Summer tires in the winter

Phil · 01-31-2010, 04:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pisces312

I live on Long Island and have the Summer tires on my 370Z. I was wondering if any of you have experienced "strange" feelings

eminating from the tires while turning the wheel. This is especially true when the car has been sitting in the cold for a while. I would describe it almost like the tire(s) are flat. Tire pressure is correct and the the symptoms disappear as the tires warm. I am guessing it is due to the tire's softer composition, any thoughts?

My tires are doing the same thing. The rubber in the summer tires get a flat spot in them from sitting on the pavement, and the very cold temps kind of harden the tires, and make the flat spot on the tires very stiff and they thump real hard when you make your first few turns, until the flat spots go away, usually in a few minutes of driving.

Pisces312 · 01-31-2010, 10:09 AM

Thanks guys for your feedback, at least I know that it's not just me. I have no choice about driving the Zcar unless the Missus lends me her Maxima lol

Pisces312 · 01-31-2010, 10:11 AM

BTW a set of all season tires runs well in excess of $1200 so just replacing them is a costly option when you have sport package. Mother Nature bring us some warmth soon PLEASE!!! LOL

rcm2525 · 01-31-2010, 03:58 PM

I've been driving mine in the ice and snow with the stock tires and I'm driving about 110 miles a day with no problems but I'm not racing it.

Liquid_G · 01-31-2010, 04:20 PM

^^^ u are asking for trouble dude..

rcm2525 · 01-31-2010, 05:00 PM

Always

PapoZalsa · 01-31-2010, 05:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rcm2525

I've been driving mine in the ice and snow with the stock tires and I'm driving about 110 miles a day with no problems but I'm not racing it.

WOW, you are crazy my friend!

eddieconfetti · 01-31-2010, 07:21 PM

Aint no worries for the south. Its gonna start warming up soon. Spring is right around the corner. Now instead of ice and snow and the cold, we gotta start worrying about the pollen. I am madly allergic to pollen, so i cant wait till spring time.

Pushing_Tin · 01-31-2010, 09:53 PM

This is the second winter I've driven with summer tires. I've driven down into the mid 20's (-4c) and haven't had any problems. If there is deep snow or gravel all over I will not drive it though.

CrownR426 · 01-31-2010, 09:56 PM

I've been driving in my sports package potenza's for a while now...
And man does it suck lol!
There was like Less than 2 inches and I couldn't even perform a k-turn...
And about a month ago I was making a right turn going down onto a hill in third gear.
I downshifted to 2nd and made the turn and my car went sideways and I barely missed another car. Very dangerous...
Still riding in the potenza's though!
[:

JB1 · 01-31-2010, 11:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pisces312

BTW a set of all season tires runs well in excess of $1200 so just replacing them is a costly option when you have sport package. Mother Nature bring us some warmth soon PLEASE!!! LOL

For $ 1200 you can get a set of wheels AND winter tires, not a bad investment to drive around in winter safely... Check out AK's winter tire thread: My Winter Rims/Tires Setup: TRMotorsport C2 + Blizzak LM-25 w/TPMS w/pics (AK370Z)

I tried the summer tires in winter weather, not a good idea. I'm happy I have winter tires now, so much safer.

NYBladeZ · 02-01-2010, 08:29 AM

I haven't tried driving in the snow (thankfully) but I've driven in as cold as 19F here in LI as well. You can definitely feel that the tires were not meant for this but if you drive carefully AND MAKE SURE YOU KEEP THE VDC ON you will be fine.

yubman · 02-01-2010, 10:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by eddieconfetti

Aint no worries for the south. Its gonna start warming up soon. Spring is right around the corner. Now instead of ice and snow and the cold, we gotta start worrying about the pollen. I am madly allergic to pollen, so i cant wait till spring time.

Pollen is a real bear for me as well. I think I'll try the mod to add the Maxima filter that I just saw:

DIY: Adding In-Cabin air filter to the 370Z

As for driving the Z with summer tires. I've only driven it when there is nothing on the pavemnet (dry) and not expecting any precipitation. If snow or worse is expected I drive an old Dodge pickup, but I heard what you described and had to pull over to verify that I didn't have a flat tire as well. I guess the tire compound really doesn't like the cold and hardens up.

Gaiiden · 02-02-2010, 12:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pushing_Tin

This is the second winter I've driven with summer tires. I've driven down into the mid 20's (-4c) and haven't had any problems. If there is deep snow or gravel all over I will not drive it though.

Ditto. I've driven fairly aggressive with my summer tires on cold nights below 32F without even tripping the VDC, but it all depends on the road conditions of course. If I even smell snow I head home or take out a family car. You could probably survive an inch of snow on summer tires, but even that's pushing it IMO - especially if the snow is still falling!!

hee hee, I remember one time coming home in snow in my 350Z I would stop under overpasses to burn rubber on the dry patches to clear out my tread. Dunno if it actually worked but made me feel better :P

CrownR426 · 02-06-2010, 08:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gaiiden

Ditto. I've driven fairly aggressive with my summer tires on cold nights below 32F without even tripping the VDC, but it all depends on the road conditions of course. If I even smell snow I head home or take out a family car. You could probably survive an inch of snow on summer tires, but even that's pushing it IMO - especially if the snow is still falling!!

hee hee, I remember one time coming home in snow in my 350Z I would stop under overpasses to burn rubber on the dry patches to clear out my tread. Dunno if it actually worked but made me feel better :P

Your awesome.
LOL!

01-31-2010, 03:58 PM	#19 (permalink)
rcm2525 Base Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Mountains of VA Posts: 133 Drives: 370z NISMO PG #0260 Rep Power: 16	I've been driving mine in the ice and snow with the stock tires and I'm driving about 110 miles a day with no problems but I'm not racing it. __________________ ____ "To live outside the law you must be honest" - B.D.

01-31-2010, 05:00 PM	#21 (permalink)
rcm2525 Base Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Mountains of VA Posts: 133 Drives: 370z NISMO PG #0260 Rep Power: 16	Always __________________ ____ "To live outside the law you must be honest" - B.D.

01-31-2010, 09:56 PM	#25 (permalink)
CrownR426 A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: South Korea Posts: 4,676 Drives: Manual Rep Power: 848	I've been driving in my sports package potenza's for a while now... And man does it suck lol! There was like Less than 2 inches and I couldn't even perform a k-turn... And about a month ago I was making a right turn going down onto a hill in third gear. I downshifted to 2nd and made the turn and my car went sideways and I barely missed another car. Very dangerous... Still riding in the potenza's though! [: __________________ Love + Hardwork + Passion RIP SVTRacer

02-01-2010, 08:29 AM	#27 (permalink)
NYBladeZ A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: New York Posts: 2,158 Drives: Lotus Exige S Rep Power: 20	I haven't tried driving in the snow (thankfully) but I've driven in as cold as 19F here in LI as well. You can definitely feel that the tires were not meant for this but if you drive carefully AND MAKE SURE YOU KEEP THE VDC ON you will be fine. __________________ 2009 Carbon Fiber/Red 370z aka Trish: Sports Package, Meisterschaft full catback, Fast Intentions Longtube Headers, Injen Long Tube Intakes, UpRev Tune: Sold 2008 Lotus Exige S Club Racer aka Bella, always leaves me smiling

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01-31-2010, 10:09 AM	#17 (permalink)
Pisces312 Base Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Long Island, NY Posts: 4 Drives: 2009 370Z GG Auto Rep Power: 15	Thanks guys for your feedback, at least I know that it's not just me. I have no choice about driving the Zcar unless the Missus lends me her Maxima lol

01-31-2010, 10:11 AM	#18 (permalink)
Pisces312 Base Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Long Island, NY Posts: 4 Drives: 2009 370Z GG Auto Rep Power: 15	BTW a set of all season tires runs well in excess of $1200 so just replacing them is a costly option when you have sport package. Mother Nature bring us some warmth soon PLEASE!!! LOL

01-31-2010, 04:20 PM	#20 (permalink)
Liquid_G A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Chicago Burbs Posts: 1,439 Drives: 09 370z Supercharged Rep Power: 44	^^^ u are asking for trouble dude..

01-31-2010, 07:21 PM	#23 (permalink)
eddieconfetti A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Duluth, GA Posts: 3,334 Drives: A Totaled PW Z Rep Power: 23	Aint no worries for the south. Its gonna start warming up soon. Spring is right around the corner. Now instead of ice and snow and the cold, we gotta start worrying about the pollen. I am madly allergic to pollen, so i cant wait till spring time.

01-31-2010, 09:53 PM	#24 (permalink)
Pushing_Tin A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Eugene, OR Posts: 2,875 Drives: E63 AMG Rep Power: 228	This is the second winter I've driven with summer tires. I've driven down into the mid 20's (-4c) and haven't had any problems. If there is deep snow or gravel all over I will not drive it though.