When the temperature starts to rise and the sun comes out bright, it’s time to ditch those winter tires and opt for summer tires. Summer tires are designed explicitly for hot weather driving conditions, and they offer a safe, comfortable and efficient driving experience on dry and wet roads.

In this blog post, we will dive deep into everything you need to know about summer tires, from what they are and how they work to their benefits and drawbacks.

What Are Summer Tires?

Summer tires, as the name suggests, are tires designed to perform in hot weather conditions. They are made of softer and stickier rubber compounds that can provide excellent grip on dry and wet roads. Summer tires feature large tread blocks and shallow grooves that allow for better handling, cornering, and braking performance at high speeds.

How Do Summer Tires Work?

Summer tires work by providing excellent grip on dry and wet roads, thanks to their unique tread patterns and rubber compounds. The tread patterns, which are typically wider and shallower than those found on winter tires, reduce the amount of rubber in contact with the road, providing more rubber-to-road surface contact. The result is better handling, traction, and more precise steering response.

Summer tires’ rubber compounds are designed to remain soft and pliable in high-temperature conditions, providing more flexibility and grip. This feature allows the tire to maintain stability and performance at higher speeds.

Benefits of Summer Tires

There are several benefits of summer tires, including:

• Better handling and steering response: Summer tires’ unique tread patterns and rubber compounds offer improved handling, cornering, and steering response on dry and wet roads.
• Improved braking performance: Summer tires provide shorter stopping distances on dry and wet roads, providing more safety during sudden stops.
• Reduced hydroplaning: Summer tires’ shallower grooves help to reduce hydroplaning, allowing for better control on wet roads.
• Improved fuel efficiency: Due to the reduced rolling resistance, summer tires can provide better fuel efficiency than winter tires.

Drawbacks of Summer Tires

Despite their many benefits, summer tires also have some downsides:

• Limited use: Summer tires are not designed for cold weather, icy or snowy conditions, making them seasonal tires.
• Reduced performance on winter conditions: Summer tires offer less grip on snowy or icy roads, making them unsuitable for cold weather driving.
• Sensitive to extreme temperatures: With their softer rubber compounds, summer tires are sensitive to extreme temperatures, which can cause them to wear out quickly.

When to Use Summer Tires?

Summer tires are ideal for use during the warm weather seasons, typically from late spring to early fall. As they are designed for warm and dry weather conditions, it’s best to switch back to winter tires when temperatures drop below 7°C (44°F).

Conclusion

Summer tires are an excellent investment for drivers looking for a safe, comfortable, and efficient driving experience during the warm weather months. With their unique tread patterns and rubber compounds, summer tires offer improved handling, steering response, and braking performance on dry or wet roads. However, it’s essential to remember that summer tires are only suitable for use during warm weather conditions and will not perform well in cold or snowy weather. So, if you live in an area with extended periods of cold or snowy weather, you may want to consider investing in winter tires instead.