Well Spring is around the courner, here is Toronto the we have had a couple of amazing days. Since this is the first time I have ever had winter tires (used to drive a suv) I was wondering when you guys generally take off the winters? I am going on a road trip in my new G mid April to Clevland and I would love to have my 19"s on for the trip.

 

I don't have my G on the road for the winter so haven't had to change them on that car. I do have a lot of experience with at least one or two other vehicles/year that I've done the winter tire swap with each of the last 20 years or so. Modern snow tires have a much softer compound than summers that generates more heat in the tire as outdoor temps climb. That makes them wear much faster.I generally get them off the car as early as reasonable before outdoor highs get past 5-10 celsius or so regularly so that's probably in a few weeks for you. I would definitely have them off for your road trip.

 

Hey Balto,
It's nice to get the summer rubber back on ASAP, but be careful, bro, we can get some nasty stuff well into May, and on summer rubber that would be no 'picnic'.
From my standpoint, I'd play it safe and keep the snows on, especially for your trip to Cleveland. You know how lake effect snow can be down there on that side of the lake.
Better to be safe than sorry.......

You coming to our Arpil 3rd meet at Square One?
Don't forget to sign up HERE , and hope to meet you then.

Colin

 

My summer was never off! Well I got the car last Sat with the 19" summer...

 

I put them on yesterday...I have a feeling I'll have to take them off tonight.

 

Ya I am thinking I am gonna wait till after the road trip, just in case.

As for the meet, I would love to go, can't that day, I have been reading the thread sounds like a good time. I will try and make it for the next one.

 

GSM I'll defer to your experience with weather in your region.
That may be sage advice if you can still fet nasty stuff into May. In this area it's unlikely we get anything here past mid April that isn't mostly rain.

 

So my neighbours now think I'm insane. Put on my summers yesterday, put on my winters back on this evening.

 

Deane, it isn't often bad here either after April, but this year has been a strange one, so anything is possible. My main concern would be those Pilot Sport summer tires that are treacherous in anything less than warm weather.
So many members have reported back here saying how aweful they are in bad weather and to not take any chances with them at all.
They sounded like they were really shaken up over the experience, so for around here, I never recommend taking any chances.

No doubt, tho, such use will cost a little in winter tire longevity. > 'The down side'.

Colin

 

I have not driven in treacherous conditions with the G on the pilot sports. I can only imagine how bad they are. Several times I got caught in nasty conditions with my Mazda MX6 around storage time on rubber like BF Goodrich TA Z's and it was utterly useless. That was even a front driver, with less power so I can relate how bad a the g would be on those tires. Tires make a tremendous difference. I had the G coming around a clover leaf on the way home from Truro at a good clip with temps of +2 and it did not have much stick at all even the dry road.

 

I have been driving mine with the 19" summer tires and I have not encountered any problems, and honestly rarely any slippage! Of coures I don't drive it when there are any accumulation on the ground, but even when it's cold and wet, I find it acceptable. HUGE difference from my last car (Jaguar S-Type), that car slips even with snow tires. The all season were useless unless the road is completely dry.

 

im gonna wait until the average temperature is above zero during night, just to make sure not to drive in snow with stock wheels...very dangerous~ not worth it

 

I am torn on this one!

I have a track day booked at Mosport with the Porsche Club on April 16th.
The question is; Do I run my Blizzak's or swap back to the Pilot's first?
The last time I did one of these events , I had brand new tires on my Porsche and they took quite a beating and were feathered up the sides after a great day of pushing hard and drifiting around the skip pad.

To Snow or not to Snow, That is the question.



Digger

 

My summer shoes are going on this week, but I have the option of taking my wife's car to work if we do get some snow on the ground. The Pilot Sports are dangerous if there is any accumulation.

I'd leave the snows on for your roadtrip if there is any possibility of snow.

 

its snowing tonight, but good thing is that temperature will be +2 for the week. I guess its time for summer tire~