I’d be grateful to hear some advice or experience from anyone who is using the new Hankook Ventus Z212. I’m using them on a ’87 325iS on 16X7 wheels in the 225/45 size.

I spent the weekend autocrossing and never really felt I had the grip I wanted. They just didn’t seem to hook up. I started with the tire pressure at 40 in front and 35 in the rear. I was very frustrated and kept lowering the TP through the weekend. I ended up at 37.5 in front and 28 in and 28.5 in the rear. The first figures are cold, the last warm. However, it was a cool (mid 60’s) day and the tires never got very warm. I also kept playing with the rebound damping throughout the day, and finally ended up about .75 turn from full hard on Koni Yellow’s.

My last run, with the tires at the lowest pressures was nearly three seconds faster than the next best run.

So, I’d really like to hear from anyone who is using these tires, especially if they feel that they have figured out how much pressure to use.

Thanks,

Joe Stephenson

I don't use that model of tires, but It depends more of the car, how much it wheights, and how the wheight is distributed.

I rather have higher rear pressure, or else it understeers too much for me.

Try 33psi at the front and 36 on the rear, or something like that.

I run those tires, and have had similar frustrations. It takes time to figure out the pressures. These tires get too hot at high pressures. So, start off in the mid 30s, and bleed down as the heat up, and stop where you like them. They also take getting used to as far as driving them. They can be fast, but at full tread depth in the AX, they get squirmy. Once you get used to how they sound, and break loose, you can pull some fast times on them. once your down to about 50% tread depth they should be noticeably faster too. I really like them on the street, and they are good AX tires, but not quite the best. They work on the track too, but you will overheat them, so be cautious, and dont be affraid to let some air out.

Is this how everyone else feels?

Well how consistent were you with your runs? Did you adjust your tire pressure through all of your runs?

How many AutoX do you have under your belt? Are they shaved or full thread?

On these tires, i have about 3 autocrosses under my belt. However, i have been doing it for about 7 years. My tires were not shaved. I used them 3 days at the track, then a few road miles, then the autocross. Until i figured the tires out, i was all over the place with times. But, the last one i was much better, and was close to the class leader. My car however is far less prepared then the leader.

I’d be grateful to hear some advice or experience from anyone who is using the new Hankook Ventus Z212. I’m using them on a ’87 325iS on 16X7 wheels in the 225/45 size.
I spent the weekend autocrossing and never really felt I had the grip I wanted. They just didn’t seem to hook up. I started with the tire pressure at 40 in front and 35 in the rear. I was very frustrated and kept lowering the TP through the weekend. I ended up at 37.5 in front and 28 in and 28.5 in the rear. The first figures are cold, the last warm. However, it was a cool (mid 60’s) day and the tires never got very warm. I also kept playing with the rebound damping throughout the day, and finally ended up about .75 turn from full hard on Koni Yellow’s.
My last run, with the tires at the lowest pressures was nearly three seconds faster than the next best run.
So, I’d really like to hear from anyone who is using these tires, especially if they feel that they have figured out how much pressure to use.
Thanks,
Joe Stephenson

Mid 60's should be plenty of ambient temperature to get your tires up to temp, unless they're way too wide for the car or you're driving way too slow.

If you want a baseline pressure setting, mark the tread edges with shoe polish and try to get the tires to roll over to the edge of the tread, where it meets the sidewall. Make minor tweaks from there. It sounds like you may not be consistent enough to be able to see the effects of minor (tire pressure / shock) changes. So set the tires and forget them and focus on driving fast!

I've been autocrossing for four years. I have won my class twice and finished second twice. I've also been to Phases I and II at an Evolution school.

The tire section width is 225, max in STX. I don't think I'm drivign "way too slow." I was keeping the car near the limits of adhesion for most of the course. My times were within about 1.4 seconds of each other until the afore mentioned run with the three second improvement.

I would be glad to "set the tires and forget them," but first I'd like to find the right setting to forget.

Thanks to everyone for the ideas,

Joe S.

Well sounds like you don't need our help if you are a pro autoxer...

I have them on my car (235/40/17). I think the general consesus is that they love air pressure.

I run them 50psi f/r. Before I was running them at f:50 r:47-48 and the rear end felt really squirly and basically was drifting a lot. I let my two friends drive my car and they had the same problem; one of them ended up spinning out. When I added pressure to the rear I was surprised how much more tame it felt. My friends agreed and said it felt a lot more planted and controlable.

I looked at my sidewall after several auto-x's and found that wear marks extended out to the perfect point on the sidewalls, so I believe I have found close to the perfect pressure.

The tire section width is 225, max in STX.

What club is that for? SCCA has 245mm set as max tire width.

I have them on my car (235/40/17). I think the general consesus is that they love air pressure.

I run them 50psi f/r. Before I was running them at f:50 r:47-48 and the rear end felt really squirly and basically was drifting a lot. I let my two friends drive my car and they had the same problem; one of them ended up spinning out. When I added pressure to the rear I was surprised how much more tame it felt. My friends agreed and said it felt a lot more planted and controlable.

I looked at my sidewall after several auto-x's and found that wear marks extended out to the perfect point on the sidewalls, so I believe I have found close to the perfect pressure.


Are you running any negative camber? I am on GC coilovers, and just over -3 deg neg camber in front, and about -2 in back. Mine are the same size, and mine wont roll over even in the low to mid 30 pressure. I havnt tried really high pressures yet.

Are you running any negative camber? I am on GC coilovers, and just over -3 deg neg camber in front, and about -2 in back. Mine are the same size, and mine wont roll over even in the low to mid 30 pressure. I havnt tried really high pressures yet.

No I'm on stock suspension. I guess with more camber, you would want to run less pressure?

No I'm on stock suspension. I guess with more camber, you would want to run less pressure?

Well, thats the question. I have experience driving, but i guess im not the best person to ask about pressures. Im rather new to suspension setups, as i have autocrossed stock cars on Rcomps in the past.

I hope that some experienced people chime in, cause i would like to hear what others run with these tires and camber and things.

My times were within about 1.4 seconds of each other until the afore mentioned run with the three second improvement.

I would be glad to "set the tires and forget them," but first I'd like to find the right setting to forget.

Thanks to everyone for the ideas,

Joe S.

A three second improvement would never manifest itself just because of a tire pressure change. That's a seperate issue, however.

You didn't respond to my statement about checking the rollover of the sidewalls. For someone without a pyrometer and using street tires with relatively squishy sidewalls I think this is a pretty good method to get in the ballpark.

Some autocrossers with compromised setups find success taking rear pressures to the extreme high end helps get the car to rotate. My experience has been that this only makes the car undriveable even though it may feel faster. I'd rather get the car to rotate with alignment changes.

Also, what weird STX are you running that only allows 225's?

Some autocrossers with compromised setups find success taking rear pressures to the extreme high end helps get the car to rotate.

I added 3 psi to my 47 psi to help it to not rotate as much...and it worked.