Summer tires in cold dry weather?

ZeeBabar

I use my DD 370z throughout winter but garage it when snow or ice on roads. I wonder what issues I would face when I drive my car on dry but cold days? Is it just handling issue or , as long as tires are warmed, there are no issues?

Joepro

still will give you an idea of the difference:

http://www.tirerack.com/videos/index.jsp?video=26

A friend of mine has a gtr and even in our lot at 10 mph the tires were sliding on the pavement...they are some dunlop extreme performance tires, summer tires IMO are a no go in cold weather.

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6MT-Z34

I agree summer tire suck at degrees below 40 degrees, I would HIGHLY recommend u to get a set of winter tires.

enkei2k

I've driven on OEM tires in temps below 40. No issues, but it was strictly 100% local streets so there aren't any problems except avoiding potholes.

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volman

I put a set of Michelin Pilot Sport A/S 3 tires on a couple of weeks ago. We had temps in the upper 50s then and I have driven it recently when it was in the lower 30s. Great grip all around and I have been very happy with them. We'll see how they do when it is really warm out, but the reviews I have read say it can keep up with summer tires. You should look into them if it is your DD. Don't chance it on summer tires.

synolimit

Summer rubber turns to plastic in cold weather. Ive driven my z to 12 degrees I think. Taking off with anything more than mild throttle and the tires spin and you drift out. Stopping in an emergency would not be pretty. There is no heating up the tires when its cold. They will not get hot enough. At least not for me when driving at least a hour on the highway at 75mph.

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DEpointfive0

No
/thread

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falconfixer

8 degrees here yesterday and 11 today and no problems with the stock summer tires. Just have to use a little common sense and understand that your performance and handling will be degraded.

ZeeBabar

My car has been parked for the past week and today, the roads are clear, the temps start at about 15 and are expected to go to 35degrees. I need to take a mostly highway trip after a mile to the ramp.

My thoughts are that if I remain careful at the start and drive about an hour on the highway at about 70-75, the tires and air inside should be warm enough.

My drive is a 120 mile, 140 minute one and the Z is more comfortable than my wife's Prius.

I have been driving on cold pavement (generally in 30 degree weather) and did slip and slide when an SI tried to race me from a stop light. He acted like he would race, then did not, thank God. I might have ended up in an accident. Brain freeze I guess.

6MT-Z34

I would say drive really carefully plus there some spots that have ice on it that can be really dangerous (hydroplaning). I would take the prius today just to play it safe, but that's just me.

Good luck!

SouthArk370Z

I haven't had any real problems with my '09 DD (original factory tires) in the Winter. But it seldom gets very cold here in S AR (the present cold snap is pretty rare). There is less traction when it gets below 45F or so but I just slow down a little bit and keep my spirited driving to a minimum. Cold tires shouldn't be a big problem as long as you keep in mind that the tires aren't going to grip like they do in Summer, ie, don't throw it into a hard corner and expect the tires to hold. Drive like you have some sense and you should be OK. If you can't keep your toenails out of the radiator, you might be better off parking it during cold weather.

Judging by the few minutes I've driven my Z on snow/ice, it's best to leave it parked when the roads are slick.

YMMV

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Chuck33079

If it's cold and dry, I'm not too concerned. I'll just drive nice and easy. Granted, that's "Houston cold", not actual cold. Other than the last two days, the worst it ever gets here is low 30s.

Now if it's cold and wet, I just call in sick.

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Mrmaasta

Also check with your insurance.....they may deny you a claim if you get in an accident on "summer only" tires. And even worse if you cause an accident and the victims insurance gets hold of that information. ie: Negligence

No-one ever thinks outside the box of "it'll be ok if you drive safe" or "I'm the greatest driver ever and roll on summers all year".

Obviously applies to areas that actually get "winter" and surpass the rating of the tire.

DEpointfive0

It'll be ok if you drive safe, I'm the greatest driver ever and roll on summers all year.

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DOOMMONKEY777

well i drove two winters on stock summer tiers, i dont recommend it but if you dont have a choice but to drive here are few pointers.

Dont drive faster than 40mph in wet conditions around 35-40F you will hydroplane guaranteed even at those speeds,

dont go faster than 60mph on highway at or below freezing temp on clear road cuz at around 85 mph you tiers will start bouncing and the whole car shakes crazy,

dont accelerate or decelerate fast give ur self distance between cars cuz ur breaking on basically plastic hard tiers is greatly reduced

do not drive in snow what so ever even if its 2mm of snow, it will move but not sure if it will stop

and last is DO NOT TURN OFFF VDC.

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