Cold weather driving on Michelin Pilot Super Sport tires
12-04-14 | 08:48 AM
#1
Thread Starter
Driver
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 83
Likes: 2
From: NJ
Cold weather driving on Michelin Pilot Super Sport tires
I've been reading a lot about winter driving on our RCF oem Michelin tires.
I find it hard to believe that we cannot drive the car in sub-30 degree temps.
I understand that driving in snow or sleet is a bad idea, but what if the roads are dry?
I could not find anything on the Michelin web site addressing this.
I live in NJ and do not want to let the car sit for 3 months or so until spring comes.
I find it hard to believe that we cannot drive the car in sub-30 degree temps.
I understand that driving in snow or sleet is a bad idea, but what if the roads are dry?
I could not find anything on the Michelin web site addressing this.
I live in NJ and do not want to let the car sit for 3 months or so until spring comes.
12-04-14 | 01:27 PM
#3
Advanced
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 563
Likes: 51
From: Ontario
You can drive them on a sunny day with dry roads. Do you really want to risk skidding on a tiny bit of ice / snow with your brand new $85k car? Not worth it to me. Pick up a set of winter tires if you want to drive it year round.
12-04-14 | 02:33 PM
#5
Lexus Champion
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 19,951
Likes: 171
I've been reading a lot about winter driving on our RCF oem Michelin tires.
I find it hard to believe that we cannot drive the car in sub-30 degree temps.
I understand that driving in snow or sleet is a bad idea, but what if the roads are dry?
I could not find anything on the Michelin web site addressing this.
I live in NJ and do not want to let the car sit for 3 months or so until spring comes.
I find it hard to believe that we cannot drive the car in sub-30 degree temps.
I understand that driving in snow or sleet is a bad idea, but what if the roads are dry?
I could not find anything on the Michelin web site addressing this.
I live in NJ and do not want to let the car sit for 3 months or so until spring comes.
With proper winter tires, you can drive it as much as you want.
12-04-14 | 02:44 PM
#6
Intermediate
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 395
Likes: 7
From: CT
If the temps head below 35-40 degree's on those tires, you will need to drive that car like an ES and not an RCF. The compound of the rubber changes at those temps and even on dry roads you will lose traction sooner than you think.
I've been reading a lot about winter driving on our RCF oem Michelin tires.
I find it hard to believe that we cannot drive the car in sub-30 degree temps.
I understand that driving in snow or sleet is a bad idea, but what if the roads are dry?
I could not find anything on the Michelin web site addressing this.
I live in NJ and do not want to let the car sit for 3 months or so until spring comes.
I find it hard to believe that we cannot drive the car in sub-30 degree temps.
I understand that driving in snow or sleet is a bad idea, but what if the roads are dry?
I could not find anything on the Michelin web site addressing this.
I live in NJ and do not want to let the car sit for 3 months or so until spring comes.
12-04-14 | 02:46 PM
#7
I run PSS's on all my cars and I ran them on the ISF last winter and almost killed myself about 28 times.
30-40 degrees there is noticeably less traction but they aren't dangerous. 0 degrees things get more fun but still not dangerous in the dry if you're not accelerating heavily or cornering fast.
Now add any amount or type of precip to the equation below 40 degrees and I hope you have your affairs in order.
30-40 degrees there is noticeably less traction but they aren't dangerous. 0 degrees things get more fun but still not dangerous in the dry if you're not accelerating heavily or cornering fast.
Now add any amount or type of precip to the equation below 40 degrees and I hope you have your affairs in order.
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12-04-14 | 03:44 PM
#8
Driver
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 107
Likes: 27
From: Ontario
Winter Tires.. Do you haz 'em?
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/rc-f/765510-winter-setup-for-rc-f.html
But seriously, get them if you're going to drive your car in cold weather. There are no excuses not to, but if you don't get them, the risk of losing control is pretty high.
Under heavy acceleration, the winter tires I have, have a hard time sticking to the ground. I can't imagine PSS in the same conditions.
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/rc-f/765510-winter-setup-for-rc-f.html
But seriously, get them if you're going to drive your car in cold weather. There are no excuses not to, but if you don't get them, the risk of losing control is pretty high.
Under heavy acceleration, the winter tires I have, have a hard time sticking to the ground. I can't imagine PSS in the same conditions.
02-07-19 | 09:30 AM
#9
Driver School Candidate
Joined: Feb 2019
Posts: 8
Likes: 1
From: Illinois
It is possible to drive these in sub zero. I know this because I just bought the car on a day when it was -8F. And sub 30 and wet it possible.
Though like Ike someone else mentioned. You have to drive it like a normal car. It will step out in you much sooner than dry/wet conditions at a more normal temperature. Also if there is a hint of ice or snow they are very dangerous. I don’t recommend taking it out. It can get sideways going 10mph just trying to go straight.
Though like Ike someone else mentioned. You have to drive it like a normal car. It will step out in you much sooner than dry/wet conditions at a more normal temperature. Also if there is a hint of ice or snow they are very dangerous. I don’t recommend taking it out. It can get sideways going 10mph just trying to go straight.
02-07-19 | 02:24 PM
#10
It is possible to permanently damage the rubber compound at temperatures under 20F.
https://www.tirerack.com/tires/tiret...jsp?techid=273
https://www.tirerack.com/tires/tiret...jsp?techid=273
02-07-19 | 02:53 PM
#11
Rookie
Joined: Apr 2018
Posts: 75
Likes: 11
From: New Jersey
Granted you could drive them in cold weather(not lower than 20F), but the car will slip easier. Factor in Ice or snow, you’re asking for trouble. I’m in NJ as well and I wouldn’t take the chance.
Last edited by Bluecarbon; 02-07-19 at 03:15 PM.
02-07-19 | 03:48 PM
#12
Driver School Candidate
Joined: Feb 2019
Posts: 8
Likes: 1
From: Illinois
It is possible to permanently damage the rubber compound at temperatures under 20F.
https://www.tirerack.com/tires/tiret...jsp?techid=273
https://www.tirerack.com/tires/tiret...jsp?techid=273
The original oem tires need replacing soon anyway. I haven’t noticed any cracking, and will still drive it maybe once a week or less for the next 2 months. I can come back on and report what happens to them.
02-08-19 | 03:53 AM
#13
Pole Position
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 2,629
Likes: 250
From: CA
Haha......the worst feeling is sliding on ice at less than 5mph on a slight down incline and YOU KNOW the car you are driving is NOT gonna stop UNTIL you hit something!!! Or the opposite......you are stationary and stuck on ice and another car sliding into you at a very slow speed AND YOU KNOW YOU CAN AVOID THE ACCIDENT ONLY IF YOU CAN GET SOME TRACTION ON THE TIRES TO GET OUT OF THE WAY!!!
It is possible to drive these in sub zero. I know this because I just bought the car on a day when it was -8F. And sub 30 and wet it possible.
Though like Ike someone else mentioned. You have to drive it like a normal car. It will step out in you much sooner than dry/wet conditions at a more normal temperature. Also if there is a hint of ice or snow they are very dangerous. I don’t recommend taking it out. It can get sideways going 10mph just trying to go straight.
Though like Ike someone else mentioned. You have to drive it like a normal car. It will step out in you much sooner than dry/wet conditions at a more normal temperature. Also if there is a hint of ice or snow they are very dangerous. I don’t recommend taking it out. It can get sideways going 10mph just trying to go straight.
02-08-19 | 05:03 AM
#14
Pole Position
Joined: May 2017
Posts: 302
Likes: 62
From: PA
It is possible to permanently damage the rubber compound at temperatures under 20F.
https://www.tirerack.com/tires/tiret...jsp?techid=273
https://www.tirerack.com/tires/tiret...jsp?techid=273
this^ - well known, don't do it. waste of the car and some pricey tires. Get the right equipment to drive in winter.
02-08-19 | 07:18 PM
#15
Pole Position
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 2,629
Likes: 250
From: CA
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