Kelsvet

I am reading everything I can in the forums in preparing for picking up my vette on Tuesday.

One thing that concerns me slightly is the Z51 summer only tires. I live in Michigan, and I do plan to store my Corvette in the winter when it is snowing. Sometimes though, it's still cold but there isn't snow yet, or it has gone away.

Has anyone replaced the tires with all season tires? Is that recommended when you live in the Great White North?

What are the weather limitations for the Z51 summer only tires?

Do you have any other advice that you would like to dole out to a newbie? I am picking up a 2016 Z51 2LT, added Nav, PDR, with Magnetic Ride Control. Coupe, M7.

The sportiest car we have owned is a 2011 RS Camaro, so at least I hear that the blind spots pale in comparison.

Just thought of another question, does the PDR already have a memory card in it, or do I need to bring my own?

rkhegler

Changed out the tires on my 2015 C7 the first chance I got. Put on some all season non run flats. Rides great and I don't worry about any cold weather cracking.

Best bang for your buck.

https://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires...andard%20Model

mpuzach

The PDR doesn't come with a memory card so you'll have to bring one. Why they don't include one when they're getting $1,795 for the system is completely beyond me.

JerryU

Here is some more to read!
This PDF is about "Chatter" which is caused by the Michelins being close to race car tire construction (not tread compound.) You'll want to NOT turn the wheel about 3/4 from full lock on slow speed turns when it's below ~45F. This explains why. Traction is poor below that temp as well. Don't drive below 30F (although some do.) Get some Winter tires-the Chatter goes away also:
http://netwelding.com/Wheel_Chatter.pdf

Chatter is much worse than my C6 Z51 with it's Goodyears and Firestones I used to replace them. The Firestone had poorer cold weather traction but not as bad as the Michelins. However love the Michelins when it's warm. Well worth any inconvenience when it's cold in SC-but that's not like Michigan!

This one is a bit more controversial but never used blind spot mirrors on my '88, '93 or C6 2008 Vettes. IMO they are needed on the C7 AFTER YOU SET YOUR MIRRORS per the 1995 SAE tech paper to eliminate blind spots! Your choice:
http://netwelding.com/Blind_Spot.pdf

eboggs_jkvl

Michelin has ZP all season radial out that is 19/20 so it fits the Z51.

Fronts...#19713 Michelin Pilot Sport A/S3+ 245/35ZR19 ZP ASY M+S,
All Season Tires $236

Rears....#05262 Michelin Pilot Sport A/S3+ 285/30ZR20 ZP ASY M+S
All Season Tires $286


Get those and drive happy.

Elmer

vettnutt

I also live in Michigan and have had no issues with the stock tires. I've driven in 35 degree weather with no problems (just don't get on it too aggressively).

Kelsvet

Hey Neighbor! Thanks for the advice, I am going to try and behave. I promise!

JerryU

FWIW, I have driven at 35F as well, not often, and once at night when it was 30F.
Below ~40F I put it in Weather Mode until I drive and the tires heat up (observed by pressure increase-tire temp info not very useful.)

Tried that when it was 30F and they never did get warm enough to take off of Weather Mode to where I normally drive Sport. In a turn with no traffic even modest throttle had the rear start to loose traction and step out. In Weather Mode the nannies come in faster and no issue if careful.

Skid Row Joe

Your car sounds terrific!

All season tires are essential to drive year around. I would change them out before driving anywhere, but to the tire shop.

There are NO BLINDSPOTS, when the C7's mirrors are adjusted properly.

themonk

if it snows a lot where you live then get a dedicated set of WINTER tires mounted on a set of rims for ease of swap but not necessary.

I usually keep mine on until after the May long weekend (here in Canada) and put them back on after the first snow fall usually some time in October.

Now if you're going to track your car like I do go with a set of Sport Cup 2 by Michelin when it comes time to replace your OEM.

If you're not going to track it then get yourself a set of high performance all season tires to replace your OEM.

Just my opinion.

thill444

Since you don't need to drive the car in snow or sub zero temps, I would not get all season tires unless you are only running them during winter months. Otherwise why even get a Z51?

chefcg1

All season dws-06 for winter on stock wheels, summer pss2 on z06 rep wheels. If I saw more than a couple days of snow I would have opted for dedicated snow tire for winter on my daily driver instead of dws-06's. I just put as3+ on my GTI and they seem really good as well. Haven't had much snow this year in NC so really haven't had much experience with the as3+, but last year I had no problem with the dws-06 in 6" of the white stuff. Being supercharged I spin no matter what anyhow.

Johnp94

What are the setting displayed n the cluster when you do not have sensors in the rims. Is their an override. ?

Bill Dearborn

The tires are OK to drive in cold weather. They will lose some grip just like all tires do. As long as you take it easy with the throttle and the clutch you should be fine driving on them. No need to switch to All Season tires. If you have been driving on ice/snow for a lot of years you should know how to drive as tire grip goes away. Not a big deal. In ice and snow they won't do very well and you may spend a fair amount of time sitting around spinning your tires. They will do fine in wet weather as long as you drive appropriately.

I have a relative that lives just north of Detroit and he drives his 14 Z51 all year round with these tires. He doesn't take it out in the snow/ice but he does drive in cold weather, rain and hot weather. He has 16K miles on the tires and is thinking its time to start looking for replacements.

One way to avoid issues as the grip reduces is to put the car in Weather Mode. That will restrict throttle application and smooth out your inputs. Make sure you take the Ron Fellows school as soon as possible. I didn't wait to get a letter from GM. I called the school gave them my VIN and scheduled the school. I am an HPDE Instructor and I learned a lot at the school. They show you how the car works and what the various modes do and let you try and spin the car out on a wet skid pad with Weather Mode active. It is hard to spin out.

You will need to get an pre formatted 32 GB FAT 32 SD card. If you go over 32 GB the formatting will be wrong.

Bill

YO-EL

I would NOT listen to anyone telling you its OK to use the stock summer only tires..
The OWNERS MANUAL CLEARLY states that is is UNSAFE & NOT RECOMMENDED to use the stock tires in cold weather under 40 degrees..

Michigan? Without doubt, get some all seasons, run flats or non run flats, but GET THEM so you can drive in cold dry weather..

Its soooo irresponsible for ANYONE here to say its OK, just take it easy, with summer tires in cold weather... Disgusting advice..!

Pay attention, if the mfgr says is not advisable, then its NOT!

ChucksGrnH

Maybe the roads in western Michigan are in better shape than in eastern Michigan, but I travel to the Detroit area about 3 times a year for business in my suburban(mostly in late Winter/early Spring), and I've seen potholes that would swallow my suburban whole. I would be much more concerned about bending my rims in the winter on a pothole than what type of tires were on my car. I personally think it is irresponsible to drive on summer tires below their recommended temperature, and I would not make a practice of doing it, but at the same time if you have to get somewhere, and it is in the thirties, you will be okay if you use common sense. My bet is that the first time you experience your tires in the low forties, you will have no desire to push it any further.

DAC17

I got the Michelin AS3+ for my Z51. Living in CT, I feel much more comfortable driving in cold temps and, as long as you're not tracking the car, you won't miss the additional PSS grip in daily driving.

thill444

All season tires are kinda the master of nothing. If you really want to drive the car in the winter get a true winter tire. In the summer the PSS offer better handling, braking, less grooving, better traction, and better performance in wet weather than all season tires. Buying a Z51 and running all season tires on it year round seems counterproductive.

The PSS tires do fine in the 40's and above in Weather mode, below that for extensive driving get a decent winter wheel/tire combo (go smaller).

Kelsvet

Just to clarify, I am not going to be driving the car in the Winter, it will be stored. I was curious what the limitations for cold were on the run flat tires. So what I am gathering is that low 40's is okay in Weather mode, with no hot rodding.

Below 40 degrees is a no no. I can live with this, and if I find out I am missing out driving on days that are sunny but cold, maybe I will get the all weather tires. Not sure about that yet. I am not going to be tracking the car, that I know of.

Thanks everyone!

TOMZE

In snow, dedicated winter tires rock, but they wear very poorly in temps above 40F. An All Season tire will allow you to drive in light snow, in temperatures below 40F, AND will wear decently in all temperatures. It's a compromise, but an attractive one to many.