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Summer vs. Winter Tyres: A Seasonal Comparison for Performance and Safety

Did you know that your tyres have an average lifespan of roughly 20,000 miles? Furthermore, the necessity to replace your front tyres more frequently than your rear tyres may shorten their lifespan.

To extend the life of your tyres, switch them out for the appropriate season. Is there a clear winner in the argument between summer and winter tyres, though?

We are happy to provide advice if you are considering replacing your tyres for the next season. Continue reading to find out more about how your tyre type might impact safety, longevity, and other factors. We'll also examine a few more Car Tyres Northampton varieties that you have to be aware of.

Winter Tyres

As the name implies, winter tyres are most beneficial in the cold, icy, and snowy seasons; however, their true use lies in regions where temperatures drop below 7 degrees Celsius for prolonged periods of time, which includes much of Northern Europe, Scotland, and the Yorkshire moors. Additionally, if you are visiting northern Europe, you should know that all drivers, including visitors, are required to convert to winter tyres due to the sometimes extremely cold weather in these areas.

What, then, makes these tyres more suitable for the winter? The basic answer is that they are more suited to cold climates than other tyre types because of certain properties.

The wear on the tyres should be seen first. With its deeper tread, these tyres keep the rubber in contact with the ground while also helping to channel snow, ice and water away from the tyre. By doing this, they lower their chance of aquaplaning and improve their stopping and slowing abilities.

In addition, the material used to make these tyres helps them withstand frigid temperatures. At around 7C, summer tyres will start to freeze or stiffen. Much lower temperatures are manageable for winter tyres.

In summary, these tyres are perfect for chilly, almost freezing conditions. They outperform other tyres in terms of braking when there is snow or ice.

Summert Tyres

Summer tyres are at the other extreme of the range. Although these tyres have many qualities in common with winter tyres, they are functionally the opposite. Their characteristics are designed for warm weather rather than cold weather, which is the main distinction.

Summer tyres feature a shallower tread because there isn't any snow to navigate. Additionally, the material that makes them is more temperature-tolerant than winter tyres.

Summer tyres are helpful up to the first snowfall. You're really endangering yourself if you use them in ice or snowy conditions.

Other Tyre Types

When replacing tyres, what additional kinds of tyres should you anticipate seeing? Other than summer and winter tyres, these are the primary types.

Off-Road Off-road tyres work best while driving on unpaved surfaces.

The treads of off-road tyres are quite deep. These treads assist a car go across difficult terrain and maintain a stable grip on the ground at all times. Driving on a paved, level surface is made more difficult and unsafe by these same treads, which also increase fuel consumption. While driving on cement or asphalt, these tyres will likewise degrade more quickly.

All- Season Tyres

The logical replacement for winter and summer tyres is an all-season tyre. But are these tyres really appropriate for every season?

Summer tyres perform better in dry weather than all-season tyres. In a same vein, they aren't as good as winter tyres on snow or ice. They are essentially a year-round compromise, with the added benefit of not needing to be replaced like the others as they work flawlessly in all weather conditions.

Because of their distinctive tread patterns, they work well in mild weather conditions to remove ice and slush. The winder grooves also aid in maintaining a safe stopping distance in slippery situations.

In subfreezing temperatures, the softer tread composition maintains its flexibility. Because of this, you won't have to worry as much about your tire's traction in the winter as you would with a summer tyre.

Having said that, don't start organising any trips to the Arctic. Our advice is that all-season tyres could be something to think about for people who reside south of the Yorkshire Moors. 

Changing Tyres For the Season

How can you tell when your tyres need to be changed? It won't often be necessary if you're using all-season tyres. But before the snow falls, you should inspect their durability and tread.

Summer tyres should be replaced with winter tyres as soon as the temperature is regularly seven degrees or below, which in the UK is normally in late September. Consider not driving if there is snow until you have switched to winter tyres.

When the weather warms back up, which in the UK usually means late March, you should swap out your winter tyres for summer ones. In this manner, you'll benefit from the summer tyres' stronger, longer-lasting tread and shorter stopping distances.

Is it Required to Change Tyres?

Depending on where you reside, yes. Drivers must switch to winter Goodyear Tyres Northampton in several Northern European regions. Upgrading to summer tyres is never required. Although changing tyres is not required in the UK, there are some places where people live during the dead of winter and we occasionally wonder why.