Just a quick question I start to measure my options for winter. I drive a V6S that came with 19" wheels. The stock tire sizes are 245/40 on the front and 275/35 on the back.

If I were to drop down to 18" wheels for winter tires, would I be fine if I just shopped for the same size tires that come on 18-inch F-Type wheels? I know that if you wind up changing the overall wheel+tire diameter that your odometer becomes inaccurate.

So, the same question put differently: are factory mounted 19s and 18s interchangeable, or is a car delivered with 19s only calibrated for that particular wheel+tire diameter?

 

If you have the super performance brake option you cannot go to 18" wheels. The brakes would not fit inside the wheel. Otherwise, the OEM 18" and "19 inch wheel/tire sets are virtually the same outside diameter. All F-types use the same speedometer calibration.

 

Thanks. I just have the standard brakes so that should cause me no problem. But I think my own question is moot because tire rack shows no winter options for the OEM 18 tire size. Guess I'm sticking with 19s.

 

Is your motive to keep your 19's pristine over the winter or to get better traction in the snow?

 

as far as the thought behind dropping down to 18s, that would be solely for more sidewall.

Since they don't seem to make any winter tires for the 18s, I'm just going to keep my 19s on year round and swap the tires seasonally.

 

There are 245/45-18 snow tires. You might consider buying 2 pairs of front 18" wheels and mount those on all 4 corners. Those narrower tires will work far better than the 275s in snow.

 

Move to California.

 

Look east young man. There's snow in them thar hills.

 

Thanks. I did not realize that tire rack was returning zero results because it was looking for the staggered sizes.

Looks like the best of the class for 245/45-18 would be Sottozeros.

I'm still not sold on investing in new wheels for a lease. I know that 275s on the rear could be a detriment but I'm hoping it would be overcome by having AWD.

 

Agreed. Unless you are keeping the car after a lease, not worth it to buy much of anything for the car, and the AWD will more than make up for the wider lower profile tires.

 

In ran 255s on my XF 9.5 inch rims. Find out what the narrowest tire you can run on your rims.

 

Instead of a new post, I will use OP! Thanks! =)

I am at 10K. I think I need new rear tires (tread is about at the marker). What are other people's wear-time like? Trying to figure out what to do prior to a 4000 mile road trip. I think new rear tires for the trip rather than spending 3 weeks waiting for them to wear while being nervous?

 

My OEM Pzeros made it to about 15k before they scared the crap out of me. I waited about 1-2k too long I think. Stuck now with a new set of Pzeros because of back order on the PSS' which for now are doing fine. PSS next time around for me and they should last longer.

 

+1.
I have over 10k on mine and still have over 6/32 of tread left. The 305s will have to sit there patiently waiting for awhile.

 

1) are the pilot super sport the hands down best? C&D thinks so:
Monsters of Grip: Nine Summer-Performance Tires Tested - Comparison Test - Car and Driver

2) any opinion of replacing rear with PSS and wait on the Pzeros to wear down in front? Idea of changing 4 tires 10 months after it being brand new feels.... Meh.

 

The PSSs appear to be widely acclaimed as the best for street use. There are others, including another Michelin model, that are stickier for track use, but all at the expense of tread life.
It's generally recommended not to mix and match tires, but if you keep the same tires on an "axle", a good driver can acclimate quickly. With P-Zeros on just the front, there will be a slight understeer tendency.

 

i think i would just take the bitter pill and replace all four corners

 

My son wants me to get Cup2s but that much to track for the driving I do. If I had a track close by id consider a set to have on hand but not at this point.