It's not just you. For me the limit on driving on high performance summer tires is around 45 degrees. After that they seem to get too slippery, especially on older smoother asphalt, It makes sense that by 50 degrees you'd be feeling the changes.

This was especially true for the N0 P-Zeros I had on the prior car, I haven't tried it on the newer N1s. I stayed with that when I switched to Michelin P4S's on the prior car. Fortunately it's not too much of a problem for me in Texas. Here are a couple of statements from our good friends at Tire Rack on the subject.

"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."

And even on the web page for the P4S and other similar tires: Note: "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."

https://www.tirerack.com/tires/tiret...jsp?techid=273
https://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires.jsp?tireMake=Michelin&tireModel=Pilot+Sport+4S

 

Its the summer rubber, not the brand.

 

 

Pzeros are worse but any summer tires are not good once temps drop. Makes tires hard and slick and dangerous when temps are cold.

 

 

You can answer your own question. But, I'd suggest you do it in a large empty parking lot. When temps are <40F do some spirited cornering. You'll find out why the old 911's were known as widow-makers. Actually this can be fun and gives you a chance to learn the handling dynamics of your car.

 

Pirelli's tire warranty card explains that cold temps can damage the tire as well: "Rubber compounds formulated for ultra-high performance summer tires can lose flexibility and may develop random surface cracks at temperatures below 45 F. Therefore extra care should be used in handling tires below this temperature. . . ."

 

 

 

Be careful. I drive mine into November here is Pa. Some mornings it's already in the low 40's. I already can feel a difference in driving between early morning and heading home with the temps in the low 50's.
Not worth getting hurt for a set of tires.

 

 

Winter tires = winter drives
Mine go on this week, no need to let cold weather stop the fun.

 

Eric is right. Winter tires are the way to go. When the weather dips into the 30's and 20's it's just not worth the risk with summer spec tires.

 

The Pirelli tires are the WORST summer tires I've ever experienced when the temps drop. I've had a ton of cars on different summer tires in the Chicago area and usually can make it until ~Thanksgiving to put my winter rubber on.

The AMs are cold, then it warms up - the Pirellis are completely useless.

My car got it's winter rubber this weekend.

All summer tires get bad but the Pirellis get even worse.