Treading Lightly

admin · Post by **admin** » Wed Jun 20, 2007 3:44 am

So please help me out here. I took my ol' Ford, 2003, in for servicing today and was looking at the prices of new 16" low profile tires. Sorry the number escapes me at this moment, maybe P205/50R16.

First they are not easy to find, second they are expensive compared to other more mainstream tires and third do they outperform tires that cost 50% less.

So I asked why they are more expensive and the answer was "they are a performance tire, sir." I quickly looked behind me, thinking they must be referring to an old guy in the shop. Whoops, they were talking to me!

I asked what they meant by performance and if this meant they were safer. After some histrionic eye-rolling amongst the counter guys, the best they could come up with is that they were a "better ride but not safer." The unstated sense that I had was "if the old guy has to ask about performance would he know the difference anyway?"

Without treading on toes, what does performance mean in the tire world especially as it pertains to the P205/50R16?

Tired in Fredericton.

sowhat · Post by **sowhat** » Wed Jun 20, 2007 3:56 am

It means "If you want to buy them, buy them without asking any questions".

Or that'd be my conclusion had i been through that kind of talk in a shop... Kiddin'.
Could've they meant longevity? Or perhaps a "new technology"? Or simply the fact they're not "mainstream"?

captsandwich · Post by **captsandwich** » Wed Jun 20, 2007 4:10 am

Others may have more knowledge, (meaning I could be way off base) but here is the little bit that I have gleaned over the past few years: 'performance' tires are often made out of softer compounds to give more grip under acceleration, high speed cornering etc. The other side of this coin is that they tend to wear more quickly. Sometimes they use alternate materials, too, like kevlar belting instead of the old steel belts. Treads may also be designed to minimize rolling resistance, which can also compromise traction in wet conditions.
Unless you're driving a performance car, taking your car to the track or (God forbid) street racing, I don't think it's worth the extra cash for a family sedan.

shinynewtoy · Post by **shinynewtoy** » Wed Jun 20, 2007 4:59 am

Greg hit the nail. I'm a sports-car guy, and if I had the right car for them perf tires would be the way to go.... the way they drive in dry conditions is worth the extra money. But they're bad in the wet and generally awful in anything worse... for everyday use I'd opt for a nice set of all-seasons, preferably Michelins. My '98 900 has a good set of them and it was amazing this winter.

jingle_jangle · Post by **jingle_jangle** » Wed Jun 20, 2007 5:05 am

It probably comes down to speed ratings and the higher standard that higher speed-rated tires are built to.

http://autorepair.about.com/od/regularmaintenance/a/tires_speed_rat.htm

In general, the lower the aspect ratio (yours are 60s, or 60%; these days some go as low as 35%--and these tires can cost $1K each and more!), the higher the speed rating and thus price. 60 aspect ratio tires have been commonly available since about 1980--back then they were the state of the art for sport sedans.

60s are most commonly rated "H" in my experience, but if you can find some rated "S", you'll save $10-$25 per tire. Don't know how much inventory your store has.

You did not mention what model Ford, Peter. If it originally came with 60s, keeping the size is less hassle and keeps the car's original performance envelope. 70s would be cheaper and are more common, but these would be a larger diameter and would change your speedo readings and acceleration stats, though you might notice a slight increase in gas mileage.

charlyg · Post by **charlyg** » Wed Jun 20, 2007 5:34 am

This discussion sparks memories of the old pre-radial L60 we used to put on muscle cars!

A tread thread! {:^)

rob · Post by **rob** » Wed Jun 20, 2007 6:19 am

"If the old guy has to ask about performance, would he know the difference anyway?"
"If you want to buy them, buy them without asking any questions."

With statements like these, then it's time to go to a tire store without any incompetant employees who doesn't know tires from a hole in the ground. If they can't be friendly and knowledgeable to the customers, than obviously that store is due for closing in the very near future.

wayang · Post by **wayang** » Wed Jun 20, 2007 6:32 am

Hey Peter...I've heard you can make the old ones last a little longer by boiling 'em...

Probably not the greatest for 'performance', but they should be okay for rehearsals...

sir_andrew_of_left_coast · Wed Jun 20, 2007 7:48 am

Peter,

I don't know if Canada has something comparable to NHTSA... but do the tires have Treadwear, Traction, and Temperature ratings?

http://www.safercar.gov/tires/pages/tireratings.cfm

admin · Post by **admin** » Wed Jun 20, 2007 9:38 am

Thanks to all who have responded. I appreciate the spin you have given me with respect to my tires. I have a much better grip on things now.

Dane: I appreciate too your balanced approach.

Sir Andrew: Thanks for the reference. I am off to watch another episode of PSI.

lyle_from_minneapolis · Wed Jun 20, 2007 10:15 am

Always with the puns! Time for you to retire.

shinynewtoy · Post by **shinynewtoy** » Wed Jun 20, 2007 10:22 am

And the thread comes to a screeching halt...

Don't retire, Peter. You're having a Goodyear.

lyle_from_minneapolis · Wed Jun 20, 2007 10:25 am

You too, Bob? Gimme a brake.

sowhat · Post by **sowhat** » Wed Jun 20, 2007 10:58 am

I once used to mix up words "pun" and "pug" and couldn't understand why people were asking to forgive the dog...

kcole4001 · Post by **kcole4001** » Wed Jun 20, 2007 11:08 am

It depends on what the dog just did...