If you have winter tires on your car, you might be dreading the thought of taking them in to get changed to your summer tires. After all, aren’t all tires the same? If you don’t change your tires over, how long will the winter tires last this summer?
Winter tires will not last long in summer because the heat wears them down faster and can cause them to explode. If you don’t replace your tires with summer tires, you risk losing vehicle control, longer braking distance, and long-term tire damage. In the long run, this will cost you more money.
In this article, I’m going to explain the dangers of using winter tires throughout the summer. Each kind of tire was specifically designed for the season to increase your vehicle’s fuel capacity and maneuverability. I’ll tell you how fast your winter tires will wear out if you leave them on your car in summer and your increased risk of flat tires or accidents.
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Can You Use Winter Tires in Summer? Is It Legal?
You can use winter tires in summer. There are no laws to change your winter tires out for summer or all-season tires. However, it can be dangerous for you and other cars around you to continue to use your winter tires in warm weather.
Winter tires are specifically made for winter weather. They have increased tread for ice and snow and are made of more flexible material to withstand the cold. Summer tires are made of a stiffer material and can take the heat of the roads. All-weather tires have a bit of both and work well year-round.
Although you technically can keep winter tires on in summer (and summer tires in winter), it’s not very efficient to do so. You might think you’re saving time and energy by not changing your tires out. In reality, you’re going to spend more money on new tires much sooner than you think.
Winter tires will hydroplane more in summer, wear faster, be noisier, and run the risk of becoming flat — your fuel efficiency will also plummet. The tire traction will cause handling issues, such as overcorrection while driving and slower stopping times. With winter tires on in the heat, you are more likely to crash or have an accident.
Summer tires will have similar problems in winter. Their rigid materials will break in extreme cold, and their lack of traction will cause more skidding and inability to stop. Keeping summer tires on for winter will cause the tires to wear out more quickly and your vehicle to have less fuel efficiency and safety.
How Fast Do Winter Tires Wear in Summer?
Winter tires wear down relatively fast in the summer because they were not made for warmer weather. They are supposed to last four to five seasons, but they might not even make it through two winters if you use them all summer.
Therefore, by the time winter comes around again, the tires will not be as effective in the ice and snow.
If winter tires are used in summer, the heat will wear out their material more quickly. The traction was made for ice and snow. Warm, dry pavement will cause the rubber to wear down and get even more flexible. The heat causes problems in the tires as well.
If you don’t want to change your tires out of every seasonal change, you don’t have to. Invest in a good set of all-weather tires. While these tires will wear out more quickly, they will not cause the problems that seasonal-specific tires do when worn all year. You won’t have to worry about your tires being the wrong ones with non-seasonal tires.
Can Winter Tires Explode in Summer?
Winter tires can explode in the summer because of the increased amount of wear on them throughout the warm summer months. They run the risk of popping or going flat sooner than regular tires, and the heat and pavement conditions can increase the chances of tire damage.
The tread on winter tires is more extensive to make up for the lack of traction on icy and cold roads. However, this can lead to rocks and nails getting inside the tire and popping it more easily. Although winter tires won’t explode from being exposed to the heat, they do run a greater risk of becoming flat while driving.
Final Thoughts
Summer weather will wear out winter tires, which were made for cold and snowy conditions. Winter tires should not be left on your vehicle throughout the summer. Not changing your winter tires to summer tires will cause worse performance, extra costs, and in some cases, dangerous situations for drivers.
You might also like: How to Store Tires During Off Season
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- By Car Roar