The seasons are changing, and winter is on the horizon. It's getting cold, and perhaps there's a bit of snow or ice on the road. You know you should change the tires on your car, but it can be a hassle. You're wondering whether you can leave the summer tires on your vehicle. The short answer is no. Using summer tires in winter conditions is dangerous and risks damaging your tires.
Local weather conditions are a huge deciding factor for the choice of your tires. With only occasional bouts of freezing temperatures, all-season tires could be an option for mild winter conditions.
We recommend against using summer tires if there’s any snow or ice or if the temperature is frequently freezing. Winter is the time to fit your car with winter or at least all-season tires.
Summer tires are engineered to provide optimal handling, stability, and braking performance in warm temperatures. However, once temperatures fall below approximately 7°C, their rubber compound begins to harden, reducing traction and responsiveness. Combined with a tread pattern that is not designed for snow or ice, this can lead to longer braking distances, reduced cornering grip, and an increased risk of losing control in winter driving conditions.
Summer tires are optimized for warm temperatures. They feature a harder rubber compound designed to maintain rigidity and stability in high temperatures, preventing them from becoming too soft on hot pavement. This design, however, becomes a critical liability in winter.
When the temperature drops below the critical threshold, this rubber compound stiffens and hardens significantly. The result is a major reduction in the tire's crucial flexibility and surface grip, even on dry pavement. The tire loses its ability to conform to the road surface, which is essential for traction and confident handling.
The primary safety risk of summer tires in winter lies in their tread design and tread compound. Summer tires use simple, block-like tread patterns optimized for minimal rolling resistance and cornering stability on warm, dry, or wet roads. They offer virtually no mechanical grip on snow or ice. The reason: summer tires lack sipes (small, intricate cuts) found in winter tires. These sipes create thousands of biting edges essential for traction on snow and ice. Without them, summer tires easily lose traction, increasing the risk of sliding and hydroplaning on slush.
The most dangerous consequence is the dramatic increase in braking distance. On icy or snowy roads, stopping distances on summer tires can be 30 to 50 percent longer compared to winter tires. This difference can be life-threatening, because it makes a controlled stop impossible.
When summer tires are exposed to winter conditions, their performance and safety are significantly compromised. Cold temperatures can dramatically alter the tire’s rubber compound, which in turn leads to a range of issues that affect both durability and driving safety.
The combined effect of rubber stiffening and the typically lower air pressure in cold weather significantly increases the risk of structural failure. When an under-inflated, cold, stiff summer tire is driven, the stress and friction cause abnormal wear and heat buildup, particularly in the sidewalls. This increases the risk of premature sidewall damage or a blowout.
Apart from all the safety risks and tire damage that can occur when driving summer tires in cold weather, driving on summer tires in winter is in most markets illegal and can result in fines. Make sure to check the winter tire laws in your region.
In the event of an accident, using summer tires in winter may be considered gross negligence. Consequently, your insurance company may reduce your coverage or even demand reimbursement of costs.
The best tire choice for winter are winter tires – they offer the best performance in snowy or icy conditions.
Although all-season tires are not suitable for extreme winter conditions, they can be a good choice for drivers living in mild winter conditions. They offer good handling and feature good braking performance on dry and wet surfaces. In addition, drivers can save money and time, and avoid the effort required for seasonal tire changes.
If you are unsure about the right tire choice, please contact your local dealer for personal advice.
