New Tires Today!
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Oct 2022
Posts: 20
Likes: 3
New Tires Today!
Well the new tires are getting put on at 2pm today, they are Michelin Sport 4S in sizes 267/35zr19 and 305/30zr20. Couple questions: First, the Michelin Sport 4S - can you really not drive these below 40 degrees? I don't see it happening often, but if I want to go to a cars and coffee event - it could very well be in the 30's (but sunny) when i leave. Second question, the Conti Extreme Contact Sports in 245/35-19 and 285/30-20 are in great condition, is there a market on here to sell or should i try local to avoid shipping cost. Thanks
Moderator emeritus
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 18,599
Likes: 3,951
From: Jacksonville Florida BWO Dayton, Cincinnati, Bloomsbury NJ, Cincinnati
2015 C7 of the Year Finalist
YOu can drive the OEM tires in the cold, not -40° but down below freezing if the tires are warmed up (like sitting in a garage to start out). The cracking is due to sitting below freezing all night or extended periods of time and that hurts the tires. The fact that they are summer tires means you are driving on banana peels in the cold should be a big reason not to drive with cold tires or in cold temperatures. I'm in FLorida and the next set of tires I get will be A/S ZP tires. I might drive to Ohio in the winter and visit my son and I'll not have to worry at all about temperatures.
Elmer
Elmer
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 775
Likes: 371
From: Yukon Oklahoma
I love the smell of new tires in the garage in the morning... 
Got my new Michelin Pilot Sport All Season ZPs last April and looking forward to driving this year on those sunny cold days without worry what the temp is.
Got my new Michelin Pilot Sport All Season ZPs last April and looking forward to driving this year on those sunny cold days without worry what the temp is.
Racer
Joined: Feb 2020
Posts: 305
Likes: 245
From: GSO, NC
Well the new tires are getting put on at 2pm today, they are Michelin Sport 4S in sizes 267/35zr19 and 305/30zr20. Couple questions: First, the Michelin Sport 4S - can you really not drive these below 40 degrees? I don't see it happening often, but if I want to go to a cars and coffee event - it could very well be in the 30's (but sunny) when i leave. Second question, the Conti Extreme Contact Sports in 245/35-19 and 285/30-20 are in great condition, is there a market on here to sell or should i try local to avoid shipping cost. Thanks
As for your second question, put it in the for sale section and see, you never know, plus it does not cost anything to put them for sale in here.
Racer
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 357
Likes: 79
From: Marysville Washington
2023 Corvette of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2022 C1 of the Year Winner - Unmodified
Why are you installing summer tire at the beginning of winter? I would take the tires home and store them. Then get them installed in the spring.
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Oct 2022
Posts: 20
Likes: 3
I live in SC so was thinking I only needed one tire, and I was certain of that until I just read the below 40 degree caution. I have a 2500 Diesel that is winter time if needed, I'm more asking what my limits are and the above responses make me feel a little better. Thank you to all for the advice. JAM
Administrator
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 367,656
Likes: 24,661
From: In a parallel universe. Currently own 2014 Stingray Coupe.
C7 of the Year - Modified Finalist 2021
MO Events Coordinator
St. Jude Co-Organizer
St. Jude Donor '03 thru '25
NCM Sinkhole Donor
CI 5, 8 & 11 Veteran
Yes, you can drive the summer tires in the winter, I have done it, but as said keep a light pressure on the gas pedal as traction will be limited.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!
Brett Foote
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know
Joe Kucinski
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2
Michael S. Palmer
2027 Corvette vs The World: Every C8 vs Its Closest Competitor
Joe Kucinski
10 Most Common Corvette Problems of the Last 20 Years!
Joe Kucinski
5 MOST and 5 LEAST Popular Corvette Model Years in History!
Joe Kucinski
2027 Corvette Buyer's Guide: Everything You Need to Know!
Joe Kucinski
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 854
Likes: 302
As the temps drop, traction does, too! I can easily get the TC to kick in with not much pedal action...They are also the original rears which means they are 8 years old. Car is garaged and only occasionally driven in the winter so they don't have cracks, etc. but the rubber is getting less pliant. Easy to judge compared to the one year old fronts.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2017
Posts: 2,012
Likes: 955
From: Central Commiefornia
You can drive carefully in temps below 40 at the cost of some traction, but if the tire temps indicate COLD, they turn into four hockey pucks with friction coefficients approaching zero.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2022
Posts: 1,202
Likes: 567
From: MSP
Don't drive them in cold temperatures, it will irreparably damage the tire. Get a glass of scotch and read up on glass transition temperature. tl;dr -- the tire literally shatters internally. Pretty cool stuff.
Race Director
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 10,908
Likes: 2,700
From: Phila Suburbs 2023 C8 & 2013 650ix
Everyone talks about easy on the throttle, but the other side of the coin is emergency hard braking. That can happen at any time without warning and the limited traction really can ruin your day.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2022
Posts: 1,202
Likes: 567
From: MSP
Do not drive summer tires in cold/freezing/winter conditions, full stop. It's dangerous.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 6,884
Likes: 2,884
From: Toronto
I was driving my C7 (out of town) a few years ago when a snap snow storm hit. I had my PA4 (winters) on and the car felt great. Had to hit my brakes hard when a truck made a right turn from a stop sign and I didnt have time to determine if I could change lanes. C7 stopped great but the guy behind me clearly had summer tires and was in ABS lockup coming towards me.
My motorcycle riding instincts kicked in as i always look rearward during a hard brake. I eased up to the side shoulder and avoided being rear ended.
Racer
Joined: Feb 2020
Posts: 305
Likes: 245
From: GSO, NC
It is more important to be able to stop than to be able to go, and stopping performance of summer tires in winter is really not even acceptable.
Pro
Joined: Dec 2016
Posts: 516
Likes: 124
Everyone seemed to cover all the scenarios, especially the braking. I live in the San Diego area so it is summer tires all year for me. On the rare early mornings that might be in the low thirtes, then that is what the Jeep GC is for. Every one has given great advice. Be safe.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 3,238
Likes: 757
From: Lindenhurst, IL
I believe that the recommendation is to not drive them below 40, and to not move them below 20.