What is a summer tire?
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. Summer tyres are designed to be used in milder summer conditions to provide optimal performance in temperatures of 7°c and above.Risk of damage due to cold temperatures Summer tires are not built for cold weather. The tire tread will stiffen.They are known as summer tires or ultra high-performance tires–and they are an effective way to increase your car’s traction in dry weather and handle faster speeds.Summer tires are often more expensive than other types of tires, and they can be noisy, bothering some drivers. They only work well when the weather is warm, and are not at all suitable for winter conditions.
Can you use summer tyres in winter?
Equally, using summer tyres in winter is not recommended, as these tyres are not designed to withstand cold temperatures. Without the deeper tread and additional grooves of winter tyres, summer tyres can struggle to grip the roads in icy or snowy weather. Unsafe in Cold Temperatures: Tests have shown summer tires are hazardous and should not be driven on in temperatures under 45 degrees. Tire Rotation Limitations: Due to the unique tread patterns, most summer tires are limited in the rotation options.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.With a shallower tread pattern and a stiff, sticky tread compound that offers excellent grip on dry and wet surfaces, summer tires are specifically designed to deliver optimal performances in temperatures above 44. F (7°C).Whether you choose summer or winter tyres depends on your location and the current season. Countries and regions that experience much colder winters are more likely to use winter tyres for most of the year, and areas with mild or warmer weather are more likely to drive on summer tyres.
Are summer tires meant for rain?
Summer tires, also known as performance tires, are designed for drivers who enjoy precise handling and control on wet and dry roads. As the name implies, they are designed for warmer conditions or regions that experience nothing more than an infrequent downpour. Some tires are built to reflect a warranty of approximately 100,000 km while entry-level tires have a warranty of approximately 60,000 km. Summer tires should be replaced at 3mm tread depth and winter tires, also known as snow tires should be replaced at 4mm tread depth.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.Regular summer tires wear faster compared to all season tires. The Nokian Tyres One, however, has durable tread with an 80,000-mile treadwear warranty. It’s responsive to the road, with a tread pattern tailored to the demands of North American roads.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.
Can I use summer tires all year?
Summer tires are designed for year round usage but should not be used during the winter season where temperatures are colder and approach freezing consistently as their performance would be less than optimal. In most cases however, it is not a good idea to use summer tires year-round if your geographical location experiences heavy rain, snow and extreme temperatures. Even so, it is generally good practice to use all-season tires, even if you don’t experience these things.Unlike Europe, in the UK it’s not illegal to use the wrong seasonal tyres, however it is highly advisable that you don’t. Doing so will affect handling and braking distance, and will wear your tyres much quicker and potentially damage the tyre structure. You should also not mix off-road tyres with standard road tyres.We recommend against using summer tires if there’s any snow, ice, or the temperature is freezing. Whether it’s an emergency puncture situation or you’re switching your seasonal set – here’s your step-by-step guide to changing a tire.You should not mix all season and summer tyres. If you are changing your tyres to all season, you should put all season tyres on all four wheels. Equally, you should not mix all season tyres with winter tyres or summer tyres with winter tyres. Always fit the same type of tyre on all four wheels.Know the Lifespan: While the lifespan of tires can vary depending on various factors, including driving habits and weather conditions, on average, summer tires can last between 25,000 and 50,000 kilometers. Keep track of the mileage to determine when you may need to replace them.
Do summer tires get better gas mileage?
Yes, switching to summer tires can help with gas mileage, particularly if you’re driving in warm, dry conditions. Summer tire rubber is designed for performance and efficiency in hot weather. The rigidity of summer and all-season tires depends on the ambient temperature and the heat (or lack of heat) from the road. Summer tires are designed to retain their shape in warmer conditions, while all-season tires are built with a special rubber compound that keeps them flexible at temperatures just above freezing.Better cold weather performance – Whilst summer tyres deteriorate in performance when the temperature drops below seven degrees, all season tyres continue to offer a safe, efficient drive even when the temperature drops below zero.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.These tyres can be used in any weather conditions, meaning there is no need to switch between summer and winter tyres. However, tests have shown that all-weather tyres wear out more quickly, especially in summer, which is of particular concern with M+S tyres and can pose a safety risk.Compared to all-seasons, summer tires use softer rubber compounds that offer more grip in warm or hot weather. Circumferential grooves in the tread evacuate water from under the tire, improving traction in the rain.
What is the lifespan of summer tires?
Summer tires typically last between 32000-64,000 kilometres, but this may vary depending on the weather conditions and individual driving habits. Properly maintained summer tires continue to deliver a promising performance for up to 96,000 kilometres. Top-of-the-range summer tires are generally designed to last longer than budget tires. They often have more durable tread compounds and may feature advanced wear-resistance technologies. This extended lifespan can make them a better long-term investment, especially for long-distance drivers.Lifespans of summer and all-season 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.Equally, using summer tires in winter is not recommended, as these tires are not designed to withstand cold temperatures. Without the deeper tread and additional grooves of winter tires, summer tires can struggle to grip the roads in icy or snowy weather.With the average Ontario driver covering about 16,000 km per year, most tire sets are expected to last around 3-3. With typical use and proper rotation of seasonal tires, you can get closer to 4.They’re generally firm and grip roads well in rain or dry conditions, but that’s not to say summer tyres are always appropriate. For instance, once temperatures drop below 7-degrees, performance wanes, and the tyres become less effective and even risk becoming frozen or damaged, which could pose a danger.