Cold weather but not "winter" tires?
03-03-2019, 03:22 PM
#1
Cold weather but not "winter" tires?
Hi all,
It's time for new tires. I live in Michigan and while I don't drive my '09 Cayman in the cruddy winter weather, I do drive it when the temperatures are cold. I read a lot of Summer tire manufacturers do not recommend (or at least won't warranty) summer tire use under 45 degrees. I'm not looking for a tire I can drive in snow or ice, but something that would be at least OK with cold temps and in wet weather. I don't typically drive my Cayman in rainy weather but it's Michigan so the weatherman is wrong about half the time.
Does anyone have any recommendations for a tire that doesn't have to necessarily be a true all season tire, but still can handle cold temperature driving? If there is even such a thing.
Thanks!
Casey
It's time for new tires. I live in Michigan and while I don't drive my '09 Cayman in the cruddy winter weather, I do drive it when the temperatures are cold. I read a lot of Summer tire manufacturers do not recommend (or at least won't warranty) summer tire use under 45 degrees. I'm not looking for a tire I can drive in snow or ice, but something that would be at least OK with cold temps and in wet weather. I don't typically drive my Cayman in rainy weather but it's Michigan so the weatherman is wrong about half the time.
Does anyone have any recommendations for a tire that doesn't have to necessarily be a true all season tire, but still can handle cold temperature driving? If there is even such a thing.
Thanks!
Casey
03-03-2019, 03:30 PM
#2
For my 981, the only all season I could find that was available in both sizes was the Atlas Force UHP. I really like these tires. They were cheap as S and work just as well as any other good tire I have had.
03-03-2019, 03:41 PM
#3
Rennlist Member
I would try to identify exactly how low you want to be able to drive and how you plan to drive in those temps. Winter performance can mean 0 degrees F and you want to great traction in the twisties, versus 32F and you only plan to drive on nice sunny days cruising around.
EDIT: I would also read the Tire Rack reviews for tires. They have reviews on tire performance in winter. I specifically bought a set of all season tires that were tested in the Arctic circle after reading those reviews and tests.
EDIT: I would also read the Tire Rack reviews for tires. They have reviews on tire performance in winter. I specifically bought a set of all season tires that were tested in the Arctic circle after reading those reviews and tests.
03-03-2019, 03:45 PM
#4
I would try to identify exactly how low you want to be able to drive and how you plan to drive in those temps. Winter performance can mean 0 degrees F and you want to great traction in the twisties, versus 32F and you only plan to drive on nice sunny days cruising around.
03-03-2019, 04:36 PM
#5
Instructor
My winter driving in the Chicago area seems similar to yours. I do not track my car nor drive it especially aggressively and have been satisfied with the Michelin Pilot Sport A/S 3's I put on 4 years ago.
03-03-2019, 04:51 PM
#6
Rennlist Member
I put the Continental ExtremeContact DWS 06's on my Cayman a couple of years ago. Great tire for the cold. I don't worry how low the temp gets, but never drive it in the snow. (And we don't get as much snow here in Denver as most people think -- but that's supposed to be our secret! 
)
)
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03-03-2019, 08:18 PM
#9
Three Wheelin'
03-03-2019, 09:03 PM
#10
Rennlist Member
Ok I would say that the my aim would be more towards 32 and sunny driving for what I would drive in the winter. No track stuff or twisties really. Just cruising and trying to fight off the Mustangs and Challengers trying to race me on my way to work. I don't drive it if I think there's even a chance of precipitation in those cold temps and there aren't that many sunny days in Michigan winter anyways. If it's too far below freezing then I just don't drive it at all, regardless of the conditions.
03-03-2019, 09:18 PM
#11
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I had Piot Sport A/S on my 944S2 when I was in NY and then CO. They were great all around tires. Able to take most twisties without puckering, and able to get home from the train without worrying when it snowed a few inches.
I think you would still be fine on the best summer tires, like Michelins. I had an M5 with summer only tires and at 32F, they still had decent traction. But if you want even better traction, AS3+ or DWSs are even better at lower temps, at the expense of hot summer traction.
I read in the local PCA rag that Michelin (I think) says if you use the tires below something like 40 deg F and they crack you voided your warranty and have dangerous tires. That's a great way to toss $1,2000 of rubber down the toilet.
Edit - From Tire Rack
https://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires.jsp?tireMake=Michelin&tireModel=Pilot+Sport+4S
Except for today, and last night. Coldest March day in 50+ years.
I think you would still be fine on the best summer tires, like Michelins. I had an M5 with summer only tires and at 32F, they still had decent traction. But if you want even better traction, AS3+ or DWSs are even better at lower temps, at the expense of hot summer traction.
Edit - From Tire Rack
he Pilot Sport 4S excels in warm dry and wet conditions, so like all Max Performance Summer tires, is not intended to be serviced, stored nor driven in near- and below-freezing temperatures, through snow or on ice.
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.
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 put the Continental ExtremeContact DWS 06's on my Cayman a couple of years ago. Great tire for the cold. I don't worry how low the temp gets, but never drive it in the snow. (And we don't get as much snow here in Denver as most people think -- but that's supposed to be our secret! )
)
03-03-2019, 10:30 PM
#13
Rennlist Member
I had Piot Sport A/S on my 944S2 when I was in NY and then CO. They were great all around tires. Able to take most twisties without puckering, and able to get home from the train without worrying when it snowed a few inches.
I read in the local PCA rag that Michelin (I think) says if you use the tires below something like 40 deg F and they crack you voided your warranty and have dangerous tires. That's a great way to toss $1,2000 of rubber down the toilet.
Edit - From Tire Rack
https://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires...Pilot+Sport+4S
Except for today, and last night. Coldest March day in 50+ years.
I read in the local PCA rag that Michelin (I think) says if you use the tires below something like 40 deg F and they crack you voided your warranty and have dangerous tires. That's a great way to toss $1,2000 of rubber down the toilet.
Edit - From Tire Rack
https://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires...Pilot+Sport+4S
Except for today, and last night. Coldest March day in 50+ years.
03-04-2019, 07:27 AM
#14
Big fan of not running summer tires < 40F.
For our 981 put 18" Goodyear HPAS tires on for the cold dry season, the Goodyear F1's rest in basement.
Sizing is a bit of an issue with HPAS tires and our cars: not a lot of of options.
- b
For our 981 put 18" Goodyear HPAS tires on for the cold dry season, the Goodyear F1's rest in basement.
Sizing is a bit of an issue with HPAS tires and our cars: not a lot of of options.
- b
03-04-2019, 07:56 AM
#15
Rennlist Member
Winter tires aren't just for snow: they're for temperature. I had an extra set of winter wheels/tires for the winter and switched to summer tires for autocross/etc once it got warm.