[Tag]

The operating temperature for summer tires is above 45F, below that and they start to lose traction. The colder it gets the more traction they lose. The compounds in summer tires become very stiff in the cold. In 'extreme cold' they become very hard and may even develop cracks in the tire. You'll also feel the ride is stiffer than normal due to the tires being cold.

Traction is not needed for just stopping but also accelerating and cornering. In essence every aspect of safety is hindered like making left turns, emergency stops, emergency maneuvers, etc. This is without considering snow, ice or wet conditions. Personally, I wouldn't take the risk on a new car with the long stay and drive back you have planned. It's just not worth it.

But you just want to know, will you crash your new M2? You're not helping your odds.

[aerobod]

The MP4S * compound BMW uses seems to have a traction reduction that is more severe than the average Max Performance summer tyre, not sure if the V107s are the same. At -5C / 20F or so you can get the car sideways with about 1/3 throttle when exiting an intersection, based on my prior experience.

[JABCAT]

While not ideal, I think you'll be fine. Assuming you're capable of driving in Winter conditions living in Maine, just don't do anything stupid in the new car. The traction control/stability control, etc. on this car is excellent. Even if the rear end does kick out a little, it's very easy to bring it back.

It's been in the upper 20s, low 30s here recently in the mornings. I have 3/32nds of tread left on my rear tires (new tires should be delivered tomorrow) & in M2 with DCS off with traction control on 3, the rear end barely broke loose when I gunned it making a 90* turn yesterday.

Black ice is a concern, but it is regardless of the tires you have. Just take it easy.

[Bimmer Frank]

I guess it really comes down to your appetite for risk. I personally don't think I would risk it with a brand new, not broken in car. The owner's manual gives several warnings about parts not functioning optimally at first.

I don't live up north, so I am not completely familiar, but do insurance companies care what kind of tires are on the car in winter if you happen to make a claim? Something to think about if they do care I guess.

[kissmyasthma]

Got my G87 in late November on the Yokohama tires - due to some personal and logistic complications I had to complete the first 800 km on the summer tires in the snow on some poorly de-iced European highways and at around freezing temperatures. As long as you have experience in winter driving and are taking it slow and safe, you should be fine for a week. Switched to Vredestein winter tires and the car has immense traction in the snow.

[EMZWEI]

Originally Posted by kissmyasthma

Got my G87 in late November on the Yokohama tires - due to some personal and logistic complications I had to complete the first 800 km on the summer tires in the snow on some poorly de-iced European highways and at around freezing temperatures. As long as you have experience in winter driving and are taking it slow and safe, you should be fine for a week. Switched to Vredestein winter tires and the car has immense traction in the snow.

Good to hear that it was a successful trip. I’m excited to get it home an also put on my Vredesteins and see how it goes.

[Squidget]

Originally Posted by Bimmer Frank

I don't live up north, so I am not completely familiar, but do insurance companies care what kind of tires are on the car in winter if you happen to make a claim? Something to think about if they do care I guess.

(I'm going to generalize here based on personal experience. YMMV, grain of salt, etc etc.)

As a rule, they do not. Typically driving in a "somewhat risky" manner isn't cause to turn down a claim, it usually has to be an actual violation of the law.

Because if they could deny a claim purely on avoiding risk, no accident in bad weather would be covered, because you should have just stayed home, right?

So they tend to go with criminal negligence. It's easier for them to win in court if they use the law as the threshold. If you drive drunk or stoned, or are street racing, or criminal speeding, or your vehicle is legally unsafe (no headlights), then sure you can get denied.

So I'd be shocked if any reputable insurance company adjuster cared about the type of tire unless it was insanely unsafe AND directly caused the accident in some way. I've never had an adjuster act that way.

(Again, this is all in my experience.)

[Bimmer Frank]

Originally Posted by Squidget

As a rule, they do not. Typically driving in a "somewhat risky" manner isn't cause to turn down a claim, it usually has to be an actual violation of the law.

Yeah, that's a good point, if it's against the law they'd have an argument. It seems not many states have actual laws from the quick google I did, our friends in the Great White North however seem to have more strict laws.

[c1pher]

I grew up in Illinois and most cars were RWD. Somehow everyone got around just fine. Use decent tires or chains and moderate the amount of power you use, use high gears. Always remember just because you can move forward doesn’t mean you can stop equally as well.

[Squidget]

Originally Posted by Bimmer Frank

Yeah, that's a good point, if it's against the law they'd have an argument. It seems not many states have actual laws from the quick google I did, our friends in the Great White North however seem to have more strict laws.

I mean, than Texas? Everyone has more laws than Texas.

FWIW, I'm meaning "laws" to also include catch-all traffic violations like "operating an unsafe manner."

Ya know, dumb shit like people not clearing the snow off their windshields before they drive. Which, yes, happens. All the time. SMH.

[Bimmer Frank]

Originally Posted by Squidget

I mean, than Texas? Everyone has more laws than Texas.

FWIW, I'm meaning "laws" to also include catch-all traffic violations like "operating an unsafe manner."

Ya know, dumb shit like people not clearing the snow off their windshields before they drive. Which, yes, happens. All the time. SMH.

I was specifically looking at winter/all season tire requirements, and only New York appeared that would affect his trip, and I think the distance in NY is negligible on his trip.

According to search, New York law is:

"All vehicles must have winter tires between November 1 and April 30."

[IanH]

Originally Posted by M_Power Rob

I lived outside of Philadelphia for 18 years so I know about winter driving. More importantly, its being knowledgeable on the limits of tire types/compounds and climate as well as current weather outlook (doesn't take a rocket scientist nor someone who lives in a cold winter climate for that)...

Rob, it was a joke buddy. Don't get so serious we cant poke fun here.

[M_Power Rob]

Originally Posted by IanH

Rob, it was a joke buddy. Don't get so serious we cant poke fun here.

Sorry, my bad.

[JABCAT]

Originally Posted by Bimmer Frank

I was specifically looking at winter/all season tire requirements, and only New York appeared that would affect his trip, and I think the distance in NY is negligible on his trip.

According to search, New York law is:

"All vehicles must have winter tires between November 1 and April 30."

If he doesn't live nor register his vehicle in NY, that wouldn't apply to him. No different than driving your AZ registered vehicle (one plate) in a two-plate required state. The two-plate state can't cite you for not having two plates.

[Digitalprty]

Originally Posted by Bimmer Frank

I was specifically looking at winter/all season tire requirements, and only New York appeared that would affect his trip, and I think the distance in NY is negligible on his trip.

According to search, New York law is:

"All vehicles must have winter tires between November 1 and April 30."

I grew up in New York. I’ve never heard of this “law.”

[EMZWEI]

Originally Posted by Digitalprty

I grew up in New York. I’ve never heard of this “law.”

Yeah, I believe it’s kind of the opposite. Snow tires (specifically studded) are only allowed between those dates. They are not a requirement.

[Squidget]

Originally Posted by Digitalprty

I grew up in New York. I’ve never heard of this “law.”

Yeah, also sounds totally unenforceable. There's not even a legal definition of winter tires, as far as I know.

Hmm. My googling actually showed the opposite. NY PROHIBITS the use of STUDDED tires outside of winter, but no mandate about what to use during winter.

Which actually makes sense since studded tires tear up roads, so restrictions on them are common.

Edit: Ninjaed

[Bimmer Frank]

Originally Posted by EMZWEI

Yeah, I believe it’s kind of the opposite. Snow tires (specifically studded) are only allowed between those dates. They are not a requirement.

Upon further investigation, it looks like the source I originally quoted was incorrect.

I did find an interesting snippet from a lawyer type site however that confirmed that it is not a requirement but did add this thought:

"Hidden Legal Consequences of Not Using Winter Tires

Although there is no law mandating winter tires during the colder months, you could theoretically still face legal consequences for failing to do so. This is because without the proper tires, it is much easier to get into a car accident when driving on snow or ice. If the authorities determine that your failure to use winter tires represents a form of “reckless driving,” you could receive a ticket.
It is important to note that the legal definition of “reckless driving” is extremely vague – giving police total discretion as to when to write these tickets. As a general rule, anything that puts other drivers in danger could be defined as reckless. The failure to use winter tires could certainly fall into this category."

[DSTR]

Originally Posted by Bimmer Frank

I guess it really comes down to your appetite for risk. I personally don't think I would risk it with a brand new, not broken in car. The owner's manual gives several warnings about parts not functioning optimally at first.

I don't live up north, so I am not completely familiar, but do insurance companies care what kind of tires are on the car in winter if you happen to make a claim? Something to think about if they do care I guess.

Idiocy in winter and RISK to others is the real issue. I dont really care if he ruins his new car. The answer is obvious about NOT driving it without proper equipment, and also do take into account those around you, you share the road with as well.

[BMWCompact]

Originally Posted by apez

I am not sure I would chance it personally, but I did want to call out that (in my understanding) it isn't road or exterior temp that matters, but the tire temps.

So if you can garage it overnight once you hit the road you may be able to keep temps up if roads are dry.

I live in North Carolina. My F87 M2C was parked outside last night. It was 29 degrees when I left the house this morning. It took about 30 minutes of highway driving at 65-70 to warm the tires to 45 degrees, per the iDrive display. However, due to where I live in NC, I replaced my original Michelins with Michelin Pilot Sport AS4, to handle the cold winter temps.

[gondolafanclub]

its crazy how yall think summer tires turn into glass below 40F lol I drive on summers every single day in NC down to the teens as long as there is no snow or ice and they are fine
Don't mash the accelerator like a gorilla and don't ride someone's ass and you'll be fine, seems like common sense. They don't understeer off every corner at posted speeds lol

[M2M3M3]

Originally Posted by gondolafanclub

its crazy how yall think summer tires turn into glass below 40F lol I drive on summers every single day in NC down to the teens as long as there is no snow or ice and they are fine
Don't mash the accelerator like a gorilla and don't ride someone's ass and you'll be fine, seems like common sense. They don't understeer off every corner at posted speeds lol

This.