Can You Drive With Summer Tires in the Winter

As winter approaches, preparing your car for the upcoming season is something we all have to do, whether we like it or not. Winter poses many risks to drivers because of low temperatures and possible snowy conditions, which can impact how they drive.

One of the main things you'll have to do is change your summer tires for winter tires. Driving with summer tires at the height of winter is too dangerous; it puts you in all kinds of risky situations that can damage your car.

But can you actually drive with summer tires in the winter? Well, this post will answer that question for you! 

Differences Between Summer and Winter Tires

There are many differences between summer and winter tires. You have to remember these tires are made for driving in two different climates, so 

selecting the appropriate style is crucial to staying safe when you're behind the wheel.

Here are some of the main differences:

• Winter tires have more sipes for better grip, while summer tires have less sipes that improve performance.

• Winter tires have thicker threads than summer tires.

• Winter tires have a soft compound, whereas summer tires have a hard compound.

• Winter tires have larger and deeper grooves than summer tires.

What Happens to Tires When the Temperature Drops

A car's tires during winter are at risk of freezing because the rubber materials they're made aren't designed to withstand temperature drops. 

When a tire freezes, this opens your vehicle up to all kinds of risks, like loss of flexibility and reducing the driver's ability to make any type of meaningful traction.

Why Avoiding Summer Tires in Winter Is a Good Idea

You'll Have a Loss of Traction and Inadequate Grip

While summer tires perform well in the right conditions, using them in an environment where it's icy is a totally different story.

When temperatures start to drop, a tire's rubber content becomes more rigid, which impacts traction when driving on icy or snowy roads. Hence, winter tires are a far more favorable option due to their flexibility, which betters their grip on the road for the driver.

Another thing to note is that summer tires really struggle to accelerate in winter conditions because they have low rolling resistance. One of the main issues with this is that it increases braking distances. However, winter tires have deeper threads, which reduce braking distances, so you don't have to worry about losing control or skidding.

Your Tires May Deteriorate

Summer tires aren't designed for driving in icy and snow conditions. Choosing to ignore the risks can deteriorate them over time.

Cold temperatures will slowly wear down the rubber on a set of summer tires. Eventually, this will affect their performance, so you'll find yourself having to invest in a new set when you could have bought a set of winter tires that would be with you for dozens of future seasons.

Since winter tires have a softer compound with thicker threads, this helps combat temperature drops without putting them at risk of wear and tear.

Should You Buy Winter Tires?

You may live somewhere that gets cold from time to time, but that doesn't mean you necessarily need winter tires.

If you're based in a location where the temperature regularly drops below 44.6°F, you will need to invest in them as they'll provide better traction for you during the upcoming winter season.

Storing Your Tires During the Year

When changing your tires throughout the different seasons of the year, it's important to store them correctly so they don't get damaged.

You'll first need to remove and clean the tires immediately. Then, place them in an airtight bag that is free of moisture and tape it up. 

After that's done, you can choose a storage place. You'll want to make sure the space you select isn't too hot or too cold because it can damage the tire, especially if it's sitting around in those temperatures for consecutive months.

Be sure that the storage place doesn't have any bad chemicals that could ruin the tire. Some of these include fuels, ozone, solvents, and lubricants.

The method you use to store the tires needs to be carefully chosen. You'll have three options: either stand them, hang them, or stack them. We recommend standing them in their natural position to reduce the strain on the tire. While the other two options aren't bad for tires, they do put them at great risk of being damaged if something goes wrong.

Are There Any Alternatives to Winter Tires?

Those who aren't too keen on splashing big bucks on winter tires may be interested in a couple of cheaper alternatives.

You can look into purchasing a pair of snow socks to cover the wheels on your car. These crafty wraps give your vehicle more grip when you're driving in snow or on icy roads.

Snow chains are another option that can improve traction when driving in during winter. A lot of people get discouraged by snow chains because they can be hard to fit; you have to wrap the chain around the wheel a couple of times so it's laid out evenly. While difficult to install, there's no arguing with their benefits, especially when you compare them to the price you'd pay for a set of winter tires.

So, Can You Drive in Winter With Summer Tires?

We've provided you with all the information you need before considering driving with summer tires in winter.