Tires and temperature

[artgluck99]

I have a 2022 GT premium that has the oem pirelli 255 tires on it. I live in upstate NY, this winter has seen a lot of sub zero to early 20s temps. It is possible that it will go back to that, but currently it looks like were going to be in the late 30s and peaks in the late 40s. I bought 10.5/11 wheels and 295/35R19 tires to put on (conti extreme contact sport 02), is it reasonable to put them on now or do I need to wait for temps to get hotter?

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[robvas]

I'd wait until it's not in the 40's anymore

 

[ORRadtech]

Have you thought about looking on Tire Rack, or any tire store online site, to see what temps recommend each tire run at?
I'd personally not want to run any performance tire in the 40s or below. I know some people do but I'd not be very comfortable doing it.

 

[Paul McWhiskey]

I can tell you that the PS4S in temps 40 and lower are not performance tires. They are prone to cracking, don’t stick, and ride terribly. Had a set on when I was working and did not listen to Michelin’s recommendations. I got decent mileage out of them, but they were not fun to drive on in the cold weather.

Save yourself the frustration, and maybe some bent up sheet metal, and get some winter skins on another set of wheels. I don’t even bother driving mine when it’s cold.

 

[Eyesac]

I run summer/UHP tires year round. Everything they say above is true, they're not great under 40deg (and don't get caught in the snow), but who cares! I'm not looking for amazing traction in the winter in general. Besides you can still warm them up and get a little more...

 

[geep81]

Michelin PS4S say not to run them under 47 degrees. I would bet your tires are similar.

Aside from feeling slick as hockey pucks the low temps can/will damage the tires.

In Cleveland, I usually have to wait til late April til I can safely put them on and get to work early in the morning in those temps.

 

[artgluck99]

Thank you everyone, the consensus is very clear that I should wait until at least 50 degrees. I will keep using the P zero tires until it is warm enough to make the switch. Also, thank you all for your patience this is all new to me.

 

[GTP]

Do I understand that you have two sets of wheels?

I wouldn't rush it. You'll only have to drive more carefully on summer tires until warmer weather. Imagine really having to go somewhere on a really cold day. You could crack the sidewalls of your brand new tires.

 

[MAGS1]

I run the Conti ECS in summer here in Chicago. Usually by mid April we’re pretty solidly into the 50’s during the day and rarely below 40 at night. My car is also in the garage when I’m not driving, which helps. I don’t put the Conti’s on any earlier than that. Temperature and even snow is too unpredictable in March and early April (we usually get one last snow in early April, at least we have the last few years). Stick with your all seasons until your daytime temps are at least 50 degrees consistently. Summer tire become too hard/unpredictable in colder temps and they will get damaged over time. The summer compounds do not tolerate cold temps well.

 

[BEERCHAMP]

Glad I live in VEGAS!

 

[momalle1]

I've run my Firehawks in sub 40 degree temps for three winters now. No cracks, no issues driving normally. I live in MA and I've driven them at 15 degrees with no issues. I don't drive the car in the snow, but cold hasn't really bothered them.

 

[Millarduck]

When the Pirelli's are done, get some Conti DWS 06 an run them for the winter, not a huge drop off from the Conti 02's per this review. Plus the DWS are a huge upgrade over the Pirelli's in wet and dry.

 

[S550HPP]

I've run my Firehawks in sub 40 degree temps for three winters now. No cracks, no issues driving normally. I live in MA and I've driven them at 15 degrees with no issues. I don't drive the car in the snow, but cold hasn't really bothered them.

Yeah there a few models that can handle below zero like my Falken FK710, and previous Pzero that came with HPP, and a few other tires that are global / euro used where they don't have AS at all and need lower temp range.

I do run UHP winters just for tread temp range.

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