cwheeler

My experience is similar to Doug. I've run mine is below freezing temps. Driving warms the tire up slowly and properly and grips fine once warm. The sipes actually help the tire warm up fairly quickly... I wouldn't want to drive it in conditions which cool the tire... IE rain/snow AND freezing temps. But the cold doesn't bother me...

Cw

Qwksnke

+3
I do find myself a little more cautious and aware below 40 degrees but after 10 mins or so of driving, the tires get more comfortable and I do too

Doug H

Yep, here is my buddy I was meeting at his gym on February 20, 2020, a rare day of snow here (those little white specs are snow . . . its the South so we call that snow). I was in my GTS with UHP summer tires, but I snapped this picture to send to my wife because he was driving in the snow in his RS with Cups on and I thought it hilarious. Neither one of us crashed and burned that day . . . and our tires did not crack or disintegrate. Sure, I am mindful driving, but I do NOT find it dangerous or unsettling.

JustinCase

On second set of PS4S, following a set of PSSs. Live in the Pacific Northwest in the foothills of the Cascades (i.e., about 650 ft.) My car is my daily driver and I drive it to work every day except for the very occasional snow. Temperatures dip into the lower 20s routinely in the middle of the winter, and occasionally in the teens. Therefore, I drive normally (not like a hoon) and have more traction than my company van does with Conti All Seasons on a warm rainy day. The only time I do not drive my 997 is in snow, partly because of the width of the tires (rides on top of the snow), and partly because when it does snow, the snow is deeper than the front of my car. Then I use the company van -- with chains on.

Doug H

Yep, that’s the key. Don’t drive like a loon and you should be fine, but I was at 9/10s of my car’s grip level in hot, dry weather on that decreasing radius, long sweeping interstate on ramp and the tires were perfectly planted in the lower 30s.


Tire Rack and Michelin are in this to sell tires. Most people purchasing these tires have the budget for winter set ups so it is little if any wonder they (Tire Rack and the mfg) would want people purchasing an extra set of tires.

Years ago, I actually track tested tires and have a pretty decent sense of a tire’s capability and when they are reaching their limits. Michelin also provides the below 20 degree warning for warranty purposes if the tire sustains cracks in the sidewalls.

Bruce In Philly

Regarding the belief that winter tires are a racket and unnecessary for many people... I disagree. While I believe it is not really temperature but snow as the issue.... yes low temperatures reduce traction on summer tires, just slow down... you will burn the same amount of rubber over time with or without winter tires. If you buy winter tires, in time, you will have purchased the same amount of tires. The tire companies will not have sold any more tires to me.

Peace
Bruce in Philly

JG 996T

last two rides on my cup 2s in NNJ temps have been hovering just below 40. high 30s.

clearly not optimum but dry - - - I think it matters if the tires are warm

Ironman88

This is what's called snow up this way...

Doug H

Not truly what I am saying. You guys up North may need them, but I never have living in Tennessee, Florida and California.

Not sure we can generalize one way or another about number of tires sold. Michelin would be happy to sell their winter tires to a guy with Pirelli summers. Some may just put winter tires on the rims they have and discard the summers tires. Some may also always put new rubber on in spring time rather than going with older used tires. I would probably fall into that last category.

We also don’t know profit margins. Perhaps Michelin makes higher profit off a winter tire, maybe not. Tire companies are in the business of selling tires and I am sure they are glad to have people purchase both a winter and a summer set. Perhaps your right, perhaps your not. Only the tire company market analyst, number crunching nerds probably know for sure.

Doug H

True dat!

Come on you wussies. Real men don’t need winter tires and chains for that. I’d be out on my R6s drifting around those turns in that.

Steph1

Brought my Targa 4 with Michelin Super Sports back from Montreal (2.5 hour drive) in a late spring ice storm. The trees along the highway were leaning over because of the weight of the ice. Not once did I feel like I lost traction.

VT Blue

Believe me, colder temps and snow make a HUGE difference up here. Though the 997 stays tucked inside, I put dedicated snows on my SUV and my wife's.

The difference in the rubber compound of proper snows makes stopping, starting out and turning in cold weather/snow an entirely different ballgame when compared to summers, all-seasons, etc. -- the difference is measurable and material.

I won't drive up here without them, and I grew up in western Michigan (lake effect) learning to drive in my mom's Firebird formula (worst. winter. car. ever.).

Snows are not a gimmick, at least if you get the good ones and are in a place like VT. Nokian Hakkapellittas cannot be beat. Period. They are the only ones we use for winter rubber.

Thx!

Bob

Liste-Renn

Mr. "Who cares about the cost" is basing his denial of winter tire compound tread importance on marketing falsehood.

Yeah, and racers don't change out their slicks when it rains because it would cost too much and it really doesn't matter as long as you are careful.

cwheeler

I think some of you are missing the picture. The thread asked about temperature. And it is, as noted several times, fine to run a PS4S in cold temps. Matter of fact it's about 25* this morning and I'm taking the car out... the difference comes with precipitation. Doug, et al. have not recommended/suggested a summer tire in cold wet or snowy conditions. There are obviously far superior solutions and setups for that scenario.

Cw

Doug H

Really don't see your point here and misconstrues what I said. You are just being obstinate perhaps and trying to be argumentative out of some petty resentment. CW Wheeler nailed it above.

I don't think anyone on here is going for optimal lap times and driving 10/10s all the way to work or on public streets in cold, rainy and snowy weather.

Again, my example you took issue with was simply my experience that my car with these tires was rock steady with no drama at about 9/10s of the car's limits on these tires in hot weather on a long decreasing radius exit ramp in low 30 degree temperature, clear day about a mile from my house just THIS PAST WEEK.

I would be willing to bet that I would have some drama or a little push at that same speed in hot weather on a crappy tire on that ramp so the PS4S may actually be just as good in 30 degree temps on dry roads as a crappier tire. The video I attached seemed to suggest the same.

My real point you are ignoring is that the PS4S seems to have plenty of grip for year around driving down South where we rarely see snow or any real accumulation of snow. If your experience in Hawaii is different, so be it.