Have you ever thought about the safety implications of your tyres during a wet season?
Most Australian cars are fitted with all-season tyres. Though convenient, all-season tyres cannot provide optimal safety and performance in Australian conditions. Our soaring and plummeting temperatures affect the amount of grip on the tarmac. Without tyres constructed to operate in low or high temperatures, you could be endangering your life and any precious cargo in your vehicle.
What’s the Difference Between Summer and Winter Tyres?
In milder climates, all-season tyres are suitable year-round, while summer and winter tyres are adapted for regions with extremes in temperature.
Summer tyres are designed to function above 7 degrees Celsius. Below that temperature, their safety and effectiveness are diminished.
Winter tyres are built to handle the cold and wet with higher grip on the road and shorter stopping distances. While our country is better known for sending the mercury soaring, temperatures can also drop precipitously, especially at night and in the early morning.
Winter and summer tyres are made from slightly different compounds and have different treads. Summer tyre treads are shallower and allow you to drive faster in typical summer conditions. Winter tyres employ deeper treads and trade some speed for greater safety in wet environments.
What About All-Season Tyres?
In contrast, all-season tyres are designed to be used across a wider range of temperatures than season-specific tyres, sacrificing higher performance in summer and greater safety in winter. They make up for not being perfectly-adapted to a particular season by offering a more flexible option. However, all-season tyres can never offer peak function or protection.
Proper Tyres, Proper Safety
Think about whether your car’s tyres are appropriate for the conditions in which you’ll be driving. While changing between summer and winter tyres requires more work, you will benefit from greater peace of mind. Regardless of the season, have your car regularly serviced to check that the tyres are working well.