Driving the Portofino during winter

Your weather seems a bit like winter here in DFW, maybe a tad colder for you guys on average.
How likely is rain during winter? Rain & cooler temps (say 5 - 10 C), while driving on summer
performance tires would be the combination worry me. Especially in traffic, when you cannot
assume the people around you are being as careful as you.

If it were me, and you are going to DD it, I would change to winter tires, and just enjoy...T

 

My Portofino came with Pirelli PZero tires (summer tires),and they were excellent in the rain.

 

I put winters on mine and drove it (see snow), I did get caught in a mini-storm once it was great!
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Below 7 degrees winter tires also on dry roads guarantee a safer driving. I would reccomend you to change your summer tire which are not meant to be used in a 5 degree weather, you will find them slippery with possible sudden loss of traction also on dry road covered with salt. Go with a new set of Michelin Alpin and you will find the difference.

 

If you don't change to winter tires you'll get wheel hop, very unpleasant. However before you invest in winter tires you should make sure you really want to DD in winter. At least the Cali just didn't feel happy in winter, e.g. shifts were jerkier, engine takes forever to warm up, CCBs not great in winter. Its doable but not a great use of mileage IMHO.

 

God, that's beautiful @uhn2000
Is that Tour de France blue?

Cyr, definitely switch to all season or winter tires at an absolute minimum. Summer tires are downright dangerous in cold/icy weather. Also keep in mind that road temperatures in the winter can be 20 degrees cooler than the ambient air temperature, so even if the air is above freezing, the road surface might be below it. What I've read in the past is summer tires start losing grip rapidly below about 45 degrees Fahrenheit.

https://www.wheelhero.com/blog/learn-about-summer-tires-temperature-range/

Having said that, I'd recommend not driving the car in the winter. Even if you're a good driver and fully prepared, it doesn't mean others are. The odd of getting into an accident and much higher in cold weather, and the salt/sand will eat away at your car.

 

What ever you do, get wi ter tyres. Below 10 c or so, MPS4S become worthless, and PZero's even more so if you're unlucky enough to have gotten the car with those.

Here's an example from real life. Lusso V12 on a 6-7c day, slightly moist but not wet. Getting on the motorway in an easy fashion as there was traffic. Car was in WET and tyres had less than 2500 km on them. Driving straight and just following the car in front. At 60 km/h the rear decides to let go. Trust me when I tell you that you have enough torque on tap so that winter tyres is a must where you are. The Lusso does have a bit more power, but it also has the 4RM system. That little incident was just the reason why winter tyres is about much more than snow. On winter boots, I can flog it pretty hard and it does not misbehave. Get winter boots on it, some rubber floor mats and you have yourself a great wi ter daily. As long as your tyres are fine, a bit of snow is not a problem.

Oh, and make sure the underside is rust proofed.

Enjoy

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Yup, TDF Blue, one of my favourites!

 

Also known as To Die For Blue! Gorgeous!

 

So stunning! Am I remembering correctly that you sold it? If so, I can see why you miss it. Hope you'll get back into one soon.

 

I miss my TdF/Cuoio F355 Spider!!!!

 

She's a stunner. No wonder you want to drive her 24-7-365...T

 

Get the winter tires. This beauty deserves them!

 

careful with the sport mode on wet. I had a light medium press and ended up with an half spin on sport mode even though esc is on.