Summer-only tires
Thread Starter
Cruising
Joined: Nov 2016
Posts: 12
Likes: 2
Summer-only tires
I have a 2004 C5 and am thinking of buying a 2017 LT1 coupe. One of the questions I have about the C7 is the summer-only tires. As I live in the northeast and this will be my only car, not driving in cold and occasionally light snow conditions is not an option. I have gotten some conflicting information (mainly from dealers) about driving in low temperatures and inclement weather. While I'm not thrilled with the added expense, for my own peace of mind I'm considering changing to Michelin all-season, run-flat tires upon taking delivery. (I have these Michelins on my car now and I'm satisfied with them.) Has anyone else done this? If so, how much is the handling/performance affected - I will not be racing the car?
Also, is there a secondary market for essentially new summer-only tires?
Also, is there a secondary market for essentially new summer-only tires?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 7,146
Likes: 1,940
From: Hagerstown MD
St. Jude Donor '15-'16,'18
Many threads about this. I, and other C7 owners, have switched to all season tires. Recently Michelin has released a runflat version of the Pilot Super Sports. I am running non runflats, Continental DWS 06s, that I installed immediately after delivery. Sold my Michelin runflats to a fellow with a C6.
Last edited by rmorin1249; Dec 3, 2016 at 11:22 AM.
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2016
Posts: 143
Likes: 63
I have a 2004 C5 and am thinking of buying a 2017 LT1 coupe. One of the questions I have about the C7 is the summer-only tires. As I live in the northeast and this will be my only car, not driving in cold and occasionally light snow conditions is not an option. I have gotten some conflicting information (mainly from dealers) about driving in low temperatures and inclement weather. While I'm not thrilled with the added expense, for my own peace of mind I'm considering changing to Michelin all-season, run-flat tires upon taking delivery. (I have these Michelins on my car now and I'm satisfied with them.) Has anyone else done this? If so, how much is the handling/performance affected - I will not be racing the car?
Also, is there a secondary market for essentially new summer-only tires?
Also, is there a secondary market for essentially new summer-only tires?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 8,847
Likes: 795
From: Longview Texas
I have driven mine at 28 deg with no problems.
Probably not a good idea to drive on them when the display shows FROZEN!
Last edited by TEXHAWK0; Dec 12, 2016 at 12:54 PM.
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 25,583
Likes: 16,942
LOL . . . I've done a number of stupid things too, "without any problems," but fortunately got smarter as I got older.
Yes, you can drive it like a "granny," but the simple fact is that the summer PSS tires will have little or no grip in sub-freezing temps. Yes, you can drive with minimal grip and escape with no problems, as long as no one else gets in your way, but you're pushing your luck.
It's kinda like saying, "I've been smoking for 30 years with no problems."
Yes, you can drive it like a "granny," but the simple fact is that the summer PSS tires will have little or no grip in sub-freezing temps. Yes, you can drive with minimal grip and escape with no problems, as long as no one else gets in your way, but you're pushing your luck.
It's kinda like saying, "I've been smoking for 30 years with no problems."
Last edited by Foosh; Dec 11, 2016 at 04:36 PM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 7,146
Likes: 1,940
From: Hagerstown MD
St. Jude Donor '15-'16,'18
LOL . . . I've done a number of stupid things too, "without any problems," but fortunately got smarter as I got older.
Yes, you can drive it like a "granny," but the simple fact is that the summer PSS tires will have little or no grip in sub-freezing temps. Yes, you can drive with minimal grip and escape with no problems, as long as no one else gets in your way, but you're pushing your luck.
Yes, you can drive it like a "granny," but the simple fact is that the summer PSS tires will have little or no grip in sub-freezing temps. Yes, you can drive with minimal grip and escape with no problems, as long as no one else gets in your way, but you're pushing your luck.
Not worth the risk driving on summer tires in near freezing temps. It's illegal in much of Europe for good reason. Ask me how I know.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 2,453
Likes: 347
From: SC
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
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
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 4,508
Likes: 1,460
From: Pittsburgh PA
2025 C8 Stingray of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2024 C8 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 25,583
Likes: 16,942
Guido,
I drive it year round, 6 months on all-seasons, and 6 months on the PSS. Unlike you, I actually get to enjoy my car in a spirited fashion during the winter months, because I don't have the reduced traction on cold pavement that you do.
I drive it year round, 6 months on all-seasons, and 6 months on the PSS. Unlike you, I actually get to enjoy my car in a spirited fashion during the winter months, because I don't have the reduced traction on cold pavement that you do.
Last edited by Foosh; Dec 11, 2016 at 05:59 PM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 2,453
Likes: 347
From: SC
I don't drive mine most of the winter by choice. But don't give false information. Read your owners manual. These tires won't crack under 40 degrees. Possibly under 20. That's all I'm saying.
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 30,055
Likes: 351
From: Big Red Ne
I have a 2004 C5 and am thinking of buying a 2017 LT1 coupe. One of the questions I have about the C7 is the summer-only tires. As I live in the northeast and this will be my only car, not driving in cold and occasionally light snow conditions is not an option. I have gotten some conflicting information (mainly from dealers) about driving in low temperatures and inclement weather. While I'm not thrilled with the added expense, for my own peace of mind I'm considering changing to Michelin all-season, run-flat tires upon taking delivery. (I have these Michelins on my car now and I'm satisfied with them.) Has anyone else done this? If so, how much is the handling/performance affected - I will not be racing the car?
Also, is there a secondary market for essentially new summer-only tires?
Also, is there a secondary market for essentially new summer-only tires?
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires....andard%20Model
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 25,583
Likes: 16,942
In all of these threads I've simply said that traction on the PSS summer tires begins to degrade at about 50F, goes significantly downhill from there, and that is not a good thing. All one needs to do is spend $1K for a set of UHP all-seasons, and one has excellent traction again on cold pavement, absent frozen precipitation.
Yes, read your owner's manual:
Summer Tires
High Performance Summer Tires
This vehicle may come with P245/
40ZR18 and P285/35ZR19,
or P245/35ZR19 and P285/30ZR20
high performance summer tires.
These tires have a special tread and
compound that are optimized for
maximum dry and wet road
performance. This special tread and
compound will have decreased
performance in cold climates, and
on ice and snow. We recommend
installing winter tires on the vehicle
if frequent driving at temperatures
below approximately 5°C (40°F) or
on ice or snow covered roads is
expected. See Winter Tires on
page 10-44.
Last edited by Foosh; Dec 11, 2016 at 11:00 PM.
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 3,849
Likes: 1,859
From: St. Louis Metro East IL
Service Bulletin: Tire Cold Weather Cracking
Here's the GM Service bulletin. Draw your own conclusion.
Ron
http://www.corvetteactioncenter.com/...king-1296.html
Ron
http://www.corvetteactioncenter.com/...king-1296.html
Team Owner
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 26,232
Likes: 4,357
From: Chirper Island
The bulletin is still only referencing the Z06, but I did notice that it said "2014-2017" when I read it this time. Those '14 Z06s must be a collector's dream.
Reduced traction is absolutely a huge concern at lower temps, but for the rest of us (non Z06 cup tire) C7 drivers, the cracking is still a concern only below 20F.
Reduced traction is absolutely a huge concern at lower temps, but for the rest of us (non Z06 cup tire) C7 drivers, the cracking is still a concern only below 20F.