Cold Weather Driving | Michelin PSS

[Chris_08_M3]

Just wondering if you guys drive around in the fall with PSS? This morning it was a bit cold in the GTA and I wasn't getting much traction initially. After driving around for 10 min it was much better. Anyone use PSS in the cold weather (fall or spring)...not winter of course?

C

[doogee]

I've never had an issue! I drove on them until the first salting last year. Was December 26th I believe.

[kaede]

For myself, I have driven on the PSS in the colder days in Spring and Fall nearing 0c. However, in Vancouver, even when its cold it never gets too frosty or icy because we're quite a bit more wet (lotsa rain). When it is icy or frosty, i don't think its a good idea... Also, tire temperature doesn't increase that much in the cold and wet as there is a lack of traction and road temperature to warm them up, so if you do drive on them, don't drive hard! Cheers!

[Chris_08_M3]

Thanks guys

[Ggeezer]

I figure I may as well post this.

Back in May I got caught out driving up to Tremblant in winter weather to a track day with my Michelin PSS on.

Had the dashcam rolling so I was able to catch this gem of a video.

Thankfully, I wasn't hurt and nothing happened to me or the car but it was one of the scariest experiences since I essentially had 0 grip.

Point is, you don't appreciate winter tires until you've driven in winter weather with summer tires.

[6ixSpd]

You need to warm up them, Formula 1 style.

[loveskiing]

It never ceases to amaze me when folks drive their cars in icy conditions. While there are some tires that will perform better than others, it's quite difficult to find any tire that can deliver top performance, when the roads are sheets of ice. Invariably there are always videos each winter of some folks that think because they've got 4x4's and/or "winter tires" they can drive like track stars...only to pinball down the road into other cars. Best to stay home or avoid the icy roads, but if you have to drive, get the best ice and snow tire, chain up when necessary, and drive with caution.

[Thik]

As much as I absolutely hate driving with winter tires on my M3, once the temperature dips below 10 degrees, I change over.

I have Michellin PSS and in 10 degrees or below, there is no traction. You would be pretty screwed in emergency situations. When there's a light dousing of snow, you won't be able to make it out of your driveway in PSS.

It pains me to have already changed over my winter tires already this year. But it's the sensible and safe thing to do if you value your life/car.

[doogee]

Interesting. Maybe you guys are having traction issues because your tires are old.

It's 5 Degrees here today and I have no traction issues. If I punch it in the power band I might get a little bit of wheel spin, but not much.

[Chris_08_M3]

My tires a about 2-3 years old so thats probably contributing to my traction issues. But again after 10 min of driving its perfectly fine. However today was frosty in Toronto and although I did not have issues driving I just called my insurance company to put my winter car back on the road.

For those who store the M3 over the winter do you take insurance off?

[Ggeezer]

Originally Posted by Chris_08_M3

My tires a about 2-3 years old so thats probably contributing to my traction issues. But again after 10 min of driving its perfectly fine. However today was frosty in Toronto and although I did not have issues driving I just called my insurance company to put my winter car back on the road.

For those who store the M3 over the winter do you take insurance off?

I didn't remove insurance, but I informed them that I'd be storing the car. They required at least 45 days in storage.

It's still important to have liability and comprehensive insurance in case the car rolls and hits someone else's car or if it catches fire, gets vandalized, etc.

[Changm3]

I believe most insurance companies you have the option to put it under just parking insurance. However this just covers for fire and theft and is a great method to continue your premium without having to actually cancel it. Usually this parking insurance cost probably tops 50 bucks a month.

[WingZeroX5]

I once drove on PSS in single digits, all dry conditions. I read somewhere that the compound on the PSS allows it to be "better" in colder conditions. I was fine in the wet in the 30's, but I know that it's a summer tire. Adjust accordingly

[bb_00]

I am currently on PSS as well and it wasn't fun getting out of my unshovelled street this morning. Once I was on the main road, it was fine but I'm not taking any chances. I'm putting the snows on tomorrow. Better safe than sorry.

[TorqueAddict]

yup.. PSS turn into plastic at colder temps.

[beats]

I have driven on them in DRY close to zero, but wouldn't want to drive in the wet or below zero. Park the car if you don't have proper tires. Not safe for yourself or others on the road. In winter, it's amazing the difference between Performance Summer and all seasons, and even more so, between all seasons and winter tires...

Ggeezer's video proves how bad they are...

[GotV8?]

@ Ggeezers, thanks for sharing the vid, I too was caught with my PSS here in Ohio weather last year when I was on my way home picking up my daughter from her practice, it was around 7 pm in mid December clear roads and 22 degrees F with a 20 minute drive home: All of a sudden, as soon as I picked my daughter up, it started snowing really hard, and we was expecting 4-5 inches overnight, but it arrived 3 hours early do to wind. In short, my rears lost traction and I literally, fish tailed only traveling 25miles per hour in a 35 mile zone. Was very lucky we did not hit anything, Called for a flatbed, and got home after waiting 30min for roadside service. Moral of the story, Just be safe and put on proper tires if planning to drive the M in cold weather, because you never know!!! Happy motoring everyone.

[ItsGary]

im just a savage who drove with PSS in the snow back from Chilliwack to Surrey

[EJT86]

There’s a guy near my work with a ZL1 and he’s on summers, guys insane

And we got a foot of snow today

[Bartledoo]

I do miss the feel of the PSS vs the Sottozero Serie II I'm running for winter, which feel so soft, unstable, and less damped in comparison. The wet and snow handling is obviously much better though, and the snow drifting is pretty fun.

[Pig Farmer]

About to replace the tires on my GF's M6. I was looking into the Pilot Sport 4s. You should read the disclaimer on Tirerack... If the PS 4s fall below 20 degrees, they must gradually increase in temp to a minimum of 40 degrees for 24 hours before flexing the tire in any way (driving, adjusting the tire pressure, mounting, etc.). Probably not an issue here in South FL, but that just seems nuts.

[///M Power-Belgium]

Originally Posted by Ggeezer

I figure I may as well post this.

Back in May I got caught out driving up to Tremblant in winter weather to a track day with my Michelin PSS on.

Had the dashcam rolling so I was able to catch this gem of a video.

Thankfully, I wasn't hurt and nothing happened to me or the car but it was one of the scariest experiences since I essentially had 0 grip.

Point is, you don't appreciate winter tires until you've driven in winter weather with summer tires.

You guys cannot drive on roads covered in ice ! Because you drive too fast with high rpm's and you are hitting your brakes like a fool !
You should try this in a downhill

Look always further ahead what comes in front of you ,drive much slower in low rpm's and avoid your brake pedal !
Even on good winter tires with your driving style would put in troubles...with the risk of an accident with serious damage !
If you look for troubles , keep on driving your way ...

Of course sometimes it's really fun . And after all , it's your life and your car ..

Advice => Think twice !