All-season tires for the 2011 shelby gt500

03reptile

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Well, here in Md. the weather is cooling and my non-SVTPP, 2011 Shelby's stock Goodyears are getting hard as Chinese mathamatics. As most of you know, finding All-Season tires for these beasts is a real challange. I like to drive the car through the winter when the roads are clear and dry, so the Goodyears have to go. After much research with Tire Rack techs. and Ford Performance's input, I've settled on this option: Continental Extreme Contact DWS's. They have awesome reviews and a high wear factor. Continental makes a 285/35ZR19 for the rears, so no problem there. Unfortunately,there is no matching DWS for the fronts. So..... after studying width, height, & circumference stats we decided that a 245/40ZR19 DWS would be the best and closest choice for the fronts which are currently 255/40ZR19's in stock form. That is only a difference of about one third of an inch sacrafice in tread width, matching height, and I can certainly live with that in the front. They should arrive on Wednesday and I hope to have them on by Thursday. I'll let everyone know what I think once they're on and I can get some seat time with them. Our weather is mid-fifties this week, so I should get an idea of how they are going to hook up and feel. Wish me luck!! Now I have to fgure out what to do with the Goodyears with 2.6 K on them. Maybe e-bay.


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Shaker1

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I am curious how those work out. I do not plan on any driving once the snow comes, but once the temps hit the 50s even these Nittos seem funky.
 

breoland

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Its a trade off, there is no tire out there with a low tread rating that is going to hold up in winter, and any of them that work well in the winter are not going to have good traction.
I just picked up a set of the nt05, I drive on nice days in the winter, 40 plus...We will see
Depending on how much you drive a year. If your car does 10,000 miles or less, go with the better tread wear rating
I have 3500 miles on my car since june of 09
 

03reptile

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Putting on the Continental DWS's this morning. Will report back as to how they perform and thier tractability later today. Weather is rainy and in low 50's.
 

SicShelby09

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BFG KDW2. Cheap tires, and they come in the sizes you need. Also they provide much better grip than the badyears.
 

03reptile

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BFG KDW2. Cheap tires, and they come in the sizes you need. Also they provide much better grip than the badyears.

The BFG KDW2 is a designated ultra high performance summer tire, which is what I'm trying to get away from. They get hard during colder temps and consequently lose some of their traction capabilities. Needed a designated all season tire and the Continential DWS fills my need. Drove home today, after mounting and balancing the Continentals, but by the time I got on the road, it was in the 50s. Tires are smooth and quiet and seem about like the Goodyears. The proof of their traction ability comes when the temps drop.Will keep everyone posted.
 

GTSpartan

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Michelin Pilot Sport A/S. A little pricey, but are one of the best A/S tires available.
 

UnleashedBeast

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I had the Conti ExtremeContact DW on my previous stang, and the wheels they are mounted to will soon be on my GT500. You made a good choice of brand, they are great tires. Can't wait to have them on my car again.
 

evasive

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Pics with the review, please :)
 

03reptile

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Took the GT500 out this morning after mounting the Continental DWS's. The temp was barely 40 degrees, so pretty brisk. I'm VERY impressed with this tire's traction capabilities in this weather. The Goodyears would have been all over the place, but I could get all the way into second gear (not a speed shift) without having the rear try to talk to the nose. Just squatted and held the line. I think this will be a perfect choice for those of us who want a year-round tire with good handling and adhesion characteristics. With a wear factor of 540, it should easily outlast the stock Goodyears. I see no reason why this tire won't be great in wet conditions as well, given its agressive sipes and tread pattern. I definitely think I made the right compromise with this tire. Go for it, I think you'll be happy.
 
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zimm17

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Fall is quickly approaching- I have a set of 2010 vert wheels in the garage (18x9.5). Ready to buy a set of 275/40R18 All seasons for this fall/winter. I'm down to the Michelin pilot sport a/s II or the Conti DWS..... what do you think?
 

IA Shelby

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Fall is quickly approaching- I have a set of 2010 vert wheels in the garage (18x9.5). Ready to buy a set of 275/40R18 All seasons for this fall/winter. I'm down to the Michelin pilot sport a/s II or the Conti DWS..... what do you think?

dws all the way - good ratings and cost effective.
 

03reptile

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Fall is quickly approaching- I have a set of 2010 vert wheels in the garage (18x9.5). Ready to buy a set of 275/40R18 All seasons for this fall/winter. I'm down to the Michelin pilot sport a/s II or the Conti DWS..... what do you think?

Now that I've had the DWS's on for almost a year, I can unequivocally attest to their wet and dry capabilities both in warm weather and cold. They hook up better then the factory tires during the warm summer temps and of course, they are very good for cold temps. I drove them in sub freezing weather last winter and they were great. I'm sure many of the designated, "summer only" tires have an edge in hot weather, but for my driving needs, these are the ticket. And by the way, I had a set of Michelin Pilot Sports A/S's on my 07 Shelby, and they were very close in all categories to my current Conti's. I wouldn't want to live on the difference. The Michelin's were much more expensive then the Conti's which was the deciding factor for my 2011 needs. Hope this helps in your decision making process.
 

NuclearPower

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2012 with SVTPP

Same question about tires but I have a 2012 with SVTPP, so I got 20s out back! I need 3 season tires - no snow. I will average 20,000 miles a year and temps are starting to drop in Texas...Anybody have any suggestions? I currently have 285/35/20 in the rear and the best I can see is a 275/35/20.

What you guys think? :shrug:
 

zimm17

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Nitto makes a 555 in
*285/30ZR20 99W 182-790 10.7 26.93 11.02 9.5-(10.0)-10.5 1709@50
*265/30ZR19 93W 182-670 10.5 25.35 10.59 9.0-(9.5)-10.0 1433@50

When my goodyears wear out, I'll probably go 265/30ZR19 555 in front and this 555R rear (drag radial) for the summer.

275/40R20 102V 180-730 5.0 28.82 10.67 9.0-(9.5)-11.0 1874@44
 

NuclearPower

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Nitto makes a 555 in
*285/30ZR20 99W 182-790 10.7 26.93 11.02 9.5-(10.0)-10.5 1709@50
*265/30ZR19 93W 182-670 10.5 25.35 10.59 9.0-(9.5)-10.0 1433@50

275/40R20 102V 180-730 5.0 28.82 10.67 9.0-(9.5)-11.0 1874@44

These are summer tires only. I need something that will work in the cold as well. Anybody else have any suggestions?
 

snakecharmer

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ANY tire will be an improvement over the crapyears. Worst tire on the planet. If I ever do buy another Mustang, the crapyears will go in the garbage can immediately.
 

zimm17

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For true all-seasons, I can't find anything wider than 275. You can go 275/35R20 in the pilot sport a/s plus. That's only 10mm narrower than stock- probably can't tell the difference. 27.6" so they are almost as tall as stock too. Probably your best bet for the SVTPP wheels. Match it with the 275/40R19 in the front.
 

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