LOH

I remember Luke describing plasticization occuring in summer tires when exposed to low temperatures. I tried a search but came up empty. Could you explain it again please? What kind of temperatures are we talking about?

Luke@tirerack

at approx. 40 degrees the rubber compound in summer tires starts to get really hard (platic like) and as the temps lower the process accelerates which, in turn reduces the tires grip substantially

LOH

Thanks Luke, I suppose this is an irreversible process or does the summer compound regain their gripping ability as temperatures average above 40 degrees?

Luke@tirerack

they do come back when it gets warmer but, extended or repeated cold temperatures will reduce the level to which they come back