[SkykingUSA]

For those drivers in Southern California, do you use summer tires all year, or do you switch to all-season or winter tires when it gets cold?

I've always used all-season tires on prior vehicles, but now my car has summer tires (because that was the only 19" option available with the M Sport package) and I'm wondering if I need to worry about it in the middle of winter here near Los Angeles (Santa Clarita). From what I've read, my Bridgestone summer tires should be good as long as I'm not driving when it's below 40 degrees Fahrenheit. It rarely gets into the 30s here, but some days it does overnight during the winter (but rarely during the day).

What are your experiences in SoCal?

[RichardInCA]

Originally Posted by SkykingUSA

For those drivers in Southern California, do you use summer tires all year, or do you switch to all-season or winter tires when it gets cold?

I've always used all-season tires on prior vehicles, but now my car has summer tires (because that was the only 19" option available with the M Sport package) and I'm wondering if I need to worry about it in the middle of winter here near Los Angeles (Santa Clarita). From what I've read, my Bridgestone summer tires should be good as long as I'm not driving when it's below 40 degrees Fahrenheit. It rarely gets into the 30s here, but some days it does overnight during the winter (but rarely during the day).

What are your experiences in SoCal?

Intruder from NorCal here but as a former Canadian resident, I can’t imagine the need for winter tires in SoCal unless you’re regularly heading into the mountains for ski season and encountering snow. They get shredded quickly if the temps rise regularly into the 50’s or 60’s. I’d find myself working out when to put my winter wheels on when I lived in Montreal and then cursing it when the inevitable warmer spell would show up in the days after I put on the softer rubber. Never even thought about it in the East Bay now despite having a few mornings below 30 in the winters where I live.

[SkykingUSA]

Originally Posted by RichardInCA

Intruder from NorCal here but as a former Canadian resident, I can’t imagine the need for winter tires in SoCal unless you’re regularly heading into the mountains for ski season and encountering snow. They get shredded quickly if the temps rise regularly into the 50’s or 60’s. I’d find myself working out when to put my winter wheels on when I lived in Montreal and then cursing it when the inevitable warmer spell would show up in the days after I put on the softer rubber. Never even thought about it in the East Bay now despite having a few mornings below 30 in the winters where I live.

Thanks for the feedback. So you are using summer tires in SF, or all-seasons?

BTW, I'm originally from Toronto, so also know what winters are like above the border. :-)

[RichardInCA]

Originally Posted by SkykingUSA

Thanks for the feedback. So you are using summer tires in SF, or all-seasons?

BTW, I'm originally from Toronto, so also know what winters are like above the border. :-)

Mine are all seasons - I have the Hankook Ventus S1 AS on my 20” rims. On my prior 3 series I was running Conti DWS’s or Michlin Pilots year round with no issues whatsoever and early morning starts in the high 20’s in my part of the East Bay during winters.

[Scrapula]

I used to live in LA. I think summer tires should be fine.

[Sisyrx]

I have lived in SoCal (Orange County) for the entirety of my driving life and have exclusively ran summer tires on all vehicles (240z, WRX, G35, 230i). Never been concerned about temps nor experienced related issues.

Only consideration would be if you ever want to go up into the mountains.

[SkykingUSA]

Thanks for all the feedback folks. I feel better about the upcoming winter now. I don't ski or go up to the mountains normally, but I'll watch for snow or freezing temps.

[paprmkr]

Originally Posted by SkykingUSA

For those drivers in Southern California, do you use summer tires all year, or do you switch to all-season or winter tires when it gets cold?

I've always used all-season tires on prior vehicles, but now my car has summer tires (because that was the only 19" option available with the M Sport package) and I'm wondering if I need to worry about it in the middle of winter here near Los Angeles (Santa Clarita). From what I've read, my Bridgestone summer tires should be good as long as I'm not driving when it's below 40 degrees Fahrenheit. It rarely gets into the 30s here, but some days it does overnight during the winter (but rarely during the day).

What are your experiences in SoCal?

I got all season again since they lasted almost 25k and had 4/32 when changed. Plus I do go to Utah in December visit grandson at university get about 15deg.

[SkykingUSA]

Originally Posted by paprmkr

I got all season again since they lasted almost 25k and had 4/32 when changed. Plus I do go to Utah in December visit grandson at university get about 15deg.

Are you staying safe from the fires down there in Camarillo?

[paprmkr]

Originally Posted by SkykingUSA

Are you staying safe from the fires down there in Camarillo?

Yes thank you got very close to
Our area. . But now moving away from home. Smoke got very bad. Our Plant had to shutdown Tuesday due to ash. Clogging our filter
To our cogen engines.
I happen to be in Las Vegas at SEMA so missing it back Saturday though to ash mess.

[finn123]

What are the typical temperatures in southern ca? I run summer tires in Finland until it starts snowing , but if the weather is like 3-6C, it doesn’t make much sense to rush to change tires.

The weather forcast sites say LA’s is pretty hot in winter (9-20C). I can’t imagine one in a need for winter or all-weather tires in that condition

[paprmkr]

Originally Posted by finn123

What are the typical temperatures in southern ca? I run summer tires in Finland until it starts snowing , but if the weather is like 3-6C, it doesn’t make much sense to rush to change tires.

The weather forcast sites say LA’s is pretty hot in winter (9-20C). I can’t imagine one in a need for winter or all-weather tires in that condition

But they last
More than summer tires. And also handle my driving just great

[Scrapula]

Originally Posted by finn123

What are the typical temperatures in southern ca? I run summer tires in Finland until it starts snowing , but if the weather is like 3-6C, it doesn’t make much sense to rush to change tires.

The weather forcast sites say LA’s is pretty hot in winter (9-20C). I can’t imagine one in a need for winter or all-weather tires in that condition

Yes, it stays warm there. We are at 6 degrees C right now further north in Washington with snow in the mountains. They’ve already closed some of the passes. My winter tires get here in about a week. I didn’t want to be the person losing out by waiting until the last minute.

[SkykingUSA]

Originally Posted by finn123

What are the typical temperatures in southern ca? I run summer tires in Finland until it starts snowing , but if the weather is like 3-6C, it doesn’t make much sense to rush to change tires.

The weather forcast sites say LA’s is pretty hot in winter (9-20C). I can’t imagine one in a need for winter or all-weather tires in that condition

Thank you. Where I live, it rarely gets below about 5 degrees C. About 4 times in the last 20 years, we had a light snowfall which lasted about 20 minutes and almost melted as soon as it hit the ground.

I am in a desert climate area - that is to say the difference between high daytime temps and overnight temps is commonly about 30 Fahrenheit degrees (about 16 Celsius degrees). So, we will have a typical Autumn day with a high of 75 degrees F (24 C), but in the middle of the night, it will be around 45 - 50 degrees F (7 - 10 C).

Based on everyone's feedback, it doesn't look like I have anything to worry about as long as I don't go into the mountains where there is snow. Thanks.

[finn123]

Originally Posted by SkykingUSA

Thank you. Where I live, it rarely gets below about 5 degrees C. About 4 times in the last 20 years, we had a light snowfall which lasted about 20 minutes and almost melted as soon as it hit the ground.

I am in a desert climate area - that is to say the difference between high daytime temps and overnight temps is commonly about 30 Fahrenheit degrees (about 16 Celsius degrees). So, we will have a typical Autumn day with a high of 75 degrees F (24 C), but in the middle of the night, it will be around 45 - 50 degrees F (7 - 10 C).

Based on everyone's feedback, it doesn't look like I have anything to worry about as long as I don't go into the mountains where there is snow. Thanks.

Some people in Spain or even in Austria use chains when they go to mountains. Is it an option in USA?

[arkhi]

Just don't drive when it's below 40, which you'll usually only see if it's before sunrise. Summer tires' lose traction quite considerably around that temperature, and I personally would not risk my or others' safety by driving.

[SkykingUSA]

Originally Posted by finn123

Some people in Spain or even in Austria use chains when they go to mountains. Is it an option in USA?

I think it is an option in some places and others maybe not. I think some areas don't like it because it's tough on the roads, but it's definitely an option.

[paprmkr]

Originally Posted by Sisyrx

I have lived in SoCal (Orange County) for the entirety of my driving life and have exclusively ran summer tires on all vehicles (240z, WRX, G35, 230i). Never been concerned about temps nor experienced related issues.

Only consideration would be if you ever want to go up into the mountains.

I travel lite snow -9c to 25c when in Utah. I come to las vegas a lot from oxnard can get very cold on road and LV in winter. Also very hot +43C
Oxnard avg is about 22c year round

[Scrapula]

Originally Posted by finn123

Some people in Spain or even in Austria use chains when they go to mountains. Is it an option in USA?

In Washington we have postings when chains are required. For example, taking interstate 90 into Seattle will require chains when the pass is open. They will allow you to drive with AWD and snow tires, but chains for everyone else.

[jha96]

Originally Posted by SkykingUSA

For those drivers in Southern California, do you use summer tires all year, or do you switch to all-season or winter tires when it gets cold?

I've always used all-season tires on prior vehicles, but now my car has summer tires (because that was the only 19" option available with the M Sport package) and I'm wondering if I need to worry about it in the middle of winter here near Los Angeles (Santa Clarita). From what I've read, my Bridgestone summer tires should be good as long as I'm not driving when it's below 40 degrees Fahrenheit. It rarely gets into the 30s here, but some days it does overnight during the winter (but rarely during the day).

What are your experiences in SoCal?

As long as there is no snow, you will be fine. Less traction when it was cold and the tires were hard but only noticeable on my tuned RWD F82 M4. Summer tires all the way and you will be fine. I wonder which is better for ride quality, which I care more about than performance for anything in the G60 range.