Mixing tyre types might sound harmless — but it can seriously affect your vehicle’s safety, grip, and performance. This guide explains the difference between summer and all-season tyres, whether they can safely be used together, and which tyre setup is best for UK conditions.
The UK climate means that seasonal tyres are not usually needed. Rather, vehicle owners can often get away with fitting all season tyres to their car and driving around on them all year round, with the relatively temperate environment ensuring that grip and performance are not compromised come rain or shine.
Of course, there are some out there who herald the increased performance of season-specific tyres, opting for high grip winter tyres when the roads are icy and wet, and more structured summer tyres that can cope well with hot road surfaces and external temperatures.
But is it possible to mix and match different types of tyres on one vehicle?
In this article, we look at the benefits of summer and all season tyres, and whether it’s possible to mix and match two tyre types on a single vehicle.
Difference Between Summer and All Season Tyres
The differences between tyre types can be found in the structural rubber compound, the tread depth and pattern, and in the kind of conditions that the tyres are designed to be driven in.
Contrary to popular belief, the different types of tyres are not merely designed to provide different driving experiences but are also finely matched to the conditions they will be standing in on a driveway.
Winter tyres are formulated to withstand cold temperatures both while driving and when parked, with a tread and grip that maintains optimum safety on icy and wet roads.
Summer tyres do the exact opposite and can withstand high temperatures and direct exposure to bright sunlight. They are suitable for both dry and wet roads, providing the temperature remains above around 7 degrees Celsius.
All season tyres are best suited to temperate environments such as those found in the UK, which do not experience particularly high or particular low temperatures. They combine the best features of both summer and winter tyres to create a versatile solution for all conditions. It is, however, worth noting that these tyres do not boast the same degree of comfort or level of performance in hot or cold conditions, as they are designed to compliment both while not excelling in either.
Can You Mix and Match Tyre Types?
It is not recommended that you mix and match any tyre types, owing to the impact that tyre type has on things like your braking distance, speed, performance, and traction on the road surface.
When looking specifically at summer tyres and all season tyres, you will find that the tread and rubber compound differ – with summer tyres boasting a more solid rubber structure to adapt to the warmer conditions.
Tread depth also varies between the different tyre types, meaning that the rate of wear varies and your vehicle’s response to braking and accelerating will differ.
To ensure optimum safety and stability of your vehicle on the road, it’s important to keep your tyre type consistent across all four wheels.
When Do You Need Summer Tyres?
Summer tyres are, as discussed earlier, for climates and seasons when the weather hits temperatures of over 7 degrees.
Importantly, the temperature should be consistently high – it is not enough to have one hot day and immediately change your tyres. The higher temperature needs to be consistent and reliable.
