Winter, all-season or summer tyres: which should you choose?
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This video discusses the benefits and drawbacks of using the different types of tyres aswell as giving advice on what type of tyre you should fit on your car depending on the weather you experience where you live.
If you would like to know more about this topic, watch the video below:
What's The Difference Between Winter, Summer & All Season Tyres?
As Jon Benson from Tyre Reviews explains in this video, summer tyres have a hard rubber compound which means they perform best in warmer weather on both wet and dry roads. On the other hand, winter tyres are softer and have a higher rate of elasticity so they can perform better in temperatures below 7°c. Combining the best of both summer and winter tyres, All season tyres provide you with excellent performance all year round.
Don't forget, you should have the same seasonal tyre on all four wheels of your vehicle.
Why Buy Summer Tyres?
It's fairly self explanatory that you should be using summer tyres during the warmer months of the year. More specifically, as soon as the average temperature is above 7°c. The tread patterns and compounds of a summer tyre will provide the best performance on dry and wet roads at this time of year. This means the best possible grip, traction, handling and braking distances.
Why Buy Winter Tyres?
Winter tyres' tread pattern contains sipes to give you the best possible performance on snow and ice. But they also simply provide better performance when temperatures drop below 7°c. When you need to brake on a cold, wet and wintry day, a set of winter tyres will minimise your stopping distance.
If you live in a part of the country that gets especially cold in winter with a lot of snow and ice, then choosing winter tyres may be your best option.
But don't forget, the softer and more elastic rubber on winter tyres degrades quickly in summer, so you'll need to change back to summer tyres as soon as the weather warms up.
Why Buy All Season Tyres?
All season tyres are best if you live somewhere in the country that doesn’t get especially cold or see so much snow and ice. Offering good performance in both summer and winter, you won't need to change your tyres as the seasons change.
If you're looking to buy all season tyres, Goodyear's new Vector 4Seasons Gen-3 was a winner at the Auto Express Product Awards 2020, which makes it a great option when looking for premium all season tyres.
Your Guide to Seasonal Tyres
Which tyre is right for you?
Deciphering the differences between seasonal tyres and why they’re unique to each other can be mind-boggling. What really makes them each so well equipped to tackle drastically different weather conditions? We’ve outlined exactly what each tyre offers during different times of year; from road performance to the technology that makes them so effective. See below for the breakdown on Summer, All Season and Winter tyres, and to find the tyre that is perfect for you and the weather conditions in your area.
| Season | Summer (Above 7 degrees Celsius) | All Season (All year round) | Winter (Below 7 degrees Celsius) |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Season
Driving performance
|
Summer (Above 7 degrees Celsius)
Designed for excellent performance during the warmer months (above 7 degrees Celsius). High tread elasticity and flexibility ensures a smooth ride.
|
All Season (All year round)
Consistent tyre performance in all weather conditions and all year round. All season tyres combine the driving characteristics of both summer and winter tyres for good all year round performance.
|
Winter (Below 7 degrees Celsius)
Designed to provide optimum grip in cold, wet or snowy conditions at temperatures below 7 degrees Celsius.
|
|
Season
On the road
|
Summer (Above 7 degrees Celsius)
Excellent dry and wet traction in the warmer months of the year. Precise handling for optimal performance, even when it rains. Short braking distances in dry and wet conditions.
|
All Season (All year round)
Good performance throughout the year. Unique compounds work to maintain rubber elasticity in cold weather, providing better grip and control in adverse conditions.
|
Winter (Below 7 degrees Celsius)
Delivering excellent grip and short braking distances on wet roads, slush, snow and ice (uphill & downhill). Excellent braking, accelerating and cornering performance below 7 degrees Celsius.
|
|
Season
The technology
|
Summer (Above 7 degrees Celsius)
Stiffer compounds and less aggressive tread patterns result in lowered friction and improved fuel efficiency throughout warmer months of the year.
|
All Season (All year round)
Specially designed tread patterns that consist of multiple sipes to provide extra aquaplaning resistance and to keep you safe in heavy downpours.
|
Winter (Below 7 degrees Celsius)
Flexible compound ensures optimum grip and traction at low temperatures and extra sipes provide efficient water dispersal to avoid aquaplaning.
|
|
Season
Making a Choice
|
Summer (Above 7 degrees Celsius)
Excellent performance in summer, whatever the weather. Below 7 degrees Celsius, summer tyre compounds begin to stiffen and this may impact traction. Increased wear in colder conditions can result in crack & chips along the sidewall and tread blocks, so you should ideally switch to winter tyres once the temperature drops below 7 degrees.
|
All Season (All year round)
Designed to be able to cope with mild wintry conditions as well as offering excellent performance in the warmer months of the year. Be careful when the weather turns more extreme, especially in more rural areas where the build-up of snow or rain water might be more severe.
|
Winter (Below 7 degrees Celsius)
Designed for winter conditions when the temperature drops below 7 degrees Celsius. Winter tyres will lack grip and traction in summer. Winter tyres will also wear out more quickly in the warmer weather, so always change your tyres back to summer tyres once the weather improves.
|