I know Porsche says its unsafe but how many of you still drive on summer tires at temperatures just above freezing?

I'm talking conservative speeds like 50 to 70 mph?

 

I do. I even took mine on the track for a HPDE when it was 40 degrees outside. I'm sure and experienced driver could tell the difference, as the temperature changes at what limit you lose grip, but I didn't feel unsafe at a lower temp.

 

It's 34 degrees here and I'm doing fine on OEM pilot ps2 in the rain. The only time I'd change it. Is if it was consistently below 30. Then that's just asking for trouble.

But I'll tell you this, when I gave it half throttle in sport mode it got squirrely on me.

 

Mpss...38 deg...and the car still hooks like crazy...I think summer tires are ok in winter ..you just need to heat them up in normal driving and be cautious for 15 min....even tried a panics stop from 70 mph...and the car stopped with ease and comfort.....I would drive with extreme caution..when temps dip bellow 28-30 and freezing rain is around...

 

Well the one thing to note is tire brand. Anything besides Michelin or pirelli p zero I would not trust. Good years crack below 40.

 

I think you'll be fine on cold, dry pavement. The performance drops off compared to warmer weather, but you'd really only notice it in extreme situations.

If you get rain or freezing precipitation, then I would't drive it in low temperatures. In those cases, your grip when cornering and your stopping distances are really impacted.

 

Agreed ...but to add to comment only trust michelin first...

 

Since car is 4wd it will "hook" but as all cars it has only 4 brakes, and when a kid jumps out in front of the car summertires wont be optimal.

Driving a $100k car one would assume any Porsche driver could afford (and prefer) proper tires?

 

Its fun to drive with summer tires during the winter but, you will soon be disappointed when it gets warm again. Turbo's perform better and traction is less.


I wouldn't recommend driving during a ice or snow storm though.

 

I notice a difference in overall comfort and noise. Once colder, the summer tires are harder and noiser. The biggest concern is insurance. Here in Canada, most insurance companies won't cover you if you are in an accident with summers on in winter conditions

 

+1, good info.


Think, why did you have to sign a waiver at the dealership in the summer?

 

Because it's a PITA to switch back and forth. Michelin is dumb. They should take their A/S 3 and make it wider than 285. At least 295 or 305. If they did that I'd get them and not think twice.

 

+1

For me it's not a question of another set of wheels/tires which would be a pain to store and swap but when to switch to driving my X5 instead of the Porsche. I/we all understand the risks of driving on summer tires, I/we just want to extend my/our driving season the longest I/we can.

When there's even a chance of snow, I'm driving the SAV.
Thanks for all your comments, shows I'm not alone.

 

Ah well thats a different story. TTS is my DD/only car. We don't really get much snow here. Maybe an inch, and it's gone off the road the next day. It snowed once and it wasn't cold enough for it to stick here on the roads period.

Though few years ago we had snowmeggeddon. But no one could drive during that anyways.

 

Foolish to drove below 40 without snows in my opinion. Even in the dry. Sure, you can believe everything is cool, but you can easily get a wet patch of road and freezing temps. Michelin get really hard and slippery below 40. I recall driving when it was only about 42 and went into a turn at very moderate speed and had the front end totally wash out,total understeer. Scary. Not to mention the summer tires ride horribly. Really harsh and noisy.