ZL1 in Cold Weather Report

[OldScoolCamaro]

....meh, they advertised summer only tires. That's what it's got. They stick like glue in the heat. There's an advisory about driving them below 40 degrees. The car is dangerous in colder conditions. What's the issue.

[BigBoyBlue]

Originally Posted by OldScoolCamaro

....meh, they advertised summer only tires. That's what it's got. They stick like glue in the heat. There's an advisory about driving them below 40 degrees. The car is dangerous in colder conditions. What's the issue.

The only issue is that these tires perform much worse than comparable summer tires. Everyone expects loss of grip in the winter on summer tires, but not many would expect the tires to break apart. If that is the case, there should be a warning that you get before taking the car, not just an obscure addendum to the owner's manual.

[I call it Vera]

Originally Posted by BigBoyBlue

I'm not putting words in anyone's mouth, but not everyone can afford two sets of tires/rims. Some people stretched pretty far to afford a $60k car. Personally, I had no idea about the tires potential to break apart below 40 degrees until driving in that weather. If I had, I would have asked for different tires. I actually think it was irresponsible for GM to put these tires on in the first place. Most of the country experiences 40 degree days in the fall/spring. Is this only a summer car? On the z/28 I get putting these tires on. It is billed as a track car. The ZL1 is supposed to be a capable daily driver. How do they sell these cars in the northern USA without giving you a tire choice? Pisses me off that my salesman didn't warn me either.

In my case, I'm not dropping $5k on tires and rims that I'll only need a few times a year. I'd rather get a lift from my wife. The situation I described about driving in the snow was not my choice. I got stuck late somewhere and the snow started. No other way to get home.

Yes, as is and 'stock' this car is definitely 'summer only'. There are no other tire options from the factory.

If you want to drive it in the winter, the safe and smart (not being mean) thing to do is buy another set of wheels. You can put SS wheels on the car (I think). Finding rims and all season tires for that car isn't hard, but they will suck in the summer when you step on it.

Car was engineered to hook up 580 hp at the stoplight and through the corners in the summer.

If you live in an area where the weather gets cold, you should either have a second set of wheels or a second car. AND (not to be mean) but if you can't do the 2nd set or 2nd car, then you should have just gotten the SS.

[OldScoolCamaro]

Originally Posted by BigBoyBlue

The only issue is that these tires perform much worse than comparable summer tires. Everyone expects loss of grip in the winter on summer tires, but not many would expect the tires to break apart. If that is the case, there should be a warning that you get before taking the car, not just an obscure addendum to the owner's manual.

...the manual covers all models of Camaro. It's a bit like a Chinese menu. But, if you have followed the board, read the alerts on items, it made it easier to follow and digest. It's in there about the tires, and it was posted here on C5 just after the cars were made back in '12 with a manufacturers warning to GM about the possiblility of chunks of rubber breaking off due to cold weather and aggressive use <with pictures!>. But...you are right, that's not in the manual. But WE knew it here.

[BigBoyBlue]

Originally Posted by I call it Vera

AND (not to be mean) but if you can't do the 2nd set or 2nd car, then you should have just gotten the SS.

1. I can afford another set or car, but refuse to do so. I was merely explaining that some people may not be so fortunate.

2. Who are you to say that someone should have only got the SS if they don't follow your decision tree? To some people this car is their dream car, the zenith in their auto buying history.

3. In MY buying process no one warned me about the potential for catastrophic failure below 40 degrees. It would seem to be germane, considering that I picked the car up at 35 degrees.


I'm only pointing out that no one should judge anyone else on this board about having to drive the car in cold temperatures with the stock tires. No one knows what someone else's circumstances are.

[I call it Vera]

Originally Posted by BigBoyBlue

1. I can afford another set or car, but refuse to do so. I was merely explaining that some people may not be so fortunate.

2. Who are you to say that someone should have only got the SS if they don't follow your decision tree? To some people this car is their dream car, the zenith in their auto buying history.

3. In MY buying process no one warned me about the potential for catastrophic failure below 40 degrees. It would seem to be germane, considering that I picked the car up at 35 degrees.


I'm only pointing out that no one should judge anyone else on this board about having to drive the car in cold temperatures with the stock tires. No one knows what someone else's circumstances are.

First, I'll say it again, I'm not trying to be mean or piss anyone off.
For me, buying a car with Summer Only tires was the biggest issue that I had to come to terms with. I will probably make the next set of tires all season . . .

1. I'll stand by my statement that those unfortunate people should have stayed with a car that could handle the climate it will be driven in, an SS for example.

2. I'm merely pointing out, and reiterating what others are saying . . . in that its somewhere between somewhat irresponsible to down-right dangerous to take a ZL1 out when the roads are <40 degree F. In some cases, a Stock ZL1 in < 40 Deg could be putting lives at risk. I'm for safe driving. It's not about 'who I am', but rather driving responsibly. It's one thing to closed course track a car (with summer tires) in cold weather. It's another to put it in an environment with other cars (with unaware drives) that are equipped and prepared for that weather.
It might be someone's dream car, but point 1.

3. You should have been warned. The ZL1 and (I'm pretty sure) all Corvettes come with Summer Only Tires. If true for Corvettes, then I have the same position for Corvettes and cold weather.

BTW, I would have loved having the option for all-season or a second set of tires. That would have addressed my only concern for the car.

[zfuzz]

Bulletin for those interested....

Subject: Information on Goodyear F1 Supercar G2 Tire Cold Weather Cracking

Models: 2012-2013 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1
2013 Chevrolet Camaro SS with RPO 1LE

Cold Weather Operation

The Camaro ZL1 and RPO 1LE vehicles come with 285/35ZR20 and/or 305/35ZR20 Goodyear F1 Supercar G2 D.O.T. approved ultra high performance, track capable summer tires as standard equipment.

Goodyear F1 Supercar Performance tires are a summer season tire and are not intended to be driven on snow, ice or road surfaces below -7°C (20°F).
If the ambient temperature in your location is at or below -7°C (20°F), DO NOT MOVE THIS VEHICLE. The rubber used in these tires loses flexibility and may develop surface cracks in the tire tread/shoulder area at colder temperatures. Driving the vehicle, when the temperature is below -7°C (20°F), may result in surface cracks in the tread area of the tire. Surface cracks are cosmetic and will not result in a loss of air.

Tire Surface Cracks



Special tread and compounds used on these performance tires will cause a decrease in performance in cold climates. Driving with ultra high performance summer tires on snow, ice or cold road surfaces may cause loss of control. Refer to the latest version of Corporate Bulletin Number 04-03-10-013: Driving Characteristics of Rear Wheel Drive Vehicles and Available Winter Tires for further information on available replacement winter tires for cold climate operation.
Tire Storage
It is recommended that Goodyear F1 Supercar G2 tires are stored indoors at temperatures above -7°C (20°F) when not in use. If the tires have been subjected to -7°C (20°F) or less, let them warm up in a heated space to at least 5°C (40°F) for 24 hours or more before being installed or driving a vehicle on which they are installed. Inflate the tires only after they have been warmed above 5°C (40°F). Do not place tires near heaters or heating devices used to warm the room where the tires are stored. Do not apply heat or blow heated air directly on the tires. Always inspect tires before use after being stored.

Customer Information
Please share this information with the customer, including a copy of this message.

[lbls1]

Some good information in this thread. My car is stored, and the garage has some insulation but I'm not sure how warm it is in there. I am perfectly satisfied with not driving the car in the winter weather (although I do need to brush up driving a manual drive car). It looks like I will need to pay more attention to the ZL1's tires as opposed to my other vehicles.

[URBAN LEGEND]

Originally Posted by Sven59

I was making a general statement, not directed at you specifically if you notice I said you guys! I have experienced those tires coming out of a warm garage at 40 degrees outside and they were still like hockey pucks.

Guess what? That's any tire. On car or bike. Common sense prevails. Always.

[URBAN LEGEND]

Originally Posted by zfuzz

Bulletin for those interested....

Subject: Information on Goodyear F1 Supercar G2 Tire Cold Weather Cracking

Models: 2012-2013 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1
2013 Chevrolet Camaro SS with RPO 1LE

Cold Weather Operation

The Camaro ZL1 and RPO 1LE vehicles come with 285/35ZR20 and/or 305/35ZR20 Goodyear F1 Supercar G2 D.O.T. approved ultra high performance, track capable summer tires as standard equipment.

Goodyear F1 Supercar Performance tires are a summer season tire and are not intended to be driven on snow, ice or road surfaces below -7°C (20°F).
If the ambient temperature in your location is at or below -7°C (20°F), DO NOT MOVE THIS VEHICLE. The rubber used in these tires loses flexibility and may develop surface cracks in the tire tread/shoulder area at colder temperatures. Driving the vehicle, when the temperature is below -7°C (20°F), may result in surface cracks in the tread area of the tire. Surface cracks are cosmetic and will not result in a loss of air.

Tire Surface Cracks



Special tread and compounds used on these performance tires will cause a decrease in performance in cold climates. Driving with ultra high performance summer tires on snow, ice or cold road surfaces may cause loss of control. Refer to the latest version of Corporate Bulletin Number 04-03-10-013: Driving Characteristics of Rear Wheel Drive Vehicles and Available Winter Tires for further information on available replacement winter tires for cold climate operation.
Tire Storage
It is recommended that Goodyear F1 Supercar G2 tires are stored indoors at temperatures above -7°C (20°F) when not in use. If the tires have been subjected to -7°C (20°F) or less, let them warm up in a heated space to at least 5°C (40°F) for 24 hours or more before being installed or driving a vehicle on which they are installed. Inflate the tires only after they have been warmed above 5°C (40°F). Do not place tires near heaters or heating devices used to warm the room where the tires are stored. Do not apply heat or blow heated air directly on the tires. Always inspect tires before use after being stored.

Customer Information
Please share this information with the customer, including a copy of this message.

And how many dealers have left ZL1s outside? A whole lot. It may or may not happen.

[papsz]

This is a touchy subject to me as I live in the frozen north, I will just say this...it's flawed to build a car in Canada, load on a rail to ship to all parts of the country including the north, then when problems occur post a bullitin to DEALERS who don't relay the info to prospective buyers, for god's sake, there are people who are on these tires who have not been informed of the tire issue, driving daily and are completely unaware of the danger of their tires breaking apart. After my car was shipped in Jan. (drivin, loaded, unloaded, dealer tested), the dealer still didn't inform me until I noticed chunks of rubber lifting at 250 miles. Could you imagine the damage and/or injury if a tire exploded at 75 mph...I just don't get the logic.

[Sven59]

Originally Posted by URBAN LEGEND

Guess what? That's any tire. On car or bike. Common sense prevails. Always.

Guess what my MPSS tires don't do it.

[I call it Vera]

Originally Posted by Sven59

Guess what my MPSS tires don't do it.

EXACTLY. not every tire is labeled a 'summer only tire'.

[URBAN LEGEND]

Originally Posted by Sven59

Guess what my MPSS tires don't do it.

Yeah ok. Believe that. I have those tires on both my cars. And they will bite you if not up to temp. I can't believe you wrote that.

And both of my rockets live indoors.