Summer Tires

[rmmaso]

2002 C4S What, if any, are the dangers or risks in using summer tires in 32 degree or lower temps? I don't mean snow and ice but just plain old northeast cold weather.

[monkeydust]

I was told that summer tires like my P-Zero's become too hard in cold weather and could easily skid on cold roads.

[wwest]

2002 C4S What, if any, are the dangers or risks in using summer tires in 32 degree or lower temps? I don't mean snow and ice but just plain old northeast cold weather.

None....!!!

[White987S]

Not recommended. Invest in a good set of winter tires with dedicated winter rims. This would be the best approach for you and the other drives you share the road with. Your family deserves it too! :)

[wwest]

Not recommended. Invest in a good set of winter tires with dedicated winter rims. This would be the best approach for you and the other drives you share the road with. Your family deserves it too! :)

The statement was...

I don't mean snow and ice.

With those exceptions, and often, mostly, even without them, summer tires will outperform ANY winter specialty tire.

On ice or heavily packed snow my summer tires have more CSA for traction than your winter specialty tires.

And be QUIETER and more COMFORTABLE riding to boot.

Has anyone ever tested winter specialty tires against just a good plain old summer tire in any condition other than with a "loose" surface...??

Like the rarity of finding good powder snow for skiing how often do you "find" just the right conditions wherein your winter specialty tires are worth the cost?

Can someone tell me WHY winter tires would use a rubber formulation to soften the tread any moreso than a summer tire is already?.

Besides which, just what is the downside to the manufacturers using the same formulation, softer tread in COLD conditions, in a summer tire?

Has anyone knowledge or indication that they don't...?

My '01 AWD RX300, and the two Jeeps that preceeded it, runs on nice and quiet, comfortably riding, summer tires, Bridgestone Turanzas the year 'round. One set of chains on board year 'round, for the rear, and the second set added onboard during the winter months.

Edited December 31, 2007 by wwest

[efahl]

My '01 AWD RX300, and the two Jeeps that preceeded it, runs on nice and quiet, comfortably riding, summer tires, Bridgestone Turanzas the year 'round. One set of chains on board year 'round, for the rear, and the second set added onboard during the winter months.

I completely concur. Summer tires lose grip when it gets cold, but so do all tires. I have driven my Bridgestone RE01Rs down at 20 F (on dry pavement) and they are much grippier at that temp, than say, the Pirellis on my wife's Ford are at any temperature.

This hysteria about "summer" tires losing more grip than "other" tires is just nonsense.

Eric

[KevinMac]

Think the major difference is tread, more aggressive tread to use on snow and slush, than summer tires that utulize tread to evacuate water and more road surface area. Compounds in summer tires allow the tire to run at higher temps, winter compunds are geared towards lower temps.