Quote:
Originally Posted by slowmow
All,
I've searched here and the web generally, and see lots of good advice about not using summer tires in temperatures below 45F, 40F, or freezing, depending on who's answering.
My question is about track days - I'm in a situation where an upcoming track day will like start near 40F degrees, and heat up to 50-55F during the day. Is it better to bite the bullet and get some cheapish A/S tires just for this, or use the summer tires because they are going to heat up plenty anyways? Sorry, this is such a noob question - last year was my first at the track and I was on A/S tires at the beginning of the season.
Thanks for your advice...
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Tires do work if you use them well (get them hot), I run with people who use slicks in that weather and they're fine. One of the reasons people advise against it is because the low temps affect the rubber itself, which in turn will reduce the efficient life of the tire. The tire will still have tread but the compound will get hard. Hard tires are less sticky.
Now that doesn't mean that after doing that once your tires are done, it means that the compound will degrade a bit faster. If you wear out the tires within the season then it's not a problem at all. If you expect the tires to last 2 or 3 seasons AND you keep doing that, then they just won't perform as well by season 2.
This is why people who live in cold areas keep their slicks inside (not in the garage) during the winter, to avoid exposure to the cold temps. It just reduces the life span.