I just picked up an 05 Silverstone/Black...I live in NY, and the temps have been hovering around 30F...I can see what other owners mean about being careful in the cold with the OEM Bridgestones as theres a lot of wheelspin if I launch agressively and the back steps out when banging into 2nd AND 3rd under hard acceleration.

Here's my Q (I did search b4 posting a new topic):
If the temp is around or below freezing, would increasing or decreasing the tire pressure a few PSI help or hurt traction either way? The fronts are brand new (I got the dealer to put new fronts on because one was torn from a rim curb) and the backs have good meat on them (the car has 8000 mi).

Thanks a lot...this forum was super helpful even b4 I got the car...I knew where the secret compartment was even b4 I picked it up!!!

 

buy a set of all season tires for the winter, or you will crash!

 

I think thats a little exaggerated but perhaps having a set for the winter time would be nice, although you'd need another set of wheels

 

Being that the OP lives in NY, he should probably buy snow tires, not all seasons.

Always adjust your psi to be the factory pressures, but if you run a few psi low, the tire will sit fatter on the ground, which is better for dry or damp traction, but bad for mpg and bad in standing water or snow.

The main thing though is the tire compound on the OEM tires becomes hockey-puck hard below 40 degrees - the tires will just have little grip when its cold out no matter what pressure they have. Winter tires are designed to remain pliable when its very cold out, and you'll have more grip at any psi with the proper tires.

 

Thanks for the responses....Ive already conceded that I wont be driving in the snow, and the traction on cold pavement has been fine in regular, and even spirited driving in these cold temps unless I redline and hit the next gear hard...dipping into the throttle smoothly and redlining it even felt fine the few times I did it...I do take it easy on the throttle on turns though.

Would snow tires be better in the cold/rain than all-seasons--generally of course--I know there are alot of different brands out there.

 

If you don't plan on driving in the snow, all seasons may be better. The new studless snow tires tend to wear pretty quickly on dry pavement, especially when it gets warmer out. The OEM tires really aren't meant for wet, or especially cold.

 

Well, they can handle the wet weather fine provided the temps are 45 degrees+ or so. I drove up to Boston from NYC, took around four hours since it was pouring so hard, and tire wise, the car was fine. I drive my car to around 30 degrees but other than that I drive extremely slowly, shifting around 3500 rpms or I don't take the car out. I got a new set of wheels now, so I think next winter I'll buy some dedicated snow tires.

 

Doesnt help that I missed VSA by a year.

 

You could always go aftermarket traction control for around 1000, but I have to say, if you don't drive like an idiot in the wet, you shouldn't need it. I drove very sanely the whole way up when I drove to Boston, and I don't think my traction control light went on once. Yes, if I shift hard enough the light goes on, but then again, my traction control goes on with warm tires in the summer when I accelerate hard from highway on ramps.

 

Wow is it that much...I heard the Race Logic is a good option...how does that process work in terms of dealers who sell/install the product? I heard its a UK Co.