Can You Daily Drive on Track Tires? FL5 Honda Civic Type R with RE-71RS

Daily Driving on Track Tires: The Verdict

• 💡 The question of daily driving on track tires is answered with a qualified "yes," but with several important caveats to consider.
• 🔑 The speaker has personal experience daily driving various cars on track tires since obtaining their license, including the current setup on a Bridgestone Potenza RE-71RS on an FL5 Civic Type R.

Bridgestone Potenza RE-71RS Performance

• 🚀 The RE-71RS tires on the Civic Type R are 265/35R19, featuring a slightly taller sidewall for Michigan's bumpy roads and track curbing.
• ⚠️ After one hard track day, the outside of the tires showed signs of getting very hot (bluish tint), but they have approximately 1,000 street miles and are considered well-broken-in.
• ✨ These tires are praised as some of the most daily driver-friendly track tires, offering good quietness and comfort, performing well on various cars like the BRZ, S2000, and Civic Type R.
• 🌧️ Wet performance is noted as fantastic, even performing well in rain conditions where all-season tires might typically be preferred.

Considerations for Daily Use

• 📈 Increased wear rate is a primary concern; track tires are designed for extreme use and will wear faster with high mileage, especially with aggressive alignment.
• 🪨 Expect to pick up more stones, rocks, and debris, making mud flaps highly recommended to protect the car's paint.
• 🔩 Track tires may also be more prone to picking up nails and punctures due to their sticky nature.
• 🔊 While initially quiet, road noise increases noticeably after the first track day, which is a factor to consider for daily comfort.

Driving Impressions and Safety

• 🚦 At city speeds, the tires are surprisingly quiet with minimal NVH over bumps, feeling more compliant than on previous cars.
• ⚡ Mechanical grip is immediate, requiring little to no warm-up time, unlike some other track tires that can be dangerous when cold.
• 🚗 Even in colder temperatures (around 55-60°F), the RE-71RS are safe and usable, unlike Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2s which can be dangerous when cold and wet.
• 💨 At highway speeds, there's a slight increase in wind and road noise, but it's considered an acceptable level for an aggressive car like the Type R.
• 🔧 The Civic Type R's ease of swapping wheels and tires, due to wheel speed sensors instead of TPMS, is highlighted as a significant convenience.

Safety and Aesthetics

• 🚀 The car, making around 350 wheel horsepower with a custom tune, benefits from the grippy and responsive tires for putting power down and spirited driving.
• ⚠️ While daily driving on track tires, drivers must be aware of the increased grip which can lead to sudden braking, potentially causing rear-end collisions if not careful.
• ✅ An increased safety factor is argued due to the tire's superior capability compared to standard summer tires, offering better avoidance of potholes or animals.
• 😎 Finally, track tires are noted for their aggressive and cool appearance, enhancing the overall aesthetic enjoyment of the vehicle.