When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
Thanks for your own answer....DER! Same Temps.Same Issue.Traction,Braking.
Yup,Great Traction below Freezing
The base tire can handle the trip, without any drama, very easily. The "Cup" tire by the way is not the same tire as the base tire found on the GS (non Z07). Seems you're not aware of this. Traction with the Cup tire is questionable in bad weather. BTW, daytime high temperatures in the 30s are "not" below freezing temperatures. Thanks for your compliment.
I'd trailer it if possible. Even a U-haul truck/open trailer would be better than trying to drive in unknown weather conditions.
An enclosed trailer would be the first choice, with an open trailer coming in a very distant second place. If you do open trailer, be sure to wash the underside just as well as you would have from driving it.
Trailering it avoids any issues with summer tires running cold on cold roads, and any potential lack of grip issues due to wet/cold weather conditions.
Two weeks ago I drove my new GS from the Corvette museum 680 miles through light snow, sleet freezing rain and salted roads conditions in temperatures in the low 30s to my home in Virginia. I had used MRC Weather mode and the traction control performed great. While I would not recommend Vette owners do this regularly the car can handle these conditions without drama. OK, you may now return to your panic attack which I had rudely interrupted.
Two weeks ago I drove my new GS from the Corvette museum 680 miles through light snow, sleet freezing rain and salted roads conditions in temperatures in the low 30s to my home in Virginia.
Just drive the damn thing home carefully. All this crap worrying about road salt is just that, crap. If you people knew anything about how aluminum holds up to salt you would realize that it's not an issue. Remember our cars are for the most part aluminum and plastic.
Just drive the damn thing home carefully. All this crap worrying about road salt is just that, crap. If you people knew anything about how aluminum holds up to salt you would realize that it's not an issue. Remember our cars are for the most part aluminum and plastic.
So are you saying road salt does not corrode aluminum?
So are you saying road salt does not corrode aluminum?
I’m not saying that there is no downside to driving on salt covered roads and exposing our aluminum frames to road salt. BUT aluminum corrosion is far different than rust on iron and steel. The oxidation that occurs on aluminum from salt creates a protective coating that strongly adheres to the aluminum unlike the rust on iron and steel that flakes off. That protective coating of aluminum oxide prevents further oxidation of the aluminum. For the effect to harm aluminum the salt must be present for a long period of time and be in a moist (high humidity) and warm environment. Running the car through a car wash that sprays the underbody or just driving in the rain will remove any salt buildup.
I’m not saying that there is no downside to driving on salt covered roads and exposing our aluminum frames to road salt. BUT aluminum corrosion is far different than rust on iron and steel. The oxidation that occurs on aluminum from salt creates a protective coating that strongly adheres to the aluminum unlike the rust on iron and steel that flakes off. That protective coating of aluminum oxide prevents further oxidation of the aluminum. For the effect to harm aluminum the salt must be present for a long period of time and be in a moist (high humidity) and warm environment. Running the car through a car wash that sprays the underbody or just driving in the rain will remove any salt buildup.
I would add that driving in the rain causes rainwater to be washed into places that a simple undercarriage wash wont reach, and therefore will wash away salt that might otherwise remain behind.
I’m not saying that there is no downside to driving on salt covered roads and exposing our aluminum frames to road salt. BUT aluminum corrosion is far different than rust on iron and steel. The oxidation that occurs on aluminum from salt creates a protective coating that strongly adheres to the aluminum unlike the rust on iron and steel that flakes off. That protective coating of aluminum oxide prevents further oxidation of the aluminum. For the effect to harm aluminum the salt must be present for a long period of time and be in a moist (high humidity) and warm environment. Running the car through a car wash that sprays the underbody or just driving in the rain will remove any salt buildup.
here is an article I found about road brine that many communities are using on the roads these days. Nasty stuff and more harmful than road salt.
I have concern about non-aluminum parts on the Corvette. Brakes, rotors, suspension parts, exhausts are not made from aluminum so those components should be a consideration for corrosion as well.
I have concern about non-aluminum parts on the Corvette. Brakes, rotors, suspension parts, exhausts are not made from aluminum so those components should be a consideration for corrosion as well.
Brakes and rotors get changed out regularly so why worry about a little corrosion. Suspension parts if you haven't looked are aluminum. Exhaust and mufflers are 409 stainless steel and very resistant to corrosion. When's the last time you had to replace those?
Drive it is my vote.
Clean it up when you get wherever you are going.
I would drive it in the next few rainstorms to clean the undercarriage. Im sure someone will be off the deep end over that idea, but that is how I would handle the salt situation.
This is exactly what I would do, and have done.
9 deg. F is the lowest I've driven my C7. PSS not Sport Cups, but stuck it in W and was gentle on the go pedal. Nothing wrong with driving in the rain or taking it through a touchless wash with a good undercarriage spray. I've got 250,000 miles on a C6 regularly abused this way.
The car can handle it. I drove on salted roads and ice in my C6 and just did an under carriage wash after things cleared up. Sold it at 80 k miles zero issues. I just got home from an 80 miles trip in a few inches of snow in my C7 and it survived.
Honestly it is sort of fun driving it in crappy weather.
I have concern about non-aluminum parts on the Corvette. Brakes, rotors, suspension parts, exhausts are not made from aluminum so those components should be a consideration for corrosion as well.
Brakes and rotors get changed out regularly so why worry about a little corrosion. Suspension parts if you haven't looked are aluminum. Exhaust and mufflers are 409 stainless steel and very resistant to corrosion. When's the last time you had to replace those?
I would add that driving in the rain causes rainwater to be washed into places that a simple undercarriage wash wont reach, and therefore will wash away salt that might otherwise remain behind.
When I inevitably get caught in rain I keep this in mind.
When I inevitably get caught in rain I keep this in mind.
Something else to keep in mind while driving in the rain. You get the most legitimate test for water leaks (into the interior) that can possibly occur. I cant say emphatically enough, no one wants to find out about a water leak after their warranty expires.
Last edited by PatternDayTrader; 12-10-2018 at 08:59 AM.
12-09-2018, 11:05 AM
