Is there a temp minimum for summer tires?
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 1,232
Likes: 28
From: South Riding VA
Is there a temp minimum for summer tires?
I'm running Potenza RE050A Pole Position RFT on my '10 Grandsport. I know they are summer tires, but is there a minimum temperature that I can safely drive on these? I've been keeping it off the road when it's cold out (approaching 32F) but just wondering if I really have to? No snow or anything, pretty much dry road.
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 15,067
Likes: 4,758
From: Washington Township Michigan
2025 C8 Stingray of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2024 Corvette of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2023 C6 of the Year Winner - Unmodified
2020 C6 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2019 C6 of Year Finalist (appearance mods)
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 46,295
Likes: 2,596
From: Northern, VA
St. Jude Donor '15
"In honor of jpee"
I think tim above is correct. Depending on the tire (and the road surface, the temp, etc.) it can be a little more like, 50 degrees being the cutoff point. But it really depends. I think it pays to be a little careful because an accident never makes a pre-announcement, even that the other guy's gonna cause it.
Note: Just found this in C6 Gen; you might like to note the comment below the pic in Post 3.
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...post1594023849
Note: Just found this in C6 Gen; you might like to note the comment below the pic in Post 3.
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...post1594023849
Last edited by AORoads; Feb 4, 2017 at 08:36 PM.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 1,232
Likes: 28
From: South Riding VA
Thanks! Tried chatting with Bridgestone last night and they didn't have the info. They referred me to their tech line which is only open M-F.
Would really like to drive more in the winter, but don't want to give up summer traction and occasional track events. A second set of tires and rims is prob the answer but $$$.
Would really like to drive more in the winter, but don't want to give up summer traction and occasional track events. A second set of tires and rims is prob the answer but $$$.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 8,735
Likes: 413
From: WV
I think the 45 degrees above is pretty close... I have had my extreme summer tires break loose in a turn at 40 degrees.. That scared the hell out of me enough that I don't take either of my Vettes out until the air is 50 degrees or above...I'm sure which tire "brand" your running has a lot to do with how they hold at a given temperature...WW
.
.
.
.
Last edited by WW7; Feb 4, 2017 at 12:44 PM.
Safety Car
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 3,732
Likes: 710
From: Shelton, Connecticut
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16
Drive it
I drive mine as long as the temp is above 30*. Under 40* you need to let the tires warm up, takes about 2-3 miles. (2013 GS, mich pss ZP)
I owned a C7 last year and there was a tire Cold/Warm dic display that told you when they were good to go.
It is not recommended that you drive the car near the 20* mark due to potential tire cracking. Haven't found an AS rf tire that fits the GS.
I owned a C7 last year and there was a tire Cold/Warm dic display that told you when they were good to go.
It is not recommended that you drive the car near the 20* mark due to potential tire cracking. Haven't found an AS rf tire that fits the GS.
Last edited by jaki30; Feb 4, 2017 at 02:00 PM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 1999
Posts: 9,813
Likes: 628
From: Texas
I've driven pilot super sports into the low 20's with no issue other than reduced traction. When it's cold pretend your driving on wet roads. When it's cold and wet, drive like it's snowing. I've never had and cracking or other tire damage.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Every 2027 Corvette Engine Explained
Joe Kucinski
Designer Imagines A Corvette That Looks More Like a Corvette Than the Corvette
Verdad Gallardo
10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years
Joe Kucinski
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 11,351
Likes: 2,445
From: Eastern
Different tire brands will react differently in colder temps. I know when I was running the OEM GY F1 supercars, they were extremely dangerous below 45F, and on wet pavement at any temperature when the thread was half worn.
The Firestone WO Indy 500 tires that I replaced the GY's with, are great in wet conditions, and will also have good grip below 45F.
I'm on my 3rd set of Indy 500's and at 85K miles plus.
We do many long road trips, so I want a versatile summer tire, one that will work in the wet, and if the temperature drops, as in the Spring and Fall.
The Firestone WO Indy 500 tires that I replaced the GY's with, are great in wet conditions, and will also have good grip below 45F.
I'm on my 3rd set of Indy 500's and at 85K miles plus.
We do many long road trips, so I want a versatile summer tire, one that will work in the wet, and if the temperature drops, as in the Spring and Fall.
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 1,340
Likes: 6
From: Redmond WA
At Spring Mountain, I took their three day driving class the first week in December. Morning air temps were in the upper 20's F. when we got on track. I later asked the instructors how cold before they don't go out and they say they always go out no matter the temp, and that the Michelin tires have no problems as long as there is no frost on the track.
During the mornings, we couldn't get as much grip, about 10% less than we did during the afternoon when the air temps were about 60 degrees F. But we still were able to pull 1G in the long corners and that was while it was still below freezing.
During the mornings, we couldn't get as much grip, about 10% less than we did during the afternoon when the air temps were about 60 degrees F. But we still were able to pull 1G in the long corners and that was while it was still below freezing.