Zero Grip Tyres

[paulstevens]

Guys,

Has anyone come across the problem of practically zero grip in these current weather/road conditions e.g. damp ish A & B roads with a covering of probably a gritters lunch with plenty of salt mixed in. I cannot practically pull away, nor turn in (like when going around a roundabout), without really massive understeer I mean it's like entering an icy corner too fast, except I am really, honestly not trying hard. The traction control is jumping in, because the rears are escaping at the slightest prompt even from low revs. I've even tried left foot braking to try and get the nose to tuck in, but all to no avail.

My tyres were checked at a recent visit to my OPC and I have the printout showing all tyres were better than 5mm and inflation was correct, even compensating for air temperature when checked. My tyres I was led to believe are the original tyres and they are "Continentals". If it is really raining they seem workable, and in the dry I can really push on, but in these current conditions I have zero confidence in sticking to the road. I have tried to generate some heat in the tyres to see if grip improves, but I can't find a safe enough section of road to really generate some heat, and even after a blat on the motorway they still grip like a slippery eel coated in butter. It is just like constantly driving on a diesel spill regardless of the A or B road surface type. This seems to have only become prevalent in the last couple of weeks [&o]

Comments?

Cheers Paul

 

[garyw]

I commented on almost the same thing whilst out playing last weekend, the roads were almost sweaty with the salt and water..[:'(]

We did luckily find some dry roads that proved the tyres were working mighty fine.[]

I've tried to pull away and the tyres felt like hard plastic and just spun... adopted a different style of driving and it never did it again, the tyres as you may have found were also from cold..

garyw

 

[Alex L]

I must say that my old Michelin PS2s were much better than my new Bridestones. That's the Porsche factory saving money for you!! Can't comment on Continentals though.

You might want to check your alignment - this can have a big impact on grip. I am still waiting for my PDI report showing me my alignment check that was supposedly done. 3 months later and my OPC still can't get it to me despite about 50 reminders []

 

[Sandy59]

'Normal' summer tyres are not designed to work properly in temperatures less than around 7 degrees C I beleive. Even if you get some heat into them and the road temp is low then expect the unexpected !!
In my experience the only option is to wait for better weather/road conditions - it hopefully won't be long now !!

 

[timhum2002]

I believe its a quirk of the road conditions. My daily driver is a Diesel Golf 140 bhp covering an average of 160 miles per day. Over the last couple of weeks the traction control is constantly intervening on roundabouts, tight bends and turning out of junctions. This is all at quite low speeds, thank goodness!

 

[okellyt]

Paul

Sandy59's comments are very valid here.

However I had continentals on my first Boxster and had a real issue with their wet and cold weather grip. Like you there wasn't any, tail out slidery was fairly normal to get around a corner and even small throttle inputs caused a break in traction - this was coming straight out of a Nissan 200 which were notorious for low grip in the wet.

My second Boxster had Bridgestone that were far, far better - on the same roads in much the same conditions they had noticeably better grip. the worse the weather the bigger the difference

As for the Sports Pilots on my current 997, no comparison - I've flooored the throttle in thrid in the wet and not a hint of wheelspin or traction control intervention, I have gone round familiar corners at dry boxster +10mph in cold greasy conditions not a chirrup or a flashing Led anywhere

At this point I have become convinced its the tyres, yes the Boxster has a different balance but the differences with Bridgeston and then again Micheling were so big that my only explanation was that the conti's are only any good in the dry - even then they weren't a patch on the Brodgestone or Mitchelin.

Interestingly enough - the conti's lasted much much longer. 35k miles for a set of rears. low grip tyres last longer because they don't lay down as much rubbre pre revolution. the corollary is high grip tyres don't last long

The Pirelli P zero's on the 997TT I borrowed for a weekend did very well as well - 2-3 C alternating dry and greasy roads (shaded areas were greasy), even allowing for 4 wheel drive.

So even if its just the weather the conti's aren't a patch on the custom rubber - I'd change them if I were you.

 

[garyw]

Just for the record, I'm running Bridgestones...
I've been very happy with them so far having never had them on a car before..

Yes, slipped as I mentioned earlier but on the dry sunny stuff the car still shocked me at its grip... more so as my 2 way radio went flying across the car.. []

garyw

 

[paulstevens]

Thanks Guys, I was beginning to think it was me. Hopefully I can make all four tyres last for the same time, and then do a four matching tyre change. I think I will look at pilot sports as I had these on my M3 and they were pretty good and very progressive when they let go.

Cheers

Paul

 

[snarf]

Slight digression - I've been trying to source a couple of 305 19" Bridgestones for the best part of a month now but they can't be had for love nor money. Luckily I'm not desperate but for anyone needing to replace a rear urgently the poor support of the market by Bridgestones would be very annoying. I have to say if I needed to change all four tyres I'd be switching to Michelin now.

 

[GT3 Jan]

4 new tyres going on tomorrow, we have no choice, can't get Pirrellis for love nor money, the Toyo 888s are not in the country yet, so we are having to stick with the Michelin cups, []
......I need more wine ......(hic)....

My husband wanted to try the Pirellis but no choice and change if want to stay legal!

 

[paulstevens]

Snarf,

I know that "Micheldever Tyres" near Winchester Hampshire, is not very near you, but they are absolutley brilliant at getting any required tyres at super low prices (compared to anyone else in the Hampshire etc area. Most "price match" tyre fitters in my area will not even quote against Micheldever!), maybe you can contact them on 01962 774437 and they could send the tyres on. I have always used Micheldever Tyres even when putting just one basic tyre on the wifes PT Cruiser, it is still worth the petrol to save on the price.

Paul

 

[snarf]

ORIGINAL: paulstevens

Snarf,

I know that "Micheldever Tyres" near Winchester Hampshire, is not very near you . . . .

Paul

Paul,

Thanks for the info, just gave them a call but same as everywhere else "tyres are on back order", not really surprising as I got the same message direct from Bridgestone's UK office. However, Micheldever Tyres are the most competitive on price, inclusive of shipping, that I've been quoted up to now so if they are the first to get some I will probably order from them.

 

[paulstevens]

Snarf,

Glad I could (sort of) help. []