Can Summer Tires Be Used in Winter?
2 Answers
Summer tires can be used in winter, but their performance is not ideal during the winter season. Cars are equipped with either winter tires or summer tires because these tires serve different purposes. Winter tires have softer tread rubber, making them highly suitable for winter use, especially on snow-covered roads, where they perform significantly better. Compared to summer tires, winter tires greatly enhance traction on icy and snowy surfaces, ensuring better grip performance and shorter braking distances. However, because winter tires are softer, they tend to wear out more quickly than summer tires. After some time of use, the tires may show signs of aging, leading to reduced performance. It is recommended to replace them promptly to avoid affecting the normal operation of the vehicle.
Speaking of using summer tires in winter, I learned my lesson the hard way. Last winter, I was too lazy to switch tires, and one snowy day on my way home, the tires completely lost grip on the icy road, causing the car to skid sideways and hit a curb. Luckily, I was driving slowly, so there was no major damage, but the front bumper cracked, costing me a few hundred bucks to fix. Later, I found out that summer tire rubber hardens like plastic when temperatures drop below 7°C, cutting traction in half—especially dangerous on ice. A mechanic friend told me that in regions with big temperature swings, winter tires are a must—their special compounds stay soft, and their tread patterns handle snow and ice better. Since then, I’ve made it a habit to swap tires every November. It’s much safer—don’t repeat my mistake. When temperatures drop, plan ahead. After all, the cost of an accident far outweighs buying a new set of tires. Being proactive is the smart choice.
