Put on summer tires as early as possible
Due to COVID-19 related issues, more people are likely to use winter tires in the upcoming summer season. It is important to note that winter tires are not designed for driving in warm weather and therefore provide a significantly lower level of safety than summer tires. An expert from Nokian Tires advises avoiding the late winter season with summer tyres. The most important tip is to change your tires as soon as possible.
“As a short-term and temporary solution, it is acceptable. However, the use of winter tires for a longer period, in spring and summer, for example, throughout the summer season, can pose a serious safety risk. Especially during the months when temperatures are high,” says Martin Drazik, expert and product manager for Central Europe at Nokian Tires.
Driving a car with winter tires in spring and summer carries several risks. The greatest risks are their significantly greater braking distance, changes in stability, as well as a lower level of steering accuracy. Winter tires are made of a softer rubber compound, which ensures their correct behavior on the road at low and low temperatures. In warm weather, they wear out faster and the risk of aquaplaning on wet surfaces increases.
Some drivers also believe that if they manage to drive the car in the interim, this means that they can use winter tires throughout the summer season. However, this is the most common mistake that comes close to the risk of gambling.
“If it is not possible in the current situation to change tires in a timely manner and you still have to use the car, try to adjust the trip in such a way as to reduce the risk as much as possible. Drive shorter distances and be aware that you may collide with other drivers with the wrong tires, so you need to increase the safe distance between your car and other road users - twice the standard distance that is recommended. observed. Be careful when cornering, slow down. Don't risk it, it's not worth it. Keep in mind that this is only a temporary solution and try to make an appointment to change your tires as soon as possible,” recommends Drazik.
Even if you change tires at the beginning of summer, this is a much safer option than riding with winter tires all summer. The summer months can be especially important in this regard.
“In such conditions, all the safety features of winter tires are almost completely absent. The car is harder to steer, the water does not transport through the channels as smoothly as with summer tires on wet surfaces, which greatly increases the risk of hydroplaning during summer storms and rains,” Drazik explains.
What are the risks of using winter tires in summer?
- The braking distance is 20% greater.
- Tire performance is much worse
- Steering and maneuverability significantly worse
The greatest risk arises when driving on a wet surface, since winter tires are not designed to quickly remove as much water as during summer storms, but are designed to provide traction on snow and wet snow; therefore there is a higher risk of aquaplaning
- Winter tires have softer tires, so they wear out much faster in warm weather.
- In some countries, the use of winter tires in summer may be prohibited by law.
- Tips on how to reduce your risk if you need to temporarily use winter tires in summer
- Limit your journey to the most basic needs.
- Limit your speed due to increased braking distance and possible impaired steering performance.
- Maintain a greater safety distance while driving – at least twice as long as usual
- Be careful when cornering, slow down and keep in mind that other drivers can drive in a similar state.
- Make an appointment to change tires as soon as possible
