21" Tire Dilemma - all seasons

[McGriddle]

I'm hoping everyone can give me some thoughts on replacing the current 21" Pirelli P Zeros on my 24 AT with all season tires. From all the previous threads, it seems like this is not an easy choice since there are no 21" tires that match the exact load rating for the OEM Pirellis.

For the OEM Pirelli P Zero:

• Front: 245/35-R21 99Y; 1709 lbs load / tire
• Rear: 265/35-R21 103Y; 1929 lbs load / tire

I am considering trying the new Hankook Ion Evo AS all-season tires, but their load ratings are lower:

• Front: 245/35-R21 96Y; 1565 lbs load / tire
• Rear: 265/35-R21 101Y; 1819 lbs load / tire

This yields a load deficit of 508 lbs, which is a marked difference. My tire installer flagged this (rightfully so) and warned that I might want to consider a 20" winter tire and wheel combo. However, I'm in a 3 year lease on the Air Touring and I'd really hate to be left with a set of wheels & tires I may never need again assuming I turn in the car in 2027.

Thus, I'm wondering what everyone might think of the following compromise by using the SUV version of the Hankook tires in larger widths.

Hankook Ion Evo AS SUV all-season tires (note the increased widths):

• Front: 255/35-R21 98W; 1653 lbs load / tire
• Rear: 275/35-R21 103W; 1929 lbs load / tire (same as Pirelli)

This leaves a deficit of only 112 lbs. The tires would be W speed rated instead of Y rated. Since the AT is speed limited to 140 mph, I don't think having the front tire limited to 168 mph is an issue, other than a nod to the theoretical "quality" of the tire. Perhaps this might be a consideration for GT owners?

From the tiresize.com calculator, the tire differences in sizing are (Size 1 is stock and Size 2 is the Hankook SUV):

Does anyone think that using the Hankook Ion Evo AS SUV tires would make a good compromise? It's only off by a little on load and only the front tires are lower speed rated, but the touring can't get close to that speed anyway. The actual tire sizes differ a little, but would the difference be problematic? Will the increased width cause rubbing? Is the W speed rating is realistic concern?

I'd really like to think through this option before I would jump to getting a full 20" winter tire and wheel combo instead.

 

[borski]

There is one other option that has the same load ratings, and it is only sold at Costco - the Michelin Pilot Sport EV. The higher load rating doesn’t exist anywhere else.

I would just get the Pirellis and ensure they are the LM2 version.

Tires and load ratings are one thing I try not to mess around with too much. They’re the only things actually connecting me to the road, so I tend to ensure they’re doing well, as almost anything else on the car failing is less catastrophic than a tire failing.

 

[McGriddle]

There is one other option that has the same load ratings, and it is only sold at Costco - the Michelin Pilot Sport EV. The higher load rating doesn’t exist anywhere else.

I would just get the Pirellis and ensure they are the LM2 version.

Tires and load ratings are one thing I try not to mess around with too much. They’re the only things actually connecting me to the road, so I tend to ensure they’re doing well, as almost anything else on the car failing is less catastrophic than a tire failing.

Thanks, but aren't the Michelin Pilot Sport EV and the Pirelli LM2 both summer tires? I'm hoping to replace my current Pirellis with all season tires for now.

 

[joec]

Thanks, but aren't the Michelin Pilot Sport EV and the Pirelli LM2 both summer tires? I'm hoping to replace my current Pirellis with all season tires for now.

All-season 21s don't exist for the Lucid as of now.

 

[borski]

Thanks, but aren't the Michelin Pilot Sport EV and the Pirelli LM2 both summer tires? I'm hoping to replace my current Pirellis with all season tires for now.

I completely misread your post; so sorry.

Yes, they're both summer options. There are no all-seasons for the 21s today, at all. You'd need to get the 20s or 19s for that. :\

 

[McGriddle]

I completely misread your post; so sorry.

Yes, they're both summer options. There are no all-seasons for the 21s today, at all. You'd need to get the 20s or 19s for that. :\

No worries and thanks @borski . I'm trying to be creative with the tires since I know there isn't a straightforward 21" all season option at the moment.

 

[tjoines]

The lower load capacity makes the tire more susceptible to damage under normal use. The load is also dependent on PSi, a 2-3 psi loss can cause a drop of 150-200 lbs of capcity.
The size and power of the Lucid puts tremendous force on the tires.

 

[Princess Susan]

I'm hoping everyone can give me some thoughts on replacing the current 21" Pirelli P Zeros on my 24 AT with all season tires. From all the previous threads, it seems like this is not an easy choice since there are no 21" tires that match the exact load rating for the OEM Pirellis.

For the OEM Pirelli P Zero:

• Front: 245/35-R21 99Y; 1709 lbs load / tire
• Rear: 265/35-R21 103Y; 1929 lbs load / tire

I am considering trying the new Hankook Ion Evo AS all-season tires, but their load ratings are lower:

• Front: 245/35-R21 96Y; 1565 lbs load / tire
• Rear: 265/35-R21 101Y; 1819 lbs load / tire

This yields a load deficit of 508 lbs, which is a marked difference. My tire installer flagged this (rightfully so) and warned that I might want to consider a 20" winter tire and wheel combo. However, I'm in a 3 year lease on the Air Touring and I'd really hate to be left with a set of wheels & tires I may never need again assuming I turn in the car in 2027.

Thus, I'm wondering what everyone might think of the following compromise by using the SUV version of the Hankook tires in larger widths.

Hankook Ion Evo AS SUV all-season tires (note the increased widths):

• Front: 255/35-R21 98W; 1653 lbs load / tire
• Rear: 275/35-R21 103W; 1929 lbs load / tire (same as Pirelli)

This leaves a deficit of only 112 lbs. The tires would be W speed rated instead of Y rated. Since the AT is speed limited to 140 mph, I don't think having the front tire limited to 168 mph is an issue, other than a nod to the theoretical "quality" of the tire. Perhaps this might be a consideration for GT owners?

From the tiresize.com calculator, the tire differences in sizing are (Size 1 is stock and Size 2 is the Hankook SUV):

View attachment 23767

View attachment 23768

Does anyone think that using the Hankook Ion Evo AS SUV tires would make a good compromise? It's only off by a little on load and only the front tires are lower speed rated, but the touring can't get close to that speed anyway. The actual tire sizes differ a little, but would the difference be problematic? Will the increased width cause rubbing? Is the W speed rating is realistic concern?

I'd really like to think through this option before I would jump to getting a full 20" winter tire and wheel combo instead.

My AT was delivered two years ago. At that point we discovered it had Pirellis summer tires. We live in central Virginia. The delivery advisor said Lucid would change it to 19” wheels and tires. That went round and round for about a month. Final answer over $6000 to change them. Then after further discussion with my advisor who is a car guy he said to get the Michelin Pilot Sport all season tires. I went to my local tire shop and got a set. The Pirellis were individually placed in garbage bags and put in the car, one in the trunk and three in the back seat. I store the tires until Spring and then back to the shop and switched again. The car was inspected and tires switched last week. I have just over 13000 miles on the car. At this rate it will be who lives longer, us or the tires. No problems with either set of tires and there is virtually no difference in the ride and the noise between the two sets.

 

[Rogue]

I'm hoping everyone can give me some thoughts on replacing the current 21" Pirelli P Zeros on my 24 AT with all season tires. From all the previous threads, it seems like this is not an easy choice since there are no 21" tires that match the exact load rating for the OEM Pirellis.

For the OEM Pirelli P Zero:

• Front: 245/35-R21 99Y; 1709 lbs load / tire
• Rear: 265/35-R21 103Y; 1929 lbs load / tire

I am considering trying the new Hankook Ion Evo AS all-season tires, but their load ratings are lower:

• Front: 245/35-R21 96Y; 1565 lbs load / tire
• Rear: 265/35-R21 101Y; 1819 lbs load / tire

This yields a load deficit of 508 lbs, which is a marked difference. My tire installer flagged this (rightfully so) and warned that I might want to consider a 20" winter tire and wheel combo. However, I'm in a 3 year lease on the Air Touring and I'd really hate to be left with a set of wheels & tires I may never need again assuming I turn in the car in 2027.

Thus, I'm wondering what everyone might think of the following compromise by using the SUV version of the Hankook tires in larger widths.

Hankook Ion Evo AS SUV all-season tires (note the increased widths):

• Front: 255/35-R21 98W; 1653 lbs load / tire
• Rear: 275/35-R21 103W; 1929 lbs load / tire (same as Pirelli)

This leaves a deficit of only 112 lbs. The tires would be W speed rated instead of Y rated. Since the AT is speed limited to 140 mph, I don't think having the front tire limited to 168 mph is an issue, other than a nod to the theoretical "quality" of the tire. Perhaps this might be a consideration for GT owners?

From the tiresize.com calculator, the tire differences in sizing are (Size 1 is stock and Size 2 is the Hankook SUV):

View attachment 23767

View attachment 23768

Does anyone think that using the Hankook Ion Evo AS SUV tires would make a good compromise? It's only off by a little on load and only the front tires are lower speed rated, but the touring can't get close to that speed anyway. The actual tire sizes differ a little, but would the difference be problematic? Will the increased width cause rubbing? Is the W speed rating is realistic concern?

I'd really like to think through this option before I would jump to getting a full 20" winter tire and wheel combo instead.

I have a brand new set of the Michelin tires (<500 miles). DM if you feel like those meet your needs. They are all season. DiscountTires will not put them on my car, and the GT is a bit heavier than the Touring.

The tires have been stuck in my garage for months. Never found the time to put them on eBay. I will mark them 50% off for anyone interested.

These would be a lot closer than the route of the SUV tires if you are willing to quibble on weight and speed ratings.

 

[McGriddle]

Thanks for the suggestions, all. Given the concerns about the load capacity, I've decided to just get the 19" winter tire and wheel package from Lucid.

 

[tjoines]

Winter tires are the way to go. The biggest advantage over all-season tires is in stopping and turning. You may find the same tires and equivalent wheels at a lower cost from a good quality tire source.

 

[SBR]

I have two gts 21 inch wheels with Falken Azenis FK460 A/S and I’ve never looked back. No noticeable difference in efficiency. Obviously they are not track tires. I did timed 0-60 and a bunch of high speed runs on “closed track” and they were negligible difference for me.

Those Pirellis from the factory are POS and garbage. Tire bulged all the time and clearly replacements had the same identical problem. Some even blamed me for my driving habits. Lol

There were a few folks around here who said “just get the warranty” from discount tire. Sorry but my time is too valuable to constantly sit waiting around at discount tire and the fear of having a tire blowout.

I have a few buddies that recently tried the Hankook ion and were impressed. They claimed a noticeable efficiency improvement which surprised me. They also pointed me to a review on tire rack comparing 9 tires from max performance to EV. The Hankook did admirably well for its EV badge.

 

[Cosmo Cruz]

The lower load capacity makes the tire more susceptible to damage under normal use.

I believe I read somewhere (Tire Rack?) that the load rating is more complicated that the mass alone...it also tells you speed limit of the tire. A heavy car going fast needs a higher load rating. I trust the Lucid engineers and only use recommended tires.

The load is also dependent on PSi, a 2-3 psi loss can cause a drop of 150-200 lbs of capicity.

I have to wonder if this is the reason so many sidewall bubbles were reported with the 21" Pirellis.
Where I live we get a 30-40 degree temp. change this time of year...we can go from near-freezing to 80 degrees (F) in 24 hrs.

That's a 4 psi change...more if your tires are already underinflated.

If you inflate your low-profile tires to recommended cold pressure one day, and the temps drop, you may be way low.
Hit a road hazard with underinflated tires = bubbles. That said, running low-profile tires is fraught on any car on poorly-maintained roads.

 

[Worldwide Beagle]

Winter tires are the way to go. The biggest advantage over all-season tires is in stopping and turning. You may find the same tires and equivalent wheels at a lower cost from a good quality tire source.

Exactly. Much lower cost, much better tires, much nicer looking wheels. I am a fan of the Michelin Pilot Alpin 5. My Lucid handles great in snow or 10 degree days

 

[McGriddle]

I got the Lucid 19” winter tire and wheel package today. I stuck with the regular silver Aero Range wheels rather than the stealth wheels which would cost quite a lot more.

I didn’t think I’d like the silver wheels since I have the stealth package so I planned ahead and purchased a set of vinyl wheel stickers from @TWRAPS. I think they look much better blacked out (though not as nice of my 21” stealth wheels).

Before:

After:

Installation took me almost 2 hours. It’s easy enough, but does get tedious applying a separate sticker to each spoke basically.

Unlike the stealth wheels which are a dark graphite color with black inserts, these are pure black and match the black inserts. The overlap lines are barely noticeable and only if you know to look for them. Overall, a thumbs up for @TWRAPS !

 

[SaaSManKS]

I'm currently struggling with this, I found a set of Bridgestone tires that are all season and fit the 21" rims of the Pure, but apparently there are zero of them in inventory anywhere in the country...I need tires, but want to dump the car, so it is between buying regular summer tires that I'll shred in about a year or less, or spend $5-6K on the lucid winter tire package (that I personally think is not as attractive as the 21"s)

 

[joec]

Be sure any tires you want to put on this car are rated for the weight. As far as I know, there are currently no all-season or winter tires that work with the 21-inch wheels.

 

[SaaSManKS]

Ya I learned about that, an advisor educated me on that too. Can’t gamble that, just crappy being button-holed!