The seasons are changing, and winter is on the horizon. It's getting cold, and perhaps there's a bit of snow or ice on the road. You know you should, but changing the tyres on your car can be a hassle. You're wondering whether you can leave the summer tyres on your vehicle. The short answer is no. Using summer tyres in winter conditions is dangerous and risks damaging your tyres.
Local weather conditions are a huge deciding factor for the choice of your tyres. With only occasional bouts of freezing temperatures, all-season tyres could be an option for mild winter conditions.
We recommend against using summer tyres if there’s any snow, it’s icy, or the temperature is frequently freezing. Winter is the time to fit your car with winter or at least all-season tyres.
Summer tyres have lower rolling resistance than winter tyres; this improves efficiency and handling while also reducing noise levels. The tread on these performance tyres, however, performs poorly on ice and snow.
In winter weather, summer tyres have poor acceleration. Winter tyres or snow tyres will outperform them on snowy roads. Summer tyres have low rolling resistance, resulting in long brake distances on ice or snow. A winter tyre has a deep tread that digs into snow and grips to ice, providing shorter braking time. By contrast, the compound of winter tyres is much softer and less vulnerable to cold temperatures.
The rubber compound on summer tyres is designed for warm weather. As the temperature drops, the rubber stiffens. Even if there is no snow or ice, the tyre loses traction.
Our all-season tyres, on the other hand, are equipped with tread and sipes similar to winter tyres, so they are able to withstand mild wintry conditions. However, always remember that winter tyres are specifically tailored to the relevant conditions.
Even on dry roads without ice and snow, winter brings colder temperatures. Summer tyres are not built for cold weather. The tyre tread will stiffen. In addition to reducing traction, this poses a risk to the tyre itself.
The tyre loses its elasticity and may crack. There's a risk of chipping of the overly stiff tread block. Chipped and cracked tyres are not safe to drive on and must be replaced.
Driving with summer tyres in the winter can be considered improper use, and the warranty will usually not cover resulting damage.
Although all-season tyres are not suitable for extreme winter conditions, they can be a good choice for drivers, living in mild winter conditions. The all-season tyre offers good handling and features good braking performance on dry and wet surfaces. In addition, drivers can save money and time, and reduce the effort required for seasonal tyre changes.
If you are unsure about the right tyre choice, please contact your local retailer for personal advice.
