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2024 Dark Horse Handling Package - Tire Change

DRKKNITE

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I am so sorry if this has been asked a few times already. So I have only driven this car for 10,000 km and the tires are pretty bald. Of course they come with the Pirelli P Zero Trofeo RS. When I went in for an oli change after break in Ford told me the tires were at 50%. That was about 6000 km and I really did not drive hard.

Also, in the streets I am on, this car is literally all over the road. The width of the back tires and how soft they are make it an unenjoyable ride. I literally hit a groove and got pulled into a curb before I could react. Scraped both rims. I am considering selling the car for this reason but wanted to ask if I am missing something.

I keep seeing recommendations for tire changes Michelin Pilot Sport racing tires Continental Sport Contact 7

Would a tire change help with the handling of this car in regular streets? Would it make it a more comfortable ride?

Any recommendations for what tires.

Thanks for your help


Kevin
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Skye

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Sorry to read about that. Glad the car itself is in good shape.

Tramlining. The car catches a groove or indentation and wants to follow it.

The condition is being caused by two factors: 1) the widths of the tires, 2) the stickiness of the tires. Some also feel the tread or tire design can be a factor.

My car originally came with Michelin Cup 2s. I was amazed the amount of debris I could pick up, simply rolling the tire across the driveway, once. The compound was like bubble gum. The Trofeos are roughly the same: excellent track tire. For the street, not so much. In both examples, tramlining can be an issue. For those using Cup 2s, the problem often went away once a more streetable compound was selected.

Switching tires would be a nice first step. Something less sticky, longer wearing.

The tires you referenced get lots of positive mentions. Others with DH/HPs can give guidance on their choices.
 
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DesertDog

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Very common issue with wide & sticky tires. I bought a new Mach1 in 2021 with the handling package and it came with the wide Michelin Sport Cup 2's.....and it was almost undriveable on city streets that had heavy, grooved pavement. On the freeway, I-90 out here in the PNW I had to hold on for dear life given the heavy truck traffic damage to the freeway.
I went down a size and bought Cooper all-seasons and the change was remarkable. All seasons make a lot of sense up here in the great white north....we do get us some rain. But no more tramlining.
So, it's prob not your Mustang, I'd suggest changing to a different tire. I am huge Continental fan, had them on my 911 and SUV, but the Coopers were cheaper and available and turned out to be outstanding if you want to go with an all-season. Let us know how it works out.
 

D/\rK•650

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If you otherwise like the car i would definitely try different tires. Also try turning off lane keeping or centering or whatever if its on. It might cause some pulling if your not used to it..
 

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Very common issue with wide & sticky tires. I bought a new Mach1 in 2021 with the handling package and it came with the wide Michelin Sport Cup 2's.....and it was almost undriveable on city streets that had heavy, grooved pavement. On the freeway, I-90 out here in the PNW I had to hold on for dear life given the heavy truck traffic damage to the freeway.
I went down a size and bought Cooper all-seasons and the change was remarkable. All seasons make a lot of sense up here in the great white north....we do get us some rain. But no more tramlining.
So, it's prob not your Mustang, I'd suggest changing to a different tire. I am huge Continental fan, had them on my 911 and SUV, but the Coopers were cheaper and available and turned out to be outstanding if you want to go with an all-season. Let us know how it works out.
I'm a Continental fan as well on all my vehicles. Just curious which Continental you would put on a GT. That's what mine came with and they're doing OK for an OEM tire. I plan to replace them with better Continentals since I'm not a track or racer boy.

Also, to the OP, if your car is tramlining, you should get an alignment from someplace that knows what they're doing to get a baseline while spending money on more rubber.
 


timd38

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I bought the Mechelin PS4 and went with 325 on the rear. No enough difference to influence the speedometer. Very happy with them. I think the car drives better with them and you are scared to death in the rain.
 

DesertDog

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I'm a Continental fan as well on all my vehicles. Just curious which Continental you would put on a GT. That's what mine came with and they're doing OK for an OEM tire. I plan to replace them with better Continentals since I'm not a track or racer boy.

I'm not sure what Conti I'd go with since I just got the GT and I have only 300 miles on it so far. Mine came with the P-Zeros, which have been fine so far, but I haven't been out in the rain yet, and apparently it rains a lot here. My allegiance to Contis happened about 15 years ago when I drove from Scottsdale to Bakersfield with 2 nails in the right rear in my 911. I discovered this in beautiful downtown Quartzite, AZ, on the way. The tire held together until I got to the Porsche dealer in Bakersfield. So I swore an oath to Contis at that point.
 

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I have the exact same car. 24 DHHP.

Tramlining was pretty bad with the Trofeo RS's in Normal driving mode. Sport mode made things a lot more manageable, but you could still tell she wanted to go places you had no intention of sending her.

At 1300 miles on the clock, I decided since the Trofeo's were only going to last me 6k or so that I'd just put the Michelin Pilot Sport 4s's on and be done with it.

They totally changed the way the car drove. No more tramlining, the ride was...slightly...better, and I actually had some tread on the tires now so I didn't figure driving in the rain was going to feel like driving on ice anymore. I don't track the car so I wasn't worried about loosing some traction when it was dry, especially if it meant picking some up when it was wet. Not to mention, the Michelin's pick up and throw a lot less crap then the Trofeo's did.

I just went with the stock 305/315-30/19's and really couldn't be happier.
If there comes a time when I have to replace these, I'll probably go with 325's in the rear.
 

GripTime

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I bought the Mechelin PS4 and went with 325 on the rear. No enough difference to influence the speedometer. Very happy with them. I think the car drives better with them and you are scared to death in the rain.
They run the PS4 on the DHs at the track attack. I run them on mine as well.
 

young at heart

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I am so sorry if this has been asked a few times already. So I have only driven this car for 10,000 km and the tires are pretty bald. Of course they come with the Pirelli P Zero Trofeo RS. When I went in for an oli change after break in Ford told me the tires were at 50%. That was about 6000 km and I really did not drive hard.

Also, in the streets I am on, this car is literally all over the road. The width of the back tires and how soft they are make it an unenjoyable ride. I literally hit a groove and got pulled into a curb before I could react. Scraped both rims. I am considering selling the car for this reason but wanted to ask if I am missing something.

I keep seeing recommendations for tire changes Michelin Pilot Sport racing tires Continental Sport Contact 7

Would a tire change help with the handling of this car in regular streets? Would it make it a more comfortable ride?

Any recommendations for what tires.

Thanks for your help


Kevin
IMO changing the Trofeo RS tires will change the entire character of the car. They’re a huge part of what makes the HP car what it is. Yes, they do all the things you say and that’s just what they do. Tramlining and other bad behavior is just part of the trade off to get a Mustang that could hang with a GT350, with no surprise smoke coming from under the hood. It’s hard core and I do believe you’re right; I’d sell it before having it neutered. Especially given it’s expected behavior already put you into a curb.

I think you might enjoy a standard, non-HP DH much more. It’s far more user-friendly but still has the DH bones.

Good luck!
 

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IMO changing the Trofeo RS tires will change the entire character of the car. They’re a huge part of what makes the HP car what it is. Yes, they do all the things you say and that’s just what they do. Tramlining and other bad behavior is just part of the trade off to get a Mustang that could hang with a GT350, with no surprise smoke coming from under the hood. It’s hard core and I do believe you’re right; I’d sell it before having it neutered. Especially given it’s expected behavior already put you into a curb.

I think you might enjoy a standard, non-HP DH much more. It’s far more user-friendly but still has the DH bones.

Good luck!
Yes, changing out the Trofeo's for anything WILL change the character of the car; but from what I gathered, that is what is desired..

My Dark Horse with Handling Package on Michelin Pilot Sport 4s' is an

EXTREMELY.

Well. Behaved. Pony.
 

skeeter1949

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Well, I need to ask a stupid question..what is Dark Horse Track attack? I keep seeing "track attack" on here, but don' t really know what it is. I have only had my DH HP for 6 weeks and love the car, but those stock 305/315-30/19 tires scare the crap out of me on the street, and I do not intent to track the car, or sell it because of tires.
 

Sofa King

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Well, I need to ask a stupid question..what is Dark Horse Track attack? I keep seeing "track attack" on here, but don' t really know what it is. I have only had my DH HP for 6 weeks and love the car, but those stock 305/315-30/19 tires scare the crap out of me on the street, and I do not intent to track the car, or sell it because of tires.
https://www.fordperformanceracingschool.com/

The "track attack" mustang experience was offered to all purchasers of 2024 Mustangs... not sure if it is still offered on new models.
 

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smurfslayer

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I don’t know how you have over 6k miles on Trofeos and haven’t ended up on YouTube

I guarantee you that they have been heat cycled far beyond optimum and the stick will be worse than narrow, hard compound snow tires. Look, the Trofeos are really sticky For about 3k km But after that, you are tempting fate. This, in my opinion is why you are having trouble, not that the tire is a bad choice, just a bad choice for street use.

the Michelin PS4S are an outstanding tire, which, despite their use at Dark Horse Track Attack, I’m sure someone will be along to quip that ā€œThe PS4S are not track tiresā€. :surprised: Whatever. If there is a percentage of street use involved in your use case, consider the PS4S or similar class of tire and enjoy longer lasting grip, better road compliance, rain driving capability and less range anxiety line the EV folks, only for your tires.
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