Taking delivery of my FL5! ...But it's really stinking cold, is it safe to drive home?

[Phenom3030]

From Google Gemini:
The critical temperature for the Michelin Pilot Sport 4S (and similar summer tires) is 20*F, -7*C. Below this temperature, the compound can become brittle and suffer permanent cracking or damage.

I’ve seen photos on FB where CTR owners had cracks in their tires and wondered how that could happen.

Me personally, wouldn’t put drive or store it in those temps. The tires failing is one problem, having to buy new tires another.

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[Spart]

If they are able to store the car in a heated area and you're able to drive it home with no snow on the roads at a decent speed, the tires will keep themselves warm enough because the flex in the sidewall heats up the tire. It can be 0°F out, and your tires can maintain 30-40°F no problem if you're driving fast enough. Not ideal, but it should be okay.

If the tires are allowed to cold soak, they'll become rock hard in 0°F weather.

Summer tires can be extremely dangerous in the snow. Some food for thought: many years ago, I got a little too antsy about taking my winter tires off and putting a summer set on. We got a late-season snowfall in late April or May.

The summer tires had so little grip, that when I let off the throttle while rolling at 20-30mph, the engine braking effect locked the front wheels up in my JCW Mini, stalling the engine.

Needless to say, I will never do that again.

 

[TypeRD]

From Google Gemini:
The critical temperature for the Michelin Pilot Sport 4S (and similar summer tires) is 20*F, -7*C. Below this temperature, the compound can become brittle and suffer permanent cracking or damage.

I’ve seen photos on FB where CTR owners had cracks in their tires and wondered how that could happen.

Me personally, wouldn’t put drive or store it in those temps. The tires failing is one problem, having to buy new tires another.

This exactly. It’s not just about traction. You can crack the sidewalls. This might not rear its head right away and you may not even see visible damage (it can be internal). But later when the weather is warmer and you do some spirited driving and take some corners at high-ish speed, the tires can rip off the wheels. I’ve seen it and the owners are usually clueless when you ask “Did you drive on them a lot when it was below their safety rated ambient temps?” crickets chirping

Those who have managed to not have a problem driving in the cold, I’d say are lucky. Keep in mind that different tire sizes and different cars can certainly matter too, so the examples some have sited aren’t apples to apples either.

Be smart. Be safe. The car is brand new. Think of the potential consequences of not taking a cautious approach.

 

[optronix]

This thread is like an IQ test.

 

[SP R KiD]

I definitely understand the need to stress caution...But you are fine to drive the car home as long as there is no snow. Cold temps are not friendly with PS4S, but....I'm pretty sure you don't intend ripping it on the road lol. You're only going to slip and slide if you try to really punch it, which you shouldn't be doing during break in anyway.

With that being said, seeing as you won't be driving it much this weekend anyway, waiting can't hurt. Though I do understand the excitement of wanting to go pick it up.

Tow it if you want, but you'll be ok if you drive it.

 

[Spart]

Cold temps are not friendly with PS4S, but....I'm pretty sure you don't intend ripping it on the road lol.

There's not a "but" here, rolling summer tires cold soaked to 0°F just a few feet could crack them, causing permanent damage.

 

[SP R KiD]

There's not a "but" here, rolling summer tires cold soaked to 0°F just a few feet could crack them, causing permanent damage.

2 points.

1. I did misread the post, I thought he was saying the temps were 25-35. So that’s my bad, if it’s closer to 0 temps then yeah that changes things. Even at 20 I’d wager you’re fine.

2. I redact my original post, I was wrong and purely misguided when making my statement apologies.

We’re all human! Don’t listen to me

 

[Spart]

2 points.

1. I did misread the post, I thought he was saying the temps were 25-35. So that’s my bad, if it’s closer to 0 temps then yeah that changes things. Even at 20 I’d wager you’re fine.

2. I redact my original post, I was wrong and purely misguided when making my statement apologies.

We’re all human! Don’t listen to me

OP's location is in Minnesota. It's pretty dang cold up here.

 

[SP R KiD]

There's not a "but" here, rolling summer tires cold soaked to 0°F just a few feet could crack them, causing permanent damage.

OP's location is in Minnesota. It's pretty dang cold up here.

Yeah I know, I try not to make assumptions. I just need to learn how to read. Haha thanks for holding me accountable.

 

[Spart]

Yeah I know, I try not to make assumptions. I just need to learn how to read. Haha thanks for holding me accountable.

I would actually be worried that the transport to the dealer has already harmed the tires somewhat.

As mentioned, for delivery they do intentionally over-inflate the tires. During PDI, they are supposed to deflate the tires to a normal pressure, though my Acura dealer skipped this step. This does help stave off some of the problem, but not all of it. And if they deflated the tires then started rolling the car around in these temps, it's possible they already cracked.

I would note that some manufacturers don't deliver cars with summer tires to dealers in these temps for this very reason. Ford is one of them.

The day OP posted this, the low in Minneapolis was -21°F. That's actual temperature, not a "feels like" or wind chill or whatever. The high Friday was -9°F.

It's been obscenely cold these past few days.

 

[22Si]

Damn all you driving on the factory summers in winter .

OP, you can buy some 18 winter wheels or tires online from Tire Rack or somewhere have them directly shipped to dealer have the dealer install. Place factory tires and wheels in the car and drive home just bring some blankets or tarps with you so they don't mark up the inside.

You definitely do not need "snow tires or winter tires", but you'd be stupid to drive on Summers. I have many friends that have been driving carefully on Summers and always end up crashing why risk your brand new car

Also with my winner setup I'm able to get through streets or even cars or SUVs with all wheel drive gets stuck

 

[jtlctr]

This is the only way:

 

[JustAddBeer]

This exactly. It’s not just about traction. You can crack the sidewalls. This might not rear its head right away and you may not even see visible damage (it can be internal). But later when the weather is warmer and you do some spirited driving and take some corners at high-ish speed, the tires can rip off the wheels. I’ve seen it and the owners are usually clueless when you ask “Did you drive on them a lot when it was below their safety rated ambient temps?” crickets chirping

Those who have managed to not have a problem driving in the cold, I’d say are lucky. Keep in mind that different tire sizes and different cars can certainly matter too, so the examples some have sited aren’t apples to apples either.

Be smart. Be safe. The car is brand new. Think of the potential consequences of not taking a cautious approach.

 

[JustAddBeer]

Damn all you driving on the factory summers in winter .

OP, you can buy some 18 winter wheels or tires online from Tire Rack or somewhere have them directly shipped to dealer have the dealer install. Place factory tires and wheels in the car and drive home just bring some blankets or tarps with you so they don't mark up the inside.

You definitely do not need "snow tires or winter tires", but you'd be stupid to drive on Summers. I have many friends that have been driving carefully on Summers and always end up crashing why risk your brand new car

Also with my winner setup I'm able to get through streets or even cars or SUVs with all wheel drive gets stuck

I'm trying to determine whether I can drive home to store it for the winter... I don't want to invest in winter wheels and tires

 

[JustAddBeer]

I definitely understand the need to stress caution...But you are fine to drive the car home as long as there is no snow. Cold temps are not friendly with PS4S, but....I'm pretty sure you don't intend ripping it on the road lol. You're only going to slip and slide if you try to really punch it, which you shouldn't be doing during break in anyway.

With that being said, seeing as you won't be driving it much this weekend anyway, waiting can't hurt. Though I do understand the excitement of wanting to go pick it up.

Tow it if you want, but you'll be ok if you drive it.

I appreciate your input. Yes, I don't intend to do much but get it home and then a couple days later but it in a storage unit by my house. I just don't want to pay some slimy two company to flat bed it 300-500 to move it 20 miles.

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