BF Goodrich KDW IIs in cold weather a no-no?

[astronut1885]

Hey guys. I've currently got my BFG KDW IIs on the car that I bought in the spring. Tonight the temps up here dropped into the 20s F. Now, I know these tires suck in the snow, and when that comes along I will be sticking the skinny stockers back on there (even though they're getting close to done), but for now while it's just cold, can I run these tires? I'm not abusing them, I drive like a ninny when it's cold out so I don't stress the motor when it's cold, and I don't want to slide the tires either, but I thought I read somewhere that these things will chunk apart when it's this cold. They did fine tonight, but if it's not healthy for the tires, I'll swap back to my stock crap sooner. I don't want to trash a nearly new $1200 set of tires, but I want to save what's left of the factory craps for the snow so they'll make it through the season. Next year I won't have this dilemma, I'm buying Blizzacks with the tax returns.

 

[ScortLX]

Man...I swapped mine off once the temp reached below 32 degrees. I've seen multiple places where they say the tires should not be driven in sub freezing temps. I'm guessing its because they get as hard as a rock in those temperatures. I'm sure you could drive on them very slowly though. I'd just avoid it when you can. Hopefully your stockers will have a little more in them.

 

[astronut1885]

Yeah, they do get hard. I emailed BFG, and they said it wouldn't be a wear or durability issue, but that traction would be compromised due to the hardening.

 

[blckstng96]

never heard of them chunking apart.i think that would be a pretty ****ty quality tire but i have these same tires but havent driven beside in like 60+ degree temps and all was good.most every tire you will see reduced traction on a cold tire.i may drive mine in a few weeks and i'll let you know how it goes but im assuming its going to be like an ice rink haha.wide tires are no good for snow anyway.if you have some others id just switch them up.cold tires are pretty damn fun though haha.

 

[Dragstr05]

I drove in my BFG KDW's ALL WINTER LONG last year. Yes, they suck in the snow...basically useless dont even try it. They do fine in cold weather just dont jump it too hard. Driving normal and you'll have no problems. I saw no accelerated wear from driving in the cold. Regardless, I drove on them all winter and still got 35 - 40,000 miles out of them.

 

[COramprat]

Most tires with a soft compound will be the same. I have Dunlop Sport 5000's and even though they say all season they get real squirrelly and it is only in the 40's here.

 

[Mustang5L5]

Driving with summer-only tires in the winter is a little dangerous. You don't need to worry about the tire, but traction will be reduced greatly.

I've always driven "summer-only" tires in the winter, and it's scary how you can spin them into 4th gear sometimes on those cold chilly nights.

I've since gone to all-season tires, and there is a big difference. Now i can really hammer my car on those brisk 20 degree nights and actually get a rush from the car pulling like a raped ape instead of just spinning tires.

 

[astronut1885]

Well, I've been babying the thing around on my route home from Attleboro, and I haven't had a problem. I can definitely feel the difference if I try and push it into a turn, but I don't plan on testing the limits. Once they start talking about accumulating snow, I plan on going back to my factory 17s, but they have little tread depth left. I've driven my 300RWHP 87 with 17x9 Sumitomo HTRZs through 3" of snow without issue, it's all about knowing how to handle a car. I've yet to have one of my stangs get out from under me for more than a tenth of a second. I already can't wait for spring so I can stop feeling like I'm driving on basketballs though.

 

[spederman]

Man, i must be the only moron who didnt know that tires get hard in the cold and get no traction. I found out the hard way a year ago. I have Nitto Drag Radials and hammered it in in third when the temps were in the 30's, it instantly turned a 180 degrees on the hwy before i even had a chance to think or react and i went into the ditch at 80mph. Man did i learn an expensive lesson that nite.

 

[astronut1885]

Haha, I barely get into the throttle lately, but I believe that it could happen just that quick. I wish I could romp it, with the cold air once the engine is up to temp if feels like it just wants to scream, but I'm being disciplined about it.

 

[FordTard]

I have chit BF Goodrich Touring T/A's on my car and they are an "all season" tire but here in Orlando it is about 50 out at night and I have no traction.

I guess thats what I get for going dirt cheap on tires. But what are you going to do. I was in a crunch and needed tires fast.