VTLexus

I live in the DC area and it has been below 30 degrees for a few weeks now. Over the past few days, I have slid (traction control light comes on) when hitting the gas on turns, and it happened again today by hitting the gas while going straight at about 35 MPH. It hasn't rained in a few weeks, and there is a lot of dried salt on the roads.

I have an '08 350 with 23k miles, and stock tires. Is it the weather, or do I need to replace my tires???

DaSyce

iTrader: (3)

Stock summer tires won't grip that well at 30 degrees.. but it could also be the salt..

IShokie

ive been having the same type of issue, but after i have driven my car for 5 minutes it stops.

Lets Drive

iTrader: (3)

Cold rubber around this time has resulted in the rear getting a bit squirrely, too. Let things warm up a bit, and be careful accelerating through those turns.

Are these the OEM tires you've had since you bought the car? When my original tires got up to that mileage, I wasn't confident in this weather, either (in tandem with them being summers).

VTLexus

Yes, these are the OEM tires. Glad to hear others are dealing with this also. I'll have to double check the tread sometime this week just to verify.

Thanks for the replies guys.

VTLexus

What's a good way to check if I need new tires?

santacruz

Haha...even down here in south florida I have noticed traction issues lately. We have been having an abnormally cold winter and on our colder days I have noticed that I just can't get grip at all. Never had to account for pavement temperature before down here. Global warming my ***...

edgeucated

iTrader: (4)

use the penny trick to see if you still have tread left on your tire. if the penny passes the head on the coin, then you need new tires

javyLSU

iTrader: (21)

You probably don't need new tires - you need to take it easy on the accelerator pedal. Cold summer tires in 30 degree temperatures = really bad traction. If those types of temperatures are a regular occurrence where you live, you might want to consider a set of all-season tires for your next set. Be careful.

Javier

VTLexus

Good call...thanks for the heads up. This is by far the coldest winter since I got the car.

sandwiches

iTrader: (1)

Maybe turn on "ECT Snow" mode if you have trouble modulating the accelerator.

teracon

I am having fun...

Driving on aet of Ecsta SPTs and seem to slide right around corners. I am in the process of swapping them out...