With THIRD year of C7 Corvette approaching General Motors finally decides to issue warning about summer tires cracking in winter?

WTF +General Motors ?  The seventh generation of Corvette has been sold since the last quarter of 2013, there are plenty of cold weather accidents, including two fatalities and yet somehow, it took until now for GM to figure out that warning has to be issued?

What makes this particularly questionable is the fact that this warning/advisory is issued to fine GM dealers only, apparently counting on their good will to spot these problems?  To +Tadge Juechter 's credit, the corporate stupidity is wide spread in GM, extending well beyond the C7 turds, exposing buyers across the GM line up to this super stupid and super short sighted strategy of equipping passenger cars designated for street driving with summer tires only. 

Certainly, both the original stupidity and this delayed response document quite well how much GM learned from the ignition switch disaster. 

Considering the hundreds of 2015 Corvette C7 Z06 flagships that were parked during super cold weather for weeks, on the Bowling Green plant back lot, it appears that the work is certainly cut out for the dealers delivering these disasters to the buyers, especially the buyers using so called courtesy delivery.  If the original dealer misses the cracked tires or ignores the issue just to get the car on its way, these buyers will have a lot of fun dealing with the aftermath, especially when the tires are on back order and/or cold winter weather is still around.

This blog pointed out long time ago that the logistics behind summer only tires as the only OEM tire was beyond idiotic, apparently GM still does not get it.

 

 

2014 Chevrolet Corvette | Corvette VIN Y Service Manual 5533811 | Document ID: 4032290

 
 #13-03-10-0018: Information on Tire Cold Weather Cracking - (Jan 7, 2015) 

Subject: Information on Tire Cold Weather Cracking

Models: 2012-2015 Buick Regal GS

2014-2015 Cadillac CTS Vsport

2012- 2015 Chevrolet Camaro Z L l , Z/28

2013- 2015 Chevrolet Camaro SS with RPO ILE

2014- 2015 Chevrolet Corvette, Corvette Z06, SS

 

Attention: Advise customers of these vehicles that they are equipped with a

high performance summer-only tire that will have reduced traction

performance at temperatures below approximately 40°F (5°C). GM

recommends installing winter tires if driving below these

temperatures. Avoid driving, moving, or test-driving vehicles

equipped with high performance summer-only tires below 20°F

(-7°C), as operating at these temperatures can cause damage to

the tires.

 

This bulletin has been revised to add the 2015 model year. Please discard Corporate Bulletin

Number 13-03-10-OOlA.

Cold Weather Operation

 

The vehicles referenced above are all equipped with 3 season perfornnance tires commonly

referred to as "Summer Tires."

The rubber used in these tires loses flexibility and may develop surface cracks (1) in the tire

tread/shoulder area at colder temperatures. Refer to the photos below for examples.

Surface cracks are cosmetic and will not result in a loss of air, however special tread and

compounds used on these performance tires will cause a decrease in performance in cold

climates. Driving with high performance summer tires on snow, ice or cold road surfaces may

cause loss of control.

 

Important: While the cracking will not result in air loss, it is damaging to the tire. Tires that have

 

been used in cold climates and exhibit tread cracks should be discarded.

 

Tire Surface Cracks

 

 

 

 

2012-2015 Camaro Models RPO ( Z L l , ILE or Z28)

 

The Camaro Z L l and RPO ILE vehicles come with 285/35ZR20 and/or 305/35ZR20 Goodyear F l

Supercar G2 D.O.T. approved ultra high performance, track capable summer tires as standard

equipment. The Camaro Z/28 is equipped with 305/30ZR19 Pirelli P Zero Trofeo R of similar

capabilities,

All of these Camaro models tires are not intended to be driven on snow, ice or road surfaces

below -7°C (20°F).

 

If the ambient temperature in your location is at or below -7°C (20°F), DO NOT MOVE THIS

VEHICLE. Driving the vehicle, when the temperature is below -7°C (20°F), may result in surface 

 

cracks in the tread area of the tire.

Refer to the latest version of Corporate Bulletin Number 04-03-10-013: Driving Characteristics of

Rear Wheel Drive Vehicles and Available Winter Tires for further information on available

replacement winter tires for cold climate operation.

 

2014-2015 Corvette, Corvette Z06

 

The 2014 and 2015 Corvette is equipped with Michelin Pilot Super Sport ZP Runflat tires or

Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 ZP tires. These tires are ultra high performance, track capable summer

tires.

This tire has reduced capability below 5°C (40°F) and it is recommended that suitable winter tires

be fitted below this temperature.

 

Avoid driving, moving, or test-driving Corvettes equipped with Michelin Pilot Super

Sport ZP tires below -7°C (20°F) as operating at these temperatures can cause damage

to the tires.

 

Refer to the latest version of Corporate Bulletin Number 04-03-10-013: Driving Characteristics of

Rear Wheel Drive Vehicles and Available Winter Tires for further information on available

replacement winter tires for cold climate operation.

 

 

 

 

Customer Information

 

Please share this Information with the customer, including a copy of this message.