Can I use summer tires all year?
Summer tires are designed to be used during warmer months when temperatures often reach 40°C for occasional or even extended periods of time, or throughout the year in places without winter weather. Fuel Economy: Due to less friction on the road and better energy economy, summer tires used in the right conditions will improve fuel economy.Early fall and late spring tend to be good times to purchase new tires, as many retailers discount old stock to make room for new models.
When not to drive summer tires?
We recommend against using summer tires 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 tires. Can i use summer tires all year? If you live in a climate that doesn’t experience any snow or freezing temperatures, you can safely use summer or performance tires all year long. Additionally, summer tires are designed to minimize hydroplaning, which means they are exceptional on wet roads.Generally summer tires are rated for temperatures over 40 degrees. Below that they lose grip as the rubber stiffens due to the cold weather.While summer tires can still get a grip on the road while it’s raining, they don’t work as well as all-weather tires or winter tires. Their shallower treads channel less water than the deeper grooves on all-weather and winter tires.The tread on these performance tires, however, performs poorly on ice and snow. In winter weather, summer tires have poor acceleration. Winter tires or snow tires will outperform them on snowy roads. Furthermore, summer tires have low rolling resistance, resulting in long brake distances on ice or snow.
Will summer tires crack in winter?
Not sure if your message was referencing my reply, but I posted the link because of this: In fact, should summer performance tires even be exposed to near- or below-freezing temperatures, tread compound cracking or tread block chipping can occur. Once a tire has been damaged in this way, it will need to be replaced. All season tyres are a combination of summer tyres and winter tyres. They have more grooves in the tread than summer tyres and are built for safe, efficient driving in temperatures of between -10 and 30 degrees.Driving on winter tires in the summer can affect your safety and wallet. The special rubber compound that makes them flexible in freezing temperatures also makes them wear out much faster in warmer weather. Plus, the higher rolling resistance of the deeper tread means you’ll reduce your MPG, spending more on gas.As temperatures drop into the 40s, a summer performance tire’s tread compound changes from a pliable elastic to an inflexible plastic, drastically reducing traction capabilities. The tire industry calls this process the glass transition. And, without traction, your vehicle will have a hard time staying on the road!THE BOTTOM LINE Summer tires are better at sticking to wet roads, but an all-season tire gives you added grip in below-freezing temps and light snow.
What is the lifespan of summer tires?
Summer tires boast superior performance on dry surfaces but its performance is substantially reduced in the snow and ice. They usually last for 20,000-40,000 miles, depending on driving habits and weather conditions. When seasonal temperatures climb above 7 °C (46 °F), fit your wheels with summer tires. Summer tires deliver high grip levels on wet and dry roads, high stability in curves, and optimal mileage performance at warm temperatures.
Is it okay to leave summer tires outside in the winter?
Whether in cold or warm weather, tires should never be stored in the open air, even under a protective covering. UV rays and the sun’s heat can wreak havoc on rubber. Your tire storage location should keep them out of direct sunlight. Think cool, dry and moderately ventilated. Store your tires indoors in a clean, cool and dark location away from direct sunlight, sources of heat and ozone such as hot pipes or electric generators. If you are storing outdoors (recommended for a short time only), raise tires off the ground and use waterproof covering with holes to prevent moisture build-up.
What happens if you use summer tyres in winter?
Risk of damage due to cold temperatures 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 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.