DOT, no DOT, law, insurance, life

[rdorman]

There have been many threads discussing various tire options for Cobras. What I am hoping for here is clear and concise answers to the following questions in one area. This is to look at tires such as those you can get at Rodger Krause racing in the 15" sizes we use.

If you have run these tires on the street:
http://www.rogerkrausracing.com/GyCobra.html
I am interested in hearing what you have to say!

PLEASE, no 'get 17" wheels', 'I am happy with my BFG's', etc.

- What are the laws about running non DOT approved tires on the street

- What are the cons of running non DOT approved tires on the street

- What does your insurance company say about running non DOT approved tires on the streets

- What tire have you run and what was their life on the street

- What did you like the most and least about the tire

I can't take the BFG's any more!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Thanks

Rick

[Bob Putnam]

"What are the laws about running non DOT approved tires on the street"

It varies from state to state. Maybe someone in OH knows the local requirements.

"What are the cons of running non DOT approved tires on the street"

A genuine race tire will pick up (and throw) all sorts of pebbles, especially when warm. Park the car and they will become semi-permanent additions to the tread.

Sidewalls that will be damaged by minor encounters.

A couple of years and the tires will start deteriorating from "normal" age.

[Gary Morris]

Don't know about the laws......Love the Big Goodyear lettering..just looks right on a Cobra...Yes they do pick up gravel but myself and another here in Texas just live with it...we did have some fender guards made at an upholstery shop that protects the rear fenders...you have to check the air in them as they do go down over time.....and me personally I take the time to keep the tread clean of rocks after an outing.....they do hunt and wander on the road for several miles until you get some heat in them...remember they are not radials......BUT when you put your foot in it they hook up VERY well......................I'll keep running them as long as they are available.

Gary
ERA #291

[Excaliber]

I thought if a tire was DOT approved, thats it, street approved! Hmmm,,,maybe there not "legal" in Hawaii, I won't ask and they don't have to tell me.

I ran the Yokohamas Auto X tires on the street AND the track. Course they wear out REAL quick, and like Bob said they pick up stuff and "throw it". I was so paranoid of a "flat" I carried a can of "Spare Tire", a tire plug kit and a small 12 Volt air compressor.

But I was "addicted" to the traction!

Addtional info on Yoko's added:
they are good for about 10,000 street miles, one to two "seasons" if you race every month. There high priced, 180 or so. Faily deep "grooves" running at an angle. I was surprised how good they were on WET pavement. A very decent street tire and a GREAT track tire too! Several guys run them here, drive to the track and home on them.

Ernie

[rdorman]

No one has mentioned their insurance companies take on this.

Please dont forget to be specific about what you are running and how many mile you expect from them

Thanks

Rick

[HighPlainsDrifter]

Hi,
I ran street slicks on my paxton equiped mustang, very poor tread life, also the cops made my life misserable. I gave up on non DOT tires. Good thing as the cops now can impound your car for street racing or make you go to an inspecion station, by tow-truck. If you want a RACE car, build a RACE CAR, drive it on a race track, not on the street.Just my 2 cents worth from someone who's been there.
Perry.

[RallySnake]

Rick,

Why would anyone bring up ANY legality issue with anyone connected to the insurance business? This makes no sense to me. As long as I make decisions that my life literally depends on, who cares what my insurance agent thinks? All I want to know from him is how big does the check need to be. I have been dropped by too many bean-counting illegitimate-children insurance agents to EVER ask if something's wrong with my car! What are you thinking?

On the subect of tires,

In 16 years of driving my Arntz, I've run most 15" tires available. The Hoosier Autocrosser and Road Race tires give great traction. I've driven these on long distance events on every type of road and weather (including rain and snow). I just don't like the way they jerk the steering wheel around. I really liked the Mickey Thompson Competitor tires but they stopped making them. The Toyo Proxie S/Ts are the best cheap tire I can get now. I cannot afford to burn up the Goodyear rain tires at $1,000.00+ as much as I drive.

I might try the Dunlops Qualifiers next time, although the "T" speed rating bothers me. I drive faster than that on the way to work!

Paul

[rdorman]

If there is a law requiring or a stipulation regarding DOT tires in the underwriting then the insurance company may refuse to pay the claim. ALL of it. Personal injury included. Before I run any thing on my car in a situation where I would expect to be covered and there is question, I will ask. I would think that if any one cares whether or not the insurance company will pay, they would do the same.

Rally, is it the Proxy or Avid that you are running. I have looked at those as well.

Thanks

Rick

[RallySnake]

Rick,

They are the Toyo Proxy S/T in 275/60/15 all around. They are very good for covering high speed miles in comfort. Not so good for autocross or hard cornering, although they give plenty of warning before letting go.

Paul

[excelguru]

VERY interesting thread. I love the looks (if not the price) of those Goodyear's but I just assumed that the "non-DOT" designation would allow the insurance company to deny claim in the event of an accident. That wasn't a chance I was willing to take. Perhaps that assumption was incorrect.

Even if you fought a claim in court, having a lawyer tell the jury that "the prosecution's client had non-DOT tires on his 500-HP sports car" probably wouldn't bode well, unless your state had a specific law allowing their use.

Can anyone tell me what specifications a tire has to meet to be DOT-listed? Is it a materials-of-construction thing? Is it a matter of lab testing?

Keith

[rdorman]

My agent said he was not concerned with the DOT rating. But I will NOT rest there. Although I did put his email with my policy ;o)

As near as I can tell the DOT rating indicates that the tires complies with all federal standards set for by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. After some looking I found out what the criteria is. For some interesting reading check out:
-- Sec. 571.109 Standard No. 109; New pneumatic tires. and
-- Sec. 575.104 Uniform tire quality grading standards.

On http://frwebgate.access.gpo.gov/cgi-bin/multidb.cgi

Now if we can just find out if they are legal!


DV
DV
DV
Where are you! You where a cop for years. Non Dot treaded Goodyears street legal????

[DAVID GAGNARD]

Here in Louisiana,running non-dot tires can get you a ticket from the police and have your car towed for a safety violation,also it is grounds to have your car rejected on it's yearly inspection.

As far as insurance compainies go, I have never seen an exclusion in a policy about the type of tires you use,but the fact that you are not in compliance with state regulations could make a good case to deny coverage for an accident should your company decide to pursue the matter!!!!!!!!!!!

Every auto insurance policy I have seen does have an exclusion for "participating in an organized racing event".This would cover drag racing, autocross, and road racing at tracks or organized events.....Street racing would actually be covered as they have no "stupidity clause", but you would probably be dropped soon after that....

David

[Mr.Fixit]

The least safe tires I ever put on my car were mickey thompson sportsman pro tires. They are drag slicks, pure and simple, but they have a couple of grooves in them that are the minimum depth to meet DOT regulations. They also required innertubes. They were just a bias ply with a soft wrinklewall, they couldn't corner at speeds faster than parking lot speeds, if the pavement was shiny, look out cause you'd be all over the place. They also only lasted for 8 weeks of around town driving on a limited milage basis. All that and DOT approval.

[Hal Copple]

if you want to see how newly made Goodyear Blue Streaks, made with the same carcass technology, even the same coumpound! are compared to other hot tires, including some DOT race tires, read the just out Grassroots Motorsports Magazine.

Avon's, Dunlop race tires also there for the reading.

[Excaliber]

...and months down the road from now, when someone searches and finds this thread and now it's impossible to get that magazine they will always wonder......How did the Blue Streaks compare?

Ernie

[Hal Copple]

the Blue Streaks were terrible. Hard and slippery.

Exactly like they were made 40 years ago, too.

hal

[Double Venom]

Rick,Rick,Rick,

Geeezh. Ok what the heck. I'll get a refresher course and come back to this. For such a simple question, there is NOT a simple answer For what I am about to say, this is only for Ohio.

NO...NON-DOT tires are not legal on the street.
YES, NON DOT tires, MAY BE legal on the sreet. It is a multi edged answer. Give me today to do the research, so that I can clarify the above, and I will get back to you.

DV...This could be a very good thing for our safety list.

[Ken Greene]

"DV...This could be a very good thing for our safety list."
I agree DV.... I agree

[427 S/O]

Could it be that 'non DOT' tires have simply not been submitted for testing. I heard this once, just don't know if it's true?.

[4RE KLR]

It seems that the answer would be simple, but we know it never is.

I would "think" non DOT would mean NON DOT. If a tire is not rated by DOT for whatever reason, then it is NOT approved by the DOT for highway use. Geeze read the label on the side of the tires. The answer is right there!

As for insurance, I have no idea, but insurance companies "as a whole" but not all, are always looking for a reason to deny claims. I know that FIRST HAND. And no I am not trying to start an insurance argument, been there too.

They do not put that information on the side of the tire for THIER health, they do it for YOURS!

Ferrari Killer
Steve Parks