melbitoast

iTrader: (1)

How imperative is it to abide by the recommendations that accompany the purchase of high-performance summer tires? They say do not use these tires at near or below freezing temperatures. Is that really an issue?

I live in south central Texas, and we only get a handful of days annually that fall into this category. Would I be safe with installing and using a "summer setup" year-round?

flipside909

Yeah I wouldn't worry about using All-Season high performance tires unless you live in Northwest or Southeast where there is more rain and snow fall throughout the year. Since you're in South Texas, you should be fine with summer tires year round.

San Antonio or further south?

QwkSC

iTrader: (1)

I'm in San Antonio(I also work at Discount Tire), I get away with summer performance tires all the time. But then again its not like it goes below freezing more then once or twice a year. I was stationed in Kansas and had the same setup, couldn't even get up the smallest grades in snow, had to walk everywhere in winter.

If you are on Competition tires however, you should switch when it gets cold. Those kinds of tires will have no traction at all unless they are hot

melbitoast

iTrader: (1)

I'm in Austin. We received our once-every-4-years 2" of snowfall this February, so I believe I should be fine. Besides, Austin shuts down at the very mention of snow b/c of all the hills.
QwkSC, do you get an employee discount on tires?? ;-)

QwkSC

iTrader: (1)

Yea I get tires at cost. For most passenger car tires its alot off, for specialty items like drag radials it could be as little as 10$

rhy

iTrader: (2)

In Texas, you'll be just fine. Even around here it's not too bad... if you're adventurous and don't live on a hill

melbitoast

iTrader: (1)

Sweet. I'll likely hit you up when my fiancee's tires need replacing on her Jetta.

For mine, well, let me know if any of the following qualify for anything. I'm debating the following 3 tires: Michelin Super Sport, Continental Extreme Contact DW, and Vredestein Ultrac Sessanta. Thanks!

QwkSC

iTrader: (1)

I believe michelin is running a rebate right now. You should go in to your local discount tire and see.

melbitoast

iTrader: (1)

yeah, I think it's $70 off the whole set. I won't need the tires (crossing fingers) for another few months though. Plus I still have wedding/honeymoon expenses left to pay for. I'm praying my tires last until at least July/August.

mooretorque

Fwiw, I don't switch either but when we DID get snow here (5x this past winter! unusual for AR), the F was pretty helpless on the PS2s. I was able to get home on the occasions where we had to close early, but (thanks to relatively empty streets) attempting to maintain a straight line was pretty amusing.

When there wasn't snow/slush, I was actually surprised by the amount of grip available even with temps in the 30s. Overall, no reason for us to have dedicated A/S or snows this far south. (As long as you've got another vehicle.)

ISFSteve

There would be no issues with where you live with summer only. I have run summer only I am and we get colder temps than you. They just don't have the grip at those temps say in the 20's. Where you are, you will be fine.