Driving in temps below 40*

[b_williams_82]

I'll be driving through an area this morning where temps will be around 36* with wind chills around 25-30*. I'll only be in this area for about an hour or so. My garage the wheels are around 65-70*. Outside temp here this morning is 56*. Anyone think I'll have much of an issue if I'm just driving through?

[joes407]

just be careful. i drive mine year round and even though im in florida i drive up north every year for the holidays and had no issues with cracking just a bit less traction.

[b_williams_82]

Thanks. I'll just be driving through an area where the temperature gets that low then it will start to warm up again.

[knowitman]

Your tires should already be warm by the time you get to the area. You will have greatly reduced traction however. I think it is hard on the tires when they are cold after sitting and then you heat then up to quickly.

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[EFI]

You better watch out, these cars are not the same as other normal cars and they tend to melt on the spot as soon as they hit temps below 40* or rain or snow.

[Normagene]

I've noticed that when temps are in the 40s it takes a good 20 to 30 minutes of hiway speed to warm up the tires. Even when warmed up they still don't have nearly the grip as when temps are 60+. I've taken the off ramp in 40 temps and going into the turn faster than I should like usual, oh Baby hold on because there will be some serious slip and slide. Thank god for the nannies! Saved my butt many a time!


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[OldScoolCamaro]

Originally Posted by b_williams_82

I'll be driving through an area this morning where temps will be around 36* with wind chills around 25-30*. I'll only be in this area for about an hour or so. My garage the wheels are around 65-70*. Outside temp here this morning is 56*. Anyone think I'll have much of an issue if I'm just driving through?

Cold weather driving will not be an issue as long as you drive easily, as in normal passenger car operation. If there is any issue with ice or snow, you will have a traction problem. If you are easy on the throttle, it will drive like any other car as long as the road is dry and clear. Don't think about performance at all under those conditions. The car is a 60 degree and up performer with compensation depending on road, air, and tire temps..

[onewaydave]

Mine is in heated storage when the temp falls to 40 and I don't do the driving thing in any type of precipitation. So until next April it sits! Sad, but the ZL1 is not a winter car!

[gen=5]

Originally Posted by onewaydave

Mine is in heated storage when the temp falls to 40 and I don't do the driving thing in any type of precipitation. So until next April it sits! Sad, but the ZL1 is not a winter car!

WEll look where you live,I think a lot of the cars we drive yr round might have issues up there north of parts of Canada ,lol I worked there back in the 80's and even summer it can be freaking cold... not really a great place to drive a ZL1 for more than a few months out of the yr...
being in texas on the gulf its a yr round car with only a few days a yr to worry about..I think 10 degrees would be fine just as long as your safe and try to stay out of the snow and ice..Salt sucks !!

[Fast92RS]

I have driven the car a few times when the temps dropped below 40 in the mornings here and I will say the car really has no traction. Even after driving the car for a bit. The tires are also really loud until they warm up as well. I have to agree that when the temps are 60 plus the car really shines. Its one of the reasons I just put the car away for winter storage. The temps here are dropping at night and I don't want any problems with tire cracking.

[z28-conv]

I can tell you that when you are driving under 40 degrees the tires are harder. There is less traction as mentioned by a few others here. I definitely would NOT drive the car under 20 degree temps. There is a very good chance that the tires will actually split. It is also highly recommended by GM not to use the car in those kind of conditions. There are some other threads related to this subject somewhere here.

[ZL1 TIBS]

My tires were hockey pucks this morning (about 30 degrees). I am putting my winter tires on next weekend. Be very careful with cold temps until your tires have warmed up.

[JANNETTYRACING]

I recommend you put it in PTM 1 Wet Mode, it really helps when temps are below 40

26 F here this morning on the way to work.

Ted.

[2012-1822]

Don't haul butt everywhere. I'm like the guy in Florida, drive mine year round. Which means it hits in the 20's and 30's some, but not a ton. No major issues, just not dumping the clutch and hitting the gas.