How much does grip change in cold weather?

[John Brandt]

It's about 10 degrees F here in Ohio and dry, Does anybody have data on the effect of cold temperature on grip?

[masraum]

Only data from the butt dyno, in cold weather (even just near freezing) you loose a ton of grip on our sports car tires.

[nick-moss]

You only have to look at CART to see the effect that temperature has on tyres, see how many times they spin coming out of the pits on cold tyres. OK, so that's slicks, but even road performance tyres need heat in them to work properly. I'm sure someone will have a chart, but I would guess at a 25-50% loss of grip at 10F

[s_wilwerding]

A few weeks ago, it was about 25 degrees Fahrenheit out and I decided to impress my female passenger. Usually, when it's warm, I can flare the back end out around corners without completely losing the back. I tried this manuever and the car nearly swapped ends. So, yes, the cold does affect tire grip.

[APKhaos]

Most of those first lap shunts are caused by cold tires losing grip on a HOT track.
Its one thing to get the tires hot, but cold pavement is a killer. Mechanical grip on a cold track is significantly reduced. Take care.

[kristian85]

Or, how many angels can fit on the head of a pin?

[Mike Feinstein]

Steve,

So...was she impressed?

[Plays with cars]

I'm down here in Chillicothe Ohio and took the 914 out for a spin (almost literally) about a month ago. 40 degrees outside, Kumho Victoracers, 90 degree corner. First time the 914 has really done anything unexpected in the handling dept. Had to spend the rest of the ride trying to figure out the "new" traction limits (fun fun fun). Ended up slowing down about 15mph corner speed to keep the fronts in front of the backs. Temp makes a much bigger difference on the Kumhos than on the RE71s or S03s I've run.

[Mike Feinstein]

OK, now I'm concerned. I'm runnning a DE this weekend in temps between 25 and 40 degrees F. I have B'stone RE-730's on my street wheels, and Khumo Victoracers for the track. According to the previous post, I should run with my street tires. Definately wasn't in the plans, but neither were these temps.

Appreciate your comments...

[masraum]

I can't say for sure, but maybe you should just be more careful until you get some heat into the track tires. With all of that slidin' around it's shouldn't be hard to get the heat there I wouldn't think. But maybe some others here will have a better idea

[kristian85]

Originally posted by Mike Feinstein
OK, now I'm concerned. I'm runnning a DE this weekend in temps between 25 and 40 degrees F. I have B'stone RE-730's on my street wheels, and Khumo Victoracers for the track. According to the previous post, I should run with my street tires. Definately wasn't in the plans, but neither were these temps.

Don'ty worry about it, for God's sake--you're not partaking in your first F-1 race.

Slightly less air in the tires (allows for more tread movement, creates more heat), drive carefully, get some heat in there, and you'll be OK.

[s_wilwerding]

Originally posted by Mike Feinstein
Steve,

So...was she impressed?

Well, she didn't scream, so I'd say she's a keeper!

[Jim Sims]

Based on driving in -50 degrees F conditions in Alaska and northern Canada on winter compunded snow tires (hydrophilic rubber) if it's cold enough there is plenty of traction even on ice. One goes around corners like you're on rails as the highway departments groove the ice in the direction of travel. Now it's a very different story if its near freezing (32F); then one might as well be driving on a layer of oil. Cheers, Jim

[Wil Ferch]

To all:
not only do wide, performance tires perform poorly in winter conditions of snow and cold temps ( because of the profile)....but the rubber chemistry used for high performance tires is terribly wrong for very cold temps, regardless of tread pattern. High performance rubber gets either very stiff or "lacks grip" at or below 32 degF.
---Wil Ferch

[RarlyL8]

Normally the SC turbo will bust 'em loose in 2nd under boost.
Last time I was out (<30F out) she busted loose in 3rd at around 90 mph. So yes I'd say soft compound tires don't do well in the cold.

[wckrause]

Oh, so now I know why they make hockey pucks out of rubber.

Duh

[efhughes3]

When I leave my house, about 1/2 mile away is a stop sign. I often make a RH turn there which goes up a fairly steep hill. When my tires are cold, it only takes about 1/2 throttle to break the tires loose and get a little fishtail. I really have fun there without having to beat the drivetrain.

If I do the same thing after running around in the car, with presumably warm tires, I can't break them loose with the same throttle.

[patalive]

For the winter months, I've switch over to Dunlop M2 Winter Sports - granted I've given up some handling on the warmer days, I feel much more confident and comfortable driving during our record cold days here in Virginia. Good insurance, in my view.

chuck
93 C2

[marcesq]

I can tell you after driving the last 2 weeks on Kuhmos with record lows mentioned by Chuck, that I wish I had the M2s !!