Topic: Z -rated tires?

[canuck_driver]

Hi guys n gals,quick question here.I have a 2003 Mercury Marauder.The factory tires are ZR.

Are ZR type tires a "summer only" compound,just like the Sube Impreza STi?

I think they are,


thank you


D

[blur911]

The Z is a speed rating, it has nothing to do with being summer only or not.  If it's an "all-season" it should have a M+S marking on the sidewall.  What brand and model tire are they?

[canuck_driver]

BF Goodrich g-force tires original factory tires!


D

[KRS]

  BF Goodrich has a G-Force kdws ZR Rated tire which is supposed to be an all season. they also have G-force R1 which looks like its a dry weather slick and about 5 other G-force branded tires with different capabilities in between.

  Here's the link to their site so you can see, based on what suffix is on your tire, what it is.
  http://www.bfgoodrichtires.com/catalog/sports-car/11.html

  If it was supplied as an OEM tire I would be surprised if it isn't rated as an all season, though it will almost certainly be a very poor all season. The construction that makes a tire ultra high performance usually makes for a very compromised all season in snow.
 
 

[oversteer]

The Z is a speed rating, it has nothing to do with being summer only or not.  If it's an "all-season" it should have a M+S marking on the sidewall. 

True, but generally speaking, there is no z-rated tire that anyone should be using in the winter, unless you're talking about places where "winter" means the temperature drops to the teens.   The phrase "all-season" and the M+S marking refer only to the tread-to-void ratio and have nothing to do with the tread pattern or rubber compounds.  For all intents and purposes it's negligent to tell someone they can drive on a tire like that in a winter with sub-zero temperatures and ice+snow conditions.

[blur911]

The Z is a speed rating, it has nothing to do with being summer only or not.  If it's an "all-season" it should have a M+S marking on the sidewall. 

True, but generally speaking, there is no z-rated tire that anyone should be using in the winter, unless you're talking about places where "winter" means the temperature drops to the teens.   The phrase "all-season" and the M+S marking refer only to the tread-to-void ratio and have nothing to do with the tread pattern or rubber compounds.  For all intents and purposes it's negligent to tell someone they can drive on a tire like that in a winter with sub-zero temperatures and ice+snow conditions.

Tell BFG they are being negligent then . They are claiming this of the KDWS: 

"Outstanding traction and handling in dry, wet and snow conditions with the KDWS.  The KDWS is a performance tire for drivers who need true all-season capability, including snow, plus the smooth ride and the long wear that major automakers demand."

[initial_D]

Snow traction in a computer simulation program is slightly different than the real life wet stuff. 

[safristi]

is "ZEE" rated fer kids under 80 IQ...??

[oversteer]

Tell BFG they are being negligent then . They are claiming this of the KDWS: 

"Outstanding traction and handling in dry, wet and snow conditions with the KDWS.  The KDWS is a performance tire for drivers who need true all-season capability, including snow, plus the smooth ride and the long wear that major automakers demand."

Hmm, well what do you know about that.  I guess that's what the "S" stands for in "KDWS"? 

As always it's up to the individual, but I would never drive on tires like that (just look at the size range!) in a Canadian winter.  California maybe.

[quadzilla]

As always it's up to the individual, but I would never drive on tires like that (just look at the size range!) in a Canadian winter.  California maybe.

I don't understand what the size range has to do with how a tire performs?

[oversteer]

Just a general comment that there are only five available sizes and they are all wide, low-profile tires.