Almost all Canadian drivers have asked themselves this very question at one point or another. After installing winter tires on your car for a harsh winter, come springtime you start to wonder if it’s really necessary to swap out your winter tires for summer tires. We understand the temptation, especially since it’s usually more convenient and sometimes more cost-effective to leave the same tires on your car year-round. Below, we answer this question in detail, providing you with a clear answer once and for all as to whether it’s a good idea to use winter tires during the summer months
ALL-SEASON TIRES
All-season tires are the most
popular tires amongst Canadian drivers for a reason. The main reason being that
they perform well in a wide range of weather conditions. Think of all-season
tires as a cross between winter and summer tires, combining the unique features
of both into one hybrid model.
Though they’re best suited to
temperatures of 7 degrees Celsius and above, many all-season tires can provide
traction in light snow or slushy conditions, not to mention in the rain or on
hot, dry asphalt. Their superior performance in a wider variety of weather,
coupled with the convenience that comes with not having to change out your
tires each season, has led many Canadians to invest in quality all-season
tires. Thus, if you’re looking for a way to avoid swapping out your winter
tires for summer tires every season, all-season tires might be the ideal
solution.
Though you might be tempted to
leave your winter tires on all year, there are several key differences between
summer and winter tires that prevent either from being a suitable year-round
option in Canada. Summer tires, which are sometimes marketed as performance
tires, are engineered specifically for warmer weather of 7 degrees Celsius and
above. They often have dedicated rubber compounds that allow them to provide
exceptional grip and handling on both wet and dry roads in warmer temperatures.
Summer tires are also designed to
generate less road noise and to be more fuel-efficient thanks to their reduced
rolling resistance. Features of summer tires generally include a simple tread
design with fewer grooves and larger tread blocks, along with softer rubber. In
contrast, the tread compound of winter tires has a higher concentration of
natural rubber, allowing them to stay flexible even when temperatures drop.
Winter tires typically have a deeper tread pattern and lots of sipes to help
excavate snow, slush, and water from the tires, vastly improving traction and
hydroplaning resistance. In essence, winter tires are engineered to provide
enhanced steering, grip, and traction in harsh winter conditions, such as
sub-zero temperatures and deep snow. This makes them an ideal option for any
Canadian who frequently drives on snowy or icy roads in the winter.
As you now know, summer and
winter tires are not interchangeable. They are engineered to provide traction
and comfort based on the weather they were intended to be driven in. Simply
put, winter tires are not suitable for use in warmer temperatures. Although
they are impeccable at driving on wet roads in the winter, it’s been proven
that wet asphalt in warm summer temperatures is a challenge for winter tires.
Plus, in summer conditions, the deep, densely-siped tread compound of winter
tires delivers slower, less precise steering, making the vehicle feel less
stable.
Further, winter tires have a
higher rolling resistance than summer tires, which will lead to higher fuel
consumption and road noise if used in the summertime. Yet another reason to
avoid using winter tires in the summer is that doing so will cause them to wear
down much quicker. The tread compound of winter tires is far too soft for
driving on hot, dry asphalt, which produces more heat, causing tire components
to break.
Similarly, summer tires should
not be used in the winter. While the road-gripping, noise-reducing design of
summer tires is certainly optimal for spring and summer weather in Canada, it
becomes a detriment in cold weather. This is because when temperatures drop
below 7 degrees, the soft rubber compound hardens, becoming brittle. This
brittle tread compound can start to chip or crack, and most importantly,
significantly reduces traction, whether there is snow on the road or not.
When it comes down to it, winter
tires should never be used during the warmer seasons, and summer tires should
never be used in colder seasons. Doing so will not only make driving your
vehicle less safe, but it is a sure-fire way of shortening the lifespan of your
tires.
As all Canadians know, spring
weather in Canada is unpredictable. This means that rather than swapping out
your winter tires on a certain date each year, it’s better to go by
temperature. As mentioned above, winter tires perform best in temperatures of 7
degrees Celsius or below. So when your average daily temperatures are
consistently over 7 degrees, it’s time to swap out those winter tires for a
summer or all-season model.
A BETTER WAY TO BUY TIRES IN CANADA
Tire
Warehouse www.tirewarehouse.ca makes the shopping experience faster and easier
than ever for our customers. We offer a wide variety of top brands, helping you
find the perfect tires that meet your unique needs. Once you find your perfect
tires, you can check out confidently using your preferred payment method, and
then choose how you want us to get your tires to you! Tire Warehouse will
deliver tires directly to your home, or set you up with one of our preferred
installers in your region. Shopping for tires has never been easier!
Tirewarehouse.ca is a Canadian based business serving the community since 1972. We're very proud of our reputation for excellence in serving Canadians nationwide.
Get warehouse direct tires with Tirewarehouse.ca. We simplify the tire shopping experience where you can get great pricing with tires shipped to home or your preferred local Canadian installer.
We offer customers the widest selection of winter, summer, all-weather, and all-season tires. Shop warehouse direct with Tirewarehouse.ca today!