Having summer tires vs. all season is list as an option. My dealer was unsure if you really could get them, and if you can are they also run-flats?

Jack

 

I have them, and yes they are run-flats. They are 19s with the sport rims.

 

I know this will sound like a dumb question, but is there a performance (read-safety) difference with summer vs all season when driving in bad weather (freezing rain, snow, etc..)?

I have a hold on a c300 with airmatic, but it came with the 19" summer tires. I asked the salesman about it, and he said that they were basically the same in how they would perform in snow, but that sounds off to me. Any thoughts?

 

Summer tires are useless and very dangerous in any type of freezing precipitation.

 

I also have the run flat 19's on my c400. I picked my car up from the dealer and went straight to the tire shop and put winters on. Not cheap, but the summers are useless below freezing point.

 

Did your salesperson really try to convince you that summer tires could actually perform in snow?!? I literally would've just turned around and walked away if that's the kind of guy I was dealing with. Hope he doesn't try to convince you that the car can transform into an airplane too..

 

I guess the old car salesman cliche "if his lips are moving he is lying" is alive and well. He must have thought if he told you the truth you would cancel your order.

They are called summer tires for a reason. Once the temps drop consistently below 50 degrees, summer tires are pretty much useless. You will need a set of winter tires if you live in a cold weather climate.

 

Yeah, it's rediculous. Side note, I realized the spec sheet said "air balance" not "airmatic".... lol.