As of: March 14, 2024, 5:03 a.m
By: Sebastian Oppenheimer
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Many car owners find changing tires tedious.
So why shouldn't you just use winter tires in summer?
Three reasons speak against it.
When spring is approaching, it is advisable to reserve an appointment for a tire change at your preferred workshop early on.
Because as soon as the sun raises the temperatures to a comfortable level, many people flock to the relevant providers to switch from winter to summer tires.
If you do the change yourself, it is advisable to check the tires in storage in good time and make sure that they are all still in good condition.
But is it really necessary to switch to summer tires?
Couldn't you drive with winter tires all year round?
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Driving with winter tires in summer is not forbidden - but it is not recommended
The answer is clear: it is entirely possible to drive with winter tires in summer.
While driving with summer tires in winter conditions can result in a fine, there are no regulations prohibiting driving with winter tires in summer.
However, there are some compelling arguments why you shouldn't do this.
A key difference between the two types of tires is that winter tires have a significantly softer rubber compound.
This is specially designed for low temperatures and offers optimal grip on ice, snow and mud.
However, at higher temperatures, the benefits of this mixture are reversed.
The soft rubber compound of winter tires shows its advantages in cold, ice and snow - but driving with them in summer is not recommended.
(Symbolic image) © Zoonar/Imago
What reasons speak against winter tires in summer:
The longer braking distance:
Even “using up” winter tires with less than 4 mm tread should be avoided in summer.
According to experts, at higher temperatures winter tires show weaknesses that can even become dangerous.
According to
ADAC,
vehicles with winter tires have a significantly longer braking distance in summer, especially on dry roads, which increases the risk of accidents.
The automobile club therefore “absolutely” recommends changing.
The higher fuel consumption:
There are no cost savings associated with driving winter tires in summer - quite the opposite.
According to the
Automobile Club Verkehr (ACV),
this increases fuel consumption.
Rapid wear:
Winter tires are made of a significantly softer rubber compound than summer tires.
The problem: They wear out much faster at high temperatures than when it's cold - so the specified tread depth is reached more quickly and you have to buy new tires.
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For those who want to save on bi-annual tire changes and the associated costs, all-season tires (also called all-weather tires) could be an alternative.
However, this type of tire is not suitable for all requirements.
Especially in areas with a high risk of snow, winter tires are a much better choice for safety reasons under appropriate conditions.
The editor wrote this article and then used an AI language model for optimization at his own discretion. All information has been carefully checked. Find out more about our AI principles here.