Author Topic: Is it safe to drive winter tires when temps. are going up? (Read 3907 times)

susan_t · « **on:** March 25, 2005, 02:39:16 pm »

I currently have Michelin Artic Alpins on my car. They're pure winter tires and I was told I can't drive past 120kms/hr. My question is, the temperatures are going up next week, to around 10-12'C. Is it still safe to drive my winters when the temps. are this high? I know it's not extremely hot, but I've watched a few car shows and they mentioned that as soon as the temperature is obove 0'C, it's time to change them over. Help! I need to decide what to do by Monday. Thanks.

davidy · « **Reply #1 on:** March 25, 2005, 04:38:45 pm »

In the past, I have driven winter tires all year long. The soft tread of winter tires will typically wear more than all season tires.

IMO, the changeover threshold of 0 deg C is too low. Others here have recommended that the changeover should occur when the temps reach 5-7 deg C. Personally, I would start considering the changeover once the overnight temps start reaching 4-5 deg C.

Dave

johngenx · « **Reply #2 on:** March 25, 2005, 04:50:24 pm »

In the land of ice snow, also known as Edmonton, I don't dare strip the snows off before well into April. This week we got 40cm of snow and before that we had days of freezing rain.

Depends on where you live and how important it is that you be able to move in the snow. My wife is a teacher and MUST be at work, regardless of weather/roads. Schools here never close. Ever. So, her Subie OBW has it's snows on a little later than many folks, and they go on fairly early. If they wear faster, oh well. At $500 or so a set, it's not a big deal in the overall operating of the car.

Me? If either the C230 or the Forester has snows on it, I'm okay. Heck, even if they both were on summers, I rarely HAVE to be anywhere, so I might just stay home.

With all the new snow, I spent an afternoon climbing the snow-plow berms in the neighbourhood with the Forester. If it didn't make for such a brutal commute for my wife, I wouldn't mind the snow!

quadzilla · « **Reply #3 on:** March 25, 2005, 06:24:25 pm »

When I would drive to California or Utah in the spring or fall I would leave my snowtires on in case of snow through the mountains. Once there, I never had any problems with my snow tires on the warm and hot days (up to 25C). Even after driving all day at 130kph in 18-23C days with the sun shining I never noticed/felt any differences. I'm sure I shortened the life of them but it was worth it as it always snows in the mountain for me.

capriracer · « **Reply #4 on:** March 26, 2005, 09:20:12 am »

I prefer to think of it as a level of risk - safe / unsafe is too black and white.

There is obviously an increased risk in not changing the winter tires out. Aside from the fact that winter tires run hotter and will therefore be less durable in the summer (increased risk of tire failure), the dry traction will be down. Usually there is plenty of dry traction avaiable, but in an emergency situation, you're going to want all the traction you can get. I don't want you to hate yourself when you rearend the car in front of you.

Hope this helps.

susan_t · « **Reply #5 on:** March 27, 2005, 01:52:25 pm »

Thanks guys for all your advice. I just heard from a few car technicians that once the pavement is warm, esp. with the sun shining on it, that it can get dangerous if I drive my snow tires on the highway. I've heard a tire can explode. And I like to do around 140kms/hr. on the hwy. or atleast 120kms/hr. But lately since the temps. been going up, I've noticed when I drive on the hwy. that my steering wheel vibrates. So, I'm assuming it's my tires. But yeah, as what many of you have said, the weather is so unpredictable. I'm in Toronto and the first day of Spring, it snowed. It wasn't as bad as what John got in Edmonton, 40 cms. If I had performance snow tires, then I wouldn't hestitate to leave them on until the end of April. But I have "true" snow tires, so I'm still on the fence about changing them over.

morty · « **Reply #6 on:** March 29, 2005, 12:56:42 am »

I dont think they are likely to explode, but it is definitely a waste of good rubber. You made the investment in winter tires, so once the weather starts to get warmer, time to remove them. They definitely like the colder weather and because of the specialized winter compounds the tires are extremely soft in warmer temps. You will experience a lot of tread squirm in warmer temps and it can be uncomfortable to drive. There isnt a set date for removal, as every year's climate is different from years past. Evaluate the weather and if you are experiencing warmer weather (5C and above) then it is time to consider removing them. This is when it is nice to have a seperate set of winter tires and wheels. If the weather takes an unexpected turn for the worse you can always put the winters back on.

Treat them well and they will give you a lot more useable KMs.

TireTrends - End of season winter sale!

wing · « **Reply #7 on:** March 29, 2005, 08:18:11 am »

I only have winters for my Subaru, I drove to Toronto 140km/h for awhile in August on one of the hottest days of the year. I drove all summer on them last year no problems. They might not be the best winters though, they are some no name junk but they work well all year :-)

RayT · « **Reply #8 on:** March 29, 2005, 09:33:21 am »

On my previous daily driver, I had some Nokian which were worn down so I drove well into the summer with them on. They were definitely very greasy to drive on especially when it got hot compared to normal all-seasons. They were pretty easy to slide around on-demand, made me feel a bit like a rally driver :-)

susan_t · « **Reply #9 on:** March 29, 2005, 01:15:21 pm »

Thanks guys for all your help. I really appreciate your advice.

My winters needs to replaced for next winter anyways, so I'm not concerned about the wear. I was just concerned when the mechanics told me to change them right away for safety reasons and for other reasons ofcourse, like performance and gas consumption. Thanks again.

footlong58 · « **Reply #10 on:** March 29, 2005, 04:01:24 pm »

I think they might explode due to the speed rating... Remember, most winter tires are Q speed rated... Now, I don't think anyone is driving more than 160 kph, but still... Q rating is the lowest, and I know I wouldn't want Q rated tires for a nice hot dry summer drive...

susan_t · « **Reply #11 on:** March 29, 2005, 08:39:48 pm »

The speed rating on my tires are 120 kph., Q speed rated. It was 15'C degrees today and I was doing 130 kms/hr. on the highway. I couldn't help but drive that speed, even though I really wanted to do about 140 or more. So, am I really pushing it? I've seen tires explode on highways before, but I'm not sure for what reason.

footlong58 · « **Reply #12 on:** March 30, 2005, 09:03:05 am »

Well, if you going over the top speed rating of your tires, lets just say I don't want to be driving behind you when you do...

It's a big no no... Thats why you don't drive winter tires all year round, the speed rating...

susan_t · « **Reply #13 on:** March 30, 2005, 10:24:41 am »

Are you sure you don't want to be behind me? How about in my car?? hee hee.

Yeah, I'll get the tires changed over soon. I never intended on driving the winters all year around. The weather in Toronto is very unpredictable and ya never know, it could snow in April. Thanks

oversteer · « **Reply #14 on:** March 30, 2005, 11:10:23 am »

'Q' rated is 160 kph.

susan_t · « **Reply #15 on:** March 30, 2005, 01:46:12 pm »

Really?? Hmmm, I was told when I purchased the Artic Aplins, the fastest I could go on them was
120 kph.

oversteer · « **Reply #16 on:** March 30, 2005, 01:54:49 pm »

Rated speed limit and practical speed limit are different things. Most likely what you were told is that the fastest they _recommended_ going was 120kph, which by the way is a sensible recommendation. I think for your next set of winters you should consider something more performance oriented, e.g. Pirelli 210, Dunlop M3, Michelin Pilot Alpin, Toyo Garit HT. In the meantime, your tires are not going to explode, but you do need to recognize that they just aren't made to give you great handling at high speeds.

Speed ratings and load indexes:

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tiretech/general/speed.jsp

susan_t · « **Reply #17 on:** March 30, 2005, 03:13:06 pm »

Thanks for clarifying the difference, it makes sense. Yeah, I know I really shouldn't be driving that fast. The reason why I don't go with a performance snow tire is because my car is really low to the ground and I get stuck in the snow easily. I'm like a snowplow for other drivers! So I opted for a Q rated snow tire. For next winter, I'm considering the Nokian Hakka 2. I heard they were the best snow tires.
Thanks again for your help.

wing · « **Reply #18 on:** March 31, 2005, 08:54:40 am »

What's the hurry anyways?

tenpenny · « **Reply #19 on:** March 31, 2005, 10:20:24 am »

I used to do regular visits on business to the guys in the Michelin plants in NS. When I told them how much I liked my Artic Alpins, their only caution was that they will wear faster on dry pavement. And they sing in the rain, but I like that.

I've done speeds of 130-140 with them, and never had a problem. I can't see why 120 would be an issue, that's normal dry pavement highway speed.