OK now I'm just inches away from pulling the trigger on a 2015 coupe in Ohio. The problem is the weather and cold temperatures I will face on the 400 mile drive home. I don't want to damage my new tires do you think it's safe to drive in 25 degree weather? Or should I forget this whole thing until spring?

 

I think most folks will tell you its safe to drive as long as you are careful and do not drive aggressive. I would think that during a long drive the tires would warm up a bit so it should be OK.

I am sure someone else will chime in with more specific info.

 

Be careful and make sure to only make the trip on dry/clear roads. Use Weather mode. Hopefully the dealership will be willing to keep the car inside so you can at least depart on warm tires.

 

Yes this was my thinking as well. If they keep the car in the heated building over night and I don't really stop for any length of time the tires should always be at least warm. I won't go on a snowy forecast either.

 

I won't comment on the cracking but don't even THINK about driving on snow with the summer tires.

 

If you read the forum long enough the world may end in 2 hours. I picked up my car on Tuesday in bowling green, driving back to California, currently 1500 miles in. Im on my third hotel, its been 20 degrees every morning. Hell last night coming into texas it was 17!

Yes cold weather traction sucks. Yes the wheel hop is crazy at low speed turns on cold tires. Yes it's like riding on 4 solid rubber wheels until the tires warm up.

But god almighty the tires dont magically disentigrate below 32 degrees, and the car doesnt fall apart when it says "possible ice". Drive like a responsible person, give the car the respect a 465 hp car on cold tires deserve, and go about your business.

Oh look, i just passed more snow!

 

Should be no problem driving in cold temperatures as long as you realize traction will not be the greatest under hard acceleration. No way will the sidewalls crack, etc. Enjoy the trip.

 

I've been driving mine quite often in MI cold weather. As said above, traction is very limited on the cold pavement (20 to 40 degrees). The other day we had a little snow and the car actually did quite well but I had to be very careful with the throttle - wheel spin was pretty easy although the weather mode helped tremendously. BUT still not an easy DD in cold weather on the summer tires. I plan on replacing them when they wear out with an all season tire and I think I will probably get a couple more months of year round use. My AW drive Edge is my normal winter driver.

 

THE TRIGGER HAS BEEN PULLED! If my tires crack im coming after each and every one of you!!!

 

Sir,
I will give you my personal experience after living in Colorado for over 10 years. I just traded in my C5 a few weeks ago for a C7 and I drove the C5 for all 10 of those years here in Colorado; rain, shine, snow, etc. I drove it with Nittos, Falkens, Hankooks and finally Continentals and they all did just as I expected - when it was wet, icy or snowy there is less traction (I know, rocket science, right?) and so I drove with that awareness and did some torque management and basic common sense driving. Never got stuck, even on the snowiest of hills.

Now others will spout off tire manufacturing statements about operating tires in cold weather, etc etc. Living in Colorado I have never heard any of my car loving friends mention a tire splitting on them in the winter/cold. Here is more fuel against the argument - the C7 of course has the indicator that tells you when your tires are cold/warm/hot under the performance options; I drove to work the other day and it was 8 degrees out. I took it nice and slow and 10 minutes later my tires where "warm." They obviously never got to "hot," but they stayed "warm" just fine. Funny how that physics thingy works.....

So anyway, there is my experience based opinion. I will continue to drive in the winter, cautiously. Summer tires will do just fine in the cold, but will obviously have less traction than an all-weather tire, just like an all-weather tire will have less traction than a snow tire. For the application you describe you should be fine.
Regards,

Glen

 

I've been driving my car in below freezing conditions without any issues. As others have said, just be careful and you'll be fine, otherwise you'll end up in a ditch.

 

Remember that there is a Weather mode. See this thread.

 

I have it planned for next Saturday supposed to be almost 30 degrees. Thanks everyone.

 

So, how's that workin' out? D'ya like gettin' up out of a warm bed every couple hours to check the hotel parking lot to make sure it's still there...?

 

Wasn't there a thread not that long about someone who did exactly that with zero consequence?

(about to head out in my Z51 to my club meeting, tires and all, in 39 degree temps)

 

On my 500 mile trip home with my new C7 coupe I came through rain and snow with no problems. I made some side to side moves to test traction and never felt it start to loose grip. Drive sensibly and you will not have a problem.

 

I drove to work this morning with no problems at 17 degrees.

 

Driving on snow with summers? I'd love to see it.

 

Check your cold tire pressure before you leave the dealer.

If they filled 'em in a warm service bay, you might get a low-pressure warning on a very cold drive home.

And you don't want to drive 400 miles on under-inflated tires.

 

You never said which direction you were driving 400 miles! If it's north, yikes! Right now, single digit temps, high winds, and snowing here in Michigan; and just about every other state nearby....