on.

 

Go with two sets one summer one winter make it so much nicer during both seasons!!!

 

My Michelin PSS 265 35/ZR18's get me around all year here.

John-

 

I run summer tires all summer and all seasons the rest of the year.

 

Get separate summer and winter tires. Especially if you plan to go over the passes or go snowboarding, skiing etc.

 

Count on some precip 150 days a year. If you're only going to run only 1 set of tires I don't think the NT05 would be a good choice.

 

I run my Summer tires 8 months out of the year. I have a set of Blizzaks for when I go boarding. If I didn't go into the pass, I could drive my summer tire all year long. You might be stranded maybe 3 days a year if you just have summer tires, but then again all of seattle shuts down when we have more than a half inch of snow.

Also, if you do get two sets, get a good summer and a good winter. Don't bother with the all seasons. They are only good if you only want one tire year round. My .02 cents

 

Three sets here. Most of the time I am on BF Goodrich G-Force Super Sport A/S 255-45R17. I have a set of Bridgestone Blizzaks (235-45R17) for when the white stuff brings the playground to the streets. Then I have a set of 615s that I play with on the track (255-45R17), but I have not been on the track for almost 3 years now. My son has reshaped my priorities for time and money. I will say that my all seasons have plenty of grip. I think that if you are outrunning the performance that they can give you, then you should not be doing that on the street.. One thing to think about with summer tires and the months of use is not even just the snow and cold temps but the rain here in the PNW.

 

I run two sets, but I go with an all season that isn't too bad in the summer in case I get lazy. I'm mostly with Alex (Demon) - I drive pretty casually so it doesn't affect me. I definitely can't go crazy in the corners with these tires, but they do well in the rain/snow (good siping).

I honestly can't remember the name (terible, I know) off the top of my head as I've run them so long (good tread life). I'll post if I remember to look.

 

Thanks for the feedback everyone. I ordered my RPF-1 set yesterday, but was holding off on tires to see the responses. My stock tires got destroyed at the track, but they've lasted me about 9,000 miles. I might just purchase a set of Pilot Super Sports today. I realize they are not a track tire, but they are decent performers, good for the rain, and last a long time. I could always pick up true snow tires in a pinch for my stock wheels.


Someone commented on driving fast on the streets. It’s funny here in Texas since people tend to drive fast. There is an empty stretch of toll road from San Antonio that is 85 MPH for about 40 miles, and people generally drive five to ten miles above the speed limit. There is also a lot of empty space here, so you can drive without risk of hurting anyone.