How bad is summer tire during winter without snow or rain?

[KDKPSJ]

I am wondering how bad Summer performance tire will be during dry winter, around 25 to 30 degree, with no rain/snow. Will it provide acceptable traction, or OMG-car-is-spinning traction?

 

[thedarkwolf]

I didn't have any problems last year.

 

[Woofmeister]

You will experience less traction with summer tires below 30 degrees Fahrenheit. The traction will still likely be acceptable but you should definitely not test the limits of adhesion unless the temperature is above 40 degrees.

 

[spidey07]

Originally posted by: Woofmeister
You will experience less traction with summer tires below 30 degrees Fahrenheit. The traction will still likely be acceptable but you should definitely not test the limits of adhesion unless the temperature is above 40 degrees.

Yep.

They get pretty slick when it's pretty cold though.

 

[Doggiedog]

Depends on your car.

I have summer tires on my RWD G35 and I spin my wheels alot even with VDC on.

 

[JackBurton]

Ok, what is the point of "summer tires." Do they give you better traction in the summer but less in the winter. Is that the gist of it?

 

[PingSpike]

Originally posted by: JackBurton
Ok, what is the point of "summer tires." Do they give you better traction in the summer but less in the winter. Is that the gist of it?

I believe they get better gas mileage, and have better dry traction. Winter tires have better wet traction and grip better in the cold. (I'm really not sure why temperature makes any difference though with regards to the tire design)

 

[thedarkwolf]

They don't get better gas mileage. Its their tread pattern thats the difference. The tread pattern isn't designed with compromises for snow and ice traction. Some summer tires are awsome in the wet while others are nearly slicks and are horrible. It just depends on the tire's tread pattern. I don't understand why their traction would be worse when its super cold other then all tires are worse when its super cold. I'd think summer tires starting with a softer compound would still be better then all seasons already hard compounds getting even harder in the cold assuming no ice or snow on the roads anyway. A lot of winter only tires run pretty soft compounds too so I don't see why that would be an issue.

 

[GoatMonkey]

I don't believe that it would make much difference. Does anyone have a link to a scientific test of this?

Even if there is a difference, once you drive a few miles the tires will warm up anyway.

 

[fbrdphreak]

I asked the same question recently when I had to buy new tires for my Goat. My buddy has an 02 Z06 that he drives year round on summer tires, another buddy has an Evo MR that he won't take out when the ground temp is near 40. The general consensus is that it can be done, but you have to drive normally. Any higher than legal speeds through turns and you're likely to lose traction. Personally I prefer to be able drive how I want during winter without worrying about hard tires.

Besides, I want a set of 18" staggered wheels for my summer tires. My stock 17's will hold the all seasons.

 

[Doggiedog]

Originally posted by: fbrdphreak
I asked the same question recently when I had to buy new tires for my Goat. My buddy has an 02 Z06 that he drives year round on summer tires, another buddy has an Evo MR that he won't take out when the ground temp is near 40. The general consensus is that it can be done, but you have to drive normally. Any higher than legal speeds through turns and you're likely to lose traction. Personally I prefer to be able drive how I want during winter without worrying about hard tires.

Besides, I want a set of 18" staggered wheels for my summer tires. My stock 17's will hold the all seasons.

There is absolutely no way I can drive in freezing temperatures with my wheels. My car keeps slipping and its incredibly dangerous. My wheels become as hard as hockey pucks and have about the same amount of traction.

 

[AdamK47]

I notice less traction when the temp is below 60.

 

[soydios]

temperatures matter because of tread compound. rubber gets hard as temperatures drop. however, there are many other reasons why winter tires are superior in the, well, the winter.

 

[SVT Cobra]

I'm putting down 550rwhp and drive year round with summer slicks.

You just have to not be an idiot...drive normal and you are fine. Drive like an idiot and you might lose control. I have more problems just getting them not to slip making a turn from a stop. Otherwise no problems.

I once got caught in a snow storm with them...not fun at all. I had to go 5mph and it was full out drifting though intersections and such to make turns.



EDIT: And the reason there are temp warnings are:

1. different rubber compounds. Softer compounds get harder a lot quicker when it is cold then regular/hard compounds
2. Not a lot of tread already. Take your sneakers and put them in the freezer for a while. Then walk on them, a lot stiffer and less traction.
3. If it is below 32 chances are something will be frozen, so they say below 40 for lawsuits etc....

(has worked at goodyear)

 

[PandaBear]

Originally posted by: PingSpike

Originally posted by: JackBurton
Ok, what is the point of "summer tires." Do they give you better traction in the summer but less in the winter. Is that the gist of it?

I believe they get better gas mileage, and have better dry traction. Winter tires have better wet traction and grip better in the cold. (I'm really not sure why temperature makes any difference though with regards to the tire design)

You got it backward:

Summer -> compound that doesn't attract water, so it has better wet traction, skidding all over in snow.
All Season -> compound attract water, so you have a little traction in snow.
Winter -> big blocks, big studs, everything you need to stay on the road in snow or ice.

Summer have better traction than A/S or winter in non-snow/cold condition.