Difference; KDW v. KDWS
Thread Starter
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 9,711
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From: Evansville,IN
Difference; KDW v. KDWS On the front of my Firehawk there's KDWS. They were on there when I bought the car. I had 275/40/17 KDW put on the back. Is the KDWS a seasonal tire? The car does really well in the rain. If I went to a KDW on the front would the wet traction not be as good? And would the car handle better with KDW on the front? I really don't like the look of the KDWS tires. Thanks.
Last edited by LilJayV10; Aug 13, 2007 at 08:28 PM.
KDWS stands for Dry/Wet/Snow and KDW is obviously Dry/Wet. basically the KDW is a high performance summer tire with good dry and rain traction. the KDWS is an all-season that could allow you to drive in the snow, you either get a tire thats kinda decent at all three, or a summer tire thats really good at just two.
Joined: Nov 2003
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From: Wichita KS / Rancho San Diego
KDWS aren't that great in the rain - I have them. I'm sure KDW's would be as good, if not better. KDWS are better if you get cold weather and especially snow.
Thread Starter
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 9,711
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From: Evansville,IN
Well, it looks like I will be trying the KDW on the front. I will wait till I put the new shocks springs on it and get it alinged. Thanks for the info guys.
Registered User
Joined: May 2007
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I had KDW tires on the front and rear of my old cobra and i loved them..they wore well and handled well in wet and dry conditions..I also had the KDWS tires at one point and they were also nice. But id recommend the KDW
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Verdad Gallardo Thread Starter
Joined: Apr 2007
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From: Evansville,IN
Originally Posted by michaelg589
KDW2s!!!!
Last edited by LilJayV10; Aug 15, 2007 at 02:12 AM.
its just the second generation KDW. they are terrible in the snow like the other KDWs, but awesome in the rain, and very good dry traction. however the sidewalls are a little too soft for me.
Originally Posted by LilJayV10
What are those? I haven't heard of them. I take it the KD is just a dry tire?
KDW's are directional as well, but with a symmetrical tread pattern. They can be used on either side of the car. Can be rotated front to rear, or left to right if dismounted & re-mounted in the proper direction.
KDWS' are not a directional tire. They can be used on any corner of the car, and rotated in which ever is your preferred method.
Fwiw, I have KDWS' on my 94 Impala SS, KDW's on my Camaro when I bought it, and have KD's mounted up to put on it now. So far I haven't had he pleasure of driving the KD's in the rain, hopefully I won't need to.
KDWS tires are the only tires I run on my car. I drive it year round & take it to the track. I have cut 1.9 60' times with them & never hydroplaned. I usually get about a years worth of my rough driving on a set of rears. They also hook if you know how to drive on them.
12 Second Club
Joined: Sep 2005
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From: Bucks County, Pa.
Originally Posted by michaelg589
its just the second generation KDW. they are terrible in the snow like the other KDWs, but awesome in the rain, and very good dry traction. however the sidewalls are a little too soft for me.
Thread Starter
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 9,711
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From: Evansville,IN
I will be sticking with the KDW. I drive it in the rain but it won't ever see snow. I haven't had any problems with the KDWS on the front. I just don't like the way they look. I appreciate you guys getting me up to speed on these tires. 
Originally Posted by Camario
I like my kdw2's. I did the "tire into a curb" test 
and the sidewall didnt bubble up.
and the sidewall didnt bubble up.