Pirelli P Zero Summer Tires driven in cold - Can I have your attention please?

[Rudy@Tirerack]

Guys and Gals,

There have been lots of threads asking about using the original equipment Pirelli Summer tires in the cold or snow. Tire Rack never recommends using Summer tires below 45 Fahrenheit. Summer tires become hard and the grip drastically decreases.

There have been some forum members arguing that you can use these tires in colder temperatures.

We have recently seen cases of these tires having compound cracking due to the tires being stored/driven on in temperatures below 45 Fahrenheit.

This is not a condition that Pirell's warranty covers.

Summer tires are not intended to be driven in cold/snow or ice. Not only is traction a huge issue it can also damage your tires.

Please let me know if you have any questions.

[Chevy_cowboy]

I understand they're not meant to be driven in cold temps, but are you saying even storing/parking Pzero's or other max summer tires in sub freezing temps can damage them? What about those of us with unheated garages?

[Chi-One]

Originally Posted by Chevy_cowboy

I understand they're not meant to be driven in cold temps, but are you saying even storing/parking Pzero's or other max summer tires in sub freezing temps can damage them? What about those of us with unheated garages?

?

[Edzo]

Cold tires have no grip. See Roberto Guerrero in 1992 Indy 500. My ass-end slid a little the other day going about 17 mph on a left turn. No cracks, just have to be cognizant that your tires have no grip until they warm up.

[Baldman]

Hey bud it's cold all over the place even here in Florida and telling me not to drive my Camaro in this stupid weather is ridiculous.

[GMTool]

I have driven in single digit temps on my pzero's. They have less grip but they have less grip in the rain also. I drive accordingly. No signs of cracking. I can't find any warning in the owners manual about driving in the cold on these tires. Snow and ice, different story. I guess warranty and all that is gone if an issue occurs in the cold. Kind of funny that I bought a car with a good hot heater, heated seats, rear window defroster but I can't drive it in the cold unless I change tires. I'm looking forward to replacing these tires with a good quality performance all season.
Got 23K on them and the backs are getting thin and the fronts are wearing on the outsides. New tires coming soon with an alignment check.

[Bobs of FL]

Originally Posted by Rudy@Tirerack

Guys and Gals,

There have been lots of threads asking about using the original equipment Pirelli Summer tires in the cold or snow. Tire Rack never recommends using Summer tires below 45 Fahrenheit. Summer tires become hard and the grip drastically decreases.

There have been some forum members arguing that you can use these tires in colder temperatures.

We have recently seen cases of these tires compound cracking due to the tires being stored/driven on in temperatures below 45 Fahrenheit.

This is not a condition that Pirell's warranty covers.

Summer tires are not intended to be driven in cold/snow or ice. Not only is traction a huge issue it can also damage your tires.

Please let me know if you have any questions.

This would have been awesome to know before driving through a snowstorm last night Guess it's time to get some new tires

[cant_get_rite]

Originally Posted by Chevy_cowboy

I understand they're not meant to be driven in cold temps, but are you saying even storing/parking Pzero's or other max summer tires in sub freezing temps can damage them? What about those of us with unheated garages?

[JimE]

And as noted, stated plainly in the warranty: http://www.pirelli.com/tire/us/en/ca...res.html?tab=7

"What is not covered": Summer tires used at or below 45F (7C) ambient temperature.


Storage shouldn't be an issue. Damage typically occurs during use.

[Edzo]

I didn't get a warranty from an Italian tire manufacturer, I got one from my dealer and Chevrolet/ General Motors. Ordered my car in December, picked it up in March. Asked about substituting all-seasons, and I would have had to buy them. As far as I'm concerned, I'm covered.

[Edzo]

It should be a no-cost option of which tires you get. P-Zero's standard, but if you want, you should get all-seasons.

[ToolFan66]

Common sense? Or is that considered contraband in the good ol" USA??

[Edzo]

What is common sense?

[Mark114]

Originally Posted by Rudy@Tirerack

Guys and Gals,

There have been lots of threads asking about using the original equipment Pirelli Summer tires in the cold or snow. Tire Rack never recommends using Summer tires below 45 Fahrenheit. Summer tires become hard and the grip drastically decreases.

There have been some forum members arguing that you can use these tires in colder temperatures.

We have recently seen cases of these tires compound cracking due to the tires being stored/driven on in temperatures below 45 Fahrenheit.

This is not a condition that Pirell's warranty covers.

Summer tires are not intended to be driven in cold/snow or ice. Not only is traction a huge issue it can also damage your tires.

Please let me know if you have any questions.

An interesting conflict of warranty when the cars are built in Canada and sit in a parking lot for days or weeks. Then they are shipped to dealers all over the US and Canada to sit outside on their parking lots.