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Michelin Pilot Sport 4S freezing temperature question

14K views 10 replies 10 participants last post by  crolzz  
#1 · (Edited)
I am concerned by the statement I saw on the TireRack website about the Michelin tires as noted below. My concern is when it is well below 32 degrees in my garage in the winter time, might that be an unplanned issue for the tires because as I read the statement below that makes me think they might be damaged just sitting in a cold garage or if I take it out for a brief spin providing the roads are dry and salt free. Am I wrong for my concern?

Tire Rack said:
The Pilot Sport 4S is Michelin's Max Performance Summer tire developed in cooperation with some of the most demanding vehicle manufacturers, including Audi, BMW, Mercedes-Benz and Porsche to utilize key technologies engineered during competition in the 24 Hours of Le Mans. It was designed for serious drivers looking to maximize the performance potential of their sports cars, performance sedans and powerful luxury vehicles. The Pilot Sport 4S excels in warm dry and wet conditions, so like all Max Performance Summer tires, is not intended to be serviced, stored nor driven in near- and below-freezing temperatures, through snow or on ice.

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.
 
#3 ·
In N.J. I get 6-7 months of driving time. My V usually sits from late November-April with colder temps and salt being a factor.
Even if the temps are good and roads seem clear, you can catch an on/off ramp or curve covered in salt so she never gets driven.

But more important is the fact that driving at or below 40 degrees with these tires is dangerous! Ask me how I know...
Warmed up or not, they do not hold the road well. I would say 45 degrees is more like it.
They are called "Summer" 🌞tires for a reason. Michelin explicitly says to absolutely avoid driving on them.

But you can shatter your sidewalls if you want to! :D To each their own.
 
#6 ·
Likewise. Up here, "summer driving" is possible from mid-April to mid-October (so, six months) but there are years when the shoulder seasons are either unseasonably hot or cool. One year, I opened my pool in late March and another year, we closed it after swimming on December 10th.

Regardless, my CT5-V is parked until the snow and salt are gone.
 
#5 ·
The softer, "stickier" rubber compounds used in performance tires have a very distinct "flat spot" problem after sitting for extended layups. Be prepared for several miles of thumping and bumping when you go for a drive. It can take as much as 15 miles of driving to get the tires round again, especially in winter with longer tire warmup times.

Our Cadillac (and most others) service manuals caution a technician to drive at least 10 miles before beginning any diagnosis of vibration complaints.
 
#8 ·
I've had Michelin Pilot Sport 4S's on my 2010 Audi A4 for almost 3 years now. (On an unrelated note, buying the 4S's for such a pedestrian car has made the fun factor of driving it go up 200%).

Tonight it's currently 16 below zero right now in my unheated garage. The overnight low tonight is 24 below zero, and most winters here touch low temperatures at or close to such figures for perspective. My Michelins have been stored unheated, off the car, for 2 such winters now. Come spring when I install them (obviously when the temps are well past 40), the car glides on rails once again. I give my tires a good visual for nails, cracks, etc, and I`ve not yet seen any signs telling me that they are succumbing to cold storage.

If you're keeping your car stored and your tires in a static position, even unheated, my experience seems to say don`t worry much about it. But if not, it won`t be long before you can find a set of used F1 tire warmers on the second hand market (perhaps) and solve your tire temperature concerns that way :)
 
#10 ·
it was minus 4 this morning but 25 degrees in the garage. I'm not touching it before tomorrow morning when the temps get back above 30 degrees. The tread is hard as a rock to the touch right now.
 
#11 ·
While in cold storage I inflate the tires to max 50 psi to keep them round……..lay a tarp down under the car to keep the moisture out……stabilize the fuel ethanol turns to water when it sits for long periods I have 91 non ethanol at my shop……I have access to it so will start it every couple of weeks & let it get to full temp very important move it around a little …….throw a trickle charger on it……& cover it up if it’s a manual leave in neutral @ you can just push it to a different spot on the tires