Do we really need winter tires for GTPE?

[nmope]

Can the stock PE tires handle light snow/below freezing temps?

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[tannerk89]

Can the stock PE tires handle light snow/below freezing temps?

Summer tires basically disintegrate in low temps. You could switch to all season instead of winter but if you drive much in cold temps the tread life is abysmal. In high school I got summer tires on my car in February with temps ~30-40 not knowing this - they were worn out in less than a month/1k miles with fairly normal driving. Lesson learned.

 

[Murse-In-Airy]

Yes you really do need them if you live in a place that temps get below 40°. The rubber compound will get hard loose flexibility. It will therefore crack and begin to fall apart. Plus there will be NO traction. Even in light snow at slow speeds, I missed my driveway bringing my GT-PE home last winter.

 

[HuntingPudel]

I was kind of gritting my teeth this morning when the temperature display said 43F. The summer tires are not rated to even be stored in temperatures below 45F (unless I have been reading everyone’s posts about summer tires incorrectly). ??

 

[MachEMaster]

Summer tires turn from elastic rubber, to plastic in the Cold. Switch them out soon!

 

[snowy_91]

I was kind of gritting my teeth this morning when the temperature display said 43F. The summer tires are not rated to even be stored in temperatures below 45F (unless I have been reading everyone’s posts about summer tires incorrectly). ??

Ok...

 

[Murse-In-Airy]

Ok...

I felt the same coming home in 26° from work yesterday. Back up in the 50s and 60s for a few. But I’m doing winter tires on all the cars this weekend to prevent anymore accidental tire neglect.

 

[Mach-Lee]

Do not drive on summer performance tires when it’s below 40° or you can permanently damage them. The rubber will get so brittle it will crack. Park it.

Cold weather driving ruined these tires:

 

[buzznwood]

I was kind of gritting my teeth this morning when the temperature display said 43F. The summer tires are not rated to even be stored in temperatures below 45F (unless I have been reading everyone’s posts about summer tires incorrectly). ??

Do these people think that summer tires are shipped in heated containers or something? Summer tires can be stored at low temperatures.

The issue is that at colder temperatures summer tires go from being soft rubber to a being like a hockey puck hence don't work well when being driven in this condition.

As you are in the bay area I don't know if your GTPE is garaged or sitting outside over night, but if your in a garage as long as your not venturing out into the snow covered elevations you will typically be fine to drive on summer the tires all year round as they will be at an acceptable temperature in the garage and once you start driving you start putting more heat into them, you just need to take it sensible especially when it is cold and wet.

If however your GTPE sits outside in ambient temperatures below around 40f then it will be a different mater and you will be driving on hockey pucks and increasing wear until they get up to temperature so if you don't fancy tip toeing around just get some all seasons.

Also before all people chime in I am fully aware that being able to drive all year round on summer tires is a very geography dependent those living in California that have garage and are below the snow line can get away with it no problem most people are not so lucky.

 

[tuminatr]

Exactly, summer tires won't work well below 40 degrees. Get a set of all season, all weather, or winter

 

[OON7]

I just brought mine in today to Discount Tire to get winter tires mounted to rims and installed. It was a struggle to get everything in the car to say the least. Also turned my GTPE into a stealth GT for the winter.

 

[nmope]

I just brought mine in today to Discount Tire to get winter tires mounted to rims and installed. It was a struggle to get everything in the car to say the least. Also turned my GTPE into a stealth GT for the winter.

looking sharp! Do any of these tire shops buy tires off customers? As in if I buy all season tires from them will they buy Summer tires off my new vehicle.

 

[HuntingPudel]

I just brought mine in today to Discount Tire to get winter tires mounted to rims and installed. It was a struggle to get everything in the car to say the least. Also turned my GTPE into a stealth GT for the winter.

Those GT wheels have grown on me. They look better in person than in most pictures. Your car looks great here! ??

 

[Earplug]

looking sharp! Do any of these tire shops buy tires off customers? As in if I buy all season tires from them will they buy Summer tires off my new vehicle.

Discount Tire would not buy my summer tires.

 

[Discount Tire]

Thank you for your business @OON7! Your ride looks great

Echoing what has been discussed, summer tires are not intended to be serviced, stored nor driven in near-freezing temperatures.

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