Winter Tires?
 

I am planing to run my mustang year round. I have always used my cars all year long. But with the new mustang, a 2013 GT. I figured that here is a good place to ask what everyone else has had luck with?

I am planing on trying Pirelli Sottozero tires, 255/40-VR19. I intend on getting a new set of rims for the summer, and run a staggered set of tires in the summer.

I do appreciate any and all input, good or bad.

Thanks.

That tire looks like it would be great on ice but horrible in deeper snow. It is not aggressive enough and will plug up. If you can find something with a more open tread that's studdable you will have the best of both worlds.

For the winter time, narrower is better. Look at using the other 19" Mustang size, 245/45R19, or consider selling your OEM wheels and tires as a package, and go with some basic aftermarket alloy wheels in a smaller size, with a painted finish that will stand up to the salt.

Does your car have the Brembo brake package or no? If it does have, the smallest wheel that fits over is 18", but not all types will clear. If you have the base brakes, 18" is no problem, and some 17" fit as well. That way you can go with 235/50R18 or 235/55R17, either of which are going to provide better winter performance.


cheers
Ed

I have the Brembo Race package. So I figured OEM wheels for winter, thus the tire size.
I have used 225/40-18's on my cobalt, with BFG's A/S, with no problems, I only got stuck once when to car body was held up by snow, when I tried to dig it out I found that the tires were about 4" off the driveway. I find that studdable tires have too much squirm.

If the snow gets very ugly I can grab one of the 4x4 farm trucks (all are Fords).

Fair enough ... if you are going to stick with the 19", at least go to the 245/45 size. That gives you a slightly longer, narrower footprint, which is better in winter conditions, and a smidge more ride height as well.


cheers
Ed

winter tires are good, but on a side note how much will you be spending on winter tires and rims ? could you find a beater cheaper ? but i also drove my stang in the winter and it was fun !

His intention I believe is to put the winter boots on his original wheels, since he is planning on staggered wheels and tires for the summer.

But good performance 19" winters are going to be in the range of $300ish and up per tire.


cheers
Ed

I know these cars are built to drive but in my opinion, I would buy a winter beater, and park the Mustang in the winter.

For the tires I purchased winter tires I have Bridgestone Blizzak on my f150 and they work great. I purchased them from Tire rack and I bought Michelin Pilot Super Sport for the summer on the Mustang. I highly reccomend buying wheels from Paul Howey at howeyindustries.com great customer service and nice selection of performace wheels. you may find cheeper but you won't find better.

I guess I could use my 2009 Cobalt SS as the winter beater, LOL.
I just put performance summer tires on it, so if I sell it the new owner can just drive it, and not have fixes to think about. It gets a new front window Friday, and an oil change.

I have driven on Blizzak's before, but I found them squirmy at hi speed.

I have 4x4's at my disposal, if the weather turns very bad, with deep snow.

The Pirelli's will push me about $1,700.