Why summer tyres?

It's not absolutely essential to have summer tyres, but they do offer some clear advantages over winter tyres driven in the summer. Winter tyres are made from a softer rubber compound which becomes very soft in high temperatures, resulting in a spongy ride. This behaviour increases as the load increases. Furthermore, winter tyres may have longer braking distances and less precise handling in summer temperatures. Fuel consumption depends, amongst other things, on the rolling resistance of the tyre model in question.

Why winter tyres?

Summer tyres are not recommended for use in winter because their rubber compounds become very hard in low temperatures. This results in poor grip and increased tyre slip. This happens even if it's just cold and there isn't any ice or snow on the road yet.

But the treads are also different on winter tyres compared with summer tyres. The sipe technology ensures a better grip in slush and snow. This is reflected in better steering behaviour, better acceleration and a shorter braking distance.

Why all-season tyres?

All-season tyres represent a compromise between winter and summer tyres and eliminate the need for seasonal tyre changes. In moderate weather conditions, many all-season tyres demonstrate good driving characteristics. Almost all well-known manufacturers now offer all-season tyres that can be driven in winter too.

The longer and harsher the winter, the more the advantage of winter tyres over all-season tyres becomes apparent. Even at very high summer temperatures, differences compared with summer tyres may arise, for example in terms of grip, braking distance and wear. The extent of these differences depends on the specific tyre model and the conditions of use.

If you travel in regions with little snow, then an all-season tyre can be a good alternative and may also save you money.