Cybertruck illustration by Heather Skovlund for 360 Magazine

Summer Tires In Winter; Why It Is Not Advisable To Use Them

Seasons are not constant. They keep changing, so should your tires. Tires that are made for use in the summer cannot be used on hard slippery winter roads. Although the hassle involved in changing the summer tires can be costly and tedious, it is worth ensuring you are safe during the transition.

Because you know your area better, you can determine when to change the tires. In some areas though, the conditions are mild, making it unnecessary to change tires if you are using the all-season ones. Here are reasons why you should not use your summer tires in winter. Take a peek.

  1. Some of the Dangers for Using Summer Tires During Winter
  2. Loss of Traction and Poor Grip

Summer tires are made with lower resistance to make them perform efficiently and minimize noise. However, the resistance is not enough to be used on icy roads.

When compared to summer tires, winter tires are made with deep tread. It helps with braking and high rolling resistance which keeps vehicles steady on the road. The sipes on winter tires provide a firm grip on the snow.

Extreme cold can make tires break. The compound used in making winter tires is soft, which makes it adjust to extreme weather. It becomes stiff when the temperatures go down, causing them to lose traction or even break. 

All-season tires also have deep treads and sipes to make them suitable for all weather. But, these can only be ideal in areas where temperatures do not reach their extremes. In such conditions, these tires lose their traction as well and their grip is not good.

  1. Risk Damage Due to Cold Temperatures

The roads do not have to necessarily be snowy or icy to affect summer tires during the winter season. When the temperature drops, the compound used in making cheap summer tires stiffen. The elasticity and the traction get lost. This results in tire cracking and chipping off the tread block. 

When tires reach this damage extent, they are unsafe for use and car owners should replace them as soon as possible. Failure to do so, you could be risking damaging the rim and worse causing accidents because the car is prone to slipping.

  1. All-Season Tires as an Alternative

These tires are better alternatives to cheap summer tires for those living in places with mild conditions. Although it is not advisable to use them in extreme winters, they don’t pose a huge risk like the summer tires when used in the right conditions. 

For places with mild conditions, drivers can save time used in changing tires and money for buying and installing new ones.

  1. When Do You Need Summer Tires?

Summer tires are often not suitable for use in temperatures below 7 degrees Celsius. During summer, the temperatures exceed this level. This time is ideal to fix your winter tires on your vehicle to enjoy that grip.

  1. When Do You Need Winter Tires?

Since summer tires are used when temperatures shoot above7 degrees Celsius, winter tires are used when the temperature falls below this value. These tires provide an aggressive grip that reduces the braking distance. 

When used in warmer conditions, the compound used in making these tires becomes overly soft and wears out fast.

  1. When Do You Need All-Season Tires?

Although they are called all-season tires, they cannot be compared to those specially made for certain conditions. They are limited to the weather extremes. It means that if the temperatures are too hot or too cold, these tires are not as efficient. 

But, when used in mild conditions, drivers of vehicles that use these tires can enjoy a saving cost on fuel. They also last long when compared to other tires because they can easily adapt to different conditions. They are also quiet and this makes motorists feel comfortable and peaceful when driving. 

Manufacturers understand the need for road safety in different seasons. That is why they produce season-specific tires. They have different features that make them efficient for the season they are meant for. Why would you risk when you have options that can help you and your loved ones stay safe?

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