I was looking for a set of tires, and found the Federal ss 595 at Les Schwab for $470 (set of 4 installed)
sizes I am looking for are 225/45/17 and 255/40/17.
so my questions:
- I was looking at these tires at the store and they looked pretty wide for their size, they had a 215 on the shelf and it looked almost like 235 width wise! anybody installed 225/255 on stock AP2 rims? if so did they looked pinched? I already have 225/255 installed and they are ok, but not sure how the federals will mount given how wide they looked on the shelf.
- Any negative experince with them? I am not looking for best tires or anything, just need something for day to day driving, no snow or heavy rain either.

Thanks all for help

 

driven these exact sizes DD on stock AP2 rims. they did not look pinched and are fine for daily driving. I've also tracked on them and they are fine to use as a cheap tyre to thrash.

Just dont expect them to be as grippy as OEM and as the sidewalls are relatively soft, do expect the flex to appear under hard braking etc.

 

Are you talking about these Federals ss 595 or other brand in 225/255?

 

595ss. the exact same tyres

 

I just mounted my federal ss595's on my front wheels, i have 235/40 on a 17x8 wheel and they almost look like 255/40's. Im gonna mount my 255/40's tonite and we'll see how beefy they look.

 

review: garbage.. i took mine off and gave them away!!! (225/45, 245/40)

 

I had these in 205/50/16 on another car. They were pretty good for a cheap tire. The tread blocks did eventually start to chunk off on the edge, not sure if it was the tire or my driving style. Fairly sticky and they will definately get greasy after a few laps but what can you expect at this price point.

The foot print is a bit wider than other manufacterers.

 

I bought a used Honda S2000 which came with these tires on it (Federal SS-595: 245/40/17 rear, 225/45/17 front). Now, I haven't driven my car with any other tires yet, so take this review with a grain of salt - I can't compare with anything else and perhaps some of the issues are just getting used to a new RWD car.

Having said that, I've found that the cornering grip in the dry is good - to a point. I can push the car harder and harder and harder around a corner and I'm amazed at how much grip there is and then - bang - it's gone. With other tires on other cars I can usually feel when the tire is nearing the limit of adhesion, but not with these - there's grip to a point and then there suddenly isn't. When they do break traction, they are very quiet - very little squealing.

In the wet, they're terrible. I can't accelerate even mildly from a stop without these breaking free on the back end, and pushing them even slightly around a corner under power results in, again, a loss of traction very quickly. There is no warning to let you know you're nearing the limit of traction, and in the wet, that limit is very low. The fronts seem to hook up ok (lateral grip) but the rears won't allow you to put any power down before they break free.

I'm sure they were cheap and I'm sure that's why the owner bought them. But in my opinion, a sports car is only as good as the tires it's sitting on and these tires don't do my S2000 any justice. They're new enough that I'll use them until they're in need of replacement, but I won't be sad to see them go.

 

My experience has been that these are one of the better option tires for the price point. I'd even take them over the seemingly popular Hankook v12's. The federals are stiffer in the sidewall which is a must on the s2000 in my book. The key in all this is the best for the price point. Not THE best period.

 

best as cheap tyres for burnouts. they will get you very sideways in the wet if you are not careful, dont ask me how I know.