ZZS in winter -- less sticky, or am I just more blippy?

[Austin David]

Do the ZZS tires lose grip in cooler weather?  

 

I've got 185/55 R13 ZZS tires on my 360S, and 4000 miles on 'em.  They generally still stick really well, but I've noticed I kick the rears around a little more than I used to.  It happened today when I was a little spirited coming off a stop.  Weather was about 60F and dry.  I haven't made any suspension changes.  I AM a lot more comfortable with the car, and it's possible I'm just a little more generous with the right foot.

 

I live in coastal SC, car lives indoors.  9 months are 80+, and winter months cool to ~ freezing.  Should I be thinking about winter tires?

[KnifeySpoony]

ZZS, while more street orientated (see what I did there?) than the ZZR still needs heat to achieve optimal grip. Even on a hot day, driven aggressively on the street, they will never get to optimal operating temp. They need a couple laps at track pace to get up to temp. On a chilly day on the street they will be like driving on ice skates, comparatively. However, being able to slide the car around on the street at sane speeds is what the 7 is all about IMO. Just beware that your braking distances will be longer and be ready for early lockup.

[CarlB]

It isn't just the Avon ZZS tires that loose grip in cooler weather. All the performance tires do. Tires grip by tearing a small bit of the rubber off. More grip requires softer tires. The mix of different components used to make high performance tires get harder as the temperature goes down. If you look at the manufactures data sheets for their high-performance tires, they tell you not to drive on them below 40 degrees. 

[Croc]

I have used ZZS on track in snow.  Yes they lose grip in cold weather.  All performance rubber does.  Sensitivity with throttle becomes key.  Se7ens can be tricky to drive in the rain, snow and cold temps as you want a bit of weight to create some heat in the tires and the one thing a se7en does not have is weight.  So expect kitten in wet bathtub experience in cold weather - front and back end can step out more readily than normal.  

 

But that means you can have more fun.... 

 

 

[Austin David]

fortunately "fun" is ultra predictable in this thing.  My other car also has 200TW tires for 4 seasons, but I hadn't noticed them changing a lot as the weather cools.  It also has maybe half the power::weight, and is less torquey.

 

Croc, do you drive year-round in NYC on ZZS?  I saw ZT7s out there but I'd need to stash a set of wheels for 'em, and that's a lot of garage space.  I did NOT see a lot of interesting 4-season options in smaller wheel diameters (< 16) though.

[Croc]

57 minutes ago, Austin David said:

Croc, do you drive year-round in NYC on ZZS?  I saw ZT7s out there but I'd need to stash a set of wheels for 'em, and that's a lot of garage space.  I did NOT see a lot of interesting 4-season options in smaller wheel diameters (< 16) though.

 

I don't store my car at home anymore.  Its just not possible to drive a Caterham around the NYC area.  Road quality is horrific and the drivers just too aggressive/too stupid.  So I keep it at the weekender.  I don't take it out in winter - not much fun in the cold.  Its street tires are ZZS plus I use those as the wet tire for track days.   

 

My UK 420R also has ZZS for wet/cold days on track or backroad driving. I have driven Spa-Francorchamps in snow/ice/rain days on ZZS and survived perfectly well.  I will do trackdays in winter in the UK - its a little warmer than my US climate.   I find the ZZS a perfectly good tire for a Caterham all conditions.  But that does not stop the need for the driver to have some common sense with the throttle usage.

 

I find I can get a ZZS up to 110-115mph before I feel aquaplaning on track in heavy rain whereas the ZZR is in the 90-100mph area.  Hoosier slicks..40mph...

 

 

 

[Austin David]

Cool, I'll just enjoy skating on the way to pick up milk.  It's still awesome, just need to roll it on a lil more gently.