Summer tyres or all-season tyres? Which to choose? If you’re still wondering which sort of tyre to choose, this report can help you make a choice. Determine which solution is ideal for you.
Summer tyres
Summer tyres are devoted to the weather conditions from spring to fall. The conditions of use of summertime models are limited by the temperature: if it drops below 7 degrees, the tyres lose their grip properties.
All-season tyres
All-season tyres, also referred to as universal or multi-season tyres, combine the qualities of summer and winter versions. Combining the benefits of the tyre types in 1 tyre is an important challenge. It’s not without reason to state that the craft of producing tyres would be to strike the ideal balance between parameters to fit the expectations of consumers. However, the larger the array of road conditions to be taken into consideration, the more difficult this task is.
All-season or summer tyres tyres? Differences and similarities
Summer and all-season tyres differ in tread pattern, rubber compound and shape, i.e. shape. The tread of a yearlong tyre has more sipes. They’re intended to ensure better tyre behavior in snow. However, in the summertime, a tyre with too many notches from the tread readily loses its stiffness. This impacts the tyre’s grip - it worsens braking and grip not only on tender but also on wet streets.
For both all-season and summer tyres, all three kinds of tread are utilized: symmetric, asymmetric and directional. In directional sculptures intended for year-round tyres, the functions of the various components of the tread are clearly divided. Bark generally has fewer sipes - it’s responsible for summer driving, while the front, i.e. the central portion of the tread, is richer in sipes and is assumed to make winter travel easier.
Asymmetrical sculptures of universal versions allow to present elements responsible for both winter and summer attributes. This typically involves either side of the tread: winter and summer. The so-called summer features normally have an"outside” side, i.e. the side which is to be put.
The rubber compounds used in all-season tyres shall be designed to give functionality at an acceptable level at any temperatures. The summer tyre compound is uncompromising - it is intended to give functionality at temperatures above 7 degrees only. Therefore, as the ambient temperature climbs, all-season tyres can’t reach the performance levels booked for summertime models.
The tyre shape is, in other words, the shape around the tread. It’s visible when seen in front of the tread. The shape of a tyre determines its contact surface, and that’s why its size is quite important for tyre grip.
Summer tyre shape is around, which ensures low rolling resistance and higher traction in summer conditions. The contour of a yearlong tyre is massive and looks like the square shape of a winter tyre. Massive shoulders provide great traction in winter conditions, but in the summer they cause quicker tread wear and increased fuel consumption.
What are the labels for summer and all-season tyres?
Summer tyres don’t have the typical labels connected to the season for which they are designed.
The M+S (“mud and snow”) symbol for multi-season tyres. This mark is used for all-season tyres made for the American marketplace. In European fact, universal tyres are in fact closer to winter versions and usually have a pictogram of three snow peaks (3PMSF). Alongside these symbols, the word ALL SEASON frequently appears on a yearlong tyre. Occasionally, manufacturers utilize individual, additional picture symbols indicating that the tyre can be used all year round in many different weather conditions.
Tests of summer and all-season tyres
All-season tyres tend to be compared with winter tyres, less often with summer tyres. Past tests (e.g. ADAC or AutoBild) reveal that all-season tyres perform worse than highly rated seasonal tyres, while great multi-season tyres perform better than the cheapest seasonal versions .
As a rule of thumb, all-season tyres also perform worse than great summer tyres in evaluations. This can be demonstrated by tests on dry surfaces, both from the braking and handling categories (e.g. from the"AutoBild” test size 205/55 R16 from 2009). Summer tyres win thanks to their tread pattern and rubber compound.
It happens that some yearlong models perform well on moist surfaces, particularly in regards to aquaplaning, like the Vredestein Quatrac 3 or Dunlop SP 4 All Seasons. Even though these tyres perform worse than great summer tyres, they can outperform many lower end products (mainly the most affordable, little-known brands).
Benefits of all-season tyres
All-season tyres should supply us with a decent level of performance throughout the year, particularly under moderate conditions of use. With all-season tyres, we’ll always be ready for the sudden coming of winter or its sudden return of spring. Therefore, their main advantage is their flexibility.
Year-round models do not need seasonal tyre service visits to change tyres. This saves money and time - you can just worry about seasonal wheel balancing.
All-season tyres, are they worthwhile?
A set of great all-season tyres, provided by a renowned manufacturer, may be a much better solution than just two sets of the lowest priced"seasonals”. Such a solution is reasonable for motorists whose annual mileage is low (less than 5-6 million kilometres per year) and traveling mainly in town.
Why? By covering a few of km in moderate fashion, mainly in town, we’re unable to use seasonal tyres till they lose their possessions. These tyres will age. Additionally, it ought to be taken into consideration that the conditions we experience in the city are comparatively rarely extreme. It’s significantly better to substitute a set of all-season tyres after 4-5 decades and a mileage of, say, 40,000 km than to use two seasonal collections of tyres for ten years.
Because of these attributes, 15-inch (or 16-inch) multigrade tyres are the most common on the aftermarket to match compact and urban cars.
Benefits of summer tyres
The biggest benefit of summer tyres compared to all-season tyres is their functionality. This is an argument that is unquestionable. Tyres are the portion of the gear of a car. Every tyre is a compromise, but the compromise for all-season versions has a broader range - blending the functionality required in both summer and winter.
When comparing the ideal summer tyres with the finest multi-season tyres in wet and dry conditions, summer tyres are unrivalled. They’ll provide better braking, better grip and handling in addition to higher levels of relaxation (and less noise). You’ll also use less fuel.
Another benefit is that summer tyres last longer than worldwide versions. Durability is an element of usage which takes on value, particularly concerning high mileage. Additionally, it is hard not to notice that all-season tyres are considerably more costly than similar summer tyres from the same manufacturer.
We should also keep in mind that having a moderate or higher class car, one is obliged to have summer tyres. Only summer tyres can deal with the increased power and needs of modern vehicles.
At Sixfields Tyres Northampton we have been repairing any car or vehicle issues for over 15 years. With a trusted track record for bring the lowest cost at the highest quality. For more information about general vehicle maintenance, summer tyres, winter checks, new tyres and part worn tyres, be sure to get in touch with our team today on 01604 75979
