How slippery do these tires get when the temperature drops? Is it necessary to get a set of winter tires? I am in the atlanta area so we will see temps as low as 20 and no snow. My search mostly warnings about snow. As long as I dont try and set lap records on the highway will I be ok?

Thanks in advance

Summer tire compounds are designed for about 40 degree F and above. Apparently they become more like hockey pucks, than tires at temps below 32 deg F, which implies a safety issue. I have heard however, that the tires will warm up within a couple of miles and not be an issue in the cold.

Any moisture, rain or snow at lower temps <35 deg F will cause challenges for the summer tire. Best to have a second car for wet wintry days, or change out to all season tires in southeast, or snow tires in north.

So far I am using summer tires in nc, but expecting a new used car for winter use shortly.

I would highly suggest you change your summer tires out as stated above. Also summer tires aren't geared for inclement weather like snow/ice so regardless if you "warm" up the tires by driving on them, you are going to be in a world of hurt.
Since you are in ATL and it doesn't get too cold down there, I don't think you would need Blizzaks (great dedicated winter tires) but I'd think you would want to switch them out w/ some all-seasons.

If you don't drive crazy and don't get snow you'll be fine.

with the stock tires. I live outside Chicago.

In cold weather (5-40F), I drive the G if there is no snow and have no problems. I do drive extremely conservatively because the summer tires have less grip at those temperatures.

If there is any snow on the ground (or expected) I drive my winter car because the RE050As are horrible, horrible, horrible in any kind of snow.

In Atlanta, I wouldn't worry at all about keeping the stock tires on year-round. I would just take it easy when it's <40F outside.

x2

I didn't change out my summer tires last summer and never had a problem. I never drive in the snow regardless (we don't get much snow here and when it does we're all strongly encouraged to just work from home). While cold I take it easy and just let the tires warm up (which they will as you drive).

Most people also don't know this, summer tires are best for wet roads, more so than all season and winter tires.

Thanks for the responses. I do have a spare car with all season tires. I think I will watch my step and change cars when the weather warrants

Good move, I don't agree with 2 sets of tires for 'HOTLANTA". After a couple miles, all you care about are road temps, which are likely to be even higher than air temps. However, f you never track the car and don't ever drive aggressively, check out the ultra high performance all season tires at tirerack.com, for example Goodyear Eagle F1 All Season. That way, if unseasonal weather comes, or if you travel to a snowy area, you're covered.

Damp, yes.

Puddles or standing water, is a big no-no.

I can vouch for what Mike said. I hydroplaned after I hit a small patch of standing water on the freeway back in February and the results were not pretty.

Depends on the tires - the stock Bridgestones suck, but Pilots are supposed to be pretty good. I put on a set of Goodyear Asymmetrics, and they rock even in heavy rain.

i've driven in below freezing with the summer tires. tires felt fine in normal driving under dry conditions. not sure how tires would handle in freezing rain.

in the end, after some internal debate, i brought winter rims/tires for the few times that it snows in my area. last winter, when it snowed, the winter tires slipped under initial mild acceleration. in the cold, the front tires feel a lot softer.

Can I purchase winter tires for my 19 inch rims or do most owners put on a smaller size rim for winter driving?

Yes you can. But it won't be as effective. Smaller is better on snow/ice.

tg

i have driven 2 winters in the oem rubber with snow, not recommended at all! but it was doable with sane driving on local roads with snow and then you're fine on the higways, challenge i use to have was getting in and out of parking lots but have always found a way with calm and patience....

but once agian not recommended at all! The tires are as solid as rock and very easily slip if you dont manage the clutch and accelerator right then you'll be in trouble...