Help me undersand the 2SS tire issue in below freezing temps.

[1 faSSt rabbit]

Just because you can doesn't mean you should. Hell you could go out and shovel snow off your driveway in your underwear if you wanted to. It's not illegal or anything. You'd probably be O.K. But then again if you got frostbite or caught pneumonia you would probably feel pretty frickin stupid wouldn't you?

[stirthepot]

Here is what Pirelli says

"I live in the city and during the winter I drive only around the plain, do I need Winter tires?
When the temperature falls below 46 degrees Fahrenheit, which is normally during the period of late September through early April, Winter tires have greater grip than summer tires. During the colder months, a summer tire can harden, reducing grip, traction, and therefore, braking. "

"7.If I keep my summer tires mounted during fall and winter do I have less control of my vehicle?
Yes. Summer tires are manufactured to perform optimally during times when temperatures exceed 46 degrees Fahrenheit. Conversely, Winter tires provide greater safety and control in cold weather. "

[drtwo]

Originally Posted by cab2g

I think some of the comments here are misleading. For an average driver, the summer tires will be difficult to drive on during the winter (in climates that frequently get snow). Not impossible, but difficult. I have all season tires and a rear wheel drive pickup truck. If I don't put it into 4WD, it's VERY easy to spin out the back end on packed snow. You have to pay a lot of attention.

So, yes, you can handle it, but if you can afford winter tires, get them! You won't regret it that one time you have to slam on your brakes during an emergency stop.

I would agree with this. If there is no snow or ice, you probably could get by just fine by being very careful (every minute behind the wheel). The tires are really hard though and you will be much more likely to loose grip. So winter emergent situations will leave you at a disadvantage with the current summer tires.

I'll bet there is no one here that can say they have more experience driving in winter/ice conditions than myself. (ie. I'm not a rookie) If you have never used snow tires vs summer tires on a car you have no idea the difference it makes. These pirelli tires are probably the worst tires I've ever used in the winter (probably because they get so hard). Excellent though in the summer!

I live where there has been spots of snow on the streets since early December because of the cold temp. The temperature often just reaches the dew point, even at 5 below zero. If you live where it routinely melts you may be in a different (cushy ) boat. But here, no matter how good you think you are at driving, or how careful with the accelerator, you will not have any sort of good traction that is safe. If you had to mash on the brakes you would slide for a block, if you tried to swerve you would be out of luck. You can't drive around like your are on pins and needles (ice) all day long...so the point is...these tires should be replaced in the winter or simply take another vehicle....or don't complain or post your sad story about wrecking your car because...we told you so!

[Class1E]

My take on the matter is that buying winter tires and an extra set of wheels to put them on will not cost much (if any) more in the long run. Think about this for a minute:

cost of 1 new Pirelli PZero (245/45ZR20): $359

cost of 1 new Pirelli Scorpion (245/45): $229

Add a set of wheels to that, say $200-$300 a corner and your cost for winter tires/wheels, per corner, would be about $500....BUT you will be saving wear on your PZero tires by putting more wear on tires that cost $130 less each than the PZeros do.

To sum up, it is possible that running winter tires will cost less than sticking with the summer-only Pirelli tires, and they are definitely safer. Doesn't seem like anyone is taking that into account when they price out winter tires.

[OUR72GTO]

Originally Posted by Verio

Did you know that 63.48% of statistics are made up on the spot?


Yes, All-Seasons probably grip better, but on the 1.6 mile commute on the backroad before the interstate in the morning, I find my Pirelli's to be quite warmed up enough to be just fine.

.... and don't worry, if I end up destroying my car, I'll be sure to let you know.

Did you know that 71.76 % of all accidents happen within 10 miles of home?

[d69chris]

81 degrees today, no problem with cold weather driving.

Sorry, just had to.

[Croatcamaro2010]

Originally Posted by wullger

If you're driving around in temperatures that cold without letting the tires warm up first, you will feel a difference in handling. Also, if you give it a little gas, or accelerate too fast, you may break the back end loose without meaning to

pulled out of the gas station the other night when it was 8 degrees here in stl, damn near did a 180, the night before that i was leaving a afghan food joint in the city, made a ue but a sharp one at that, looked wicked leaving but i wasnt aiming for that lol

[Croatcamaro2010]

Originally Posted by 1 faSSt rabbit

Just because you can doesn't mean you should. Hell you could go out and shovel snow off your driveway in your underwear if you wanted to. It's not illegal or anything. You'd probably be O.K. But then again if you got frostbite or caught pneumonia you would probably feel pretty frickin stupid wouldn't you?

Ive seen people where it would be illegal to be outside in their unmentionables

[drtwo]

Originally Posted by d69chris

81 degrees today, no problem with cold weather driving.

Sorry, just had to.

Cold weather keeps away the 'riff raff' !!!

[VR Code R6P]

I drive mine in the cold, and have no troubles, but I don't go out looking for trouble either! Drive carefully when you are outside of the known parameters.

[bi11ymc]

The tires make a difference, but the person driving the vehicle is the most important factor. That is why so many 4X4s with winter tires don't stop in time and why rear wheel, high-torque, summer tire vehicles sometimes do.

[drtwo]

Saw this excellent video on another post!

[skuttduck]

Originally Posted by Class1E

My take on the matter is that buying winter tires and an extra set of wheels to put them on will not cost much (if any) more in the long run. Think about this for a minute:

cost of 1 new Pirelli PZero (245/45ZR20): $359

cost of 1 new Pirelli Scorpion (245/45): $229

Add a set of wheels to that, say $200-$300 a corner and your cost for winter tires/wheels, per corner, would be about $500....BUT you will be saving wear on your PZero tires by putting more wear on tires that cost $130 less each than the PZeros do.

To sum up, it is possible that running winter tires will cost less than sticking with the summer-only Pirelli tires, and they are definitely safer. Doesn't seem like anyone is taking that into account when they price out winter tires.

As someone who just does mostly defensive driving, I have to say that I highly recommend the Pirelli Scorpion tires.

While you can't corner on dry pavement as good as the Pzeros in optimum conditions, you can run high speeds on them (150mph), safe in the snow, and doesn't have the flat spotting. Under typical driving conditions they feel just like the Pzeros on the car, only don't try the hard corners like the Pzeros.

I've heard that the Pzero's don't last as long, maybe 30,000 miles. The winter tires change over should help with that.

This is my first car I've ever had to have snow tires, and I can tell you they make all the difference in the world over the all seasons I have on my other car. In fact I would want to drive the Camaro in winter conditions with these tires.

Want another reason to justify another set of wheels? The SS has no spare tire, well, if you get another set, you now have 4 spares.

My 2LT with RS uses the same size wheel as the SS, and I went with original rims with winter tires, as that was the cheapest option.

Now thanks to Ebay I have another set of OEM wheels that I am going to get my Pzero's mounted on.

[Class1E]

Originally Posted by drtwo

Saw this excellent video on another post!

Nice find. That Maserati looks pretty sweet too, but I'll stick with my (future) SS!