cold winter storage
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2012
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cold winter storage
I recall reading that the C7 shouldn't be driven in the cold because the tires can crack, what about when you're just storing it? I have a garage but it isn't heated, although I could plug in a heater if needed, due to temperatures well below the freezing point. Is it necessary?
Team Owner
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From: I live my life by 2 rules. 1) Never share everything you know. 2)
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The MYTH about the tires cracking is pure 
Think about it for a minute. If it were true about the tires cracking at cold temperatures, GM couldn't ship a single one during the winter, let alone dealers having them on their lots.
Ignore it, you'll be fine
Think about it for a minute. If it were true about the tires cracking at cold temperatures, GM couldn't ship a single one during the winter, let alone dealers having them on their lots.
Ignore it, you'll be fine
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2012
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Cool, what about driving it in the cold? Is there risk of cracking if its driven in the cold versus only being stored in the cold?
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2013
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From: SW Ohio
Lots of folks posting on CF about using their cars in winter. You DO have to be cognizant of the reduced traction that your performance tires will provide during colder temps, especially when the temp drops below 40 deg F.
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2010
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From: Upstate NY
I don't believe the cracking story for a second. Can you imagine the tire companies constant fear of being litigated out of business if that were true? I the main tire concern is that of traction on cold pavement or snowy pavement. I have A/S tires on my C6 but I will not knowingly head out in a snow storm. 
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2013
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The cracking of tires story is not so far fetched. Some tires are known to have this issue. For example the tires on the new Z28. I suspect this will also be an issue for the Cup tires planned to be used on the Z07 optioned C7 Z06.
Race Director
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From: Manhattan, KS Missing SoCal since 2005
I will say that the summer tires are pretty treacherous in cold weather, and that it's pretty easy to have the car get away from you with cold tires if you aren't careful.
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From: Ontario Canada
I saw pictures of the cracking that was reportedly experienced by some owners (in the Camaro ZL1 Forum).
But... This was specific to the 2013 ZL1 Camaro tires which was a different manufacturer and a year older production. I'm not even sure if this is an issue for current production. My ZL1 has had no tire cracking so far but I didn't expose it to cold weather.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2007
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From: Perkasie Pa
I have put 3k miles on my C7 in the past two months and we have had one of the coldest, pothole filled winter ever. No problems with cracking and only one incident with losing traction for a split second on dry pavement. This is a year round car if you have common sense!!!
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2012
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I think you guys just haven't experienced what a "real" winter is like 
As I learned tonight my C7's tires are cracked, and they haven't even left the dealer's lot yet. The salesperson himself showed me the cracks and said that once it warms up and I can drive it, I am to come back and claim 4 new tires under warranty.
And get this, he said that of the 34 C7's they had allocated for 2014, ALL 34 had cracked tires once they were unloaded.
He explained that storing in the cold itself won't crack the tires if the car is kept still, but once the tires turn in the cold they will crack if its cold enough. I'm starting to think that I should maybe just run a heater in my garage next winter even though the tires won't be turning, just in case.
That's 126 tires that Sherwood Park Chevrolet will be replacing this spring under warranty lol.
As I learned tonight my C7's tires are cracked, and they haven't even left the dealer's lot yet. The salesperson himself showed me the cracks and said that once it warms up and I can drive it, I am to come back and claim 4 new tires under warranty.
And get this, he said that of the 34 C7's they had allocated for 2014, ALL 34 had cracked tires once they were unloaded.
He explained that storing in the cold itself won't crack the tires if the car is kept still, but once the tires turn in the cold they will crack if its cold enough. I'm starting to think that I should maybe just run a heater in my garage next winter even though the tires won't be turning, just in case.
That's 126 tires that Sherwood Park Chevrolet will be replacing this spring under warranty lol.
Last edited by Achmed; Feb 13, 2014 at 03:15 AM.
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Hard to believe that GM would put tires on a vehicle that will crack in cold weather. And then have to replace them under warranty. Real bright move.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 2,299
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From: Long Island New York
I think you guys just haven't experienced what a "real" winter is like
As I learned tonight my C7's tires are cracked, and they haven't even left the dealer's lot yet. The salesperson himself showed me the cracks and said that once it warms up and I can drive it, I am to come back and claim 4 new tires under warranty.
And get this, he said that of the 34 C7's they had allocated for 2014, ALL 34 had cracked tires once they were unloaded.
That's 126 tires that Sherwood Park Chevrolet will be replacing this spring under warranty lol.
As I learned tonight my C7's tires are cracked, and they haven't even left the dealer's lot yet. The salesperson himself showed me the cracks and said that once it warms up and I can drive it, I am to come back and claim 4 new tires under warranty.
And get this, he said that of the 34 C7's they had allocated for 2014, ALL 34 had cracked tires once they were unloaded.
That's 126 tires that Sherwood Park Chevrolet will be replacing this spring under warranty lol.
Race Director
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From: ►SICAMOUS◄
GM SERVICE BULLETIN #04-03-10-013
☛WARNING
If temps drop below 20°F/−7°C, don't move a '14 Corvette
CRACKED TIRES SHOULD BE REPLACED IMMEDIATELY
Should GM risk shipping cars in these temps?
Warning isn't noted in the C7 owner's manual.
☛WARNING
If temps drop below 20°F/−7°C, don't move a '14 Corvette
CRACKED TIRES SHOULD BE REPLACED IMMEDIATELY
Should GM risk shipping cars in these temps?
Warning isn't noted in the C7 owner's manual.
Last edited by C8Jake; Feb 17, 2014 at 02:00 PM.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2012
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They have 5 in the showroom, 4 of which have visible cracks. My car was not in the showroom and had visible cracks too. So 34 out of 34 was a slight exaggeration but I'm pretty confident about 25-30 out of their 34 have cracked tires that will need replacing under warranty.
The sales rep there told me that GM may now only send C7's to our city in the spring to reduce their warranty costs.
The sales rep there told me that GM may now only send C7's to our city in the spring to reduce their warranty costs.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2012
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Even though C7Jake is in Windsor their winters are not nearly as harsh as here.
Race Director
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From: ►SICAMOUS◄
Windsor's had a very cold/snowy winter...no cracks in my tires. I drove it home 500km on a very cold day. How about some detailed pics of these alleged "cracks". 
Last edited by C8Jake; Feb 17, 2014 at 11:17 AM.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2012
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I've been to the GTA many times and no the winters are not even comparable to here.
