What is the absolute lowest temp that it is OK to drive summer-only tires if there's not any snow/ice on the roads? I have g-Force KDW IIs and need to get it back home for an oil change and winterization so I can park it for a few months.

Thanks.

 

I've driven all my cars on summer tires throughout entire winter lowest being 7 degs.. As long as there is now snow on the road your good to go.. Now Black Ice depending on your location mite be a problem.. Im in NYC and Ive never had a problem

 

A tire like the Goodyear Eagle F1 GS-D3 will degrade at about 40 degrees. A little common sense and you can drive it in any temperature.

 

no snows in new york city? i am surprised..:-)

 

It isn’t the ambient air temperature that is important to the use of summer/performance tires. In fact it is the temperature of the contact patch of the tire’s tread. If the tire’s tread cannot heat from friction to the roadway, the tire will not perform to specifications.

The air temperature could be 45 degrees F; but if you are driving on a frozen roadway (let’s say it was very cold last night and things haven’t thawed out yet), you could experience poor grip and terrible results with summer/performance tires.

--Spike

 

Just put the winter shoes back on on Saturday. Driving with Pilot Sports in 30-degree weather made it very obvious that the tires were just too cold to operate fine.

 

Be safe.

 

I did not say there was no snow.. Thankfully living here they clean up the snow and remove it within hours after falling.. It usually snows maybe 8 times the whole season here.. I take the train or just relax at home. For me it was never worth getting a dedicated winter tires .. I've driven my stock bridgestone in 7 deg weather and it was fine for me but i know how to drive

 

I'm using my Ecsta XS's right now in 25* weather. They are like rocks until they warm up. I can spin the 275's in the rear with a 2nd gear roll on! Traction is non existant until they warm up.

 

+1 on driving on stock tires in MA. Never had a problem. Just use common sense. If it looks like you shouldnt be driving the Z, then don't.

 

+2 u jus broke it down rite there

 

Thanks guys.

 

I've driven summer tires in 31-32 degree temps. I can't say I've driven it any colder than that. I drove only on dry roads so there were no issues. Don't try to speed or drive aggressively. Respect the fin' road/tires!!

I have driven those same tires in a light dusting. Not fun. Spun out. Luckily no damage. Wasn't by choice either..just started to fall and I didn't know. Longest drive home ever!!

 

^^ The best advice on this thread:
I would respectfully add this to David’s comments: If summer/performance tires cannot heat (i.e., there’s little friction) on the roadway (maybe the roadway is frozen or has a layer of light snow or ice), you are in big trouble. This scenario is no problem with true snow tires.

--Spike