Tire/Ambiant Temp Question?
 

I'm looking at getting Michelin PS4, PSS, or A/S3+, to replace my stock tires. I live in NC, where it does get down into the 20's and lower 30's during the winter for stretches of time, and looking to have only one set of tires.

Researching I've seen that issues arise with the PS tires in cold Temps. I'm not concerned about traction, since I can just adjust how I'm driving in the cold to compinsate for that. I'm more concerned about the damage that can occur in the cold to those tires, and why I'm considering A/S3+'s. However, I've read of people driving them, or at least PSS in colder temps.

How concerned should I be about the freezing temps and the PS4S or PSS tires? Anyone have experience with these tires and similar conditions?

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No summer tires should be used below freezing. Including PS4/PSS. Their compound hardens too much below 5C. If winter tires seem overkill to you, at very least get all seasons. A/S3 seem often mentioned as good choice (i'd use them only for mild weather winter though, prefering normal no compromise performance summer tires for .. well, summer). As extra advise it's worth to have stock or narrower then stock width tires for winter.
Also it's not just about temps like eg. in [ame="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c0Y7eTR5D38"]this video[/ame], which might mislead that it's perfectly ok, but also about possible snow/ice. To not get stranded, to have some control at driving except going at 1/4th the speed limit to not crash, to be able to use not just at clean roads in city, use right tires for a job. I wouldn't want to search for alternative means of transport just because it suddenly snows.

Thanks for the advice. We normally don't get snow, and if we do it shuts everything down. I'm more concerned about temperature, since I have seen the summer tires aren't ment to be used under 40°, but have seen where people get away with it.

I am planning a move to Columbia, SC in the near future too, which has gotten me debating on which route to go, since it's typically at least a few degrees warmer there on average.

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I live 30 minutes from Columbia, I'll be interested to see what you decide on.

I just moved to the area last May

Likely going the A/S+ route. While I feel like I could likely get away with PS4S' in the winter in NC/SC, I haven't found anything that gives me a "warm and fuzzy" feeling doing so. Going to play it safe for now,and save up for a second set of wheels for summer tires.

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I've driven plenty of summer tires in freezing temperatures. In my opinion it's just not a big deal. Sure, rubber gets harder and grips less. But let's face it, snow tires don't grip well either on dry roads, regardless of temperatures. I prefer the grip of summer tires over winter tires on dry roads and 30*F.
That said, if a manufacturer says you should not use a specific tire below freezing, I wouldn't use it below freezing. This applies to many race-specific tires, but I am not familiar with any street tires that state this. I do realize some caution against it due to less grip with summer compounds, but that is something different.
If I were in your shoes and didn't worry about driving in snow, I'd just get summer tires that don't have a specific, strict statement about driving them in freezing temps and call it good.

Pat: "don't grip well" of snow tires on dry roads is still plentiful for safe driving.
"grips less" of summer tires on snow/ice is very dangerous and also in many cases may leave one stranded not being able to drive inclines, sliding off backwards with blocked brakes on declines, often needing extra work/external help just to start going.
It's easy for black ice to form even with no snow, even if day temps mostly are above freezing temp. There simply might be moisture in air, such as fog, then throw below freezing in night, and voala, one can film nice crash videos for youtube crash compilations next morning. If one rarely sees temps below 5C and it never snows in winter where one drives, then yes, i might consider summer tires. If it's below that, "least winter-ish" tire i'd consider is something like michelin crossclimate, but rather go for normal all-seasons. Tires are about most important component in car. Daily driving is driving in uncontrolled environment with too much unknowns outside one's control. If anything, extra grip of better gripping tires may help with avoidance of crash with someone still on summer tires and lost control.

I don't think that summer tires are great in the winter, but I think this is kind of overblown. I do live in the valley and it is not that hilly, but I survived a couple winters of this. My lifted truck was actually worse in the ice, lockers front and rear plus ice was no good.

This was on worn out federal 595 SS that I bought the car with.

https://farm1.staticflickr.com/787/4...508c7c60_z.jpg

Obviously, it’s advisable to have the proper tire for winter use, but you’re pretty far south and temperatures in the Carolinas are generally pretty mild. My hunch is you could go with the Michelin Pilot Sport 4S and be fine 95% of the time, especially if you’re willing to park the car when your hit with freezing temperatures. Is your car garaged or parked outside when not in use?

I typically park outside, although currently parking in my garage is an option. Since the tires are for dd'ng I'm going to go with a a safe bet of all seasons for now, and see where I end up in SC before deciding on a summer only tire.

Thanks everyone for all the input.

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Use summer only tire too :). Just in spring-summer-autumn.