Optional C8 A/S Tires Available

[John]

Might GM, at long last, offer us all season tires as an option for our 2020 ME’s?

We have seen hundreds posts by Corvette owners, asking or complaining regarding their concerns that no A/S tires have been factory order-able to date.

Do you think that finally A/S’s would become an option to check at the time one ordered their 2020 mid engine?

And if so, would you check that box?

[Frenzy36]

Maybe, If they had a tread pattern for diverting water, but the stock tires should do that anyway. I personally will never be driving it in the snow.

[John]

The concern for quite a few of us is the 45 degree Michelin use temperature rating for the HP summer tires that come stock. As we all know, the colder it gets, the less grip those tires have, and on a cold winter, 30 degree sunny day, there is almost no traction with them, especially if one has to make a sudden avoidance emergency maneuver to get away from an idiot who, while texting, suddenly pulls right in front of you. Consequently on a 25 degree, dry pavement sunny winter day, my Corvette stays home.

I personally would prefer and would buy the A/S tires for that reason if factory order-able.

The fairly new Michelin A/S3+ tires, according to Luke at TireRack who has driven on them at their track, have amazing grip in that usage, though as he and all of us know, not good for competitive driving, nor for wearing well in that usuage. But for a .90G series of very spirited turns on a country road, they are a fantastic tire (have them on my WRX).

[meyerweb]

Do I think they'll offer A/S tires as an option? Nope. Supercars come with supercar tires.

Do I think they should? Maybe. But I understand the concern. Some magazine or blog will test the car with A/S tires, and write about how horrible the handling is at the limit, and how much lower the limit is than a Porsche, or Audi, or (heaven forbid!) the C7, and the internet will be full of posts about how crummy the C8 is.

Would I be interested if they do? Not sure. For my C7 I put A/S tires on a second set of rims and put them on around Thanksgiving. Driving the same twisty roads immediately before and after the swap, I can easily tell the difference. Above about .7 / .8 G the A/S tires feel "squirmy" as the smaller, deeper tread blocks shift back and forth. I'm sure they stick just fine at that level, but they don't feel nearly as secure, and I don't feel nearly as secure driving at that speed. OTOH, the times I drive that close to the limit are few and far between. OTOH, if the ME 'vert has built in roll protection, I'll probably take it to the track once in a while, and the difference between summer tires and A/S tires on the track is dramatic.

I'm surprised some of the larger dealers don't offer a dealer-option swap, where they'll remove the summer tires and put on Michelin A/S skins at a nominal charge. They could easily sell the brand new OEMs, and it would be a good way to attract customers.

[Foosh]

The AS3+ is the best of a new generation of UHP all season tires. The gap is shrinking all the time with max performance tires, and this tire is so much better than any all season I've ever seen.

I have both AS3+ and PSS sets that I've been swapping back and forth every November and May. Quite frankly, for street use, the AS3 provides all the grip you'll ever need even in warm/hot weather. The Spring Mt. instructors have also tested them, and have pronounced them surprisingly capable on the track as well for the first few laps. After that they fade a bit, and the PSS becomes superior.

However, what is truly remarkable about the AS3+ is how much better they are below about 70 degrees when the PSS begins to dramatically lose grip. I drive my C7 year-round, and down to single digits, the AS3+ provides fantastic grip. Mine's a convertible thus won't see any track use, and I don't think I'll replace the PSS when they wear out.

[John]

Well reasoned and informative Foosh. Thank you.

I had hoped that when I replaced by PSS’s at 15,000 miles on my Z06, that the A/S 3+’s would have been available, but as they were still delayed, I replaced then with PSS’s. So another winter is around the corner, and even on beautiful sunny, but cold days, our Corvette will not be going anywhere. ****.

[Foosh]

John, as of 4-5 weeks ago the AS3+ is now available in OEM widebody sizes. Tire Rack's been shipping them, and there are a number of reviews now on CF. Folks love them.

[John]

Thanks. Unfortunately, I had to replace mine month’s ago (could not get another mile out of them safely), and at the end of next year’s National Corvette Caravan, it’s heading to Mike Furman to be traded in — to await his call that my 2020 ME has arrived. Thus, with its almost new tread now, and the cost but more importantly the issues many of us have with dismounting and remounting C7Z06 tires, it makes no sense to change out my tires now.

However, on those sunny, cold, dry January days in Oregon, where we do not have many, I will be sorry I didn’t change them to A/S 3+’s. But saving for the ME is more important to us.

[Boomer]

Optional C8 A/S Tires Available

I guess if it was available, it would be a no cost option? AS tires used to be a no cost option for the CTSV. As far as the AS affecting performance, that can be covered in description along with the increased flexibility on use of the car.

I don't know how many folks would opt for the AS but I'm sure there are plenty. Don't think I need it for my fair weather Corvette driving here in the mid-Atlantic but I'd sure get it if I was in in the upper midwest.

[JB]

I prefer real winter tires for my corvettes mounted on a second set of rims. Then come april i would put summer performance wheels and tires,

[John]

That reasoning makes so much sense for those who live in climates where there really is a snowy winter. For many of us, such as myself who live in areas where we get a total of 8” of snow (often less) for the entire winter, that would be above normal, and hence why I would prefer A/S’s.

[Fasttoys]

My sports cars don’t ever see the rain or snow, summer tires please rather have Michelin PS4.

[meyerweb]

My C7 doesn't get A/S tires because of snow, but because of cold temps, where the summer tires fail to perform. I've driven my C7 at temperatures in the teens. Wouldn't want to do that on summer tires.

[John]

My sports cars don’t ever see the rain or snow, summer tires please rather have Michelin PS4.

You wish is GM’s command:

[Boomer]

My C7 doesn't get A/S tires because of snow, but because of cold temps, where the summer tires fail to perform. I've driven my C7 at temperatures in the teens. Wouldn't want to do that on summer tires.

Yea clear, cold, dry days. When I used to live in northern NY, I'd drive my 1989 Vette on I-87, the NY Northway at 20 degrees and fast. Would not think of doing that with my C7 summer only tires.