Why are my tyres useless

[AMV8Nick]

Having just read the V12 Vantage thread things may have become a little clearer. I have had the DBS since December and as we all know it has been neither warm or particularly dry. There seems to be some suggestion that the tyres are only good in warm dry conditions. Is this correct? They are Pirelli P Zero's

Edited by AMV8Nick on Thursday 9th February 09:10

[AMV8Nick]

yeti said:

How useless is useless?

In anything below 7degC all summer biased tyres are pretty crap and you're trying to pedal 6 litres of torque on a compound that has gone rock hard and no longer works as designed.

PZeros are 3 season I think (hope so as I have just switched to them!) but any grip in this weather requires winter tyres and a very light right foot! Check the age of them as well, they could be getting on a bit.

Hi Yeti,

Excuse my ignorance but what does 3 season mean? Car is less than 3 years old and only done 6600 miles. I assume by "this weather" you just mean cold. The roads this morning look dry but still getting wheels to spin in 3rd!!!

[AMV8Nick]

clorenzen said:

All tyres react with road temperature. A rule a thumb is that below 8 degrees the compound on the traditional summer tyres hardens up and grip disappears hence the need for winter tyres - even if there is no snow or ice on the road. The DBS as with the V12 Vantage which i drive have 510 horsepower over the rear wheels which basically makes you unable to out accelerate a pizza delivery moped driver when the light turns green during colder mornings. As a result i switched to winter tyres on the 1st November and these transform the car in colder conditions. There is an initial outlay of some 3k but your friendly dealer will probably offer to store the summer wheels during the 5 months over the winter anyway so there is minimum hassle with maximum enjoyment. I cannot fault the Pirelli Soto Zeros they are excellent during the winter and offer grip in abundance. Also a trip into the armco is a lot costlier so i think it is a no-brainer.

Pizza delivery comment

Thanks for the advice. I will stick to using the RR when the OH doesn't need it for the kids

[AMV8Nick]

Appreciate they need to be warm and again thanks for the education on "3 season"

I suppose what has come as a suprise is I never had the same issue with my V8V 4.3

[AMV8Nick]

The Pits said:

Nick the V12Vantage comes with Pirelli P-zero 'corsa' tyres.

DBS has regular P-Zeros so is less affected by the V12V cold weather issues.

If you're having problems outdragging mopeds I'd ease back on the throttle a touch!

[AMV8Nick]

Sorry got confused re my last V8V. Now undertand where you are coming from. I shall indeed ease off the gas

[AMV8Nick]

Completely off topic I note your fantasy garage includes a Lotus Esprit Sport 300. I drove one at Donington when they were launched. I was blown away at the time with the handling. Quite simply as if it were on rails.