[williamoss]

I live in Oregon where it is currnetly hovering between 30-48 degrees during the day. I only have summer tires on it with plenty of tread left. I know that summer tires loose the effectivness around 44 degrees. What could happen to me driving around town when it is lower in temperature?

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[94SilverCab]

http://www.wisegeek.com/do-i-need-to-use...#slideshow

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[Rap]

I live in Pa. When I got my first 968 in the end of November three years ago I was just plain out hot to drive it. Now while we had no snow then the temps were 30-45. I knew zip about driving the car and certainly nothing about the tires. Driving up a hill climb hill that I drive several times a day I nearly spun the car into the guardrail. Wasn't going that fast but one minute I had grip and the next my tail was trying its best to come around. My lesson was summer tires in cold temps mean less grip. Not worth the risk of driving. Either don't drive or change the tires! Or don't!

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[Ryan]

I have done it plenty. When I used my 944S as a daily driver I even drove it in the snow. The car will handle snow, but the summer tires won't. As long as you don't expect too much from the handling department, I think you can get away with driving all season.



Ryan

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[Inkedupfatboy]

I just wouldn't do it. I grew up in Erie, PA and the winters are brutal. Summer tires are just not designed for snow - get winter tires if you have to drive the car at all in the snow. Find the cheapest place for a set of four and buy them and have them mounted. All it takes it one "Oh $h!t" moment to ruin your whole day and your entire car. Four tires will be much cheaper than an insurance deductible and weeks in a body shop assuming it's not totaled and with the age of these cars, unless you have agreed value insurance that is exactly what will happen.

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[Bulti]

If you do decide to buy winter tyres, buy narrow ones. Especially in snowy conditions, they provide much more grip than broad ones.



These cars do not have TCS, ESP or any of the electronic guardian angels. Winter tyres will get rid of water more easily too.



My advice, buy some not too expensive, and relative narrow wheels with matching winter tyres from a webshop. A decision you will not regret!

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[Rap]

Are you feeling lucky today?

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[Cloud9...68]

The OP lives in Oregon, where temps are pretty mild year round. I would think he could get away with winter tires year round (I've never even considered running anything other than extreme summer tires here in central Texas, where it does dip into the 20's on rare occasions), as long he's aware of the limitations and exercises appropriate caution. In fact, being aware of danger makes you a safer driver.



Edit: I see I made a major typo in my second sentence - I meant to say he should be able to get away with summer tires year round in Oregon.

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[Chris Vais]

I live in the SF Bay area. Our winters are not particularly cold, but they can be wet, much like Oregon. Temperatures routinely drop into the 40's during winter and we might get a week where temps hover in the low 30's. I run summer tires all year round on the 968 and I have not had any issues, but I also have a fallback, an Audi A6 Quattro Avant, so if the weather is really crap, we take the Audi which gives very little away in inclement weather. It has gone through chain controls and over Donner summit, in a blinding snow storm, on all weather tires with the CHP's blessing. There is no question, however that if I lived in the snow belt, the Porsche would remain parked and I would fit a set of Blizzaks to a second set of wheels for the Audi.

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[Scott Collins]

William et al.,



What Rap was talking about is dead on. Tread pattern and rubber compound are what sets winter tires apart. The 968 really needs them in cold temps, even on dry road surfaces.



I have had a couple of different winter tires. Continental Winter Contact, and Bridgestone Blizzak. I really liked the performance of the Conti's, but they are not suited for heavier stuff. The Blizzak is noisy, but handles it all.



Best of luck.



-Scott

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[Hasbro]

OP, summer tires with the weather you're experiencing could be very dangerous and when you least expect it. I have tested Extreme Summers with cold weather, even using the water hose to cool tires down and then intentionally spinning out to find the "line" of adhesion (I carry a laser thermometer with me for temps - bit of a fanatic). The loss of control can be very fast. Heck, going through a car wash on a cool summer evening can catch you off guard (that one was not intentional).



I have found Summers on a day in the 40s are ok with a few straight warm up miles to be pretty safe. But if you park for a short while, the rubber cools, and they are slippery again. I have run into the same problems with tire UTQGs of 200, 180, 140, and 100.

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[williamoss]

My original Porche was a 924 which came with Perrellis, I think P2 but who can remeber that far back. I bought the car in 1979. I drove it all year round with those tires. They were great very sticky in the summer and worked in the winter to. But they only would last 20,000 if I was lucky. Being young and foolish I never thought of buying a 2nd set nor did I have anyplace to store them as I lived in NYC in a smallish apartment. And tires were cheap back then. Are there any tires that might last 30-40,000 miles and still be OK for winter as well as summer for a daily driver, not a track or autocross car?

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[JTP]

Under the conditions the OP described a good high performance all season tire would be best if he is willing to compromise a little on summer performance (not that most people would be pushing the limits on the streets in a 968). I have had good experience with Conti ExtremeContact DWS or Bridgestone RE970AS.

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[Bulti]

I still would buy two sets. Compromising on tyres? No thanks. In the summer that would be fine, but in winter conditions you want al the grip you can get, careful driving or not.



We have a saying here, don't know the correct translation but it goes something like this: "miserliness cheats the wisdom". I'm sure you get the picture.

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[Cloud9...68]

I would agree, were it not for that fact that the OP lives in one of the mildest climates in the entire United States. Two sets of wheels/tires in a place like Oregon (or anywhere on the west coast, the desert southwest on anywhere in the deep south) is overkill, imho. If he's really concerned about it, there is a wide array of choices among "all-season high performance tires" that should suit his needs very well.

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[JTP]

[quote name='Bulti' timestamp='1386012362' post='153125']I still would buy two sets. Compromising on tyres? No thanks. In the summer that would be fine, but in winter conditions you want al the grip you can get, careful driving or not.



We have a saying here, don't know the correct translation but it goes something like this: "miserliness cheats the wisdom". I'm sure you get the picture.[/quote]



I agree, when I lived in Buffalo and Alaska having dedicated seasonal tires were mandatory but where the OP lives ( thus my statement about the conditions he described) a good set of all season tires would more than suffice except for the occasional snow storm.

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[Inkedupfatboy]

Dry, wet and snow all have different requirements. I bought my wife the Falken's as they were supposed to be good in wet, which in Florida we get lots of...they wore out too fast for me.. I have Yoko's on it now, which she likes. They do a good job in the rain as well.



I figure if the wife comments and says that she likes the new tires, wowzers, they are keepers - lol

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[Scott Collins]

Tires and brakes are no compromise items. Just find a set of original 16" 5-spoke wheels and throw some decent winter tires on there. Both sets will last longer, and if you beat up the winter rims, who cares, and you avoid spinning the car. Much less trouble and cost than the alternative.

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[Cloud9...68]

Sigh - you East Coast guys are showing your battle scars lol. The OP lives in OREGON. He doesn't need no stinkin' winter tires, any more than I do here in Austin (where I was in shorts and a t-shirt all day yesterday).

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[Rap]

Once bitten twice shy! Lol

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