Summer tires all year in the Deep South? | FerrariChat

Summer tires all year in the Deep South?

Discussion in 'Technical Q&A' started by Threeofnine, Sep 19, 2022.

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  1. Threeofnine

    Threeofnine Formula Junior
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    Dec 11, 2020
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    Jarrod Heath
    #1 Threeofnine, Sep 19, 2022
    My TR has P Zero Rosso tires on it. I live in central Alabama and our winters are usually mild. During the coldest part of winter the temperature averages lows in the upper 20s, highs in the mid 50s. Occasionally we will have a cold snap that will see lows drop below 20F and the occasional warm spell where it’s pushing around 80. We might have a dusting of snow once every 3 to 5 years.

    Based on this, could I maybe get away with using the summer tires year-round? I don’t think I’d be driving the car if the temperature is below freezing and I try my hardest to never let rain touch it, much less snow. However, my garage is not heated.
     
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  2. rob lay

    rob lay Administrator
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    #2 rob lay, Sep 19, 2022
    yep, we don't do winter tires in the south or southeast, even in the midwest (Kansas/Nebraska/Missouri) where we had good winter storms no snow tires. although midwest gets winter storms or even in south, roads are usually clear within a week, you aren't locked in all winter.
     
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  3. flash32

    flash32 F1 Veteran

    Aug 22, 2008
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    Dominick
    #3 flash32, Sep 19, 2022
    I find that max performance summer tires are very dangerous anything below 55 .. unless i really warm them up with very long drive

    I would never take my 512tr with those summer tires (i have PS2 on it) below 50 degrees .. they are hard and have very little grip

    I would consider if you plan on those temps for a all season performance tire

    Sent from my moto g power using Tapatalk
     
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  4. GrigioGuy

    GrigioGuy Splenda Daddy
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    #4 GrigioGuy, Sep 19, 2022
    I use an all-season performance tire. On my car, they are still higher performance than the driver.
     
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  5. Rifledriver

    Rifledriver Three Time F1 World Champ

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    #5 Rifledriver, Sep 19, 2022
    On the exotics all I ever use is Max Perf Summer tires when available. If you have stock wheels I would be more than a little surprised you can get them though.
     
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  6. Drew Altemara

    Drew Altemara Formula 3

    Feb 11, 2002
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    #6 Drew Altemara, Sep 19, 2022
    I run Pirelli P Zero Max Performance Summer on my Porsche Carrera S all year long here in Tuscaloosa and I drive it every day. Never a problem. Just keep the car inside the one days it snows here every two years. My opinion. Drew
     
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  7. rob lay

    rob lay Administrator
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    #7 rob lay, Sep 19, 2022
    snow tires are designed to warm up faster in the cold, but I think the softer performance tires would be pretty easy to warm up too.
     
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  8. tomc

    tomc Two Time F1 World Champ

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    #8 tomc, Sep 19, 2022
    Dallas. I use summer tires 24/7/365. Just be careful as temps creep closer to 50 F. Keep any spirited driving under control, especially until tires are warmed up. Dry weather only when it's cooler. Frozen precip? You know how Southerners drive in snow/sleet! Any nice car needs to be at home, warm and dry while crazy rednecks - myself included - are slip sliding around in their pickup trucks!

    Personally, I have found that Pirelli performance seems to drop off faster with cooler temps than Michelin tires.

    T
     
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  9. Threeofnine

    Threeofnine Formula Junior
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    Jarrod Heath
    #9 Threeofnine, Sep 19, 2022
    Thanks for the replies everyone. A related question, any reason not to let an independent mechanic/tire shop install tires on a TR?

    In my town there is only one exotic mechanic in town. However, last time I had work done there they backed into my TR causing a bit of damage. Also, after talking to other Ferrari owners in town, they’ve engaged in a lot of questionable actions so I’m hesitant to leave my car with them.

    Near me there is a highly rated independent mechanic. They don’t work on exotics but they do a lot of classic car work. Their shop is always full of 50s Chevys, 60s muscle cars etc. I wouldn’t let them do any actual mechanical repairs, but any reason not to let them change the tires?
     
  10. Hawkeye

    Hawkeye F1 Veteran
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    #10 Hawkeye, Sep 19, 2022
    I think it's called "Glass Transition" Google it for more details. Winter tires have traction advantages for sure, but it's mostly the compound and outside air temps. Max Performance Summer tires turn into Hockey Pucks about 45 Fahrenheit. Dangerous.
     
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  11. Rifledriver

    Rifledriver Three Time F1 World Champ

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    #11 Rifledriver, Sep 20, 2022
    I never take exotics to a tire shop. I bring them the wheels.

    There is great equipment these days for changing tires on fragile wheels but the outcome it is still operator controlled

    In many communities there are mobile tire services and they tend to cater to specialty car owners. I'd look for one.
     
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  12. spirot

    spirot F1 World Champ

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    #12 spirot, Sep 29, 2022
    PM Tommy Cosgrove who lives in Birmingham to find out who he uses locally. He's a good guy and will know.
     
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