P-Zero + Gravel Road?

[Ground Speed]

I'm wondering if anyone here has driven on any gravel/unpaved back roads on their P-Zero tires, and what the effect on your tires has been.

I have a family reunion coming up that is out in the boonies of Texas, and more than a mile of the end of the commute is a gravel road. I'd love to take my Mustang to the reunion since I haven't done a road trip yet and it's a beautiful drive down winding Texas back roads.

However, periodically I find little pyramid-shaped rocks about a quarter of an inch in size wedged into the tires, that are able to punch little holes in the tread. My tires are still fairly new - less than 3K on them - so a rock that size only leaves behind a little triangular divot when I pull the rock out, but if that's all it takes to chew into the tires, I'm now concerned about putting about 2 miles of gravel roads on them as well.

Anyone have any experience with this here? How do the Pirellis hold up? I might just take my wife's car that day, but would obviously prefer the Mustang to make the trip. With no spare I'd be in a bind if I blow a tire in the middle of nowhere, Texas. :headbonk:

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[Xantom]

Yikes, I cannot fathom driving my S550 on any gravel road no matter what tires I have on. Think about other drivers on that road that will pass by you and pelt your car with rocks.

 

[Ground Speed]

Yikes, I cannot fathom driving my S550 on any gravel road no matter what tires I have on. Think about other drivers on that road that will pass by you and pelt your car with rocks.

It's more of a really really long driveway/private property off a Farm to Market road. I've never passed another car coming the other way any year I've gone out there, so I'm more worried about the damage to the tires from the mostly-crushed limestone gravel than damage from flying rocks.

Also there is an unspoken rule on Texas country roads that you never drive fast enough to kick up a lot of dust or rocks, so I'll be moving about 15-20 mph most of the that part of the drive.

 

[NightmareMoon]

I've driven on plenty of gravel roads with the PZeros and other even stickier tires. They are not damaged in any way. Dents are not the same as cracks or holes, and the PZeros are not delicate snowflakes.

 

[kz]

You will be completely fine.

 

[AutoX_GT]

My driveway is 100ft of gravel. In and out everyday. Never had a problem.

 

[Ground Speed]

Thanks everyone!

:cheers:

 

[Chameleon]

Tear up the Pirelli's on your trip for an excuse to get some better tires.

 

[Ground Speed]

Tear up the Pirelli's on your trip for an excuse to get some better tires.

The thought crossed my mind! Mustang shoes are pricey though. At least compared to what I've been used to buying pre-Mustang.

 

[Need4SpeedMotors]

youll be fine they wont fall apart man.

 

[Hashbrownn]

I drove it on grass/mud/dirt/gravel road for 5 miles about 3 weeks ago. Friend of mine got married out at his family farm. Mustang did just fine, just take is easy & slow. She did better than some of the other luxury sedans that were at the wedding. I saw a Lexus and BMW get stuck. :lol:

 

[ElAviator72]

My advice: go slow. Your treads will pick up plenty of smaller pieces of gravel, and those do leave a mark in the tread.

And yes, I drive out to my brother-in-law's farm about once a month, and he's at the end of about 0.5 miles of gravel road ;)

Here's what picking up a piece of gravel does to your P-zeroes:

Ironically, that happened driving on regular roads, and not going out to my brother-in-law's :frusty:

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