All-Seasons - poor handling grip

[RevvdMedia]

I came across an article (finally) stating the roadholding ability of the base GT suspension and tires:

http://www.caranddriver.com/ford/mustang

They found that the base suspension and base 18" all season P-Zero Nero's only pull a 0.83g 300ft skidpad vs 0.95 for the performance package. I know the science behind tires and how much of a difference they make, but for some reason I'm really surprised the GT only pulls a 0.83 with the base all seasons. Somehow I was expecting the high 0.8x at least. Maybe I expect too much of all seasons in summer weather (especially considering P-Zero Nero are "performance" all seasons).

It doesn't much matter to me as I have already planned to run proper winter tires in winter, and some Michelin Pilot Super Sports in summer, so I will be getting maximum grip for the road conditions. Just thought I'd share this...maybe stir the pot a little lol.

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[Cueball]

Could be more than just the tires since the PP has suspension upgrades too.

 

[RevvdMedia]

Could be more than just the tires since the PP has suspension upgrades too.

Yes, of course there is that consideration. Hopefully the losses due to a softer suspension aren't that substantial, otherwise I will also have to add suspension mods in the near future...

I would have done PP if it weren't for the 6 piston brakes that limit wheel options and the Torsen LSD that may not perform as well on ice (year round driver). Guess I may have to build my own PP Mustang less the brakes and Torsen lol.

 

[Rickycardo]

If only the PP gets the better suspension I wonder why they offer the 20" wheels with summer tires?

 

[Katastrophe]

Take the article with a grain of salt.

Consider the specs of those all season tires. They are far more narrow (235 compared to 255/275) and they have a larger sidewall due to only having 18" wheels (50 series). They should have tested the car with the optional summer tires...255/40/19 or 265/35/20.

 

[TheZman]

The Performance PACK suspension will make a difference without a doubt thats why people pay the extra money for the PP cars in Ecoboost and GT..With that being said ALL SEASONS SUCK!!! Best thing to do if you want the best traction and performance out of your tire is run high performance summer tires and the snow tires in the winter.. from my past experience all seasons are a joke and a gimmick.. they will always perform mediocre because theres no such thing as the perfect compound that will performe great in the summer and the winter unfortunately with tires you cant have your cake and eat it too.. trust me i wish you could because paying $1,200 to $1,500 in tires sucks!!

 

[RubyRed15]

0.83g? That might be the smallest number I've ever seen for a performance-oriented car.

 

[The Blue Pearl]

I feel my Continental DWS tires that I replaced the stock P-Zero's (summer) have better grip. Even in warm dry weather. I don't think just because it's a summer tire will always out perform an all season. There seems to be some poor performing summers and great performing all seasons as well as vice versa. The actual tire itself matters more then it's designation. IMHO.

 

[yjack]

Michelin pilot as3 also performs better than pzero in dry condition.

 

[e30og]

I came across an article (finally) stating the roadholding ability of the base GT suspension and tires:

http://www.caranddriver.com/ford/mustang

They found that the base suspension and base 18" all season P-Zero Nero's only pull a 0.83g 300ft skidpad vs 0.95 for the performance package....Just thought I'd share this...maybe stir the pot a little lol.

EVERY all season tire puts up crappy numbers. I cannot count how many articles in the last year alone had disclaimers about a vehicles handling when the manufacturer supplies one with all season tires. Unfortunately lateral G's are a measure of tire just as much as handling. Car and Driver (maybe MT)
did a tire test with a Nissan Leaf and managed to get actual steering feel and 1.0g on the skidpad just from tires alone.

Cars like the Mustang exaccerbate this problem because they are heavy, so sticky tires go further in a car like this. We know the chassis and suspension have been heavily re-worked, stiffened, etc. so I believe Ford did their homework. Figure this, the Ecoboost with the PP (P-Zero's, summer) pulled 0.98g on the skidpad with C/D....that is ludacris. That skidpad number wasn't uncommon for range-topping Porsches or other six figure sportscars not long ago. The kicker is these P-zero summer tires, while very respectable, are sort of a standard summer tire yet they still manage those numbers.

I have been driving on 245 winter tires for a few months now and handling has been dynamite so far. I will mostly be driving on 255 all seasons when the weather warms a tad. The car is low, planted, relatively stiff structure (and therefore allows a bit softer damping), so tires are the last thing im worried about

 

[OppoLock]

All seasons suck compared to a good dedicated tire in its respective season. The PP might have added chassis stiffening and a more tied down suspension, but the bulk of that lateral grip difference is coming from the slightly larger but much stickier compound.

 

[Grimace427]

I feel my Continental DWS tires that I replaced the stock P-Zero's (summer) have better grip. Even in warm dry weather. I don't think just because it's a summer tire will always out perform an all season. There seems to be some poor performing summers and great performing all seasons as well as vice versa. The actual tire itself matters more then it's designation. IMHO.

Agree 100%

Michelin pilot as3 also performs better than pzero in dry condition.

EVERY all season tire puts up crappy numbers.

See the post above. There are some pretty sweet A/S tires that put up impressive dry performance numbers.

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