Summer is the perfect time to hit the road and enjoy the sunshine, but it's important to ensure your car is ready for the warmer weather. One of the key steps in summer car maintenance is choosing the right tyres. Hot tarmac, sudden rain showers and dry, dusty roads all present unique challenges during the summer, so it’s important to make sure your car is equipped to handle them.
In this guide, we'll dive into everything you need to know about summer tyres, including what they are, why they're necessary, when to use them in the UK, and how they differ from other tyre types. Let's get your car summer-ready!
Summer tyres are engineered to perform at their best in warm weather conditions. They are crafted from a harder rubber compound that provides excellent grip and handling on both dry and wet roads. The tread pattern on summer tyres is designed for maximum contact with the road, featuring fewer grooves and sipes compared to winter tyres, which enhances stability and cornering performance. Whether you're cruising down the motorway or navigating city streets, summer tyres ensure your car handles the heat with ease.
Summer tyres offer several benefits that enhance driving safety and performance in warm weather conditions:
- Exceptional grip and traction on dry and wet roads due to their specialised rubber compound and tread design.
- Shorter braking distances and improved handling, reducing the risk of accidents.
- Consistent performance in high temperatures, as they remain stable and provide excellent road contact.
- Better fuel efficiency by reducing rolling resistance on warm tarmac.
- Enhanced driving experience with superior responsiveness and cornering ability during the summer months.
Due to our mild winters (in comparison to other countries), it’s not that common for Brits to change between winter and summer tyres. There’s also no legal requirement to use summer tyres in the UK. However, for safe driving, it is recommended you have the right tyres for the conditions. Summer tyres provide better grip and handling in warmer temperatures, which can significantly enhance your safety on the road. So, while not mandatory, switching to summer tyres in the UK can be a smart move for safer summer driving.
As summer tyres perform best in temperatures above 7°C, it’s typically around April when you should change to them, with temperatures dropping again in October – but keep an eye on the weather forecast as we all know British weather can be temperamental!
Summer tyres are designed for optimal performance in warm conditions, so while there’s no law against using them, it’s important to make the right decisions for your driving conditions. In colder weather, the harder rubber compound of summer tyres can become rigid, leading to reduced grip and longer braking distances. Additionally, the tread pattern of summer tyres, which is great for dry and wet roads, can struggle to provide adequate traction on snow and ice. For these reasons, you may want to consider switching to winter or all-season tyres during the colder months to ensure your tyres last longer and your vehicle performs efficiently.
Understanding the differences between summer tyres and other types of tyres can help you make an informed decision on which is best:
- Summer tyres vs. winter tyres: Winter tyres are made from a softer rubber compound that performs well in cold conditions but wears out quickly in the heat. Summer tyres, on the other hand, stay stable and provide excellent grip in warm temperatures.
- Summer tyres vs. all-season tyres: All-season tyres are a compromise between summer and winter tyres. They can handle a variety of conditions but don't perform as well as summer tyres in extreme heat or winter tyres in extreme cold.
If you want to learn more about summer tyres or need help choosing the best tyres for your vehicle, head to your nearest Eurorepar garage to speak to one of our friendly experts.
For more car maintenance and driving advice, check out our blog where we have informative guides such as how to charge a car battery at home and how to clean an engine bay.
