Summer tyres explained

A summer tyre is built for temperatures above about 7°C. It uses a harder rubber compound than a winter tyre, so it stays firm and stable in warm weather, and a tread pattern designed to clear water on wet roads while keeping as much rubber in contact with the road as possible.

The result is sharp handling, good braking on dry and wet roads and a long life in warm conditions. Many cars leave the factory on summer tyres.

Summer tyres

Hard compound, firm tread blocks. Best above about 7°C, dry or wet. Not made for snow or ice.

Winter tyres

Soft compound and deep sipes. Best below 7°C, including snow and ice. They wear faster in warm weather. See winter tyres.

All season tyres

A blend of both. Good for mild year-round use without changing tyres. See all season tyres.

Below about 7°C a summer tyre’s compound hardens and loses flexibility, so it grips the road less well. Braking distances go up, especially on wet or icy roads, and on snow a summer tyre is a poor choice. When temperatures start to fall in autumn, it is time to think about switching.

In much of the UK many drivers run summer tyres all year, which works if you rarely drive in snow or ice. But if you want the best grip in every season, a winter set for the cold months is the ideal. If you would rather not swap, all season tyres are the convenient middle option.

Think about how and where you drive: long motorway miles, a performance car, a rural road in frost. Our guide to what tyres do I need can help you decide.

• Check pressure monthly, and before long journeys. See how often to check tyre pressure.
• Check the tread. The legal minimum is 1.6 mm, but wet grip falls as tread wears.
• Check the label. Compare wet grip and fuel efficiency grades before you buy. See tyre labelling explained.
• If you swap seasonally, store the set you are not using somewhere cool, dry and out of direct sunlight.

We supply and fit summer tyres in every price range. Set your size in the tyre finder or call us.