Topic: Time to replace the 3-season tires on the Mazda 3

[Gurgie]

Yeah I have until March 25th to exchange them. I think I'm going to.  Shame...I really liked these types up until it rained.

What were the temperatures like when you were driving them in the rain? Also, how many kms do you have on the tires so far? I find after they wear a bit they tend to start to grip better in all situations.

[tortoise]

Yeah. I'm willing to bet that the cold and rain was a factor.

Also, it sounds like you were pushing it pretty hard.

[quadzilla]

I just would have preferred better wet weather cornering (we're talking left hand turns on residential roads at 50-60km/h no braking).

Also, it sounds like you were pushing it pretty hard.

You think?

[Great_Big_Abyss]

The Kinda guy who will cheap out on tires, then complain when they don't perform optimally when driving aggressively on a cold, rainy day, to the point of returning them.

[Ex-airbalancer]

I just would have preferred better wet weather cornering (we're talking left hand turns on residential roads at 50-60km/h no braking).

Also, it sounds like you were pushing it pretty hard.

You think?

Probably not

[Noto]

Yeah I have until March 25th to exchange them. I think I'm going to.  Shame...I really liked these types up until it rained.

What were the temperatures like when you were driving them in the rain? Also, how many kms do you have on the tires so far? I find after they wear a bit they tend to start to grip better in all situations.

I started to think about that last night, too.  IIRC, it was probably less than 3'C. The tires have maybe 2,000km on them, maybe less.

I love them, but that one "test turn" where I intentionally tried to push it hard made me question it.

Friday will be warm and wet. I'll try again then.

These tires are amazing today in the dry, despite the cold.

[Noto]

Today was 8 degrees. I drove from North York to Guelph, then tried the same turn, same speed. Not much better.

Hydroplane resistance is great, but wet cornering grip is not.

I'll call tomorrow and order the pilot sport tires.

[rrocket]

Today was 8 degrees. I drove from North York to Guelph, then tried the same turn, same speed. Not much better.

Hydroplane resistance is great, but wet cornering grip is not.

I'll call tomorrow and order the pilot sport tires.

Can't wait for your review.

[tortoise]

8 degrees is still pretty cold IMO.

[rrocket]

8 degrees is still pretty cold IMO.

That's well within the working temp for a non-supersport tire.

Even my supersports (summer only) on my IS-F are within that temp range. 

But yea, warmer is better...

[Gurgie]

I dunno, just shaking my head here on this one, what kinda grip are you expecting? And are we talking understeer that's engineered into the car? A front wheel drive car at that? Suppose I'd have to drive it to see, but I can't imagine they're that bad... and it's not like you're gonna be cornering like that often.

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[carcrazed]

You're overthinking it.  Just get the best tires you can find and afford.  I learned that lesson when I got iPikes instead of Xice3s for my forester. 

[johngenx]

You're overthinking it.  Just get the best tires you can find and afford.  I learned that lesson when I got iPikes instead of Xice3s for my forester.

It's possible to get great tires without breaking the bank.  Even some of the Michelin models are competitively priced now.  We bought Michelin summers for the Corolla last spring.  Bridgestone usually has very aggressive pricing on excellent tires.  The various Blizzak models could be called bargains when you look at the prices, and screaming deals when considering their performance for the price.

Thanks, Costco.

[Ex-airbalancer]

I wonder if he has the right tire pressure for a smooth bump free ride

[tortoise]

I dunno, just shaking my head here on this one, what kinda grip are you expecting? And are we talking understeer that's engineered into the car? A front wheel drive car at that? Suppose I'd have to drive it to see, but I can't imagine they're that bad... and it's not like you're gonna be cornering like that often.

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This is my thought too.

But it's No-Sans choice.

[Great_Big_Abyss]

I'd love to be a fly on the wall for that conversation:

No-san: Hi, Kal-Tire Tire Salesman, I'd like to return these tires that I bought from you a month ago.

Kal-Tire Tire Salesman: I can certainly help you with that.  May I ask what the issue is with the tires that is causing you to return them?  Were the tires noisier than your expectations?

NS: No... They were very quiet and comfortable.

KTTS: Okay, Did they vibrate at speed?  I could try rebalancing them for you...

NS: No, that's not it... They were perfectly balanced.

KTTS: Hmmm, were they punture-prone?

NS: I didn't have any failures with these tires.

KTTS: Okay.  Were their overall performance not up to your standards?

NS:. Oh, No, they performed excellently 99% of the time.

KTTS:. So, what was the problem?

NS: Well, the tires were overall great, but they had difficulty maintaining grip while powering around a residential corner at 55km/h in the cold while it was raining.

KTTS: ...   

NS: Lawyered.

[Noto]

Exchange ordered.

Scheduled to put the Michelin Pilot Sport a/s on Monday at 1:30pm. Difference in price end up being $80.

[EV-Light]

Today was 8 degrees. I drove from North York to Guelph, then tried the same turn, same speed. Not much better.

Hydroplane resistance is great, but wet cornering grip is not.

I'll call tomorrow and order the pilot sport tires.

Pirelli All Season Plus!


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[Angry Chicken]

Just read the manufacturer’s website info on the Nokian Z-line. Don’t see any mention of it being an all-season tire?  Looks like a summer tire...right down to it’s lack of sipes and big blocks and grooves.  I am not at all surprised that lateral grip was not present in your hooning around corners in the cold and wet. Maybe you should have done a bit of research first?

[dkaz]

Oh yea the Z-Line is a summer tire.