Cold tire performance
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 110
Likes: 0
Cold tire performance
Almost lost it last night! I have an 07 vert with the original Z51 tires still on it. When I left work the temperature was around 60 degrees. I took a slight turn (no more than 45% bend in the road) I have taken 100 times before and when I got on the throttle the rear started to slip and scared the you know what out of me. I had forgotten how bad those tires are when the temperature drops. The real cold has not even hit yet.
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 46,295
Likes: 2,596
From: Northern, VA
St. Jude Donor '15
"In honor of jpee"
most of the posts are about 40 degrees, and less. but that doesn't mean that the road is that cold; sometimes even at 60 outside, the road surface may be colder.
recall: if you go down I think it's 5+ ft. below the surface, the earth temp is a constant 50-55 degrees (the source for geothermal heating/cooling devices). add in a little moisture on the road surface due to cooler weather condensation, and you have your occurrence.
let's be careful out there....glad you caught the car.
recall: if you go down I think it's 5+ ft. below the surface, the earth temp is a constant 50-55 degrees (the source for geothermal heating/cooling devices). add in a little moisture on the road surface due to cooler weather condensation, and you have your occurrence.
let's be careful out there....glad you caught the car.
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 4,070
Likes: 160
From: Coralville Iowa
One other thought - leave the electronic nannies ON - they're there to save your butt. We don't want that picture thread where everyone is thinking "Oh My Gosh - look at that"................
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 3,248
Likes: 4
From: Palm Beach County, Florida
most of the posts are about 40 degrees, and less. but that doesn't mean that the road is that cold; sometimes even at 60 outside, the road surface may be colder.
recall: if you go down I think it's 5+ ft. below the surface, the earth temp is a constant 50-55 degrees (the source for geothermal heating/cooling devices). add in a little moisture on the road surface due to cooler weather condensation, and you have your occurrence.
let's be careful out there....glad you caught the car.
recall: if you go down I think it's 5+ ft. below the surface, the earth temp is a constant 50-55 degrees (the source for geothermal heating/cooling devices). add in a little moisture on the road surface due to cooler weather condensation, and you have your occurrence.
let's be careful out there....glad you caught the car.
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Team Owner
Joined: Nov 2007
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From: Rochester, NY
Have to say there is a lot of truth here, the car is not that bad if you have all the controls on and know what you are doing. 
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 1999
Posts: 41,732
Likes: 1,718
From: Springfield MO
PS-I've been driving high performance cars starting inthe 1960's(drivers license since 1956). My 09 Z06 has the supercar tires and they are scary in cold weather, even with the nanny turned on.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 3,064
Likes: 6
From: Pinellas Park Florida
Sorry to insult anyone, but I gotta agree. By the way, it is those 45 degree turns and goosing the throttle just a bit more than needed that does it.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 1,100
Likes: 277
Have you driven a Corvette with Goodyear Supercar tires? They are a summer tire and get real greasy in cold weather.
PS-I've been driving high performance cars starting inthe 1960's(drivers license since 1956). My 09 Z06 has the supercar tires and they are scary in cold weather, even with the nanny turned on.
PS-I've been driving high performance cars starting inthe 1960's(drivers license since 1956). My 09 Z06 has the supercar tires and they are scary in cold weather, even with the nanny turned on.
This one is a 2009 CG convertible; yes, with Z-51 and Supercar tires! This is my 5th Corvette, and I, too, have lots of experience with high performance automoboles plus professional training. In my experience, absent US Baldies, tires are never the cause of problems that cannot be managed.
Peace, out.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 1,220
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 1,220
Likes: 3
Pro
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 728
Likes: 30
From: Paris
Almost lost it last night! I have an 07 vert with the original Z51 tires still on it. When I left work the temperature was around 60 degrees. I took a slight turn (no more than 45% bend in the road) I have taken 100 times before and when I got on the throttle the rear started to slip and scared the you know what out of me. I had forgotten how bad those tires are when the temperature drops. The real cold has not even hit yet.
a++ Cedric
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 5,529
Likes: 1,943
From: Austin Texas
Almost lost it last night! I have an 07 vert with the original Z51 tires still on it. When I left work the temperature was around 60 degrees. I took a slight turn (no more than 45% bend in the road) I have taken 100 times before and when I got on the throttle the rear started to slip and scared the you know what out of me. I had forgotten how bad those tires are when the temperature drops. The real cold has not even hit yet.
The tires will be hot by the time the oil is hot enough to do this kind of stuff. That is, it takes the tires only a few minutes of driving to come up to temperature, whereas it takes the oil a good 10 minutes before the oil is hot enough for spirited driving.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 25,009
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From: Far NW 'burbs of Chicago
St. Jude Donor '13
Trying a quick start produced big black stripes and some tail wagging, but not much acceleration, happens every year. I call it the "Fall Surprise".
I've driven Supercar tires down into the 20's, but you lose a LOT of grip any time it's cool enough to wear a jacket. My Goodyear All Season runflats are MUCH better in cool weather, but limited to only 160 mph.
