C7 General Discussion General C7 Corvette Discussion not covered in Tech
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

C7 winter tires

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Oct 22, 2017 | 05:56 PM
  #1  
TFE's Avatar
TFE
Thread Starter
1st Gear
 
Joined: Oct 2017
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
Default C7 winter tires

Anyone have a line on a make of tires that can be used in the colder months?
Reply
Old Oct 23, 2017 | 05:37 AM
  #2  
gtam85's Avatar
gtam85
Instructor
 
Joined: Aug 2017
Posts: 184
Likes: 35
From: New York City
Default

Michelin makes the Pilot Alpin PA4 in Z06/GS sizes, otherwise you can check out the Pirelli Winter Sottozero 3 in base/Z51 sizes.
Reply
Old Oct 23, 2017 | 06:19 AM
  #3  
daixloxbmw's Avatar
daixloxbmw
Pro
10 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 670
Likes: 85
Default

I have a set of Pirelli Sottozero 3 tires 275/35R19 and 305/30R20 for my Grand Sport. They are slightly narrower than stock sizes but will fit just fine.

Reply
Old Oct 23, 2017 | 08:54 AM
  #4  
cowboy casey's Avatar
cowboy casey
Drifting
10 Year Member
Veteran: Army
Liked
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 1,503
Likes: 600
Default

I have been running BFGoodrich G-Force Comp 2 A/S for a year now, they are awesome in the cold and 90% of the original tires in the summer... Great for daily diving in Oklahoma...

https://www.bfgoodrichtires.com/tire...rce-comp-2-a-s
Reply
Old Oct 23, 2017 | 09:25 AM
  #5  
daixloxbmw's Avatar
daixloxbmw
Pro
10 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 670
Likes: 85
Default

OP, can you clarify as to what you're looking for? Your thread title specifically asks for winter tires but depending on where you live, your needs can be very different than ours.

If you're just looking for something that can be driven in colder temps but little to no snow and ice, many of the all season tires recommended here will suffice. Plus, all seasons can also be driven year round so you can save some money by only owning a single set of tires but your grip will be compromised in the warmer months compared to your stock summer tires.

However, if you're looking for something that will be driven on some light snow and ice, you'll want a winter tire. These should only be used in the winter so you'll need to buy an additional winter set, on top of your existing summer set and swap them out.
Reply
Old Oct 23, 2017 | 09:57 AM
  #6  
JerryU's Avatar
JerryU
E-Ray, 3LZ, ZER, LIFT
Supporting Lifetime Gold
15 Year Member
Shutterbug
Liked
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 35,018
Likes: 12,401
From: NE South Carolina
Default

Originally Posted by daixloxbmw
OP, can you clarify as to what you're looking for? Your thread title specifically asks for winter tires but depending on where you live, your needs can be very different than ours.

If you're just looking for something that can be driven in colder temps but little to no snow and ice, many of the all season tires recommended here will suffice. Plus, all seasons can also be driven year round so you can save some money by only owning a single set of tires but your grip will be compromised in the warmer months compared to your stock summer tires.

However, if you're looking for something that will be driven on some light snow and ice, you'll want a winter tire. These should only be used in the winter so you'll need to buy an additional winter set, on top of your existing summer set and swap them out.
Originally Posted by daixloxbmw
I have a set of Pirelli Sottozero 3 tires 275/35R19 and 305/30R20 for my Grand Sport. They are slightly narrower than stock sizes but will fit just fine.

The Sottozero are what BMW, Ferrari etc owners, use on the Autobahn in the winter. That would be my choice if I lived “up North.”

Had winter snow tires mounted on separate wheels for most cars I owned before moving South 30 years ago. My last “Northern car” was a Dodge Colt Turbo when we were living in CT. At the time CT didn’t believe in using salt and with the hills on the CT/NY border where I lived, sliding on ice with front wheel drive was no fun! Did a plus 1 with warmer weather Pirelli tires and put winter tires on the narrower OEM wheels. When going downhill on icy roads often used the emergency brake with the button held in. That was also a good way when driving aggressively making a turn!

Slightly narrower tires are a good idea on a Grand Sport!

PS: OP doesn’t say where he lives but in Eastern SC, no need for alternate tires when “it’s cold.” When below 45 F I put it in Weather Mode, which has the nannies coming on sooner. After ~5 miles tires heat up and good traction returns so it was back to Sport Mode in my 3 1/2 year old Z51. Expect to do the same when I drive my Grand Sport this winter.

Seldom have to drive when below 40 F although have driven when the car sat outside for ~4 hours at ~30F. Used Weather Mode for ~10 miles than tried Sport on a wide turn with no traffic. Rear slide out a bit with only modest throttle. Back to Weather Mode and drove home just fine that evening. When 35 F or less will use the wife’s SUV!

Last edited by JerryU; Oct 23, 2017 at 10:25 AM.
Reply
Old Oct 23, 2017 | 11:41 AM
  #7  
Martman C7's Avatar
Martman C7
Instructor
 
Joined: Sep 2017
Posts: 178
Likes: 69
From: Reno NV
Default

Here in Reno, NV, get on average about 23" of snow. The BFG Comp 2 A/S are a good choice, but the Continental ExtremeContact DWS 06 is better if you get snow. The BFG's ratings are just slightly above the Conti. in dry conditions, but the Conti. is much better in snow and ice.

I ran the Conti's. on my 2015 Mustang GT and loved them, so I went with those on the Vette too. I told the guy at Discount Tire I decided to stick with Cont. because they have the exact same tire size as the factory Michelin tires where as the BFG didn't have the same size for the rear tires. The guy from Discount said the Conti. was a better tire anyway so I was happy to go that way. The BFG's are a little less expensive, but that didn't really matter because keeping the Vette safe is more important to me than saving a few bucks and having an incident on the road.

I remember on the Mustang 6G forums, there were a number of people that ran both tire brands and everybody seemed to like which ever tire they were running. In the end, I think either would serve well. Both tires are in the UHP A/S category.
Reply
Old Oct 23, 2017 | 04:05 PM
  #8  
FKING1's Avatar
FKING1
Safety Car
15 Year Member
 
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 3,814
Likes: 105
From: Dearborn Heights Michigan
Default

Run Pirelli Sotozero's on my Boss Mustang.
Sizes are about the same as my C7.
3 yrs & never stuck in Michigan winters.
Reply
Corvette Stories

The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts

story-0

10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love

 Joe Kucinski
story-1

Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer

 Brett Foote
story-2

10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)

 Michael S. Palmer
story-3

8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-4

10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years

 Joe Kucinski
story-5

How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972

 Joe Kucinski
story-6

Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-7

Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!

 Joe Kucinski
story-8

150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter

 Joe Kucinski
story-9

8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

 Verdad Gallardo
Old Oct 23, 2017 | 07:24 PM
  #9  
~Stingray's Avatar
~Stingray
Le Mans Master
10 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 5,783
Likes: 400
From: Paoli, IN
St. Jude Donor '17, '19
Default

People keep mentioning narrower tires. Does that mean people are using spacers for their winter set of wheels/tires? And when I look up the sizes for Pirelli Winter Sottozero 3, don't see 245/35r19. Am I missing something?

Last edited by ~Stingray; Oct 23, 2017 at 08:31 PM.
Reply
Old Oct 23, 2017 | 07:31 PM
  #10  
JK 23112's Avatar
JK 23112
Drifting
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Top Answer: 1
 
Joined: Jul 2016
Posts: 1,915
Likes: 1,169
From: Keswick, Virginia
Default


Hats off to those of you who would be brave (or nuts) enough to drive a Corvette in "winter" conditions! I wish you all the best of luck with it - regardless of tire choice. My 2017 Stingray will be hibernating in the garage if we get any inclement weather (which we do in Virginia - but not all that much).

My 2015 Nissan Altima is a front-wheel-drive sedan that is excellent in the snow with its all-season Hankook Optimo tires.


Years ago, I know that there was a tire called "Blizzak" (Bridgestone?) that was supposed to be awesome for rear-drive cars in winter conditions.


P.S. I have had four Mustang GT coupes over several years and they were awful in the snow. Picture a duck on ice.
Reply
Old Oct 23, 2017 | 08:04 PM
  #11  
~Stingray's Avatar
~Stingray
Le Mans Master
10 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 5,783
Likes: 400
From: Paoli, IN
St. Jude Donor '17, '19
Default

Originally Posted by JK 23112

Hats off to those of you who would be brave (or nuts) enough to drive a Corvette in "winter" conditions! I wish you all the best of luck with it - regardless of tire choice. My 2017 Stingray will be hibernating in the garage if we get any inclement weather (which we do in Virginia - but not all that much).

My 2015 Nissan Altima is a front-wheel-drive sedan that is excellent in the snow with its all-season Hankook Optimo tires.


Years ago, I know that there was a tire called "Blizzak" (Bridgestone?) that was supposed to be awesome for rear-drive cars in winter conditions.


P.S. I have had four Mustang GT coupes over several years and they were awful in the snow. Picture a duck on ice.
Blizzaks on my 2006 rear drive mustang!! I love them and I love doing donuts in them when the snow is fresh. But, for real, they are great for winter driving.
Reply
Old Oct 23, 2017 | 08:07 PM
  #12  
mbaessler's Avatar
mbaessler
Pro
Conversation Starter
All Eyes On Me
Liked
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Dec 2016
Posts: 519
Likes: 128
Default

Originally Posted by cowboy casey
I have been running BFGoodrich G-Force Comp 2 A/S for a year now, they are awesome in the cold and 90% of the original tires in the summer... Great for daily diving in Oklahoma...

https://www.bfgoodrichtires.com/tire...rce-comp-2-a-s
Cowboy, I had these on my Challenger, great tires, but they are non run flat. So if you get a flat you are stuck?
Reply
Old Oct 23, 2017 | 11:26 PM
  #13  
JerryU's Avatar
JerryU
E-Ray, 3LZ, ZER, LIFT
Supporting Lifetime Gold
15 Year Member
Shutterbug
Liked
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 35,018
Likes: 12,401
From: NE South Carolina
Default

Originally Posted by ~Stingray
People keep mentioning narrower tires. Does that mean people are using spacers for their winter set of wheels/tires? And when I look up the sizes for Pirelli Winter Sottozero 3, don't see 245/35r19. Am I missing something?
No need to use narrow wheels to run smaller than OEM section with tires.
Reply
Old Oct 23, 2017 | 11:55 PM
  #14  
PobreWey's Avatar
PobreWey
Racer
 
Joined: Oct 2017
Posts: 274
Likes: 86
From: Calgary
Default

Originally Posted by TFE
Anyone have a line on a make of tires that can be used in the colder months?
Michelin Alpin PA4 are the standard winter tires.I have them and no problems so far.
Reply
Old Oct 24, 2017 | 12:05 AM
  #15  
Foosh's Avatar
Foosh
Team Owner
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 25,583
Likes: 16,942
Default

Agree the Michelin Alpin PA4 is available all the way up to GS/Z06 sizes, if you really need actual winter tires. The only limitation to driving a C7 in snow is if the snow is too deep, but most major roads are cleared with a day or so. It's no different than driving any other vehicle in snow with proper tires.

Last edited by Foosh; Oct 24, 2017 at 12:09 AM.
Reply
Old Oct 24, 2017 | 05:50 PM
  #16  
xlaziox's Avatar
xlaziox
Heel & Toe
 
Joined: Oct 2017
Posts: 23
Likes: 1
Default Best tires for driving RWD Corvette in winter

...are on a car that isn't a rear wheel drive death trap... Plenty of junker backup cars that are far safer than a RWD vette for cheaper than the cost of winter tires for a vette. https://oklahomacity.craigslist.org/...359398293.html
Let's be realistic. Driving a vette when temps drop below freezing and there is any kind of precip is just asking for trouble. Don't get dead because you have no logic center in your brain.
Reply
Old Oct 24, 2017 | 06:39 PM
  #17  
JK 23112's Avatar
JK 23112
Drifting
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Top Answer: 1
 
Joined: Jul 2016
Posts: 1,915
Likes: 1,169
From: Keswick, Virginia
Default


^^ That is why I have an Altima as my DD/beater. ^^
Reply

Get notified of new replies

To C7 winter tires

Old Oct 24, 2017 | 08:36 PM
  #18  
cspnboy's Avatar
cspnboy
Instructor
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 215
Likes: 24
From: Westfield NJ
Default

If you don't mind - what wheels are those and where did you get them?
Thanks.

Originally Posted by daixloxbmw
I have a set of Pirelli Sottozero 3 tires 275/35R19 and 305/30R20 for my Grand Sport. They are slightly narrower than stock sizes but will fit just fine.

Reply
Old Oct 24, 2017 | 09:25 PM
  #19  
cowboy casey's Avatar
cowboy casey
Drifting
10 Year Member
Veteran: Army
Liked
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 1,503
Likes: 600
Default

Originally Posted by xlaziox
...are on a car that isn't a rear wheel drive death trap... Plenty of junker backup cars that are far safer than a RWD vette for cheaper than the cost of winter tires for a vette. https://oklahomacity.craigslist.org/...359398293.html
Let's be realistic. Driving a vette when temps drop below freezing and there is any kind of precip is just asking for trouble. Don't get dead because you have no logic center in your brain.
Did you fall of your rocker or is your logic center malfunctioning?

Your saying a rear wheel drive vehicle can't and shouldn't be driven in the winter, hmmmm my truck and Corvette would disagree with you
Reply
Old Oct 24, 2017 | 09:32 PM
  #20  
Greg00Coupe's Avatar
Greg00Coupe
Race Director
25 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 13,283
Likes: 2,509
From: Bluffton SC via Canton Oh
Default

I’ve driven my last 3 corvettes in winter weather. I run conti dws tires and are very pleased with them. Frankly you would be amazed at how well the car goes in up to 3 o4 inches or until clearance becomes an issue.

I’ve even put the conti stingray tires on my z using spacers just for a better look

Each to their own but I bought the car to drive. I’m not worried about the next guy getting a low mileage waxer.
Reply



All times are GMT -4. The time now is 02:26 PM.

story-0
10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love

Slideshow: 10 ugly Corvettes that we still kinda love.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-03 10:34:17


VIEW MORE
story-1
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer

A lot of money has changed hands at the online auction house over the years.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-03 10:21:50


VIEW MORE
story-2
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)

Slideshow: 10 great gifts Corvette enthusiasts actually want for Father's Day!

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-06-03 15:43:40


VIEW MORE
story-3
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems

Slideshow: These are the quirks, annoyances, and oddly lovable problems that every Corvette owner eventually learns to live with.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-05-28 09:31:39


VIEW MORE
story-4
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years

Slideshow: 10 reasons why the C6 Z06 is still a performance benchmark after 20 years.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 17:20:09


VIEW MORE
story-5
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972

Slideshow: How much horsepower every Corvette engine lost in 1972.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 16:54:53


VIEW MORE
story-6
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!

Slideshow: How to Protect A Convertible Top: 10 DOs & DON'Ts

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-03 00:00:00


VIEW MORE
story-7
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!

Slideshow: The 10 most explosive Corvettes ever built based on power-to-weight ratio.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-20 07:23:03


VIEW MORE
story-8
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter

Slideshow: From C1 to C8 we compare every Corvette generation by the numbers.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-12 16:54:12


VIEW MORE
story-9
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

Slideshow: Some Corvette pace cars became collectible legends, while others perfectly captured the look and attitude of their era.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-11 09:50:51


VIEW MORE