I consider myself to be quite fortunate to live in Southern California [I am just here for the weather!] and would like to seek advice about summer tires. Several weeks ago I put a set of Yokohama ADVAN apex v601's on the car and I am quite happy with them. My question is about temperature limitations. Living about 45 miles inland from the ocean, it gets pretty chilly here in the winter. It routinely dips into the low forties/high thirties [but recovers quickly]. The car is in the garage [although it's a stone garage so the thermal mass of the stone/slab maintains a fairly low air temperature] despite a fairly quick outside air recovery [average high is about 70F during winter days although we do have extended periods where it can stay in the high 50's/low 60's].

Anyway, I heard some not so great things about summer tires if the temperature is below a certain level [40F?]. Does anybody have experience driving on summer tires in colder weather and what guidelines should be adhered to? Thanks so much!

 

In the south of England I use summer tyres year round, but I don't venture out when it's icy or there's snow about. The temps can drop to freezing here and I've haven't had any problems that weren't caused by me being stupid. Just take it easy and you should be fine. Oh, and that's on PZeros!

 

The P-Zeros (and other Summer tires) have a 45F low limit rating.
Does that mean you will crash and burn if you drive at 40F - NO!!
Should you drive at 35F - probably NOT.
Our garage is heated at 50F but I still would not drive out in 35F.
I absolutely would not drive below 40F in rain, ice or snow.
My new Michelin Pilot Sports AS4's go on next Friday after a screw up at Town Fair Tire that resulted in them selling the tires I pre-ordered for yesterday.
Depending on how they handle (pretty good by all acounts) I plan to just leave them on year round.

 

Remember the Hot Wheels you had as a kid - the ones with hard plastic wheels? That's about what you be driving when the temperature gets too low.

I run Michelin PSS (pre-Pilot 4S) year-round in North Carolina. That includes some days well below freezing, but starting from a garage, and they're fine. If the weather is inclement, I'll drive something else, since I have choices.

 

Here's a quote from Tire Rack in the description of everyone's favorite tire the Michelin PS4S. Which really says if your summer max performance tires are really cold don't even touch them.
"Note: Tires exposed to temperatures of 20 degrees F (-7 degrees C) or lower must be permitted to gradually return to temperatures of at least 40 degrees F (5 degrees C) for at least 24 hours before they are flexed in any manner, such as by adjusting inflation pressures, mounting them on wheels or using them to support, roll or drive a vehicle. Flexing of the specialized rubber compounds used in Max Performance Summer tires during cold-weather use can result in irreversible compound cracking. Compound cracking is not a warrantable condition because it occurs as the result of improper use or storage, tires exhibiting compound cracking must be replaced."

 

I can feel diminished grip in cool weather (especially if the ICE warning snowflake is illuminated on the dash). The front end slides and the rear is easy to break away under acceleration.

This might not be too bad the first season after fitting new tires, but after many heat cycles, the cool-weather grip will get WORSE.


BE CAREFUL OUT THERE!

 

Yes - I have summers on my XF (RWD). And I am up in northeast USA. Around November time it starts to dip into 30s and I definitely notice reduced traction and rear slide when pulling away quickly or cornering. So I've found 40F and above is fine. Mid to high 30s is not great. I wouldn't drive it below that
I usually spin on the winter wheels once it gets into the 30s

My F Type is a 3 season car. But I still replaced the summer tyres with all seasons this year to give me more time in the shoulders.

Someone on here last year asked the same question - and pulling onto a freeway lost control and spun out. So be careful...

 

I also use 40F as a threshold for extra caution with summer tires or, in round numbers, 5C. My car's thermometer is set with the rest of the world, not the recalcitrant country in which it resides.

Traction is definitely reduced below that but with care is not problematic. I have not driven it in snow or when it's below freezing. Neither happens much in my area.

 

Can tell you that my new Michelin PS4S likes to slide around in 48 degree weather or cooler…but it makes the car more fun to drive. My personal threshold to keep the Jag in the garage will be about 50 degrees.

 

It is often hovering around 0 deg C on the way to work over winter but my Michelin PS4 S's seem to cope with that. You do notice there is less grip but not enough to make me want to change the tyres.

It dropped down to -5 for a while on a recent alpine road trip and the tyres didn't self destruct!

 

As the temps dip into the upper 40's you will feel the tires start to turn into hockey pucks, and will need to adjust your driving accordingly, as the temps drop into the mid to lower 40's you will start to wonder why the F am I driving this car right now.

 

Fortunately, I can pretty much use my wife's Cayenne as she's at home most of the time and I am mostly retired. I am more concerned about ruining the tires either via cold driving or flat spots due to inactivity. I think I might consider putting an inch of insulation board topped by particle board to provide a thermal barrier from the slab.

Thank you all for the prudent advice. It is greatly appreciated!

 

Anything under 40 degrees feels almost like I'm driving on ice. Came out of a shopping center at 30 and about did a 360 scaring the crap out of me. Now the F-Type is parked from November till late March.

 

I noticed the old Beltronics unit. I found I still have a Bel V955 but haven't needed it in years. Does yours still work well?

 

Some good info in this thread. I recently got some PS4's and planning to stay in the higher gears anytime its around 40.