Summer tires in cold dry weather?

ProfessorDave

Under 50 degrees I only drive on summer tires to run the Z, and only on dry roads. At temps below freezing I can spin the rears in 4th gear at 40 miles an hour on dry roads. But of course, the Z is such a torque monster that shouldn't be a surprise.

My experience with performance all seasons has only been marginally better.

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Rain, snow, sleet, hail: 2009 Mazda 3 sGT HB
Everything else: 2009 370z, PW Touring 6MT

zeeder

Like others have said, if there is any ice or snow you're not going anywhere and it's very dangerous. On dry, cold pavement you just have to realize the performance degradation and adjust your driving style accordingly. Slow down and increase following distance same as if it was inclement weather on normal tires.

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Zack
FI catback, HFC, and Start Button - Z1 Intake - Nismo S-Tune Spoiler - PasswordJDM V2 Shift Knob

EazyD

It takes 10-15 miles to warm up the tires, then they're pretty safe. Avoid potholes. If they're cold, they are like hockey pucks.

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Pearl White 2010 370Z Sport, Stillen CBE, tint, K&N drop-in filters, GT-R start button, Kenwood DNX-6980 with backup cam, LED bulbs, Raceseng shift knob.

Infidel

Wow...take a spin in a American V8 and your opinion will change.

ProfessorDave

That was my attempt at subtle sarcasm!

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Rain, snow, sleet, hail: 2009 Mazda 3 sGT HB
Everything else: 2009 370z, PW Touring 6MT

synolimit

I disagree. When its cold enough the temp increase will not be enough to get it hot enough. I don't know what that temp is but I can assure you at sub 30 degrees 10-15 minutes is not long enough if at any time is long enough. Even been out for over an hour at highway speeds at 34 degrees and I promise they were hockey pucks.

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13 370z-

Datsun240Z71

It was 5-10 degrees here two days earlier this week. I was VERY cautious and it was still spooky having understeer in parking lots at less than 10mph. I made sure to not follow anyone closely and used the "go pedal" judiciously.

Glad we're back in the 50s today!

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Randy in Nashville
Middle Tennnessee Z Club
1971 240Z

Fountainhead

Sunny FL! Hot FL!
I sometimes on cold days, 40-50 degrees F, get the flat spot on my tires starting off but after a while they smooth out.
I'm getting all weather tires when these damn originals finally wear out. Driving in the rain in these is downright scary.
As old as they are now, 4+ years, I'm surprised they aren't falling apart. I drive like an old man so they should last till they dry rot on the sidewalls (what usually happens to all my tires), haha.

tWeEzY

I must have some good tires then o just be lucky cuz I haven't experienced most of these issues

- Sent from eO's brain

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2011 370z <sold>
08 350z enthusiast <sold>

mdxj

Agree with syno, I have driven on mine in 30* weather and it was a mistake and even after running on the highway they were still ice cold. Had a fall autox and they had zero traction in 40* weather too. Summer tires do not heat up enough to be truly safe in cold weather when you are on the street. I can break traction in 5th gear in the winter while in summer it's only 3rd. If you are going to run summer tires in an area that gets cold in the winter, either have a 2nd car or do yourself a favor and get a set of all seasons at a min.

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'09 370 base - RIP
'09 370 Nismo - New track car