Can you drive with winter tyres in the summer ?

Driving with winter tyres in summer : what does the law say ?

In the UK, there is no law against driving with winter tyres in the summer months. Likewise, there is no legislation requiring you to fit winter tyres when the temperature drops. It is up to the driver to fit the right tyres for their vehicle and to put safety and comfort on the road above all else.

For reasons of safety, driving comfort and even economy, using winter tyres in the summer months is strongly discouraged. We explain why.

What are the consequences of driving on winter tyres in the summer ?

The rigid rubber of summer tyres is specially designed not to expand, even in hot weather.

On the other hand, winter tyres are made from a softer “thermogum”. This material allows them to retain their elasticity in cold weather, but it tends to soften when driving on a warm road or as soon as the temperature rises above 7° C.

Driving on winter tyres in the summer, therefore, leads to a loss of grip and a higher rolling resistance, resulting in

• longer braking distances on dry ground,
• higher risk of aquaplaning on wet roads,
• premature wear and risk of deformation, cracking and bursting
• increased fuel consumption and CO₂ emissions,
• more noise in the passenger compartment.

For the majority of brands, winter tyres used in winter conditions do not wear out faster than summer tyres used in the summer months. However, summer tyres generally last longer than winter tyres when used in summer conditions.

Summer tyres offer a higher level of safety on dry or wet roads when the temperature reaches 7°C. Using winter tyres in the summer will lead to increased rolling resistance and greater fuel consumption.

4-season tyres : a good compromise ?

Made of a special rubber that combines the rigidity of a summer tyre with the elasticity of a winter tyre, four-season tyres are a good compromise : you can keep them on all year round, which means you don’t have to invest in two sets of tyres and you don’t have to pay for seasonal fittings and removals. However, you should be aware that you might have to change them more frequently. All-season tyres are the best option for drivers who live in places where the weather remains mild for most of the year, with occasional cold weather.

Top Tip : even if they combine the two technologies, 4-season tyres do not perform as well as winter tyres on snow. When the temperature is above 7° C, they have a lower braking capacity than summer tyres. Choose tyres that suit the conditions you will mostly be driving in.

Even though there is nothing to prevent you from driving in the summer with winter tyres, and 4-season tyres seem to be a good compromise, as soon as the temperature rises above 7° C, we advise you to opt for summer tyres to ensure driving comfort and your safety. However, if you choose to keep your winter tyres during the summer period, be sure to adapt your driving by reducing your speed and regularly checking the condition and pressure of your tyres.