2011/12, P Zero Neros and Chicago Winters

5040 Views 43 Replies 15 Participants Last post by chakalozo2vert, Jun 5, 2012

Il Capo

Discussion Starter · Nov 17, 2011

Hello all,

Been reading previous posts in an effort to determine with some certainty how the Pirelli P Zero Neros fare during winters, particularly in Chicago (or a comparable midwestern urban center). If there's a few threads that I should read or missed, please point me in the right direction. I'm aware that winter tires are the best choice, but I'm driving mostly within the city, where salt reigns supreme, and into the suburban surround, where more salt awaits. In other words, 80-90% of the time I'll be navigating paved roads. Also, it appears as though opinions regarding the 2011/2012 V6 PZero/advancetrac-equipped ponies are somewhat good, considering the fact that they're all-seasons.

I'm about to face my first winter in my new 2012 V6 and really appreciate your insight.

Thanks in advance! :bigthumbsup

P.S. If in your experience a particular A/S tire on a Mustang did pretty well during an urban winter, I'm all ears and eyes..

1 - 20 of 44 Posts

T3RM1N8R

· #2 · Nov 17, 2011

Do not, i repeat, do not use those tires in the winter. They are not rated for cold temperatures. In terms of degrees celsius, they are not to be operated at sub zero temperature.

You will damage the tires, they will crack, go out of round, have bent rails inside, damage sidewalls etc...

Not to mention you wont be able to move in the snow with them, advancetrac will do nothing as you will soon see.

If you are going to run this car in the winter, proper tires are a MUST.

I recommend michellin x ice, they are speed rated for 120 mph, so even when its dry you can still have some fun.

T3RM1N8R

· #3 · Nov 17, 2011

Although, i do not know much about Chicago winters... But for these Canadian Winters, there is just no way...

Mainn

· #4 · Nov 17, 2011

What size tyres did your car come with? The car can come with different sizes, and if you don't know which size is correct it is hard to recommend tyres for you. However, pony boy is correct. DO NOT use PZero's in those conditions.

Mainn

Il Capo

Discussion Starter · #5 · Nov 17, 2011

Thanks fellas. Winter wheels are 17x8. What size winter tire would work? 235/55/17's?

OEM's are 215/65/17.

Greyhoundman

· #6 · Nov 17, 2011

The P Zero Nero that comes on the premium V6 is an all season tire, the P Zero that comes on the performance package is a summer only tire.

Il Capo

Discussion Starter · #7 · Nov 17, 2011

Oh yes..in the original post I was referring the the all-seasons.. These:

Pirelli P Zero Nero All Season information from Consumer Reports

bluebyu12

· #8 · Nov 17, 2011

I used my p zeros last winter on my 2010.. navigated though some pretty bad snow storms in them with no problems. As long as you are easy on the throttle you'll be fine. The t-lok and advanced track are a big help as well.. use them.

T3RM1N8R

· #9 · Nov 17, 2011

Greyhoundman said:
The P Zero Nero that comes on the premium V6 is an all season tire, the P Zero that comes on the performance package is a summer only tire.

Yes they say all season... but that does not mean they are to be exposed to cold temperatures.

Look on the sidewall of the tires, there is a logo depicting that they are not be exposed to freezing temperatures. A snow flake with a line through it is the common sign for this.

I know the pirelli scorpions on my benz have a snow flake on them, and they are mounted to 20 inch amg rims, they in fact can be driven in freezing weather.

Ltngdrvr

· #10 · Nov 17, 2011

pony_boy said:
Yes they say all season... but that does not mean they are to be exposed to cold temperatures.

Look on the sidewall of the tires, there is a logo depicting that they are not be exposed to freezing temperatures. A snow flake with a line through it is the common sign for this.

I know the pirelli scorpions on my benz have a snow flake on them, and they are mounted to 20 inch amg rims, they in fact can be driven in freezing weather.

The standard P-zero all seasons are definitely okay for cold weather, your info on them is wrong, that only applies to the summer only versions.

Mainn

· #11 · Nov 17, 2011

If those are the tyre sizes, I would recommend either the:

-Bridgestone Blizzak WS70
-Michelin X-Ice Xi2

These two can be used on all four conditions, ice, snow, dry and wet. However, obviously it won't be as good as all-seasons on dry and wet, and not as good as dedicated snow and ice tyres on those conditions.

Hope this helps!

Mainn

Il Capo

Discussion Starter · #12 · Nov 17, 2011

According to tirerack.com, there's 3 versions of the P Zero A/S and, contrary to the Consumer Reports positive ratings, they're rated a bit more critically:

Pirelli Tires Available at Tire Rack

Pirelli PZero Nero All Season

My basic objective is to find a well-balanced, year-round tire for these 17x8 rims and while my gut is saying that a performance winter tire is just hard to beat for fall/winter, I can't help but be curious and inquire as to whether there is an exceptional A/S that could handle my particular winter conditions (paved, salted roads, heated garage, moderate city driving) in addition to the rest. As a side note, I wouldn't even consider anything but dedicated winter tires if I lived in a less monitored and maintained part of the country. I realize that I'm probably not going to find a tire that can do it all, but I still had to ask.. That said, I really appreciate you guys weighing in.

Anyone have thoughts on these?:

Hankook Optimo H727

Il Capo

Discussion Starter · #13 · Nov 17, 2011

Mainn said:
If those are the tyre sizes, I would recommend either the:

-Bridgestone Blizzak WS70
-Michelin X-Ice Xi2

These two can be used on all four conditions, ice, snow, dry and wet. However, obviously it won't be as good as all-seasons on dry and wet, and not as good as dedicated snow and ice tyres on those conditions.

Hope this helps!

Mainn

Definitely helps! Thanks man. I assume these can't run all year without accelerated wear, right?

Ltngdrvr

· #14 · Nov 17, 2011

Il Capo said:
My basic objective is to find a well-balanced, year-round tire for these 17x8 rims

Wait, I thought you were looking for 18" replacements for the factory 18" all season P-zero's?

Why would you be looking at downgrading to a 17" tire for year round use?

What 17x8 wheels will you use?

Il Capo

Discussion Starter · #15 · Nov 17, 2011

Sorry about the confusion; staying with 17's, never had 18's. Planning to use these:

Wheel Details - Discount Tire

Ltngdrvr

· #16 · Nov 17, 2011

Il Capo said:
Sorry about the confusion; staying with 17's, never had 18's.

Mustangs with 17" wheels come with 17x7 wheels but do not come with Pirelli tires. They will have either BFG's or Michellins, 215/65/17 or 225/60/17.

Might want to check to see what you really have.

And please tell us that you aren't really serious about putting those ugly, heavy steel wheels on your car!

Plus, they probably don't come with the correct offset for the 05-12 Mustang.

Mainn

· #17 · Nov 17, 2011

Ltngdrvr, that is correct. The sizes he gave us means his car came with Michelins from the factory.

The Bridgestones have 12/32" of tread, whereas the Michelins that I recommended have 10.5/32" of tread. Just saying in case it helps you with your decision.

Hope this helps!

Mainn

onlycodered

· #18 · Nov 17, 2011

I just recently got a set of Hankook Winter i*Pikes put on my stock wheels. I believe the size was 215/60R17 as I wanted to go 10mm narrower than stock. So far I haven't been able to test them much in snow but they are pretty quiet and have the most aggressive tread I've ever seen in a snow tire so far.

I'd highly recommend taking a look at those.

matthewr87

· #19 · Nov 17, 2011

I mounted Toyo Observe winter tires on black steel rims for winter driving. With those on the car handles really well. Last year though, the day I took off my winter tires and drove back to London on the highway, I was caught in a freak snow squall. I was doing 30 km/h on the highway in the right lane and the car was still squirrelly. I would not recommend using the P Zeros for winter driving. You never know when you will be caught in a storm and have to drive with snow/ice accumulation.

lavaredmca

· #20 · Nov 17, 2011 (Edited)

Il Capo said:
According to tirerack.com, there's 3 versions of the P Zero A/S and, contrary to the Consumer Reports positive ratings, they're rated a bit more critically:

Pirelli Tires Available at Tire Rack

Pirelli PZero Nero All Season

My basic objective is to find a well-balanced, year-round tire for these 17x8 rims and while my gut is saying that a performance winter tire is just hard to beat for fall/winter, I can't help but be curious and inquire as to whether there is an exceptional A/S that could handle my particular winter conditions (paved, salted roads, heated garage, moderate city driving) in addition to the rest. As a side note, I wouldn't even consider anything but dedicated winter tires if I lived in a less monitored and maintained part of the country. I realize that I'm probably not going to find a tire that can do it all, but I still had to ask.. That said, I really appreciate you guys weighing in.

Anyone have thoughts on these?:

Hankook Optimo H727

An exceptional all season tire is Nokian... police up here in Canada endorse them so that says a lot! I have them on my 2008 Taurus AWD and love them... my only complaint would be they seem to hydroplane a bit in heavy rain with excess water or roads.

1 - 20 of 44 Posts

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