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I've been driving my car local and on the highway in 22*-28* F weather for about a week and no problems at all. I am careful about throttle application and sudden moves as the tires do lose some grip in cold temps.
There has been a bit of a cold snap around here (down to 28f at night, highs in the high 30s and low 40s), and very rainy.
Still I needed a Corvette driving fix, so I took the Z51 out for a drive today. I was concerned that the "summer" tires on the car (original OEM rubber) would handle poorly in the cold.
Fortunately, they seemed to run fine. Now, if I could only keep the car clean in this wet, muddy, environment!
Don't get on it too much. Those rear tires have a bad habit of breaking loose in cold weather.
I've been driving my car local and on the highway in 22*-28* F weather for about a week and no problems at all. I am careful about throttle application and sudden moves as the tires do lose some grip in cold temps.
When you're driving in the above temps on the OEM summer tires, I hope you're not faced with a situation where you have to accomplish a panic stop or sudden swerve when someone runs a red light or cuts you off.
Sure you have anti-lock brakes, but the tires won't bite, and the ABS system will just keep the car rolling. Your ability to evasively maneuver will also be seriously degraded.
I agree with the sentiment expressed above. People baby these cars, yet won't spend $1K on a set of UHP all-seasons.
I have a nine mile commute from home to school (teacher) here south of Seattle.....I will admit to some "interesting" commutes this last week as we ride that thin line between rain and snow....luckily it's basically a flat commute here for me up on the Plateau from Bonney Lake to Enumclaw AND my lovely bride has taken pity on me this last week and driven me to and fro in her Prius.........
I seem to remember reading somewhere that brand new C7 summer tires actually split, during a C7 delivery to a northern climate in cold weather. Does anyone else remember reading that?
I seem to remember reading somewhere that brand new C7 summer tires actually split, during a C7 delivery to a northern climate in cold weather. Does anyone else remember reading that?
Are you thinking about the time that bowling green was snowed in? I think that was year before last.
About as cold as it gets around here in the daytime is about 38f, and that's even pretty rare. I'm confident the Z51 handles rain and temps in the low 40's with no real problems.
St. Jude Donor '05-'06-'07-'08-'09, '14-'15-'16-'17-'18
Originally Posted by AdventurePoser
About as cold as it gets around here in the daytime is about 38f, and that's even pretty rare. I'm confident the Z51 handles rain and temps in the low 40's with no real problems.
It's supposed to be in the mid to upper 30's this week with clear skies and I'm trying to decide whether or not to drive it in those temps.
I'll prolly take it out but take it easy. Don't think I'd do that with temps at or below freezing, though.
In my experience you are playing with fire at those temps with Z51 tires. I see a significant degradation at temps in the 50s. Sure you can baby it but panic stops and evasive maneuvers are going to be a big issue.
Originally Posted by AdventurePoser
About as cold as it gets around here in the daytime is about 38f, and that's even pretty rare. I'm confident the Z51 handles rain and temps in the low 40's with no real problems.
I couldn't agree more. I did some pretty, basic before and after testing of the PSS and PS AS3+ on the same day I swapped the tires out. The temp was 50F. It was simply astounding how much more traction and maneuvering ability I had on the AS3+ even at 50F.
Tires are classified as "summer" tires or "all season tires" for a reason.
I couldn't agree more. I did some pretty, basic before and after testing of the PSS and PS AS3+ on the same day I swapped the tires out. The temp was 50F. It was simply astounding how much more traction and maneuvering ability I had on the AS3+ even at 50F.
Tires are classified as "summer" tires or "all season tires" for a reason.
No question....with temps in the 40's and rain, you need to take it easy. Still the car seems very stable, and the tires are still grippy. I wouldn't want to push them, but at the lazy 4/10s driving style I adapt when conditions are wet, I think the car will be fine.
12-11-2016, 08:47 AM
