Winter Driving

[V10]

I plan on driving my 2015 GT in cold weather when the roads are dry. I have Pirelli Corsas and understand they shouldn't be used in sub-freezing temperatures. Any recommendations on a suitable tire that I could use and the tire sizes. Probably thinner than the 355s.

[swexlin]

I have driven on my Corsas in 17 degree weather, with no issues. Not recommended, I know. But, if you are sane and careful, it can be done. Not too many winter tire choices for our cars, I'm afraid.

[BlackSnake99]

I'm not sure what is available in suitable sizes, but an all-season tire would certainly be better than an extreme performance summer tire, and a dedicated winter tire would be best of all.

I am about to swap my winter set (Michelin Pilot Alpin PA4's) on my TT RS daily. I was very pleased with them last season. Don't know if they come Viper-sized.

[Steve-Indy]

Micro cracking in these high performance tires due to freezing and/or use below 20 degrees F may not show on the surface by casual examination. Sadly, one may not appreciate the potential magnitude of the problem until the tire fails at speed. Why take the chance?

[SilveRT8]

I have a set of wheels with Corsa for track days wich I keep for the summer months, but also another set with the stock P Zero for early Spring and late Autumn.
The Corsas get hard and slippery Under 45F, but I drove the PZero down to 15F with no problems, as long as you stay carefull with the throttle.

[LABrit]

Had a terrible winter drive this morning in Malibu! :p

21792

[theviper]

I have driven on my Corsas in 17 degree weather, with no issues. Not recommended, I know. But, if you are sane and careful, it can be done. Not too many winter tire choices for our cars, I'm afraid.

Very bad idea for many of the reasons already posted. In addition, it's like driving on hockey pucks. Not worth it at all. Do what we did and get the right winter wheels and tires. Safety is not optional! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NdxOdtsefss

[ViperJon]

Drove last week in 30 degree weather cold roads with Kumho ACR-E tires. Didn't die.
The tires will wear out long before they fail due to micro cracks.

[Bruce H.]

Very bad idea for many of the reasons already posted. In addition, it's like driving on hockey pucks. Not worth it at all. Do what we did and get the right winter wheels and tires. Safety is not optional! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NdxOdtsefss

All about using the suitable tires for sure.

I drove to VIR and Mid-Ohio race tracks on Blizzak LM-22 snow tires on my Supra TT in sub zero temps, through several inches of snow along the way twice. It had great traction and handling, as I suspect the Viper would if you found a suitable winter tire and wheel package. On Michelin Pilot Sports the car literally could not start moving from a parked position on the slightest incline in a 1/2 inch of snow, which would probably be the case with the Viper on OEM's. On Blizzaks it pushed confidently through snow deeper than its ground clearance.

I drove the first morning session at both tracks on the Blizzaks at greatly reduced speeds, after scraping ice off the windows at the hotel in Ohio. The tracks hadn't seen snow, but the sub zero temps made even the Blizzaks very marginal for anything but the straights. Then I put on the Kumho R compounds and they really were like hockey pucks, taking forever to get any heat into them. Temps steadily increased, and tire grip along with them. Hey, any day on a track is a great day!

Driving in cold temps on summer tires on public roads requires great care, and a lot of luck that you don't suddenly find yourself needing enough grip for accidence avoidance. Pirelli told me they do a great business selling Corsa tires to dealers for replacements when they don't respect the tire's temp ratings and end of cracking them. I was told Porsche ships their GT3's in heated transport to avoid tire damage in the cold months.

[Topplayer]

Very bad idea for many of the reasons already posted. In addition, it's like driving on hockey pucks. Not worth it at all. Do what we did and get the right winter wheels and tires. Safety is not optional! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NdxOdtsefss

maybe you should post what you did........
I did it for you, you can thank me in the lower left of the post LOL
"had to get wheels custom made for the Viper and used Dunlop tires 265 width, 18" rims"

[Rare Snake]

Micro cracking in these high performance tires due to freezing and/or use below 20 degrees F may not show on the surface by casual examination. Sadly, one may not appreciate the potential magnitude of the problem until the tire fails at speed. Why take the chance?


I was told by my Pirelli rep last year that the cracking you see is cosmetic only, it does not effect the tire at all. Some people are just a bit sensitive about how they look. Myself, this doesn't bother me in the slightest.

[City]

as long as you stay carefull with the throttle.

This exactly! In sub-freezing conditions you shouldn't be able to damage your tires simply because they will break loose long before you can reach any sufficient Gforces.

If you can't adopt your driving style to accommodate what your tires can handle ... well keep your Viper in the garage before you have to replace more than just your tires.

[texasram]

Thats the funny thing about temperature swings, when its hot the car doesnt run as good but theres plenty of grip and on the flip side in the cold you get the best engine performance but your traction goes away and you spin the rears all the way through 3rd

[Steve-Indy]

I would suggest that these cold exposure "cracks" should be taken seriously !!

GM "communication" found on NHTSA site under "recall section"

https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/tsbs/2016/SB-10082862-5448.pdf

Attention: 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 (5°C). GM recommends installing winter tires if driving below these
temperatures. 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.

Service Bulletin
File in Section: 03 - Suspension
Bulletin No.: 13-03-10-001D
Date: August, 2016
INFORMATION
Subject: Information on Tire Cold Weather Cracking
Models: 2012-2017 Buick Regal GS
2014-2015 Cadillac CTS Vsport
2016-2017 Cadillac ATS-V, CTS-V
2012-2015 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1, Z/28
2017 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1
2013-2015 Chevrolet Camaro SS with RPO 1LE
2014-2017 Chevrolet Corvette, Corvette Z06
2014-2017 Chevrolet SS
Attention: 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 (5°C). GM recommends installing winter tires if driving below these
temperatures. 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. This Bulletin also applies to any of the above models
that may be Export vehicles.
This Bulletin has been revised to update the Model Years. Please discard Corporate Bulletin
Number 13-03-10-001C.
Cold Weather Operation
The vehicles referenced above are all equipped with 3
season performance tires commonly referred to as
“Summer Tires.”
The rubber used in these tires loses flexibility and may
develop surface cracks (1) in the tire tread/shoulder
area at colder temperatures. Refer to the photos below
for examples.
Surface cracks are cosmetic and will not result in a loss
of air, however special tread and compounds used on
these performance tires will cause a decrease in
performance in cold climates. Driving with high
performance summer tires on snow, ice or cold road
surfaces may cause loss of control.
Important: 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.
Tire Surface Cracks
3274901

[theviper]

For all of you that want to drive your Viper in the winter, I've made the difficult decision to sell my labor of love, the Winter Wheel and Tire Set. It is in the classifieds:
https://driveviper.com/classifieds/wheels-2f-tires/p2896-viper-winter-wheel-2c-tire-2c-and-spacer-set-from-the-viper-video-series.html

You may remember, we received a ton of attention with these and were even contacted by Jay Leno's Garage (didn't make the final cut though). All 4 wheels, Tires, TPMS, Center Caps, and Adaptors/Spacers are being sold.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NdxOdtsefss

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gtbprboUnQI

It took us months and a great deal of coordination with SRT, parts suppliers, tire vendors, and wheel adapter calculations to figure out the best geometry for the Viper in the winter. We have probably invested over $10,000 in time (really) figuring out this solution and about $3,500 in actual product parts. Set is in absolutely perfect condition. If you want to drive your Viper in temperatures under 45 degrees Fahrenheit, this is the best set up for it.