Cold Weather issues
 

I was driving my 40th in very small amounts and realized that once the temperature dropped to close to freezing temps. I would hear and feel a thumping from my front tires when I would make sharp turns. Does anyone else notice this with theirs or have an idea what could cause this?

It's common with summer tires in cold weather.

From another thread:

^ agree

normal with summer tires in cold weather when not warmed up

I thought the same thing when I bought my Z (last Saturday). The day I test drove it, it was almost 60 degrees (F) outside and there were no issues at all. I get home and the next day it is 34 (F) (gotta love Ohio weather) and I noticed when I turn, it sounded like my tie rod was about to snap or something. After much research and some help from the great people on here, I found it the cold weather makes the rubber harden on the tires and turns them into hockey pucks. They then start to skip on the ground when you turn.

Apparently someone didn't read the labels about summer tires not being effective in sub 50 temperature....

:( its snowing in the northeast, and i drove my z to the train today.... should be interesting getting home w/ my summer tires.

Good luck getting home. I just went from sunny Virginia Beach to CT on a 6AM flight this morning, I am not happy to be back in the cold and snow again.

yea that sucks. I was banking on the Northeast being done with snow and sub 40 weather, seeing as it was like 68 last week.

When I drive my Z in the cold, and the car is not warmed up yet, I hear a "clunk" coming from the front end wehn I hit a bump. When warmed up (the car, not the weather) it is quiet over bumps.

I thought I had something loose at first and got my car on a lift to check everything out and found nothing amiss. I also had the dealer look at it (I take my car in for a free inspection every 3 months) and they too found nothing.

It is a definite clunk-type sound -- not very loud, but definitley there. Could it be tires? Unknown. Maybe. who knows.

I get this too, even with my all seasons. I notice it more on days when it is a wet cold day. Goes away once warmed up, as you've noticed. I chalk it up to the endless list of "Yep, it's normal" noises.

I've said it before and I'll say it again. When it's warm, my hatch opens with one push on the ad. When it's cold, it sticks and two pushes are required. I may be the only one whose car is like this. But it is.

Spelling correction: "...push on the pad."

:icon18:

I thought you had some new mod, and I thought "damn, I want an AD, too!"

Seriously, mine does the same thing.

Terrific. Nice to finally know I'm not alone.

Same here... There is a TSB, but I doubt it will fix it as my car was made after the TSB, so you would think it would be fixed...

I've got the TBS done and it still does it when it's cold, but i am in Canada, and it is COLD in the winter.

(old thread bump) this has been happening to me for the past couple weeks since the temps have dipped. Tonight it was below 30 and I could even hear the back tires making a "crackling" noise as I was pulling out of a parking lot. Winter tires are going on in a few days though!:driving:

Yeah, I got my Z earlier this spring and was freaked out by the skips on cold mornings. I just go with it now in the mornings, as I hold out for just one more wash day before I set the car up for the winter. Being the first year for me doing something like that, I waited too long.

(But I do get to drive it more!)

Man I'm so glad you bumped this. It freaked me out the first time it happened, but I sort of reasoned through what MIGHT be going on. Glad to have confirmation.

Many thanks.

Yea in cold weather those summer tires get like hockey pucks and just start skipping on the pavement.

All you guys with summer tires on in near freezing temps realize you have a significantly reduced braking action??? If you cause an accident here with the WRONG equipment on your car you can lose your insurance coverage. Hit Tire Rack for some education on how summer tires are useless at near freezing temps.

Anything below 7C as an average its time for winter tires or at least some capable all seasons. Id hate to hear about accidents that can be avoided.

I think it is sound advice to run the right tire in the right weather and it is our responsibility to do so. State Farm will not, however, rescind my coverage if I have an accident with OEM equipment; their words, not mine.

Happened to me all the time before I changed my tires. I have never heard of it since.

Which is why I was driving SLOW, and my winter tires are going on tomorrow. I'm very aware of what happens to these summer tires in cold temps. No education needed.

Only cold weather issue Im faced with is the fluctuating tire pressure

Winter tires ftw. Got my Alpin PA4s on now. Great cold weather grip and responsiveness... just waiting to give them a try in actual snow.