I have been reading a lot of threads that have contributed loss of control - the rear going out or tire-spin - to worn tires. They insist that new tires would have prevented this from happening.

Let's, for sake of argument, say the road conditions are dry and warm.
I would take a bald set of tires (of course not splitting) on a S2000 over a new set of tires and promise I will get better traction.
Why do many of you insist that new tires have better traction on dry, clean roads?
The more surface area on the road the more friction and therefore more traction one will have. New tires mean more channels or grooves, less surface area on the pavement and therefore less traction.
Why do you think all high performance racers, Nascar and the such, use slicks on a dry track?

What are your thoughts?
If I am wrong someone enlighten me

 

Most street tires have compounds that "go away" as they wear down, meaning that the rubber actually gets harder and less sticky as the tire wears out. This is certainly true of the factory S-02 skins. They're hard as a rock when they get bald so you can't compare them to "R" compound or racing slicks as they're designed completely different from a street tire that's simply worn out. New factory skins (after you put on 100-200 miles to get rid of the mold release compounds) are far superior to worn out ones.

 

Actually, most threads that I've read about S2000s losing the rear end were due to new and/or different tires out back, and worn S-02s up front. That, in and of itself, is enough to warrant a spin.

 

I heard that it's all the heat-cycling that the tire goes through that makes the rubber less effective.

 

Don't forget about the heat cycling that happens to those tires over the time that they are GOING BALD. This will harden the rubber even more. I guess you were faster.

 

The S-02 tire have two different layer of compound to prevent the tires to become harder as they worn !
http://www.bridgestonetire.com/tech/index....id=tech_unitAQ4

 

Thanx for all the good info. I am learning a lot from the information thus far. I guess there is a lot more to the equation besides surface area and friction.

Thanx for your replies

 

It's a nice theory but reality says different. I've got worn out S-02's out back that are hard as a rock.

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Ludedude
[B]

It's a nice theory but reality says different.

 

t.c., how long did you drive the car with new OEM S-02's? I have found a huge diff between worn S-02's that had many heat cycles... vs new (after 200miles) S-02's. Like Night and day. also I disagree with the statement that the fronts being worn contribute to spins... I have found the fronts will cause the car to understeer to the extent you wil have to reduce throttle to get the car to rotate(turn...).