[Marcho Polo]

Lots of "speculation" about who said what temps are a problem and how the tire will fail etc.
This is what GM says:
View attachment 130161
Note they recommended not driving below 20F not 30F. They also say the cracks are mostly cosmetic but if they are found replace the tire.

found what I was looking for, the bulletin appears to be the same, just updated for different model years. but does have some good information.

2014 - 2017 Corvette: Service Bulletin: #13-03-10-001D: Information on Tire Cold Weather Cracking

"Advise customers of these vehicles that they are equipped with a high performance summer-only tire that will have reduced traction performance at temperatures below approximately 40°F"
"Avoid driving, moving, or test-driving*vehicles equipped with high performance summer-only tires below 20°F (−7°C), as operating at these temperatures can cause damage to the tires"
"While the cracking will not result in air loss, it is damaging to the tire. Tires that have been used in cold climates and exhibit tread cracks should be discarded"
"It is recommended that Summer tires are stored indoors at temperatures above -7°C (20°F) when not in use. If the tires have been subjected to -7°C (20°F) or less, let them warm up in a heated space to at least 5°C (40°F) for 24 hours or more before being installed or driving a vehicle on which they are installed. Inflate the tires only after they have been warmed above 5°C (40°F)"

What I see from all this is that you really shouldn't drive under 40 degrees, and you definitely should not drive 20 degrees or under. If the tire was subjected to under 20 degrees wait for it to warm up before moving it in any way. I would think tires at 20 degrees or under during shipping that were moved while still under 20 degrees could have been damaged.

Everyone is free do to what they want, but even though my car is my daily driver, I won't drive it when temps are under 40. Luckily I work from home most of the time and when the temps get low for those few winter days in Texas, I'll just keep the car in the garage where it's above 40 year round.

I also intend to drive my car to its limits on occasion and I don't want to have to worry about the tires.

 

[owc6]

There seems to be a lot of confusion as to which tires will actually crack at what temps.

As I understand it, the PSS are subject to cracking if driven or moved under 20F, The Sport Cups (for the Z06) are subject to cracking under 40F.

Personally, I have driven the PSSs many thousands of miles under 40F, with no cracking problems whatsoever. I do not like driving them below 32F, but have done so many times with no problems. When driving the PSS under 50F there is a noticeable loss of performance (stickiness) which gets worse as the temps decrease, but I have not had a problem with them, and I drive gingerly, with care given to speed and following distance.

 

[Busa Dave]

found what I was looking for, the bulletin appears to be the same, just updated for different model years. but does have some good information.

2014 - 2017 Corvette: Service Bulletin: #13-03-10-001D: Information on Tire Cold Weather Cracking

"Advise customers of these vehicles that they are equipped with a high performance summer-only tire that will have reduced traction performance at temperatures below approximately 40°F"
"Avoid driving, moving, or test-driving*vehicles equipped with high performance summer-only tires below 20°F (−7°C), as operating at these temperatures can cause damage to the tires"
"While the cracking will not result in air loss, it is damaging to the tire. Tires that have been used in cold climates and exhibit tread cracks should be discarded"
"It is recommended that Summer tires are stored indoors at temperatures above -7°C (20°F) when not in use. If the tires have been subjected to -7°C (20°F) or less, let them warm up in a heated space to at least 5°C (40°F) for 24 hours or more before being installed or driving a vehicle on which they are installed. Inflate the tires only after they have been warmed above 5°C (40°F)"

What I see from all this is that you really shouldn't drive under 40 degrees, and you definitely should not drive 20 degrees or under. If the tire was subjected to under 20 degrees wait for it to warm up before moving it in any way. I would think tires at 20 degrees or under during shipping that were moved while still under 20 degrees could have been damaged.

Everyone is free do to what they want, but even though my car is my daily driver, I won't drive it when temps are under 40. Luckily I work from home most of the time and when the temps get low for those few winter days in Texas, I'll just keep the car in the garage where it's above 40 year round.

I also intend to drive my car to its limits on occasion and I don't want to have to worry about the tires.

LOL everybody can read what they want and say how easy they drive however, as said above Contact Michelin and ask in writing! The tires are damaged in cold weather. If it makes you feel better to think the tires are not damaged then fine your throat your razor as they say. If you think you have compiled more empirical data than Michelin's engineers having actually examined the tires actually damaged or failing due to cold weather especially ones that have aged a few years and gone through many heat cycles then ok........

 

[Mobius]

found what I was looking for...

2014 - 2017 Corvette: Service Bulletin: #13-03-10-001D: Information on Tire Cold Weather Cracking

For me, the info from this link settles the argument - GM doesn't recommend driving your Corvette on the OE tires (BOTH the Michelin Pilot Super Sport ZP and Cup2 ZP) below 40F due to lowered traction, and you risk permanent damage at temperatures below 20F.

​

 

[daleong]

Just for another data point - I've tracked my C7 in 32 degree weather on Super Sports - they worked quite fine and surprisingly had really good grip. I set some really fast times in that temperature. Note that of course this was track driving on a busy track and it allowed the tire temps to get to quite a reasonable level.

 

[elegant]

Just for another data point - I've tracked my C7 in 32 degree weather on Super Sports - they worked quite fine and surprisingly had really good grip. I set some really fast times in that temperature. Note that of course this was track driving on a busy track and it allowed the tire temps to get to quite a reasonable level.

Your skill level on a track makes you positively atypical. And as you noted, your had a busy track, and knowing you, you did all the right things to get your tires up to at least warm before you were really moving.

Only reason I post this, is that I do not want the vast majority of us with a lower skill level to think, "if he can track at 32 degrees, I am just fine at that temp on the road where I am driving a lot slower."

Not such mental "inference" should be made, or hugely negative consequences would occur.

 

[Marcho Polo]

Your skill level on a track makes you positively atypical. And as you noted, your had a busy track, and knowing you, you did all the right things to get your tires up to at least warm before you were really moving.

Only reason I post this, is that I do not want the vast majority of us with a lower skill level to think, "if he can track at 32 degrees, I am just fine at that temp on the road where I am driving a lot slower."

Not such mental "inference" should be made, or hugely negative consequences would occur.

That's a good point, I was going to say.... tracking in DFW at 32 degrees, the sun was probably out and the track warmer than normal streets, and tires were able to get up to temp due to friction and driving. This would be completely different than driving to Costco at 32 degrees... cold tires, varying weather.

Daleong, where did you track at these temps? Cresson? One thing I love about being in Texas! I went there in late November and it was great weather!

 

[RoninX]

My recommendation: Install a set of four Michelin Pilot Alpin PA4s. That's what I did, and I have no problem driving in a spirited fashion at freeway speeds in sub-freezing temperatures.

On snow, of course, you should slow down and drive carefully, but I've had no problem at all with the C7 on snow with the PA4s. (Though I haven't driven in deep snow yet, meaning more than a couple inches.)

 

[daleong]

That's a good point, I was going to say.... tracking in DFW at 32 degrees, the sun was probably out and the track warmer than normal streets, and tires were able to get up to temp due to friction and driving. This would be completely different than driving to Costco at 32 degrees... cold tires, varying weather.

Daleong, where did you track at these temps? Cresson? One thing I love about being in Texas! I went there in late November and it was great weather!

Actually I live in the Austin area - I tracked at Circuit of the Americas last December. It was 25F at the start of the day and ended at 35F. The track was like ice in the first session, but with over 100 cars running all day, it definitely warmed up the track surface as the day ran on.

Your skill level on a track makes you positively atypical. And as you noted, your had a busy track, and knowing you, you did all the right things to get your tires up to at least warm before you were really moving.

Only reason I post this, is that I do not want the vast majority of us with a lower skill level to think, "if he can track at 32 degrees, I am just fine at that temp on the road where I am driving a lot slower."

Not such mental "inference" should be made, or hugely negative consequences would occur.

Thanks John - fully agree and appreciate you calling this out to other readers. It is ultra important to get heat in the tires before they have any semblance of grip. Just jumping in your car at 32F and thinking the tires will be fine for spirited driving, is downright dangerous. I just wanted to make a point that the tires don't freeze or fall apart at low temps and its possible to drive on them, albeit carefully. The longer they have cold soaked, the more careful you have to be.

Even at my last track day last weekend, it was 60F-ish in the morning and I still had to take a lap or so (3-4miles) to get the tires up to a working temperature.

 

[Drain Bamaged]

For both of my C7s, I had the dealership swap out the summer only tires to Michelin Pilot Sport All Season 3+. I drive them in all temperatures/conditions with no cracking worries or discernible loss of performance. So, for me, problem solved.

Greg

 

[Jerry U]

There seems to be a lot of confusion as to which tires will actually crack at what temps.

As I understand it, the PSS are subject to cracking if driven or moved under 20F, The Sport Cups (for the Z06) are subject to cracking under 40F.

Personally, I have driven the PSSs many thousands of miles under 40F, with no cracking problems whatsoever. I do not like driving them below 32F, but have done so many times with no problems. When driving the PSS under 50F there is a noticeable loss of performance (stickiness) which gets worse as the temps decrease, but I have not had a problem with them, and I drive gingerly, with care given to speed and following distance.

I agree and do the same. Probably less than you as SC doesn't get as cold during the day as MD.

Mine is a DD and I love the Michelin's 95% of the time when it's above 40F. However when it's 35, typical of when I have to drive hear on a cold winter morning, the Vette stops faster than any car I have owned! I'll explain: I live on a twisty 25 mph road that leads in two miles to a 4 lane divided highway. When below 40/45F I put it in Weather mode so the nannies come in sooner. I am careful as I pull into traffic not using excess throttle. But in 100 yards I have to make a turn to another rural road. Cars and trucks are coming and I use the brakes aggressively. Have never felt the tires had a problem with traction. In ~5 miles I switch to my normal Sort as the tires have warmed from driving. I use tire pressure to detect the temperature increase as an indicator, the tire temp is not very useful.

I was in a late night meeting last year and when I came out it was 30F and the car had been sitting at that temp for several hours. Did my usual Weather Mode and after ~5 miles switched to Sport. On a turn with no traffic I gave a bit more throttle and felt the rear slip out and the nannies caught it. Not dramatic BUT put it back in Weather mode and drove the rest of the way home!

With all the "noise" about cracking there have been few forum reports of it happening and those were the "surface" cracks that are warned about. Yep I wouldn't drive below 30 but mostly because that happens so infrequently, if needed I'll borrow the wife's SUV! :smile:

 

[Petercwelch]

Don't mean to beat a dead horse but somewhat reduced grip from the tires on a corvette may still yield more traction than those of lots of other cars. True, each will decide for themselves, but no tire damage unless below 20 degrees farenheit is the way I read it. Have driven safely many miles below 30 with care and no demonstrable problem. Don't tromp in the throttle in these circumstances for goodness sake.