Summer tires in Winter
 

Just bought 2002 Boxster S as my daily. It has very new Sumitomo HTR Z III all around. I have read the perils of driving Summer tires in the Winter (Live in NJ) but I am in no position after purchase to get winter tires. I may be able to use another car for some colder, snowy day but for the most part I have to get to work which is only 12 mile one way, 2/3 on hwy. So if it 20 - 30 will these tires get damaged for next summer? Next year if the tires are still in good shape I'll consider Winters or all seasons but this winter leaves little wiggle room

Hi,

Dont drive on summer tires in WINTER!!!
You are asking for trouble. Not to mention the people you may harm as a result of an accident which you will have sooner rather than later.

Summer sport tires will slide on even cold bitumen.....On ice or snow your playing with your and others lives mate.

My summer tires are Pirelli P Zero's and even when the temp is under 8 degrees celcius they are NO good at all.

Put the car away or buy the winter tires. :)

Just my 2 cents..

+1 - Listen to the Smagster!

The tires won't get damaged in the snow but the paint and bodywork will. :)
Keep your eyes open. A good set of used snows (wheels/tires) can often be had for $500. Remember you will need at least 17" wheels for a Box S. 16s won't fit over your brakes.

And here is one option. There are many more:
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/pacific-northwest-us-wa-id-ut-hi-ak/709641-fs-17-roh-7-5j-9j-winter-track-wheels.html

Yes. I bought an evo back in '03 new over thanksgiving and they come stock with sticky summer tires. The next day driving to work, it was like 38-40 degrees. It was like driving on marbles. There doesn't need to be snow, cold weather and summer tires are pretty dangerous.

Summer tires in real winter conditions (not the pseudo winter that we have here in LA) are a really bad idea and not worth the risk. We'd hate to see you posting a list of replacement parts that you need after putting the Boxster into a ditch (or worse).

Shortly after buying my 2000 base w/summer tires got on a clover leaf highway entrance at same speed I had driven it every workday in my Toyota Camry for 15 years. 40 degrees temp and the car suddenly went sideways. Recovered very nicely, must say, never crossed the lines that border the pavement. But if I had been going any faster, as I was very tempted to do, I would have been giving the roll bars a workout. Summer tires are for summer only. Period.

Just to clarify "summer only" tires means above 40F degrees only.

Does that mean ambient air temperature or road surface temp? Not to put too fine a point on it, of course.

both actually.

ambient will cold-soak the tire while the car sits overnight and/or during your workday. then the tire still won't build up much heat from friction on the cold road, especially if there's frost or snow as you're not even in contact with the road.

winter tires will stay pliable to temps much lower than summer tires.

all-season tires can have the same temperature issues as summer tires. they are not the same thing as WINTER tires.

Good advice above, do not drive it with summer tires below 40 degrees.

Get hooked up with the local Porsche club, SCCA, or other organization that holds autocross events through the cold months. Take your car to one of these and find out safely just how your car behaves with the summer tires in cold weather. If you've gotta use the summer tires this winter, this will help you understand the limits.

I've run my PS2's the last 2 winters with no issues. I just treat is like a motorcycle: never with any moisture/frost on the ground. You just have to respect the lower limits, which with these tires is still greater than most of the cars around you.

Heed all of the above advice plus know that if you get stuck or have an accident, your local law enforcement may add a hefty fine for not have your car properly equipped for winter conditions.