Posssible Damage to Summer Tires by Very Cold Temperatures

[CWizard]

According to some tire makers and online sellers, high performance summer tires not only have poor performance below about 40 degrees F but can be permanently damaged by exposure to very cold temperatures. Being completely ignorant of this damage possibility until recently, I stored my Pirelli Pzero PZ4 summer tires in a sheltered and unheated outdoor location at the start of cold weather. As a result, they were exposed to temperatures as low as 5 deg. Does anyone know how to tell if the tires were damaged and unsafe by this exposure? FWIW, they have been slowly brought back to 70 deg over the past several days. Thanks.

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[roadpilot]

They should be fine as long you don't drive when it's that temp or below. Damage will be seen as cracking of the rubber.

 

[MAT1955]

@CWizard ..... I lived in an area that routinely went to -15F and sometimes to -40F. Straight summer tires get noticeably harder at -15F or lower, which significantly lengthened their stopping distance but the cold never "damaged" anyone's "summer:" tires. All seasons had better stopping times because they were a softer rubber compound. All seasons also wear down faster in the summer. Pure winter tires are a lot softer rubber compound and will stop much faster and grip ice much better that other compounds but you have to change them in the spring because they will burn off real fast in even spring weather and they'd melt in the summer.

 

[jeffnudi]

According to some tire makers and online sellers, high performance summer tires not only have poor performance below about 40 degrees F but can be permanently damaged by exposure to very cold temperatures. Being completely ignorant of this damage possibility until recently, I stored my Pirelli Pzero PZ4 summer tires in a sheltered and unheated outdoor location at the start of cold weather. As a result, they were exposed to temperatures as low as 5 deg. Does anyone know how to tell if the tires were damaged and unsafe by this exposure? FWIW, they have been slowly brought back to 70 deg over the past several days. Thanks.

https://www.tirerack.com/upgrade-garage/can-i-drive-summer-performance-tires-in-cold-temperatures

 

[roadpilot]

FYI: The OP is referring to storing them in cold temps, not driving them in cold temps.

 

[jeffnudi]

FYI: The OP is referring to storing them in cold temps, not driving them in cold temps.

Not sure if your message was referencing my reply, but I posted the link because of this: "In fact, should summer performance tires even be exposed to near- or below-freezing temperatures, tread compound cracking or tread block chipping can occur. Once a tire has been damaged in this way, it will need to be replaced. And, as both types of damage only occur as the result of improper use or storage, they will not typically be covered by the manufacturer's warranty."

 

[MAT1955]

@roadpilot and @CWizard ...... dealerships where I live store summer tires on rims in shipping containers "outside" for customers who have their winter tires on rims then store the winter tires on rims over the summer in the same shipping containers. It often gets to -20 and -40 is not unusual. Whether in storing them or driving on them no problem. I have done this for 20 years with NOI effect at all to my expensive tires (Michelins, Bridgestones and Pirellis)

 

[robvas]

Only the most extreme tires will straight up crack in the cold (like the Trofeos on the DH), but I would not be surprised if taking the tires down to below freezing temps causes slight changes to the tires, similar to heat cycling. But I could be wrong.

Oddly enough I see the BMW M vehicles out here in -1 degree F with the PS4's...

 

[roadpilot]

Not sure if your message was referencing my reply, but I posted the link because of this: "In fact, should summer performance tires even be exposed to near- or below-freezing temperatures, tread compound cracking or tread block chipping can occur. Once a tire has been damaged in this way, it will need to be replaced. And, as both types of damage only occur as the result of improper use or storage, they will not typically be covered by the manufacturer's warranty."

I was just commenting on what he specifically asked about. That's all.

"I stored my Pirelli Pzero PZ4 summer tires in a sheltered and unheated outdoor location at the start of cold weather. As a result, they were exposed to temperatures as low as 5 deg. Does anyone know how to tell if the tires were damaged and unsafe by this exposure?"

 

[roadpilot]

Whether in storing them or driving on them no problem.

I know at least half a dozen people who have damaged their summer only tires by driving on them when the temps were too low ... including myself (2016 Z06).

 

[Sofa King]

As @roadpilot said, as long as you had no weight on the tires, did not inflate or deflate, mount or dismount at the low temps, you should be fine... inspect well for any cracks. The big issue is flexing the rubber at these cold temps...

 

[CWizard]

Thanks to all for the replies!

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