Summer tires below 40 deg

[smithhead]

I used to live in snow country, but last year moved to a hot desert climate, except in the winter it usually gets into the 30s at night, and occasionally into the 20s. But daytime highs are usually above 40. I should never need to drive in snow.

I'm planning on getting summer tires, but I know you shouldn't use them below 40. Is it too risky to keep summers on year-round? I guess I could keep my old wheels and all-seasons for use during a couple winter months, although a couple tires are pretty worn on the insides.

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[Geodudes550]

I would run all-seasons in that climate. I run summers all year in Southern California but it rarely gets down to 40, maybe a handful of times. Even in that case the car is garaged and not outside.

I suppose it depends on the tire though. If there’s a summer out there that can retain stickiness in the cold then use that. Generally, I’d listen to the manufacturer when it comes to temperatures even if only to retain some hope of warranty replacement if needed.

 

[S550HPP]

My new Falken FK510 recently performed well on dark 45 wet pavement. I got them because others had success well below freezing. I will run them until consistent 15.

Also consider that when sun hits road the surface heat up very fast VS ambient air.

 

[GTP]

I used to live in snow country, but last year moved to a hot desert climate, except in the winter it usually gets into the 30s at night, and occasionally into the 20s. But daytime highs are usually above 40. I should never need to drive in snow.

I'm planning on getting summer tires, but I know you shouldn't use them below 40. Is it too risky to keep summers on year-round? I guess I could keep my old wheels and all-seasons for use during a couple winter months, although a couple tires are pretty worn on the insides.

If you have storage room, I would run two sets of wheels. Put the A/S on for colder months, and keep them on until the season changes.

I also would put on my A/S wheel set for a long vacation drive. Better for rain, cold, and better tire wear on a trip that you are likely to be driving "mellow" anyway.

If your current A/S tires have good tread depth other than the insides, you could cheap-out and have them flipped insides/outsides.

 

[smithhead]

I would run all-seasons in that climate. I run summers all year in Southern California but it rarely gets down to 40, maybe a handful of times. Even in that case the car is garaged and not outside.

I suppose it depends on the tire though. If there’s a summer out there that can retain stickiness in the cold then use that. Generally, I’d listen to the manufacturer when it comes to temperatures even if only to retain some hope of warranty replacement if needed.

Yeah I'm from SoCal and used to run summers all year round without even thinking about it, never an issue. But I did test drive a car with summers a couple winters ago and it didn't have much traction, but I wasn't sure if it was just the car or not. (AMG with twin turbo V8.)

 

[smithhead]

My new Falken FK510 recently performed well on dark 45 wet pavement. I got them because others had success well below freezing. I will run them until consistent 15.

Also consider that when sun hits road the surface heat up very fast VS ambient air.

Thanks I forgot about road temp vs air temp.

 

[smithhead]

If you have storage room, I would run two sets of wheels. Put the A/S on for colder months, and keep them on until the season changes.

I also would put on my A/S wheel set for a long vacation drive. Better for rain, cold, and better tire wear on a trip that you are likely to be driving "mellow" anyway.

If your current A/S tires have good tread depth other than the insides, you could cheap-out and have them flipped insides/outsides.

I was happy to finally get rid of my winter tires for my other car and was hoping not to have to store anything, especially since I got a truck and a bike rack that take up a lot of space. But I can reorganize things and find somewhere, and it's probably worth it since the stock wheels probably aren't worth much.

My wife has been taking the car on long trips a lot lately to visit family, so I'm still trying to figure out what summers to get that will still be comfortable. She will probably not take the Mustang during the winter though.

Yes, I was planning on reversing the tires on the wheels at least. Although I could possibly just replace the two worn ones.

The weird thing is I've had them rotated with each oil change. But one is on a front and one is on the back, so obviously they didn't rotate them right. All done by dealers too, and never did they mention anything about the tires being worn.

 

[GTP]

...

Yes, I was planning on reversing the tires on the wheels at least. Although I could possibly just replace the two worn ones.
...

Look for a set of four lightly used tires on FB. Might take a while for them to show up.

 

[smithhead]

Look for a set of four lightly used tires on FB. Might take a while for them to show up.

Good idea. It used to be easier when tire sizes were more standard, but now it seems like every car uses a different size.

 

[smithhead]

I assume all the front tires wear on the inside? I just have the base stock setup so I wouldn't expect too much camber. Or maybe my alignment is way off. I only have 16k miles on the car.

 

[paulm1]

You can use summer tires in the winter, I've done it for the past 2yrs. Just be smart about it.

 

[kz]

Summers in 30s and 20s will be fine if you don't push them too hard and give them some time to warm up while driving.
I drove out of necessity on race summers (200TW) and they're rock hard out of the garage but get softer as you keep driving. For a few days you'll be fine.

Otherwise - second set of wheels and all seasons.

 

[Farkel]

...
Yes, I was planning on reversing the tires on the wheels at least...

Before you reverse the tires, make sure they're not asymmetric, i.e. marked "inside" & "outside" on the sidewall.
Also, inner tread wear is usually the result of the toe setting.

 

[K4fxd]

I assume all the front tires wear on the inside? I just have the base stock setup so I wouldn't expect too much camber. Or maybe my alignment is way off. I only have 16k miles on the car.

Toe wears tires not camber. Get it aligned.

 

[Sparky1337]

They’ll be slick and greasy feeling. Even if you aren’t stupid you won’t be able to make an emergency maneuver comfortably. It’s not you, it’s other people and their actions that can make situations bad.

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