PhilT3 (PT3)

My tech just told me if the temps are too cold they can't even roll the car onto my trailer due to concern of the tires cracking.

He sent me the article below FYI.

I understand the Cup2's are a 'summer only' tire as the compound will handen and not provide very good traction, so Michelin states they shouldn't be driven on in temps under 45. But my tech claims the car can't be moved at all. Which doesn't make sense to me. I don't understand.

Thoughts?

http://www.torquenews.com/106/michel...-move-car-cold

racer959

Get a new tech

Waxer

What article?

Mr. Adair

He's partly right. I looked into this with Michelin. I've taken delivery in MN at 5 degrees. If they are properly inflated and you are essentially only taking delivery you will be fine. It's all about whether or not you are actually driving the car in those temps. My car sits in an unheated garage in Mpls and it gets very cold and it's just fine..

RSRRacer

Thats the stupidest **** I ever heard. As if the DOT would approve a tire that cracks at 45 degrees.

Maybe -20 degrees, but you can drive in 45 degrees all day.

bronson7

Just do what's called, "common sense". Drive it into the trailer and back to your home, just don't go crazy, you'll have enough time for that. All will be well.

mqandil

PHIL I own 3 cars with cup tires(GT3, GT4 & Spyder). You can drive the car all the way down to freezing 32F without damage to the tires as along as you don't store them in frozen environment. Below 45F the grip is reduced drastically and especially if it is also wet and you can get your self in trouble if you are not careful, but you won't damage the tires. I have lost one set in 2014 when I left the car parked outside for 3 weeks at temperatures ranging between 10 to 25F. Aside from this bad experience, the tires in very cold weather will not damage if you drive on them above freezing but again be careful as grip is low. Just make sure they car is not parked outside when temperatures dip below freezing. I typically would garage the cars if the temperatures dip below 35F.
Even occasional use of the tires when temperatures slightly below freezing (e.g 25 to 30F) is also ok as long as you don't park the car outside for more than couple of hours max. and just keep the car moving until safely stored inside garage. So tires sitting in below freezing temperatures are actually worse off than being driven in same weather providing temperatures are not lower than 25F. Gained lots of experience with the set I lost and asked too many questions so I don't do the same mistake again.

Finally your tech is off the mark on this as he is just rolling the car onto your trailer. That's 1 to 3 minute task. You won't even damage these tires doing the same at 20 deg below zero. The damage to tires happen at prolonged exposure and not 15 minutes of exposure at moderate low temperatures. You have noting to worry about. Mark

zedcat

According to Michelin there is a risk of surface cracking if the tires are below 20F. Should not be moved if they are below 20F. If they are allowed to get that cold, should be warmed up before attempting to move the car. From Michelin support. I've driven them at 40F and just take it easy.

mgerber

^ This. IIRC GM recently stopped winter deliveries of its cars with R compound tires due to this issue.

ilko

I've seen high performance summer Michelins crack on Corvettes in sub-freezing temps. It is a known issue and not to be taken lightly. Not only are the tires not to be driven on, but also they need to be gradually exposed to temperature fluctuation, even in storage. As in not brought in from the shed where is 10º into the house where it's 72º.

That said, I see you're in the Northeast where the weather is quite balmy currently and will be for the next few days. It won't kill your tires to go pick up the car on Monday or Tuesday for instance.

Spyerx

Phil. Ship that thing out here. I'll keep her company :-)

TRAKCAR

Or here lol.

I've driven my car in slush and freezing temps.
No grip but no big deal. I call BS.

Or stick it on a truck to my AC warehouse!

German_Saint

Had a Z4 coming out of PA on a dealer trade the other week sitting in my buddies office. Equipment froze and they couldn't lock down the vehicle.

Sounds reasonable but I'd find a warm day & get it done.

loopsandsounds

Correct procedure for winter delivery:
Inflate to max PSI. Roll on trailer. Sport a poop eating grin the whole time now that you have an RS.

I followed this last week in 30 degree weather. Worked like a charm.

TRAKCAR

Or not..