NITTO RII / cold temps / STREET
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 768
Likes: 0
From: Lexington KY
NITTO RII / cold temps / STREET
Hey everyone i am looking to replace my GY SC on the rear with some new tires. I am looking at Nitto 555rII or Nitto NTO5s. I like the looks and traction of the RIIs but i am worried about the "r" compound tires in cold temps. I like to drive my C5Z in any temps as long as it is clear. Winter temps gets into the teens here in KY. I wish the NTO5s came in a 305/35/18 esp since Nitto's tires run narrow. Has anyone had issues with their RIIs in cold temps?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 3,315
Likes: 28
From: Wa
Look at Toyo R888
I just went with Toyo R888,they really suprised me with how good the traction has been when its wet out,living here in the PNW we see lots of rain and they performed really well,its been on the chilly side lately and they seem solid so far.Plus they do come in 305-35-18,I went with 275-30-.18 up front and they look good
Heres the tires.
Here they are on the car.
Heres the tires.
Here they are on the car.
Advanced
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 86
Likes: 0
From: Missouri
I have Nitto 555RIIs on my vette. Putting on the second set this week. I live in upstate NY,we see temps below zero. The Nittos suck in the cold. I drive my car year round when the roads are clear. Just take it easy. My Z06 has an intake and LG pros. I can break those Nittos loose in the winter with a third gear burst. Like I said just take it easy in the cold.
Safety Car
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 4,326
Likes: 140
From: Weatherford, TX
I've been running the R2's on back for a few years and there is a noticable loss of traction when it cools off. I notice it around 70 degrees. Above 70 I have grip, below 70 I don't. It doesn't matter if the tires are warm, its more about the road temps. The stock F1 tires behaved the same way, so I imagine there's nothing that will grip high HP in cold temp. No doubt the R2's are a better tire than OEM and I hear the R888's are even better.
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 18,049
Likes: 53
From: long Island NY
I had 555R11's and just switched to PS2's I got to tell you I think the PS2 is worse in the cold. The 555r11's arn't that bad in the cold,no you can't mash the pedal but you can't do that with any summer tire in fact the PS2's have the same temp warning as the Nittos
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Advanced
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 63
Likes: 0
From: Northern VA
How many miles did you get out of the R2s?
I had 555R11's and just switched to PS2's I got to tell you I think the PS2 is worse in the cold. The 555r11's arn't that bad in the cold,no you can't mash the pedal but you can't do that with any summer tire in fact the PS2's have the same temp warning as the Nittos
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 18,049
Likes: 53
From: long Island NY
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 10,030
Likes: 10
From: Prescott AZ
St. Jude Donor '04
But there awesome tires!
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 768
Likes: 0
From: Lexington KY
thanks guys.
seems like people like the toyo r888 also. they look like they would be worse in the rain lol.
the stock GYSC tires suck in the cold (at least my 7yr old wornout ones do lol), How many miles do the t888s last with normal street use?
seems like people like the toyo r888 also. they look like they would be worse in the rain lol.
the stock GYSC tires suck in the cold (at least my 7yr old wornout ones do lol), How many miles do the t888s last with normal street use?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 3,315
Likes: 28
From: Wa
Its been colder than normal here in the PNW,but after a short cruise I've put my hands on the tires and they are warm,I left my house this morning with frost on the grass in my yard,drove about 2.4 miles to the highway,had to use some throttle to merge into traffic (no traffic really) but these things grip,my old falkens would have been spinning through 3rd,these R888 bairly spin in 2nd now.I just don't know what I'll get for mileage out of them,so far they are great.
