(i searched and couldn't find a discussion on this, just blurbs here and there.) i have a question about summer performance tires in cold weather. i need to get a new set of tires soon and would like to get some summer performance tires rather than all season. but from what i have read it is not advisable to drive the performance tires in cold weather (below 40 degrees). i live in Alabama, so snow is not a problem. and ice is rare (besides, i have a Honda Accord to drive for the really bad days).

it usually gets down to 10-30 degrees in the middle of winter here. if you drive on the performance tires for 10-15 miles, will they warm up and handle normally? or is it that because the roads are still cold, the tire will never warm up sufficiently?

i have a 100 mile commute to work, so if i have to take it easy the first part of the trip, that is fine. just not sure the wife will be happy with me buying another winter set of brand new tires in a few months.

thanks for any help and discussion.

 

Summer tires will not warm up enough to grip sufficiently. You can still drive conservatively and have enough grip, but with anything spirited, they will give out on you.

I have heard that r-comps can even split and tear in the cold.

 

I had same issue recently when mounting my new 18" rims. I already have a set of 16" Enkei's and all season Grids, and wanted a summer set up.

But I ended up purchasing Pirelli High Performance All Season Radials, and I am not dissapointed. They are absolutely AWESOME on the road bumps/holes with my 18" rims, ride is even better than my 16's.....AND they have road grip like a bear.

About $133.00 each from Tire Rack.

 

My Goodyear Eagle F1 GS-D3s are horrible below 38 degrees. For the first 15 to 20 minutes it feels like you are on snow. If you take a turn over 10 or 15 mph you will start to slide. After they warm up a little they are OK for normal driving, but it doesn't take much to break them loose.

Also, the cold temperatures will reduce the effectiveness of the rubber and you will not get as much grip out of them next summer.

 

thanks for the responses. i guess it will be ultra high performance all seasons for me. just have to save a little more money up to get em. now which ones to get (in 215/45-17 size)... hmmmm...

• Bridgestone Potenza RE960AS Pole Position
• Michelin Pilot Sport A/S Plus
• Pirelli PZero Nero M&S
• Yokohama ADVAN S.4.
• Continental ExtremeContact DWS

 

+1 on Bridgestone Potenza's!! I'll be putting those on here in 2,500miles. Tirerack reviews sold me on those, the PNW Winter's can be wicked.

 

You've got quite a list of Heavy hitters,

Bridgestone Potenza RE960AS Pole Position - excelent wet traction, due to Unity AQII. Expect 40k miles #2 in surveys logged, with over 7 million miles logged.

Michelin Pilot Sport A/S Plus - Incredible dry grip for an all season. Expect 45k miles #1 logged in survey, but just under 500,000 miles , still very new.

^ These are the top 2 for dry handling!

Pirelli PZero Nero M&S - Known for good ride quality, and giving up handleing compaired to the top 2. Not to be confused with Nero A/S
Expect 30k miles

Continental ExtremeContact DWS - Better wet and try handeling than its predecessor, still very new on surveys!

^ excelent ride as a trade for lower dry grip.

Alex

 

I have a set of Pirelli PZero Nero M&S 205/55ZR16 on 16" wheels. They are relatively comfortable and quiet. However, I can't say much good about their handling.

 

Got anything to back up this claim?

 

I'll claim that as an issue too. I put Yokoblamam ES100 on my Miata a few years back. Not a bad tire, but it was a UHP. On a November morning about 25 degrees out I took a corner that I have taken many times much faster & lost the back end. I stayed out of the ditch & no one was coming the other way so I could have the whole road. That made a believer out of me. When cold their grip goes away, so be careful & hang on. As they say your mileage may vary.

 

I LOOOOVE my Goodyear F1 All Seasons. I run those as winter tire here - can handle a little snow or ice if I come across it.

That said, if I never needed to worry about snow or ice, I'd leave my Nitto Neo Gens on all the time. They are "called" "All seasons" - are probably more of a hybrid. Compound isn't quite as sticky as true summer tires - but still pretty sticky, and more tolerant of cold than summer compounds. I drive them hard 8-9 months a year and really like them. Quiet, very good handling, and CHEAP.