How Cold is too Cold?
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 256
Likes: 1
From: Taylorville IL
How Cold is too Cold?
Well, after spending the summer months in a miserable drought, we are finally starting to get into cooler weather. My question is simple. Is it ever too cold to enjoy my Corvette? I remember from the old days hearing that fiberglass would crack in cold weather. Is this an old wives tale or is there some merit to it? If there is anything to be concerned about are there any precautions I should be aware of? Early mornings in my area are in the mid to upper thirties. Although fifty in the afternoon with sunshine is nice, the morning temps are what prompted this query. Am I paranoid or do I have a legitimate concern??
Team Owner
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From: Riverside County Southern California
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From: Rolla Missouri
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Your Corvette was designed to operate in just about any temperature you will encounter.
The only thing you should be careful with, is tire performance in cold weather (below 35°F), if you have summer performance tires.
Performance tires are not great for traction in really cold weather.
But the body of your car will be fine.
You are being paranoid.
The only thing you should be careful with, is tire performance in cold weather (below 35°F), if you have summer performance tires.
Performance tires are not great for traction in really cold weather.
But the body of your car will be fine.
You are being paranoid.
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 2000
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From: SE NY
Cruise-In II Veteran
I drove my prior 35th Anni in all weather here in SE NY & NE OH with no body damage till late last year when a U-haul driver decided he wanted to slide down the driver side...
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2005
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From: Riverside County Southern California
Co-winner 2020 C4 of the Year - Modified
2018 Corvette of Year Finalist
2017 C4 of Year
2016 C7 of Year Finalist
St. Jude Donor '09 thru '20
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 3,270
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From: Chilliwack B.C.
Drove my '88 in the snow the first few years that I had it. Had zero issues with the body cracking (but did have lots of issues with lack of traction!
). BTW, the C4 heaters are awesome!!
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From: Sitting in his Nowhere land Hanover Pa
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the only time the SMC will crack in the cold is when you wreck it 
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2010
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From: PA
I drive mine year round in all weather, just not when there's ice or snow on the street. The coldest was probably upper 20s degree F. I paid $1 (Yeap 100 pennies) extra for all season tires when I got new ones recently. I don't go to the track so I went for all season over flat out performance.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 2,772
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From: Mystic CT
I am thinking anything short of an ice road trucker or the Dakar Rally you will be just fine with the right tires. This made me think a pic of a C4 with tire chains in the snow would make a calandar shot for January and a good jab at all the trailer queens.
Maybe we need a new catagory forthose that actually use as a daily driver in all sorts of weather and things you run into and how to make it a better daily driver. Crazy things like best snow tire heater upgrades things no one seems to ever ask. I know my HVAC in the car works but not nearly as good as I expect from it.
Maybe we need a new catagory forthose that actually use as a daily driver in all sorts of weather and things you run into and how to make it a better daily driver. Crazy things like best snow tire heater upgrades things no one seems to ever ask. I know my HVAC in the car works but not nearly as good as I expect from it.