Using winter tires in the summer
4 minute read Published on Aug 31, 2024 by BrokerLink Communications
The title says it all, right? Winter tires in the summer? When you say it out loud, it doesn’t make sense, so it shouldn’t come as a surprise that you shouldn’t be driving with them in the summer — that’s what summer tires are for. As warm weather arrives and the snow melts, your snow tires should come off, and your summer tires should go on. Why, though? Don’t some people keep all-season tires year-round? The answer is yes, but winter tires are a little different.
Why shouldn’t you drive with winter tires in the summer? That’s the question, and BrokerLink has the answers. Winter and summer tires differ, and it might feel like common sense to switch them out depending on the season. However, we’re going to get into why winter tires don’t work in warmer temperatures. Let’s learn more.
About winter tires
So, what are winter tires? Winter tires are made with or without studs to give your car better traction on cold, icy, snowy, or slushy roads. The rubber on a winter tire is softer and more flexible, allowing it to adapt easily to colder temperatures. The treads are deeper and specially designed to suit winter driving.
Winter tires often contribute to how long cars last in Canada. Although they are great for when the temperatures drop, winter tires have their challenges. Summer tires and all-season tires are meant for when it’s hot out. In the next section, we will discuss why you should refrain from using winter tires in summer.
Why summer or all-season tires are better than winter tires in summer
There are several reasons to avoid driving with winter tires when the weather heats up. Reliable cars are the ones you maintain, and having the right tires on them is part of this. Why do summer and all-season tires work so much better? Here are the reasons winter tires don’t work well in warm weather:
Increased wear
Winter precipitation makes the roads wet. This is when the softer tread rubber comes in handy. However, when summer rolls around, the pavement on the road becomes hot and dry. As a result, the tread rubber that offers traction in cold temperatures will wear down quickly. Opt for summer and all season tires to ensure your snow tires are in top shape for next winter.
Worse performance
Winter tires work best in colder temperatures. The difference between summer and winter tires is the rubber compound. When you use snow tires in higher temperatures, you cannot manoeuvre your car as easily because the tires are soft and squishy. They can stand up to ice and snow but do not work as well on hot pavement and affect things like braking distance and rolling resistance. It’s a part of safe driving practices that make your car last for years to come.
Higher fuel consumption
Snow tires are made for winter driving. Since the roads are hot and dry in the summer, the rolling resistance for winter tires is higher, meaning you reduce your fuel economy significantly. Additionally, the soft rubber compound is more likely to change shape. Over time, the cost of gas will add up compared to if you put on summer or all-season tires.
Using winter tires in summer is not a smart choice. Not only will it damage your winter tires, possibly making them ineffective for next winter, but it will also make for more trips to the gas station. Using the right tires and following our summer car maintenance tips will keep your vehicle in top shape. With that in mind, you might be wondering when you should swap out your winter tires for summer tires and vice versa. Let us tell you when you should change over your tires.
Changing over your tires
Switching your tires over is part of seasonal maintenance, like rotating your tires after getting them changed. When should you change from summer tires to winter tires and vice versa? Some provinces mandate periods of the year when you have to have winter tires on. For example, having winter tires in summer doesn’t work, and having summer tires in the winter will also cause issues.
The temperature helps dictate when you should use summer and winter tires. A good way to determine when to change out your tires is when the temperature stays above or below 7°C for seven consecutive days. Usually, you can start using snow tires around the beginning of December and change to summer towards the end of March or the beginning of April. Our winter car maintenance tips can act as a guide here.
Driving with winter tires in summer will cause problems, and the same is true for driving with summer tires in winter. That’s why it’s important to know when to change your tires. Having the right tires on will help you save money in the long run and keep you safe by allowing you to have better vehicle control.
Find the right car insurance with BrokerLink!
Whether you’re driving on summer roads or chilly, icy winter roads, you’ll need car insurance. This will protect you in the event of an accident. Whether you have the correct tires on your vehicle or not, accidents do happen, and you should be prepared. Knowing which tires to have on and following our car maintenance tips for your next trip will keep you safe on the road.
Even if your snow tires and summer tires are in top shape, you will need to find the right car insurance coverage. Some coverages are mandatory, and this is often the same regardless of where you live in Canada. Here are the policies BrokerLink can help you find:
- Third-party liability coverage
- Accident benefits coverage
- Direct compensation - property damage coverage
- Uninsured automobile coverage
- Collision coverage
- Comprehensive coverage
- Accident forgiveness coverage
Are you looking for an affordable car insurance policy that suits your needs? Maybe the thought of calling around and asking insurance companies for quotes overwhelms you. If this is the case, contact BrokerLink today!