Why all-season tyres are not suited to summer driving

Winter and summer tyres are designed for different conditions. Although all-season tyres — tyres intended for year-round use — may seem a convenient choice in summer, using them is in fact both dangerous and uneconomical. Here are the three main reasons why you should fit summer tyres for the summer.

1. All-season tyres wear faster in summer and are inefficient

All-season tyres have a softer rubber compound that provides good grip and traction in cooler weather (below +7 °C). On warm summer days, however, this soft rubber becomes more pliable, which significantly increases rolling resistance. This means you burn more fuel and the tyres wear up to 60% faster. Summer tyres, by contrast, are made from a rubber compound that withstands higher temperatures, which reduces both wear and fuel consumption.

2. Greater risk and a longer braking distance

While rapid tyre wear is hard on the wallet, safety is what matters most. In summer, all-season tyres have a longer braking distance, which can prove fatal in the event of an accident. Tests show that on dry asphalt the braking distance with an all-season tyre is at least 10% longer, and on a wet road as much as 26% longer than with summer tyres. In addition, insurers may refuse to pay out in the event of an accident, because the driver was using tyres unsuited to hazardous conditions.

3. Poorer handling and a higher noise level

The soft rubber compound of all-season tyres impairs a car's handling, especially during sharp manoeuvres. These tyres are also noisier in summer, which makes the drive less comfortable for both the driver and passengers.

All in all, the best solution is to fit winter tyres for winter and summer tyres for summer. Each type of tyre has its own purpose and specific properties that ensure maximum safety, savings and comfort. In Estonia, summer tyres may be used from 1 March to 1 December.