Fred Flintstone ZHP

[jsfbmw]

Took me a while to figure out what to title this post.

So the cold weather came rushing in before I had a chance to take off the PSS tires/wheels and swap in the snow tires/wheels. I usual schedule this for the weekend before Thanksgiving.

Now I'm riding on what feel like stones since it is in the 20's here in NJ. I'm taking it easy and it is very easy to get the DSC to light up. The swap will be done this Saturday and I can't wait. Of course, temps are forecast to rise over the weekend and there's a 60 degree day forecast next week. Funtime will soon be over. Love those Michelin PSS.

[jiggz]

Took me a while to figure out what to title this post.

So the cold weather came rushing in before I had a chance to take off the PSS tires/wheels and swap in the snow tires/wheels. I usual schedule this for the weekend before Thanksgiving.

Now I'm riding on what feel like stones since it is in the 20's here in NJ. I'm taking it easy and it is very easy to get the DSC to light up. The swap will be done this Saturday and I can't wait. Of course, temps are forecast to rise over the weekend and there's a 60 degree day forecast next week. Funtime will soon be over. Love those Michelin PSS.

So the PSS's just feel hard in the cold weather? How is driveability?

I ask because this will be my 1st winter on PSS's. I live in Seattle where winters are fairly mild and have never owned/needed a set of winter tires. My previous tires were an older set Michelin Pilot Sports and I really didn't notice any difference summer to winter. Again though, we don't typically get those frigid temps or snow out here.

-Jeff

[Hermes]

PSS don't like it when it's below 40 out, they're definitely a warm weather tire

[jsfbmw]

I find that below 45 degrees the tires start to get more "slippery". Aggressive starts induce wheelspin before the DSC kicks in (and then you're not accelerating as quickly as desired). Below 40 degrees this is more noticeable and hitting bumps results in a jolt in contrast to warm weather where it's just acknowledged as a bump.

From TireRack site: "While Pilot Super Sport tires are designed to allow sports cars, sporty coupes, performance sedans and supercars to achieve their full potential in dry and wet conditions, like all summer tires they are not intended to be driven in near-freezing temperatures, through snow or on ice."

Interestingly, the Michelinman site doesn't comment on temperature usage and refers to the tires as ultra high-performance sport - summer tire.

If it's chilly, I suggest to drive conservatively. And it goes without saying, your braking distances increase. As always, YMMV.

[cakM3]

PSS don't like it when it's below 40 out, they're definitely a warm weather tire

+1

[az3579]

So the PSS's just feel hard in the cold weather? How is driveability?

I ask because this will be my 1st winter on PSS's. I live in Seattle where winters are fairly mild and have never owned/needed a set of winter tires. My previous tires were an older set Michelin Pilot Sports and I really didn't notice any difference summer to winter. Again though, we don't typically get those frigid temps or snow out here.

-Jeff

It is flat out dangerous to drive on summer tires in the winter. Please don't if your temperatures are around freezing at all...

If your average temps are in the high 40's or 50's then you should be fine, but it's still not ideal.

[itdnwiwbp]

I did PSSs over the pass on I-5 in southern OR/northern CA a couple years ago in cold weather. It was pretty slick. Be careful!

Hermes, love your LJI signature pic.

[jiggz]

It is flat out dangerous to drive on summer tires in the winter. Please don't if your temperatures are around freezing at all...

If your average temps are in the high 40's or 50's then you should be fine, but it's still not ideal.

We had freezing temps here in Seattle for a week straight (a rarity, especially this early)…no issues on the PSS's. I never even thought about my tires as I drove around. I just do basic around town driving so it's not a big deal. On average, Seattle winter weather does not warrant a separate set of snow tires. Still, I'll be careful!

[fantinno]

Jiggz: I pulled my PSS off in the middle of this week's cold snap and put on winter wheels with Goodyear Eagle Sport all-seasons, and although the ride is certainly more plush (30 series 19" rubber vs 45 series 17"), I'm surprised to say even in 30-40 degree weather, the all-seasons break loose waaaaaay easier than the PSS did...

That said, going from a 265 to 235 width tire probably had an influence as well.