BE CAREFUL OUT THERE THIS WINTER IN YOUR SS.

[Ken-h]

I have had my SS for only a week and I have the 21" tires. They handle cold and rain just fine no better or worse then any of my other cars. Put 600 miles in all conditions this week but I don't plan on taking out in the snow again anytime soon. Of course I have a throttle pedal that is proportional.

[Captain Vlad]

Originally Posted by TheCaptain

That atmospheric condition is a cold road.(ambient of -5 and below) Believe me, i've driven Pirelli tires in the cold with no snow on the ground (or moisture of any kind). Bad, bad idea.

And yet we've had some folks, including CF who I'm, you know, inclined to believe() saying they've encountered no problems with the tires in sub-freezing temperatures.

Hence, there's either some factor other than just the cold or we're talking about ye olde 'spirited driving' and not heading to work. Or maybe that the people who haven't had problems don't live in areas where extended stretches of very cold weather (ie, while it's been down to 19 this winter, it hasn't done it more than once or twice) aren't currently prevelant.

Question: Even on a cold road, wouldn't the tires warm up enough to provide decent grip eventually? If not, why?

[bi11ymc]

Just be smart and drive safely, with plenty of room between you and the car in front of you. If there is a car on your tail, then leave even more room between you and the car in front of you, because you now have to stop in time for you and the stupid driver behind you.l

I have driven in 18 degrees and on icy roads and have not noticed any issues on my summer tires. Though, I have not tried to climb a hill from a dead start on ice.

[myold88]

Originally Posted by Captain Vlad

And yet we've had some folks, including CF who I'm, you know, inclined to believe() saying they've encountered no problems with the tires in sub-freezing temperatures.

Hence, there's either some factor other than just the cold or we're talking about ye olde 'spirited driving' and not heading to work. Or maybe that the people who haven't had problems don't live in areas where extended stretches of very cold weather (ie, while it's been down to 19 this winter, it hasn't done it more than once or twice) aren't currently prevelant.

Question: Even on a cold road, wouldn't the tires warm up enough to provide decent grip eventually? If not, why?

To answer your question- No !. They don't warm up. A week ago last Saturdeay I took my SS out for a 30 minute spin. The dash said 27 degrees. The roads were dry on a sunny day. It was not fun- Any acceleration spun the wheels and the dash tire pressure warnings were all over the place. first the lt front said 30, then the rt rear said 31 PSI. Again, I went home to the garage as soon as I could.
I think people on Camaro5 who say they have no problem with their SS in the the cold weather are people who just like to contradict anything anyone posts here.
Again just my advice: If it's below 37, and you have summer tires, keep your SS home.

[RozzyBoy117]

Originally Posted by avt12882

never gets below 50 in south florida but i never take my camaro out on days it rains or during the week. my car is 7 months old and i have 1200 miles on it so i only take it out when the weather is just right otherwise it stays parked in the garage under a cover.

Damn I've had mine for 3 weeks and I got 1400 miles. I don't know how you can let that sexy ass car sit in the garage. I tried and failed

[Captain Vlad]

Originally Posted by myold88

I think people on Camaro5 who say they have no problem with their SS in the the cold weather are people who just like to contradict anything anyone posts here.

You're mistaken.

Again, anyone have any actual ideas why some people might be encountering this, while others don't?

[BOOTZILLA]

I have never broken the tires loose no matter how cold/frozen, wet the road is.

I don't turn off Stabilitrak/TractionControl and GUN-IT when the roads are shiny and black.

[BOOTZILLA]

Originally Posted by TheCaptain

worthless hockey puck not meant for driving on. Below 0*C anyway.

Another good reason for the Camaro plant to be moved from Oshawa to Los Angeles.

Keep on building them............... then drive them across the street to the dealers who will be selling them all winter long.

I wouldn't buy a sports car for winter weather. That's what pickup trucks and Jeeps are for.

[bi11ymc]

We have one of the newest, most modern assembly plants in North America right here in middle Tennessee (Spring Hill Saturn Plant). They just stopped making Chevrolet Traverse here and the plant is only used for parts. They should be making Camaros here. All the new Corvettes from Bowling Green, Kentucky are put on rail cars here at the plant.

[KarFan]

A little tire wiggle is good to keep the proper respect in the drivers seat. I drove several 4th Gens with big power through Michigan winters before I got smart and moved. It can be done.

[CamaroFemme]

Originally Posted by myold88

I think people on Camaro5 who say they have no problem with their SS in the the cold weather are people who just like to contradict anything anyone posts here.

If I felt it was UNSAFE to be driving on them, I certainly wouldn't be stating I had no problems here on this board where I have friends (and more than friends.) I would -not- possibly contribute to endangering their lives by downplaying unsafe tires. I'm just saying *in my experience,* *in the weather I drive in in southeast OK,* they're fine; and I also don't see a big push by dealers to put winter tires on their SSs/warn their customers. Maybe I just naturally don't drive my car as dangerously as other people on this thread, or maybe I'm under different weather patterns, or maybe they're just being overcautious, but I assure you I'm not lying "just to contradict."

[Angrybird 12]

Not saying that will help alot in an SS but generally speaking if you get the biggest plastic storage box that will fit in the trunk and fill it with sand. or several smaller ones... that will help more than you think.. they also make what are called snow tubes, mainly for pickup trucks but you can put them in the trunk of your car after filling with sand.. plus if you get stuck you have something to spread in front of the rear tires for traction...

[Angrybird 12]

Originally Posted by BOOTZILLA

Another good reason for the Camaro plant to be moved from Oshawa to Los Angeles.

Keep on building them............... then drive them across the street to the dealers who will be selling them all winter long.

I wouldn't buy a sports car for winter weather. That's what pickup trucks and Jeeps are for.

Uh huh thats why they had to pull 26 4wd trucks and SUVs out of the median on the 16 miles section of interstate between Johnson City and Kingsport Tennessee... Not always the vehicle, sometimes it's the driver...

[71cam]

Originally Posted by Captain Vlad

You're mistaken.

Again, anyone have any actual ideas why some people might be encountering this, while others don't?

sure....not driving an SS with pzeros, having an LS/1LT/2LT with different tires than pzeros (not sure what they are equipped from the factory), exaggerating about how ok the summer tires are in the cold and ice, more tolerance to slippery surfaces, different driving habits, not driving very far, repeating what others have said.

bottom line: cold weather and summer tires will eventually end up as a bad experience