[moldcad]

OK, so - after a long investigations - I presented my M235i a set of Dynan-size summer wheels: BC forged rims and the newest at that time Michelin PS4S tires. It all works great - but we have this type of whether in Poland when the temperature exceeds 20 C during the day, only to drop into zero Celsius in the night...Of course I'm worried the tires will start cracking, as Michelin loyally warn.

For this reason, I'm considering buying a set of all-season tires, and use them in fall and spring seasons. There is a great such tire from Michelin - but not in the 245/35R18 size...I would have to put all four 225/40R18 on my OEM wheels...

Can anyone advise on another performance all-season tire which exists in both 225 and 245 sizes? TIA

Piotr

PS> I found some:https://www.tirerack.com/tires/TireS...SortCode=53950

Which ones would you recommend?

[x233]

We live in about the same weather conditions. Honestly, forget the all weather story. First try slightly lower tire pressures (e.g, go from 2.4 to 2.3 PSI) and see if that helps in colder weather (it certainly helps with my MPSS traction-wise). Might save you money, too. If you still want a new set of tires specifically for spring/fall you might consider Pirelli P Zeros in whatever size you want, a true performance summer tire which handles more confidently in colder temps. They're tricky the first 300 km or so fresh from the factory but then they are really good. They are very reliable in temps below 15ºC and all the way until it's practically freezing. Anyway, you should make sure you do not over-inflate them for the conditions. (in spring/fall I usually set the pressure in the afternoon as opposed to in the morning). Then switch to a proper winter tire, like anyone living in our part of the world should.

PS: And, you may just stop worrying: the tires you have now are not going to crack as long as you don't drive them in temps way below zero C.

[moldcad]

You mean Bar, not PSI?

Besides, while lowering the pressure is better for overall tire construction elasticity (it "works" more and warms faster, so the grip becomes better) - I saw genuine text from Michelin (or Tire Rack) that even storing those tires below 7 C can cause cracks development....

Piotr

[Shovelman]

Those are not extreme temperatures. Tires are often driven on warm pavement in the spring only to then go into snow for a few miles. This does no harm.

However if you are storing tires for a fairly long time, there will be an ideal temperature but 7 C should be fine.

[x233]

Originally Posted by moldcad

saw genuine text from Michelin (or Tire Rack) that even storing those tires below 7 C can cause cracks development....

Did you ever actually see cracking Michelin tires from driving in the fall season? Just saying.

[Maynard]

I've seen pics of it - I think more common for Corvettes and larger tires. But I've heard enough first-hand reports of people driving well into winter temps w/o visible damage that I take this as a caution rather than a prohibition. The big reason not to do it is the craptastic traction you get at those low temps, especially before the carcass warms up. If you want to enjoy the car during those seasons, then an all-season would be worth it, but probably not necc for just getting it along the road. And on the flip side, I drove a set of Conti winter tires thru into July (car was being traded in then) - I'd expected them to be corded by June, but it didn't produce much noticeable wear.

[CP911]

The cold temps alone will not cause cracking. Not allowing them to warm back up above ~40F before significantly stressing the tire (filling tires with air, hitting a pothole, etc.) is what can cause cracking due to lack of elasticity of summer performance tire compounds in freezing or near-freezing temps.