Continental DWS = epic
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 1,189
Likes: 4
From: Freeport, FL
OP, this isn't against you or anything....
Why are people so surprised that a Corvette can drive in the snow??? It has four tires like all other cars and trucks on the road. The Corvette is just a car people, enjoy them, drive them. Just don't be stupid; if you have tires designed for dry weather then of course you won't have much traction in snow or rain.
Buy snow tires and drive your car. And when it gets dirty, WASH IT!!!!!! Bam!!!! Value restored!
Why are people so surprised that a Corvette can drive in the snow??? It has four tires like all other cars and trucks on the road. The Corvette is just a car people, enjoy them, drive them. Just don't be stupid; if you have tires designed for dry weather then of course you won't have much traction in snow or rain.
Buy snow tires and drive your car. And when it gets dirty, WASH IT!!!!!! Bam!!!! Value restored!
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2003
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From: "It's 106 miles to Chicago, we've got a full tank of gas, half a pack of cigarettes, it's dark, and
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I replaced the tires on my wife's Acura with Continental Extreme DWS... just passed 5K miles.... terrific tires. Quiet, grippy, great in Nebraska snow.
I'm ready to replace my C5 original RF's...and looked at DWS but was spooked by Tire Rack's refusal to list them as Corvette replacements due to the difference in speed ratings between the front and rear sizes. I suspect they took that stance due to possible litigation. Obviously they work on a C5...any tire experts around to advise on mixing speed ratings??
I'm ready to replace my C5 original RF's...and looked at DWS but was spooked by Tire Rack's refusal to list them as Corvette replacements due to the difference in speed ratings between the front and rear sizes. I suspect they took that stance due to possible litigation. Obviously they work on a C5...any tire experts around to advise on mixing speed ratings??
Corvettes obviously come with Z speed rating tires, and I would not sell a set of tires for a Corvette with less.
I'm sure the biggest reason for Tire Rack's refusal is fear of litigation, as is mine. Not many owners are going to drive their Corvettes at speeds in excess of 186mph for sustained periods, but the higher speed rating also indicates the tire's ability to withstand high heat generated by that rate of speed.
At the end of the day - those four tire patches are the only contact we have with Mother Earth, and I want those patches to be maximized and the proper ratings to keep me and everyone around me safe.
Team Owner
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 51,504
Likes: 6
From: Sacramento CA
It's not that the tires have a lower speed rating than factory -
Its that the 17" contis have a different speed rating than the 18" contis, so you end up with two differently rated tires on your car.
Its that the 17" contis have a different speed rating than the 18" contis, so you end up with two differently rated tires on your car.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 1,189
Likes: 4
From: Freeport, FL
Not a tire expert, but I have sold many sets of tires.....personally I would not ever sell a set of tires with less of a speed rating than what came on the car OEM.
Corvettes obviously come with Z speed rating tires, and I would not sell a set of tires for a Corvette with less.
I'm sure the biggest reason for Tire Rack's refusal is fear of litigation, as is mine. Not many owners are going to drive their Corvettes at speeds in excess of 186mph for sustained periods, but the higher speed rating also indicates the tire's ability to withstand high heat generated by that rate of speed.
At the end of the day - those four tire patches are the only contact we have with Mother Earth, and I want those patches to be maximized and the proper ratings to keep me and everyone around me safe.
Corvettes obviously come with Z speed rating tires, and I would not sell a set of tires for a Corvette with less.
I'm sure the biggest reason for Tire Rack's refusal is fear of litigation, as is mine. Not many owners are going to drive their Corvettes at speeds in excess of 186mph for sustained periods, but the higher speed rating also indicates the tire's ability to withstand high heat generated by that rate of speed.
At the end of the day - those four tire patches are the only contact we have with Mother Earth, and I want those patches to be maximized and the proper ratings to keep me and everyone around me safe.
Who the heck is going to do 186+ in the snow? )FYI though, DWS are ultra high-performance all-season tires and are Z rated)
People, use a little common sense. Figure out how you plan to use your car and buy tires accordingly.
Why are people complaining that their summer tire equipped cars don't due well in the snow, and that their all-season tire equipped cars don't take corners as hard as they should.
I know common sense isn't really that common, but just take a little time to think.
Last edited by manley845; Jan 27, 2011 at 08:24 PM.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 423
Likes: 0
I don't see how the different ratings are a big deal. They're both Z-rated. The fronts are W, good up to 168mph and the backs are Y, good up to 186mph.
Has anybody here ever driven their Vette at these speeds?
Has anybody here ever driven their Vette at these speeds?
Administrator
Joined: Mar 2001
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From: In a parallel universe. Currently own 2014 Stingray Coupe.
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I try to avoid driving mine in weather like that, but on previous Vettes I have been stuck out in the snow. I made it home in one piece, but can't say it was my most pleasurable driving experience. Proper tires can do a lot to get you around.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 812
Likes: 2
From: Metairie Louisiana
Ok so it snows every 4 to 5 years in New Orleans. You probably realize we have other more urgent weather events to consider. Let your Vette be parked or rest in the garage when theres a significant weather event. 
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From: Knoxville Tn
Back in the late 60's I had two stingrays (64 & 65) both were daily drivers. I worked midnight shift in the Forrestal building in downtown DC and parked them on the street over night while I worked. No one ever bothered them in DC. It snowed often enough, but they actually handled pretty well in the snow. I did get a hard top stolen (off the 64) in the parking lot of our apartment complex in Alexandia However.
I then went out and bought a 65 coupe so no one could rip off my top.
I then went out and bought a 65 coupe so no one could rip off my top.
