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I live in an area where low temps in winter are in the mid to low 20's and high's are in the mid 40's to 50 deg F. What is the issue if you drive our Super Sports say in 35-40 deg weather conservatively. Also no snow to worry about. No hot Rodding, no hard corning, just drive it mellow. I know the rubber will be a little harder. Am I in danger?
Need a little education please.
Summer Tires High Performance Summer Tires: This vehicle may come with 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. It is recommended that winter tires be installed on the vehicle if frequent driving at temperatures below approximately 5 °C (40 °F) or on ice or snow covered roads is expected.
Caution High performance summer tires have rubber compounds that lose flexibility and may develop surface cracks in the tread area at temperatures below −7 °C (20 °F). Always store high performance summer tires indoors and at temperatures above −7 °C (20 °F) when not in use. If the tires have been subjected to −7 °C (20 °F) or less, let them warm up in a heated space to at least 5 °C (40 °F) for 24 hours or more before being installed or driving a vehicle on which they are installed. Do not apply heat or blow heated air directly on the tires. Always inspect tires before use. See Tire Inspection
Having personally driven my C5 in 30 deg weather on Bridgestone RE-11's (summer only max performance tires, 200 treadwear rating), you have to be really careful. I'd say my traction was less than 1/3 of normal. It's not like driving on ice or anything like that, more like driving on a set of 20 year old all seasons that are rock hard from age.
In the dry, in temps under 50 degrees, traction is very much compromised; at 35 degrees, half throttle will invoke the nannies and stopping distance is increased by at least 50%. I do use my car in temps down to 35 degrees on occasion, and start from a heated garage (65-68 degrees) which helps, especially since in those temps it is a trip out and back without ever shutting the car off. I would never use the car under 40 degrees in the rain as I imagine it would be about as grippy as a regular car with all seasons on ice.
St. Jude Donor '12-'13-'14-'15-'16-'17-'18-'19-'20-'21-'22-'23
Drove my new '15 Z51 200 miles home from the dealership in outside temps ranging from 30-35 degrees, tour mode in dry weather without issues or any drama. Today, with 13k miles on the odo still have the original tires which are in great shape. The car has not been driven in temps that low since. I pull the wheels off annually for a close inspection and detailing - a bigger issue in my opinion is all the interesting stuff that gets picked up and imbedded in the tread.
You can drive it in those temps but it’s no fun for me. I could tell as fall set in, the temps gradually decreased and once it got near 50, the rear end would break loose. The Grand Sport is normally stuck to the pavement so below 50 with summer tires is when the fun ends for me.
Cautiously drove car 200 miles home from dealership at 19 degrees on summer tires. Tested tire grip at low speed before voyage on cold, dry pavement. It was not very good.
I bought my 2019 GS in mid October and live in North Texas. Drove it to Indiana over Thanksgiving. I have more than 2000 miles of experience driving it below 40F, in the rain, sun, dark and even snow. Lowest temperature I drove in was 21F, wet pavement and snowing (but not sticking to the road). I had no issues at all. I just was careful about the lack of traction. It is 39F and sunny and I am headed to town right now (35 minute drive each way) and have zero concerns.
Summer Tires High Performance Summer Tires: This vehicle may come with 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. It is recommended that winter tires be installed on the vehicle if frequent driving at temperatures below approximately 5 °C (40 °F) or on ice or snow covered roads is expected.
Caution High performance summer tires have rubber compounds that lose flexibility and may develop surface cracks in the tread area at temperatures below −7 °C (20 °F). Always store high performance summer tires indoors and at temperatures above −7 °C (20 °F) when not in use. If the tires have been subjected to −7 °C (20 °F) or less, let them warm up in a heated space to at least 5 °C (40 °F) for 24 hours or more before being installed or driving a vehicle on which they are installed. Do not apply heat or blow heated air directly on the tires. Always inspect tires before use. See Tire Inspection
Thanks Dataporter. Need to look at that owners manual more often. By February our daytime highs are usually in the mid 50's to 60. I guess I will let it sleep for January other than if we get a little warm up.
What happens when you need to stop quickly? Or quickly steer to avoid things?
Glad I live in FL and don't have to worry about these issues.
JMII: Yes you are right, based on these posts, I will be parking it during January. By Feb we warm up to the mid 50's to 60. Then I will take it out for the next 10 months or so.
St. Jude Donor '03-'04-'05-'06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16-'17-'18-'19-
'20-'21-'22-'23-'24
NCM Sinkhole Donor
CI 5, 8 & 11 Veteran
I have driven my car in mid-20s to upper 30s with no problems, but I am very cautious about how much throttle I apply and give myself plenty of braking room. I have the OEM tires on my ‘14 Stingray and perhaps next year I’ll get a set of A/S ZP tires for the car.
I have driven my car in mid-20s to upper 30s with no problems, but I am very cautious about how much throttle I apply and give myself plenty of braking room. I have the OEM tires on my ‘14 Stingray and perhaps next year I’ll get a set of A/S ZP tires for the car.
I wish they would of put AS3+'s on mine. I have 5800miles on my Super Sports. Still a lot of life left. I'm sure if I brought it to a tire shop I wouldn't get much of a trade in towards AS3+'s.
I wouldn't daily drive it in low temps, but I take mine out every now and then for a spin. As others have mentioned, just take it easy. It's a good time to practice getting it sideways . . .
I bought my 2019 GS in mid October and live in North Texas. Drove it to Indiana over Thanksgiving. I have more than 2000 miles of experience driving it below 40F, in the rain, sun, dark and even snow. Lowest temperature I drove in was 21F, wet pavement and snowing (but not sticking to the road). I had no issues at all. I justwascarefulabout the lack of traction. It is 39F and sunny and I am headed to town right now (35 minute drive each way) and have zero concerns.
Yep regardless what tires you have you have to drive appropriately when cold.
Reminded of the young engineer we hired for our Lab in NE OH. He was always getting his 4 wheel drive Bronco stuck in a ditch when it snowed. Reminded him several times we all had 4 wheel brakes and the 4 wheel drive Bronco did not stop any better!
01-03-2019, 10:28 PM
Driving in Winter temps with Summer tires
