Tires
Race Director
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 10,084
Likes: 3,055
From: CA
I don't know about the Michelins, but here is a Camaro TSB on the Goodyear Supercar F1 summer tires.
Goodyear put out a more restrictive notice about not driving the car under 40F (haven't seen it myself).
Michael
Important Date:01/25/2013
Ref. number:Service / Service Operations / G_0000157402
Subject:ZL1 - 1LE Tires
GM CUSTOMER CARE & AFTERSALES
GMSO415
URGENT - DISTRIBUTE IMMEDIATELY
Date: January 25, 2013
SubjectZL1 - 1LE Tires
Models:Camaro ZL1 And 1LE
To:All Chevrolet Dealers
Attention:Service Manager, Sales Manager, Warranty Administrator, Parts Managers
The Camaro ZL1 and 1LE vehicles come standard equipped with 285/35ZR20 & 305/35ZR20 Goodyear F1 Supercar G2 D.O.T. approved ultra high performance summer tires with track capability.
Goodyear F1 Supercar Performance tires are a summer season tire and are not intended to be driven on snow, ice, or road surfaces below -7° C (20° F).
If the ambient temperature in your location is at or below -7° C (20° F), DO NOT MOVE THIS VEHICLE. The rubber used in these tires loses flexibility and may develop surface cracks in the tire tread/shoulder area at colder temperatures. Tire movement, when the temperature is below -7° C (20° F), may result in surface crack in the tread area of the tire. A surface crack on a tire is cosmetic and will not result in a loss of air
Example of a tire with a surface crack.
Special tread and compound used on these performance tires will cause a decrease in performance in cold climates, heavy rain, and standing water.
Driving on wet roads, in heavy rain, or through standing water with Summer Season Performance tires may result in hydroplaning and loss of vehicle control.
Driving with Summer Season Performance Tires on snow, ice, or cold road surfaces can cause loss of control or an accident
Refer to service bulletin 04-03-10-013G: Driving Characteristics of Rear Wheel Drive Vehicles and Available Winter Tires for further information on available winter tires.
Tire Storage
It is recommended for these tires to be stored indoors at temperatures above 20 deg F (-7 deg C) when not in use. If the tires have been subject to 20 deg F (-7 deg C) or less, let them warm up in a heated space to at least 40 deg F for 24 hours or more before installation or driving the vehicle. Inflate the tires only after they have been warmed above 40 deg F (5 deg C). Do not place tires near heaters or heating devices used to warm the room where the tires are stored. Do not apply heat or blow heated air directly on the tires. Always inspect tires before use after storage periods.
Ref. number:Service / Service Operations / G_0000157402
Subject:ZL1 - 1LE Tires
GM CUSTOMER CARE & AFTERSALES
GMSO415
URGENT - DISTRIBUTE IMMEDIATELY
Date: January 25, 2013
SubjectZL1 - 1LE Tires
Models:Camaro ZL1 And 1LE
To:All Chevrolet Dealers
Attention:Service Manager, Sales Manager, Warranty Administrator, Parts Managers
The Camaro ZL1 and 1LE vehicles come standard equipped with 285/35ZR20 & 305/35ZR20 Goodyear F1 Supercar G2 D.O.T. approved ultra high performance summer tires with track capability.
Goodyear F1 Supercar Performance tires are a summer season tire and are not intended to be driven on snow, ice, or road surfaces below -7° C (20° F).
If the ambient temperature in your location is at or below -7° C (20° F), DO NOT MOVE THIS VEHICLE. The rubber used in these tires loses flexibility and may develop surface cracks in the tire tread/shoulder area at colder temperatures. Tire movement, when the temperature is below -7° C (20° F), may result in surface crack in the tread area of the tire. A surface crack on a tire is cosmetic and will not result in a loss of air
Example of a tire with a surface crack.
Special tread and compound used on these performance tires will cause a decrease in performance in cold climates, heavy rain, and standing water.
Driving on wet roads, in heavy rain, or through standing water with Summer Season Performance tires may result in hydroplaning and loss of vehicle control.
Driving with Summer Season Performance Tires on snow, ice, or cold road surfaces can cause loss of control or an accident
Refer to service bulletin 04-03-10-013G: Driving Characteristics of Rear Wheel Drive Vehicles and Available Winter Tires for further information on available winter tires.
Tire Storage
It is recommended for these tires to be stored indoors at temperatures above 20 deg F (-7 deg C) when not in use. If the tires have been subject to 20 deg F (-7 deg C) or less, let them warm up in a heated space to at least 40 deg F for 24 hours or more before installation or driving the vehicle. Inflate the tires only after they have been warmed above 40 deg F (5 deg C). Do not place tires near heaters or heating devices used to warm the room where the tires are stored. Do not apply heat or blow heated air directly on the tires. Always inspect tires before use after storage periods.
Michael
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 10,355
Likes: 12
How big do you think the team of lawyers was who composed that? YOU DO HAVE TO BE CAREFUL and use common sense when driving on a less than 100% grip surface with hard compound tires of this tread style and width, even more so than on other tires. Gotta have an egg under both the gas and brake pedals for sure (The Art of Racing in the Rain by Garth Stein ).
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 5,526
Likes: 16
From: Mechanicsburg Pennsylvania
^ Operating a car with Extreme Performance Summer Tires in sleet, snow and ice conditions, as well as freezing temperatures, is potentially dangerous as cited by the tire manufactures.
Making that, or the fact you are alive while ignoring their warnings, is really not a laughing matter. Your dismissing the danger could encourage others to take that risk.
Safety Car
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 4,875
Likes: 1,174
Just saying that I experienced it on summer max performance tires... one time... and never again. It was just below freezing and we had a light dusting of snow that I got caught in by accident. The car would barely turn, accelerate or stop. It was very scary.
Cold and DRY roads and you are OK if you are careful (unless it's damp and there is a bit of freezing). Bottom line, IMO, is summer tires SUCK in freezing weather, were not meant to be used in those conditions and taking a chance with them on makes little sense to me. I'd slap a set of all seasons at a minimum on for cold months... cheap insurance IMO.
Cold and DRY roads and you are OK if you are careful (unless it's damp and there is a bit of freezing). Bottom line, IMO, is summer tires SUCK in freezing weather, were not meant to be used in those conditions and taking a chance with them on makes little sense to me. I'd slap a set of all seasons at a minimum on for cold months... cheap insurance IMO.
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 10,355
Likes: 12
^ Operating a car with Extreme Performance Summer Tires in sleet, snow and ice conditions, as well as freezing temperatures, is potentially dangerous as cited by the tire manufactures.
Making that, or the fact you are alive while ignoring their warnings, is really not a laughing matter. Your dismissing the danger could encourage others to take that risk.
Making that, or the fact you are alive while ignoring their warnings, is really not a laughing matter. Your dismissing the danger could encourage others to take that risk.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 5,526
Likes: 16
From: Mechanicsburg Pennsylvania
How big do you think the team of lawyers was who composed that? YOU DO HAVE TO BE CAREFUL and use common sense when driving on a less than 100% grip surface with hard compound tires of this tread style and width, even more so than on other tires. Gotta have an egg under both the gas and brake pedals for sure (The Art of Racing in the Rain by Garth Stein ).
^
"The race car driving experience of the novel's character, Denny, is based on Stein's own experience in racing cars. Stein moved from New York City to Seattle in 2001 and became involved in high performance driver education, received his racing license with the Sports Car Club of America,and won the points championship in the Northwest region Spec Miata class in 2003. Stein left racing after crashing while racing in the rain."
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 933
Likes: 3
From: Dallas, TX
I'm surprised how indignant some people are about this... Have some of you never heard of max performance summer tires? Chevy isn't the only one that does this. In fact, I think summer tires are more common than not on high performance cars.
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Brett Foote
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 10,355
Likes: 12
Just saying that I experienced it on summer max performance tires... one time... and never again. It was just below freezing and we had a light dusting of snow that I got caught in by accident. The car would barely turn, accelerate or stop. It was very scary.
Cold and DRY roads and you are OK if you are careful (unless it's damp and there is a bit of freezing). Bottom line, IMO, is summer tires SUCK in freezing weather, were not meant to be used in those conditions and taking a chance with them on makes little sense to me. I'd slap a set of all seasons at a minimum on for cold months... cheap insurance IMO.
Cold and DRY roads and you are OK if you are careful (unless it's damp and there is a bit of freezing). Bottom line, IMO, is summer tires SUCK in freezing weather, were not meant to be used in those conditions and taking a chance with them on makes little sense to me. I'd slap a set of all seasons at a minimum on for cold months... cheap insurance IMO.
Pro
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 506
Likes: 8
From: Texas
Your are correct, I guess some of these people want mud and snow tires from the factory on their 190 mph+cars.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 1,193
Likes: 342
From: St. Louis MO
If you are going to drive in the winter, get a set of 245 mm wide Dunlop Wintersports on 19" wheels and stick a 5th one in the back - it will probably fit under the glass. Driving on these Michelin Pilot Super Sports is a fool's errand in cold weather.
On the other hand, a set of Wintersports on a car with traction control works pretty well in the snow, as long as you can clear the top of it with the air dam. Vettes and snow fall above 3" just don't mix.
On the other hand, a set of Wintersports on a car with traction control works pretty well in the snow, as long as you can clear the top of it with the air dam. Vettes and snow fall above 3" just don't mix.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 6,359
Likes: 163
From: Concord NC
How big do you think the team of lawyers was who composed that? YOU DO HAVE TO BE CAREFUL and use common sense when driving on a less than 100% grip surface with hard compound tires of this tread style and width, even more so than on other tires. Gotta have an egg under both the gas and brake pedals for sure (The Art of Racing in the Rain by Garth Stein ).
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2007
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From: Right Corner Pocket of Illinois
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Is it urban myth that some auto insurance companies have denied claims for driving in the winter with max summer tires?
Safety Car
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 4,875
Likes: 1,174
I bet it is an urban myth other than places where winter tires are mandatory (eg. Quebec, Canada)... if it is mandatory by law I could see the insurance companies denying a claim because you are not abiding by the local laws.
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 10,355
Likes: 12
Source? Please document this ridiculous claim or people will be afraid to MOVE their Stingray on a cold day/night?
E-Ray, 3LZ, ZER, LIFT
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 34,950
Likes: 12,363
From: NE South Carolina
I don't think C6's were supposed to be driven in the cold either. A little after I got my C6, it was a sunny, 34 degree, dry day in December so I took the Vette out. Punched it on the 1-2 and the rear end breaks lose easily. If you just stay calm and easy on the gas, you'll be fine. They tires just are not sticky below 40 so you drive sensible.
All you have to do is be aware that the great traction you get when it is warmer is not there! It’s not that you cannot drive, you just must be more careful. We get little snow but when we do and I need to drive the car, I’ll be more worried about young folks who don’t understand cars don’t stop on ice and snow. It they are using their cell phone or at even worse texting when their phone dings and like Pavlov’s dogs are conditioned to instantly respond- the situation is worse! I’ll start braking a block away from a light with flashes on!!