Freezing weather

[JFP in PA]

Rather than worrying about the environment, or how long the engine should run before driving off in sub-freezing weather, you should be more concerned about the fact that most of these cars are on tires that should not really be used below 40 F................

[Joe B]

Originally Posted by JFP in PA

Rather than worrying about the environment, or how long the engine should run before driving off in sub-freezing weather, you should be more concerned about the fact that most of these cars are on tires that should not really be used below 40 F................

I keep hearing that, but I don't know what all the fuss is about. My Boxster came with Michelin Pilot Super Sport tires. I bought it in November, and haven't driven in any temperatures above 40 degrees F. yet (hopefully it'll get above 40 here before the end of March ). I've used it in temps as low as 8 degrees F, on dry pavement, and the tires were fine. It's the same concept as using all-season or snow tires on snowy or icy roads. You have to use some common sense when accelerating, braking and cornering, just like you would on snow or ice, even with the best snow tires. Does that mean the tires work as well as they would above 40? No. So just slow down and enjoy your Boxster. Sorry about the thread hijack, since this was originally about warming up the engine.

[JFP in PA]

Originally Posted by Joe B

I keep hearing that, but I don't know what all the fuss is about. My Boxster came with Michelin Pilot Super Sport tires. I bought it in November, and haven't driven in any temperatures above 40 degrees F. yet (hopefully it'll get above 40 here before the end of March ). I've used it in temps as low as 8 degrees F, on dry pavement, and the tires were fine. It's the same concept as using all-season or snow tires on snowy or icy roads. You have to use some common sense when accelerating, braking and cornering, just like you would on snow or ice, even with the best snow tires. Does that mean the tires work as well as they would above 40? No. So just slow down and enjoy your Boxster. Sorry about the thread hijack, since this was originally about warming up the engine.

Many "summer performance" tires turn nearly dangerous at temps below 30F; we have had more than one customer do significant damage to their cars when summer tires suddenly lost grip ("like being on ice" is the typical comment) on clear, dry roads in the cold. It is no small thing, and one of the reasons tires have temperature usage ranges as well as load ranges.............

As we service the cars year round, I can attest that the tires do tend to break away suddenly and without warning when driven in the cold.

[Joe B]

Originally Posted by JFP in PA

Many "summer performance" tires turn nearly dangerous at temps below 30F; we have had more than one customer do significant damage to their cars when summer tires suddenly lost grip ("like being on ice" is the typical comment) on clear, dry roads in the cold. It is no small thing, and one of the reasons tires have temperature usage ranges as well as load ranges.............

As we service the cars year round, I can attest that the tires do tend to break away suddenly and without warning when driven in the cold.

Like I said, drive them like you were on slippery snow or ice with snow tires, and you should be just fine. Push them too hard in the cold and they'll break loose and slide.

[OldBlevins]

Originally Posted by JFP in PA

Rather than worrying about the environment, or how long the engine should run before driving off in sub-freezing weather, you should be more concerned about the fact that most of these cars are on tires that should not really be used below 40 F................

True, if you're using high-performance summer tires all year long. But I couldn't stand not driving my Box, so I got some all-season radials and a second set of rims and swap 'em out each fall and spring. I suspect a lot of people do something similar.