cwatters

I just put Nokian WR v rated 225-55-17 on my car and I'm rally pleased with both the dry and wet/snow/ice performance. The only other thing I can say is after a few miles of wear-in they might start to feel better. Good Luck

lastws6

I think I'll keep them. I just have to remember that my car now handles like a 71 caprice classic w/ four 14" bias ply donut tires.
Dan

Jkay

The tire shop might have put 30/30 as it says on the gas filler. Try 34/32.

lastws6

I mounted and balanced them myself. 36 psi all around.

Jkay

Snow tires have less traction in the dry, as it is, without decreasing their traction even more by using higher pressure.

Dave G

At least a couple years ago, the TireRack was recommending slightly higher pressures for winter tires. I do not know if they still recommend that.

From my own experience, with my 2000 S4, I experimented with tire pressures with my Dunlop WinterSport M2's (stock size: 225-45-17). The higher pressures, such as 40psi, allowed the car to feel much more like with the summer tires (set to 38psi), and there was no noticeable loss of any snow/slush traction compared to lower pressures. The handling characteristics "felt" much better at the higher pressures.
I'll also make this comment: Before I bought the M2's in the stock size (225-45-17), a couple years ago, there was much discussion on the S4 forum, and the wheel/tire forum, about how you should get a smaller size winter tire, and that the stock size will be terrible in the snow. It turned out that wasn't true at all, or at least it wasn't measurable by members of the S4 forum including myself. Those M2's, in that size, at the higher pressures, on the S4, are incredible. And many folks on the S4 forum said they regretted buying the smaller size. They had been led astray by the theory that a smaller and narrower size winter tire would be better.

I suppose, in theory, the idea of going with lower pressures may be (maybe not) correct, but there are definitely downsides to implementing the theory. [Just as theory says you don't need as much octane in higher altitudes; the reality is that you do need higher octane]. When using winter tires, the tire pressures should be set to something at least a little higher than what you are ordinarily using on your summer tires.

Jkay

Since I am quite pleased with my WS-50 setup, and he is utterly displeased, and the only difference is our respective tire pressures, I was suggesting he try mine out. Can't hurt; it's just air.

Dave G

Agreed. "lastws6" should try different tire pressures.

lastws6

I'll up the pressure to 40 all around. It can't hurt, I'll let you know how it turns out.

Dave G

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