Finally buying tires

[GraaaaayA90]

Finally buying my first set of tires and was hoping for some answers/opinions. I live in central cali and was wondering if summer tires would be fine to purchase or should I switch to all seasons. If so what does everyone recommend. Winter months here can and usually get down to 35 degrees some times lower and heard of summer tires cracking in some cases when temps get down to 45 degrees.

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[SupraYYJ]

Finally buying my first set of tires and was hoping for some answers/opinions. I live in central cali and was wondering if summer tires would be fine to purchase or should I switch to all seasons. If so what does everyone recommend. Winter months here can and usually get down to 35 degrees some times lower and heard of summer tires cracking in some cases when temps get down to 45 degrees.

I'm assuming you want a 100% street tire.

How did the stock tires work for you? If stock was fine even in the coldest weather you drove in, just upgrade to Michelin Pilot Sport 4S. If stock was sketchy in cold weather and you want just one set of tires, get the Continental ExtremeContact DWS06+. None of these tires will crack at 35F.

I swap out my tires -- stock in summer, DWS06+ in winter -- but I'm a lot further north. I wouldn't want to run stock below 6C, about 43F.

 

[FLtrackdays]

Unless you’re expecting to see snow, I’d stick to maximum dry (soft) tires. Get the most grip for your money and enjoy that bad boyEE!

 

[Eyelise]

Unless you’re expecting to see snow, I’d stick to maximum dry (soft) tires. Get the most grip for your money and enjoy that bad boyEE!

Actually I believe the real risk is loss of grip as temps drop into the 40s. I drove the car on OEM tires last fall in the high 40s and nearly did a donut accelerating thru a slight 4 way turn from a stop. I wasn’t even pushing hard just huge loss of grip.

 

[ColonelAdama]

Actually I believe the real risk is loss of grip as temps drop into the 40s. I drove the car on OEM tires last fall in the high 40s and nearly did a donut accelerating thru a slight 4 way turn from a stop. I wasn’t even pushing hard just huge loss of grip.

I drove my car pretty hard thru the winter months in the 40s and killed the rear PSS w/ <5k miles on the car ? woops

definitely learned that they don't quite hold up in the cold.

 

[Vertex]

I live in northern Minnesota and I ran PS4S on my Mach 1 and soon will be running them on the Supra. I've run the tires in weather at or slightly below 40 and I've never had issues. The only deal with them cracking I believe is if you were trying to do something track related and the tires really got warmed up. I wasn't particularly trying to run in colder weather but wanted to cruise to work in the car a few times before I had to park it for the winter.

I'd definitely go with the PS4S if you were planning on it and just be mindful if you do get temps sub 40 as they will be very slick but otherwise run fine

 

[Isaleus]

Finally buying my first set of tires and was hoping for some answers/opinions. I live in central cali and was wondering if summer tires would be fine to purchase or should I switch to all seasons. If so what does everyone recommend. Winter months here can and usually get down to 35 degrees some times lower and heard of summer tires cracking in some cases when temps get down to 45 degrees.

I drove stock tires through a Michigan winter. They lasted just fine.

IMO just get summer tires and don't be too stupid when its a little colder out or raining.

 

[razorlab]

Actually I believe the real risk is loss of grip as temps drop into the 40s. I drove the car on OEM tires last fall in the high 40s and nearly did a donut accelerating thru a slight 4 way turn from a stop. I wasn’t even pushing hard just huge loss of grip.

The only deal with them cracking I believe is if you were trying to do something track related and the tires really got warmed up.

I drove to Lime Rock with Super200TW tires in mid 3XF temps, and did a PB once at the track in 42-44F temps. You just need to make sure the tires are up to temp before pushing them.

Tires don't magically turn into dust.

 

[bk5]

IMO just get summer tires and don't be too stupid when its a little colder out or raining.

"Being stupid" includes driving with the slightest bit of snow or ice on the ground. This is how I plowed my WRX through a stop sign. Luckily, nobody was around, but it was still pretty scary.

 

[Danimal]

Summer tires at cold temps is not a good idea from a safety point of view - I’d also be careful, as I’ve heard (have not confirmed…) that some insurance companies will not cover an accident if you’re found to be on summer tires outside of their safe temp range. I’d say park the car at temps below 40F or get a 2nd set of wheels with all-seasons.

 

[FLtrackdays]

Summer tires at cold temps is not a good idea from a safety point of view - I’d also be careful, as I’ve heard (have not confirmed…) that some insurance companies will not cover an accident if you’re found to be on summer tires outside of their safe temp range. I’d say park the car at temps below 40F or get a 2nd set of wheels with all-seasons.

Good point. I’m doing this now. Change my wheels & tires to “summer“ ones for 6 months - when not tracking. Just so I can drive her more. I’d do the same if I lived up north. Put some winter or snow tires on. Except I hear these cars get stuck in snow ?

 

[GraaaaayA90]

1. Summer tires at cold temps is not a good idea from a safety point of view - I’d also be careful, as I’ve heard (have not confirmed…) that some insurance companies will not cover an accident if you’re found to be on summer tires outside of their safe temp range. I’d say park the car at temps below 40F or get a 2nd set of wheels with all-seasons.

   The OEM tires never gave me problems in the winter since all I really do I drive about 5 minutes to work and back and rain was fine for the most part I just wasn’t sure if the PS4S were more or less grippy compared to the OEM tires that I have now

 

[Danimal]

1. 
   The OEM tires never gave me problems in the winter since all I really do I drive about 5 minutes to work and back and rain was fine for the most part I just wasn’t sure if the PS4S were more or less grippy compared to the OEM tires that I have now

I don’t know Fresno temps, but the tire DOT rated temps are clearly documented. Just don’t go below that - that’s my advice though lots of people I know drive all winter in Chicago on summer tires. Usually until the have a good scare on a dry, cold day. But Chicago is not Fresno ?

Point is; PS4S are more grippy than PSS (stock) within their operating temp range. Below their rated temps they’re the same; hard as plastic and no traction and a risk to your health and safety ?

 

[aldwin1999]

PS4s or Extremecontact Sport 02 (prefer this over michelins since its cheaper and very similar in performance)

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