[daggs]

Who runs their Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S tires during the winter? Im in the Philadelphia area, so we will get some snow, but shouldn't be as bad as it would be further north.

Just curious if it is something people do, or if it is really necessary to run some sort of winter tire.

That being said, do you think the A/S 3+ would be the best bet if i didnt want to change out the tires twice a year?

Thanks

[floydarogers]

It's necessary to run something. It's not the snow, it's the cold. Anytime the road surface goes below about 40-45 degrees summer tires lose a lot of grip.

Be safe, buy some winters.

[daggs]

Originally Posted by floydarogers

It's necessary to run something. It's not the snow, it's the cold. Anytime the road surface goes below about 40-45 degrees summer tires lose a lot of grip.

Be safe, buy some winters.

Thats what i figured. Thanks

[Pray for Mojo]

It got cold here last couple of days, right around freezing at night. I'm still on my MPSS until I swap winters, I don't think you want to rock these year round. You will get stuck or possibly lose control, and they are loud as fuck when cold.

[rjd_F30]

Besides the fact that they won't get you anywhere in any amount of snow coverage, like mentioned above, it's the cold road surface. That said, I did drive my MPSS through last March in NJ, and while they weren't dangerous, you could definitely feel that the tire wasn't performing as well as it does in the warm, not even close. Additionally, I've heard the rubber can get too hard and crack if it's driven in the cold. At least this was a problem with the proprietary MPSSs GM put on the C7 Corvettes. Either buy good all seasons, or swap tires twice a year.

[cfm56d7b]

There is no substitute for a good set of winter tires. Safety is priceless.

[Humdizzle]

you can manage in super sports as long as there isn't much accumulation. I had supersports on my GTR in 0 degrees, no problem. But i found the as3 to be perfect for the f30, they can handle stock n55 power levels easy and i had no issue in the snow.

[MacklinUSOB]

PS4S will not cut it even with a slight incline in snowy conditions. On a flat surface I accelerate practically sideways with them on. They are not safe for snow and anyone who disagrees is just going to be the first one to the accident scene.

I ran them as low as 30F in the dry and while they weren't breaking loose every moment, they had dramatically less absolute grip and were not progressive when that was exceeded. Cold and wet? Sketchy.

The only time I ever drove them in the snow was with my Blizzak WS80's in my trunk on the way to the shop. Now I have another set of wheels and they're on standby for first snowfall in the forecast. Never doing that again.

[daggs]

Thanks for all the advice! Makes my decision so much easier!

[rphz]

You should not run Michelin Pilot Sport 4S or similar summer performance tires in cold weather as it can damage them once exposed to temperatures below 20 degrees.

Tire Rack even has a warning about this (from https://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires...Pilot+Sport+4S):

Note: Tires exposed to temperatures of 20 degrees F (-7 degrees C) or lower must be permitted to gradually return to temperatures of at least 40 degrees F (5 degrees C) for at least 24 hours before they are flexed in any manner, such as by adjusting inflation pressures, mounting them on wheels or using them to support, roll or drive a vehicle.

Flexing of the specialized rubber compounds used in Max Performance Summer tires during cold-weather use can result in irreversible compound cracking. Compound cracking is not a warrantable condition because it occurs as the result of improper use or storage, tires exhibiting compound cracking must be replaced.

[enjoythemusic]

My experience in the mtns of New England with the previous PSS...

With snow on ground you're dead in the water. Just forget it. Tapped the garage door opening with the Ferrari due to being stupid. Don't be stupid like me.

Without snow yet below 36F, grip is quite a bit reduced and the tires feel hard. Workable, but not suggested. Have you taken car control clinics?

For REAL snow, we're talkin' 36" overnight and all that **multiple times** a year, Blizzak. When Blizzak don't work, there's always studded, but how aggressive you want to be? How badly do you really need to drive? Have been in situations where inches of hard ice means... forget it. Stay home by the fireplace drinking real hot chocolate.

BTW, you really don't want Mich PS4S exposed to temps below 45F. Keep them in the house or somewhere temps remain above 45F (read: not the basement, unless that's heated / stays above 45F). Warm summer tires are happy tires.

[kern417]

AS3 will do ok in the snow but nothing beats Continental DWS for an all-year tire. I don't think we get as much snow here in ohio but when we do it has gotten me around just fine. And has great performance in the wet too. The only trade-off is AS3 will have better performance in the dry.

[BMW in NE]

+1 on MP4S in a New England winter. I did it once.. will never do it again. Get some all seasons or some snow tires and be safe.