Most people here 'know' that stock tires are a bit too hard for optimal performance on cold pavement.
But from a practical standpoint what does that mean? Is it like driving on damp pavement? Soaked pavement? Oily parchment?
I'm interested in real world experience of the people who visit these forums.

Trying to decide how much to drive this winter:
- Option one is to drive only at above 10F on dry-pavement days. No snow or ice on the road.
- One option is to park.
- Obviously the other is to purchase new rims and a tire package.

So if you live in an area with modest snowfall but cold temps, what's your experience on the stock tires in the cold? Wicked slippery? Not too bad? What decision did you make? Why?

Thanks in advance.

 

Your tires are only design for 7C or 44F. I drive on my PS2's at and around that limit, on some colder days too if it is dry.

When the days are too ugly, I just drive the Touareg.

 

when temp is close to freezing, side street roads in am can be covered by a thin layer of black ice (road may or may not appear shiny). PS2 will just slide on it. Braking power significantly down as tires have no traction. It is quite scary.

if there is obvious snow on the road, don't even think about going out in summer tires, as you won't make it back.

 

High perf summer tires should not be driven below 40F. Winter tires below that temp only.

 

Even on dry pavement your summer tires will not grip as well and one should take it easy when driving in such situations ( 40F). I would consider this to be like driving in warm weather in the rain.

On wet roads at 40F ( I do not drive my car in the rain) I would consider this as comparable to driving in snow with all season tires).

Like a previous poster indicated, if you drive in the snow with summer tires you will end up in the woods... or worse.

In NJ, in the winter, the cars I see most often off the road ( aside from SUVs) and on the grass are BMWs and Porsches.... two brands that normally come from the dealer new with summer tires. The drivers do not think to switch to winter tires apparently.

 

Thanks. Having lived north of the Mason Dixon line for all of my driving life, I know well the value of snow tires when there's snow on the road. And Tim you're certainly right, nothing shy of metal studs will help you on black ice. Been there.

I'm really interested in people's experience on dry pavement at less than 40F.

Again, thanks.

 

Think winter tires and not necessarily snow tires. Even if you do not drive on snow, and not even rain, you still need winter tires (which also do light snow driving) if you drive below 40F.

 

Driving on summer tires during cold weather (on dry pavement) will turn your beautiful 911 sports car into a small, boring coupe. Summer tires in winter are also uncomfortable (feel every bump), and are much,much louder.

You could certainly risk driving that way on dry days....but it will mean you can't faithfully push your car out of a corner without loosing traction. Summer tires feel bald when they get that cold.

 

When I say "cold" weather...I'm talking about ~ 25 F (my experience). Usually, I have my winter tires & rims on. (November). I've never tried to drive on summer tires below that temp. It's too risky. Plus, we often get a few snow dusts and frosty surfaces in late-October.

 

I live in Pacific NW, where morning temperture sits around 3XF average. As according to the manual,45F / 7C below is about the lower limit of our summer tires. Personally, I think having your own winter tires make the most sense, since it will provide the grip you need for winter drving, plus it saves your summer tires thread for real summer use, therefore, at the end it doesn't actually cost you too much more money.

 

What he said! Below 45, summer tires just can't build enough heat to be pliable in any way, and are dangerous. I can't say it enough - don't do it. Any snap steering input will result in sliding and possibly injury to you or others.

If you need to get into winter tires that keep you, and others around you, safe, please give me a call.