Do You Really Need EV-Specific Tires? | Tire Rack

[4sallypat]

My BMW X3 had run flats - I ditched them as soon as they wore out. They can't be repaired if you pick up a nail, they were stiffer and noisier than other options, and they're really pricey. Had a much better ride switching to standard all-seasons

Your X3 must have had the older RFT - they were definitely not comfortable - I had the first gen X5 (E53) and those rode like rocks.

Newer generation RFT are very good - feels like conventional tires but has the ability to drive 50 miles at up to 50MPH on zero air pressure.

I use Bridgestone DriveGuard RFTs on all my vehicles.

Best choice for my wife who I don't want pulled over on a dangerous roadside for a flat - much rather she continue her drive to a tire store or gas station with a totally flat tire.

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[Rudy Bega]

I’m going to Michelin Pilot Sport All Seasons when the time comes.

That’s what I got, replaced the summer tires on my GTPE, very good

 

[jay1122]

I just went with typical SUV/pickup truck tires with long tread life rating. I don't think the EV tires are worth it when comparing price and benefit. But if the EV specific tires can last long miles. It may be worth it.

RFT does have some use if you need it. Had a complete blow out due to curb cut on the road one late evening. Car has no spare. Had to take the wheel off and bring it to a shop nearby the next day morning to fix it.

 

[Larry Paul]

I recently put Bridgestone RFTs on my Bolt and the energy efficiency took a 10-15 hit. I am purchasing EV OE tires next time and hope I never get a flat.

I have driven factory EV's for more than 25 years. What tires are on the vehicle absolutely makes a big difference to range as well as performance. I have seen a dramatic 10-15% range hit on an EV with non EV tires.

The biggest loss in range seems to be tire weight (the heavier the worse), but LRR vs standard also seems to contribute to the range loss. Of course -the grip performance is also improved with the right tire too as a trade off...or you could just get the worse of both worlds with the wrong tire.

My GTPE has 18.5K miles on the OEM Pirelli P Zero Summer performance Plus Elect. I should get to around 20K miles on this set. The set on the rear is more worn than the front, but will likely replace all at the same time-If I had rotated more than once I would have gotten more.

My plan is to go to the Pirelli P Zero All Season Plus Elect when these are done.

 

[zvez]

I have driven factory EV's for more than 25 years. What tires are on the vehicle absolutely makes a big difference to range as well as performance. I have seen a dramatic 10-15% range hit on an EV with non EV tires.

The biggest loss in range seems to be tire weight (the heavier the worse), but LRR vs standard also seems to contribute to the range loss. Of course -the grip performance is also improved with the right tire too as a trade off...or you could just get the worse of both worlds with the wrong tire.

My GTPE has 18.5K miles on the OEM Pirelli P Zero Summer performance Plus Elect. I should get to around 20K miles on this set. The set on the rear is more worn than the front, but will likely replace all at the same time-If I had rotated more than once I would have gotten more.

My plan is to go to the Pirelli P Zero All Season Plus Elect when these are done.

I'm probably going to replace my summer P zeros with all season when they need replacement. Yokohama came out with an Advan EV tire first of this year but not available in any mach e sizes yet. https://www.yokohamatire.com/tires/advan-sport-ev-a-s

 

[Snakebitten]

So when did Ford switch to the Continentals on the GTPE?
My 2023.5 came with.

They seem to be pretty good at managing the weight/power well enough so far. But then I have nothing to compare to this early.

I'm currently running some Michelins on the Miata and Bridgestones on a Porsche 987. They all have things I like and things I don't. Tires are such a compromise, but the worst tire I buy these days are far superior to the wooden tires of my younger days.

 

[Larry Paul]

So when did Ford switch to the Continentals on the GTPE?
My 2023.5 came with.

They seem to be pretty good at managing the weight/power well enough so far. But then I have nothing to compare to this early.

I'm currently running some Michelins on the Miata and Bridgestones on a Porsche 987. They all have things I like and things I don't. Tires are such a compromise, but the worst tire I buy these days are far superior to the wooden tires of my younger days.

In 2021 and 2022 there was no option. Starting in 2023 or 2023.5 Ford started offering the option of ordering either tire on a GTPE.

 

[Skyman63]

Recommend over Michelin Cross Climate 2's? The CC2'S are a strong contender for my next tire. However, you are far from the only forum member to recommend P Zero's. Range hit is not an issue for me. I would like less noise and better handling than the OEMs. Although much milder as of late, NH does still get snow during the winter. Not so much that it's worth building a whole 2nd set of snow tires though. Which is why I would like a solid wet road A/S.

I considered CC2’s as I have them on another vehicle. They are great and terrific in the snow, but wanted something sportier for the MME. The
Pirelli’s are great in wet and dry, but I haven’t seen any professional test of them in the snow yet. If that’s a consideration, you might want to see if there’s any hard data available when it’s time to change tires. Snow performance is not an issue for me since I have CC2’s on another car, and a 4x4 pickup that I’ll use instead of the MME if it’s snowing.

Be sure you look at the P Zero A/S + 3’s, not other P Zeros. Pirelli all seasons seem to be infamous for being great in dry weather, but so-so in the wet. They made a concentrated effort to fix that with the +3’s. They also claim better rolling resistance and noise comfort than previous P Zeros. Both the Tire Rack tests and the Tyre Review test found the +3’s to have the shortest wet braking numbers and great wet handling. In all areas, except the snow which hasn’t been professionally tested, they are neck and neck with the Pilot A/S 4’s and the DWS 06+’s. They are much quieter and ride smoother than the other 2 tires in addition to performing similarly.

 

[johnmark]

I can't stand these SEO-driven videos. Can someone just post a quick summary text? I'll look up the transcript.

 

[A-A-Ron]

Your X3 must have had the older RFT - they were definitely not comfortable - I had the first gen X5 (E53) and those rode like rocks.

Newer generation RFT are very good - feels like conventional tires but has the ability to drive 50 miles at up to 50MPH on zero air pressure.

I use Bridgestone DriveGuard RFTs on all my vehicles.

Best choice for my wife who I don't want pulled over on a dangerous roadside for a flat - much rather she continue her drive to a tire store or gas station with a totally flat tire.

They were newer (t'was a '19), I just hated them. It was so much better moving to a non RFT (sadly, not before I had to buy 2 additional tires because they couldn't repair small punctures)

 

[Phil Martin]

When my OEM Michelins wear out, I am going to get Run Flat Tires (RFT) ASAP.

Can't stand having to use a mobility kit.

Would rather drive up to 50 miles to get to a tire store.

They'll lower your range by about 10%, at least that's what happened to me on my EV. Nevertheless, they came in handy twice, ran it on a flat till I got home and repaired it myself.

 

[4sallypat]

They'll lower your range by about 10%, at least that's what happened to me on my EV. Nevertheless, they came in handy twice, ran it on a flat till I got home and repaired it myself.

Yes, very aware - we have a PHEV and the range loss was 8% with Yokohama RFT.

 

[alexgorod]

I’m going to Michelin Pilot Sport All Seasons when the time comes.

My choice is Michelin CrossClimate2, purely based on reviews and look

 

[zvez]

In 2021 and 2022 there was no option. Starting in 2023 or 2023.5 Ford started offering the option of ordering either tire on a GTPE.

and unfortunately not paying attention when I ordered mine, it defaulted to the summer p zeros.

 

[zvez]

They'll lower your range by about 10%, at least that's what happened to me on my EV. Nevertheless, they came in handy twice, ran it on a flat till I got home and repaired it myself.

curious I've had run flats on other cars, never experienced a flat. So when you get a flat does the tpms warn you the tire pressure is low, ie 0 or something like that?

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