What is the difference between summer and winter tires

Winter tires also feature siping patterns for extra biting edges on ice. All of these features combine to make a soft tire that has excellent winter traction, giving drivers the confidence to take to the roads in winter weather.

Winter tires are far superior to all-season tires when it comes to driving in dry, wet, snow, sleet, and icy winter conditions. Summer tires excel in both dry and wet warm weather conditions, but become too stiff in cold weather to be able to provide reliable performance. Regardless of road conditions, once temperatures drop below 45 degrees, winter tires provide the most reliable performance over any all-season or summer tire.

Winter tires are so specialized for winter that they do not perform as well in warm, dry conditions, and will likely wear very rapidly. It is recommended that you install summer or all-season tires as soon as the weather is consistently above 45 degrees. The answer is not simple. The truth is, the tires you choose should be based on the climate you live in and the road conditions you typically drive on.

If you live in an environment that experiences harsh winter conditions, changing over to a dedicated set of winter tires is not overly cautious; it is a safety necessity. If you live in a climate zone that is typically warm and has a very mild winter season, a set of summer tires may do the trick.

In some countries, it's even a legal requirement. In this section, we will discuss the differences between three tyre categories; summer tyres, winter tyres, or all-season tyres. Continental strongly recommends matching the right tyres to the right season.

That means driving with summer tyres in the warmer time of the year and with winter tyres during the cold period. This ensures that driving safety and performance are maximised all year round. Only summer tyres can guarantee high grip levels on wet and dry roads through their dedicated tread patterns and tread compounds.

Summer tyres also provide high stability in curves and optimal mileage performance at summer temperatures. These tyres perform well in all winter conditions, ranging from snow and ice to wet and cold dry roads. They provide enhanced braking performance in snowy and icy conditions and feature an aggressive tread pattern, clearing away slush and digging into snow for greater traction. Another reason they're so effective is that they are made of a custom rubber compound that stays soft and flexible at low temperatures for better vehicle control.

First things first, you should know that all-season tyres won't provide optimal performance under all driving conditions. It is always a compromise. That said, the tread on an all-season tyre is typically more durable and lasts longer than tyres designed for the winter season. And all-season tyres can boast lower rolling resistance, which saves energy and results in better fuel efficiency. Ultimately, for daily use, motorists may find an all-season tyre will be more comfortable and quieter.

But while all-season tyres offer decent handling in a variety of driving conditions, there are inevitable compromises in managing both summer and winter capabilities. They can certainly provide some grip in wet and snowy conditions. But winter tyres provide the best safety and performance on roads with heavy snowfall and ice.

Winter tyres also have thousands of tiny grooves known as sipes in their tread blocks which are used to disperse water and prevent aquaplaning.

These grooves bite into the snow, slush and ice, providing optimal grip with the road. They also have a deep tread pattern. This provides a cavity for snow. Strangely, nothing grips snow better than snow, and the compacted snow intensifies the grip effect, adding traction to push the vehicle forwards on snowy and icy roads. How temperature affects winter and summer tyres. Summer tyres Summer tyres provide better all-round performance in the warmer months.