What To Expect From Tires
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This from our friends at Tire Rack..."As ambient temperatures get colder, typically in the 40-45° Fahrenheit range, summer performance tires lose a noticeable percentage of traction as their tread compound rubber properties change from a pliable elastic to inflexible plastic. The tire industry uses the term "glass transition" to describe the temperature where a summer performance tire's grip/slip performance changes dramatically. This means the summer performance tires that provide predictable traction in warm to hot conditions will be found to be very challenging to drive in cold to freezing temperatures. This is especially true when the tires first begin to be driven or if the driver aggressively applies gas pedal pressure with today's turbocharged fours or high-torque sixes and eights. Fortunately, glass transition is a reversible condition that allows the tires' normal traction to return as the ambient temperatures climb.If ambient temperatures drop to near- or below-freezing, driving or rolling a vehicle equipped with summer performance tires risks the possibility of tread compound cracking. Tread compound cracking is a permanent condition that requires the tires to be replaced. The other condition that can be caused by running summer performance tires in cold temperatures is the possibility of chipping away the edges of the tread blocks.Since both of these conditions only occur as the result of what's considered improper use or storage, they are not typically covered by the manufacturer's warranty."
#5
I've used summer tyres year-round on my Jaguars for the past 11 years and not had any problems with traction (with careful use of throttle, of course!) or tread cracking. Here in southern UK the temps don't get really low but they do get down to zero degrees C or a little lower during the cold spells.
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In regards to Michelin Pilot Sport 4S and cold weather...
https://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires...Pilot+Sport+4S
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.
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.
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#8
It only got down to 40 by the time I drove it home from the car having sat in an outdoor lot for 3 hours, so maybe not a good test, but I noticed no difference whatsoever in traction, handling or ride. As soon as I started it and entered the highway I gave it a good amount of peddle and felt no slippage--I was rather disappointed
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drove the pzero summer tires for 3 winters with temps in the teens and 20s and never had a problem, no "compound cracking." You just have to not take corners too sharp and fast. Tire rack is of course going to fear monger you because they make a living selling tires so they likely want you to buy as many types of tires for different weather as possible....in my opinion
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I'd agree if it was the middle of the summer and you have track time scheduled... but when not, it's a fantastic investment (the dinner) in the night to come (no pun intended)
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