08-14-2019, 10:53 AM | #1 |
Drives: '17 Impala V6 LT Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Novato CA.
Posts: 323
|
ZL1 as mild winter driver
Hi, I haven't been on this forum in many years, but now considering a ZL1 auto as a California daily driver. Apologies if I'm dragging up a much-discussed topic, I can't get the search feature to work on my phone.
I obviously wouldn't drive this car like an SUV in a real winter with snow, but we don't really do that here in the Bay Area. How will it do with a couple months of cold days and rain? |
08-14-2019, 11:00 AM | #2 |
Drives: 2018 ZL-1 Join Date: Jan 2018
Location: Albuquerque
Posts: 944
|
My opinion is that the car will perform just fine, but the stock tires will be very slippery when the weather is cold. Switch to Michelin 4S tires, the ones for the street, and you will be fine.
|
08-14-2019, 11:14 AM | #3 | |
Who Needs to KNOW?
Drives: 18 ZLE Join Date: May 2018
Location: Left Side of the Moon
Posts: 1,766
|
PS4S are not SNOW compatible.. not at all.
IF it gets below 40*F.. consider true winter - snow tire. It's only a FUN car if you get to drive it. Ps4S in the snow...
__________________
ing for grip.
Are you in the NY/NJ/PA/CT region? Join us for autox fun at MetLife Stadium. HUGE lots, tons of runs. http://www.motorsportsne.com/ |
|
08-14-2019, 11:44 AM | #4 |
Drives: 69 GTO, 05 GTO, 2018 Silver ZL1 Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Springfield, OH
Posts: 847
|
Get yourself some Pirelli Sottozero 3's, they are Cold Weather Performance tires and are Fantastic...my little Chevy motor loves the chilly Winter air, and you can get some Fantastic Pics!
I don't drive in deep snow but got out in a couple inches and they do fine if your sensible...I'm not!lol |
08-14-2019, 12:09 PM | #5 |
Drives: '17 Impala V6 LT Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Novato CA.
Posts: 323
|
Thanks for the info. To specify: No snow and very rarely below 40°. I just need to know if I'll be spinning the stock tires in the rain at, say, 50°.
|
08-14-2019, 12:25 PM | #6 | |
Drives: 2018 ZL1 coupe Join Date: Nov 2018
Location: Prescott, Arizona
Posts: 589
|
Quote:
The stock tires are basically track tires. There are plenty of threads here about how bad they are in the rain, and in colder temps. They are pretty much hockey pucks below 50*. Just get yourself a good performance tire like the PS4S, they'll be fine in the Bay Area climate. Just don't try to drive to Tahoe in the winter. |
|
08-14-2019, 01:14 PM | #7 |
Drives: BMW M3, ZL1 1LE Join Date: Mar 2019
Location: California
Posts: 103
|
Yep, P4S’s are just fine for our Bay Area winters. If it’s below 40deg just take it easy.
I do switch to snow tires for Tahoe trips but switch them right when I get back home to the bay. |
08-14-2019, 01:57 PM | #8 |
Drives: '17 Impala V6 LT Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Novato CA.
Posts: 323
|
Ok, thanks all for the help..now let's see if I buy one! I'm also pondering a manual 1SS 1le and keeping my Impala as the daily driver. I'd have to go one car with the ZL1, which may not be the most brilliant move.
|
08-14-2019, 02:06 PM | #9 |
Drives: 2018 Camaro ZL1 Summit White Join Date: Apr 2018
Location: Ketchikan, AK
Posts: 49
|
Honestly if you plan to daily it swap the tires out lol.
I live in Alaska and daily my ZL1 all year. A solid set of all seasons have done great by me. I don’t let the car out if the snow is high enough to reach the bumper. Kind of pointless no matter how good your snow tires are lol. I run the Bridgestone RE980AS. And they do fine in the rain and light snow. They grip better cold than the Oem tires did. |
08-14-2019, 02:44 PM | #10 |
Drives: 17 SS 1LE Join Date: Dec 2015
Location: Houston
Posts: 1,920
|
I've used the Supercar 3s down to 30 degrees without issue.
Obviously don't try any spirited driving until they've warmed up or they might crack. |
08-15-2019, 08:17 AM | #11 |
Drives: 2017 Hyper Blue A10 ZL1 Join Date: Dec 2016
Location: New England
Posts: 716
|
The car is really good in Maine winters. I went with 285/35R for better bite on 19x10 inch rims square 25mm offset. No spacers needed. No clearance issues. I used Michelin Pilot Alpin's. Great set up.
__________________
- Life is a highway... I want to ride it all night long...
Sold 2010 997 GT3, 2016 WRX, 2006 997 C2S, 2003 996 C4S, 2001 Boxster S, 1997 E420 AMG etc.. |
08-15-2019, 08:24 AM | #12 | |
Thank you Al Oppenheiser!
Drives: Red Hot A10 ZL1 Convertible Join Date: Jun 2017
Location: Sarasota, FL
Posts: 4,966
|
Quote:
Swap in some MPS4S's and you'll be just fine. You can sell your SC3s easily on this forum to offset the hit to your wallet. |
|
|
|
Post Reply
|
Thread Tools | |
|
|