Pirelli tires - what to expect

[onelincolnguy]

I have spent time researching what I would get but options are somewhat limited due to unique tire size: 255/55/20.

Excluding the more snow rated tires my options are:

Michelin
Defender2 (just put these on my MKZ)
Primacy A/S but seem these are being discontinued

Pirelli
Scorpion WeatherActive
Scorpion AS Plus 3

Goodyear
Assurance WeatherReady - discontinued with no similar

No Continentals in that size.

What did you end up getting? I currently have the Michelin Primacy A/S. on my Aviator and find them very harsh absorbing road imperfections. I am on the fence getting the Scorpion WeatherActive as I've always been a Pirelli guy.

 

[ColonelColt]

I have a 2024 Corsair...not a Nautilus. It came with Continental tires on it which thus far I'm happy with.

As long as air pressure, alignment and balance are kept proper...the biggest wear factor with tires is heat. Under-inflation creates excess heat...over-inflation wears the center of the tread prematurely. I live in Arizona where there are tire and battery stores on almost every street corner it seems. Tires and batteries simply don't last here compared to other areas...regardless of quality and warranty. My Corsair is garaged so it receives less direct sun on them so maybe I'll get better life out of them.

My go-to tire brands are Michelin and Cooper...have always had good luck with both. I've found on the same vehicle Coopers wear just as long and perform equal to Michelin...but I'll give the nod to Michelin for ride quality though only slightly. Price-wise Coopers seem to be less expensive for similar specs.

Many years ago I sold tires so I try and keep up with trends about them. Considering the investment involved and their importance to performance safety....even the best tires (and brakes) are barely good enough.

 

[angore]

What did you end up getting? I currently have the Michelin Primacy A/S. on my Aviator and find them very harsh absorbing road imperfections. I am on the fence getting the Scorpion WeatherActive as I've always been a Pirelli guy.

Nothing yet. I just know the tire in my size is not available in US yet per Pirelli so thinking what I would do if I have to get a single tire due to a road hazard.
Other than noisy on some surfaces, no complaints. They have softened a little in 3000 miles and not expecting long tread life.

 

[LegalBrief]

Nothing yet. I just know the tire in my size is not available in US yet per Pirelli so thinking what I would do if I have to get a single tire due to a road hazard.
Other than noisy on some surfaces, no complaints. They have softened a little in 3000 miles and not expecting long tread life.

Just go to your tire store, you can go up or down a tire size.. and find them

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[angore]

I do not plan to change tire sizes. The Scorpion MS tires cost around $400 each. Michelin does not make a premium touring tire in that size either.

Tires I am considering
Goodyear Assurance WeatherReady 2
Michelin Defender 2 - just got these on our 2009 MKZ so will see how they perform
Pirelli Scorpion AS Plus 3

I live in central NC so snow is rarely an issue and will not drive it in unless caught away from home. Icing is a bigger risk after a snow. The risk here is more about getting hit by someone who does not know how to drive in it. But I would like to see how the Nauti AWD drives in the snow.

 

[foo3922]

I do not plan to change tire sizes. The Scorpion MS tires cost around $400 each. Michelin does not make a premium touring tire in that size either.

Tires I am considering
Goodyear Assurance WeatherReady 2
Michelin Defender 2 - just got these on our 2009 MKZ so will see how they perform
Pirelli Scorpion AS Plus 3

I live in central NC so snow is rarely an issue and will not drive it in unless caught away from home. Icing is a bigger risk after a snow. The risk here is more about getting hit by someone who does not know how to drive in it. But I would like to see how the Nauti AWD drives in the snow.

How are your defender 2s working out for you?

 

[angore]

I did get Defender2s for MKZ. Taut ride but quiet. They did not get great reviews from tirerack inside reviewers but customer reviews are good.

 

[04 LTC]

Not apples to apples, but I put a set of Pirellis on my town car. I forget the exact name but Discount Tire exclusive. I found them to be excellent tires. Smooth, quiet, good in rain, ok in snow even though not snow rated. Not the most spendy either. I would buy Pirelli again.

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[DomDoobie]

I checked the manual and looks like Lincoln recommends rotation with front to rear and rear cross to front. I see some recommendations that AWD to do 4 wheel cross. Pirelli recommends rearward cross (front cross to rear) for AWD,

I have never spent so much time reading a car manual.

That’s weird. When I told my dealer to do that they said oh your old school. No one goes front to rear and rear to front and cross cross anymore. I MADE them do it ! Normally I do it my self which is a pain on the ground but since it was complimentary I let them do it. Then I had to check the lug nut torque because no one does that anymore. I torque them to 100ft lbs. old theory is uneven lug not torque can contribute to warped rotors

 

[04 LTC]

That’s weird. When I told my dealer to do that they said oh your old school. No one goes front to rear and rear to front and cross cross anymore. I MADE them do it ! Normally I do it my self which is a pain on the ground but since it was complimentary I let them do it. Then I had to check the lug nut torque because no one does that anymore. I torque them to 100ft lbs. old theory is uneven lug not torque can contribute to warped rotors

Shockingly, the torque spec is 162 Ft lbs.

 

[swindler]

Shockingly, the torque spec is 162 Ft lbs.

I'm pretty sure my air tool doesn't go that high.

 

[DomDoobie]

I would wonder if that’s a misprint. Corsair is 100 ft lbs. can’t see such a difference jumping up to the Nautilus. Even the 2023 Aviator is 100 ft lbs

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[angore]

If I had to make a decision today I would go with the Pirelli Scorpion AS Plus 3. These have a new compound for extended tire life for North American customers since the Michelin Primacy TOURING (not what comes on Nautis) is not available in my size.

From my 2024 Nautilus manual, 150 ft lbs. This is beyond most people's ability especially using the tool provided. My torque wrench does not go that high on the scale (not digital type).

 

[Jacyte]

My ford edge was also 162 lb ft. (220 NM) per the owners manual. Seems to be common across this size vehicle.

 

[DomDoobie]

I mean the manual says it. Still find it hard to believe since the aviator and Corsair are 100 ft lbs. Aviator is bigger than the Nautilus or Edge ? Glad to see they recommend the “correct” way to rotate tires. Tires will last longer if you do it that way and keep them inflated to cold tire pressure. I just emptied my rear cargo area to check the spare tire pressure. Loaded with stuff back there. Hard to get to it lol but I carry a plug kit and compressor so anytime I got a screw or a nail I just plugged it in the car and inflated it.

 

[DomDoobie]

If I had to make a decision today I would go with the Pirelli Scorpion AS Plus 3. These have a new compound for extended tire life for North American customers since the Michelin Primacy TOURING (not what comes on Nautis) is not available in my size.

From my 2024 Nautilus manual, 150 ft lbs. This is beyond most people's ability especially using the tool provided. My torque wrench does not go that high on the scale (not digital type).


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You know you could find a Continental a hair smaller or larger. That’s what I’m doing when I need tires. 1/4 inch or 1/2 inch won’t make a difference

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[angore]

Lawyers must be involved

 

[DomDoobie]

I have 225/55R 19. Continentals don’t come in that size. However the size above or below is almost identical so I would chose one of them

 

[DomDoobie]

I would go with this in my case. Basically the same size hight wise and about one inch wider which would probably be better. Also falls within recommended rim size spec

 

[swindler]

You know you could find a Continental a hair smaller or larger. That’s what I’m doing when I need tires. 1/4 inch or 1/2 inch won’t make a difference

Again, just to enumerate, a drop in diameter from 31" to 30.5" means the distance traveled per rotation drops 6.35%. That means not only will your speedometer read 3-4 mph high on the highway, but after 93,650 miles driven, the odometer will read 100,000 miles. Just FYI.