Are Seasonal Tyre Switches Worth it?
One of the biggest choices available to drivers in the UK is whether to fit all-season tyres or more weather-specific seasonal tyres to their vehicle. The temperate climate of the UK and our lack of extreme weather conditions means that all-season tyres can be safely used all-year round - while seasonal tyres present weather-specific benefits for wet and dry weather, ice and light snow.
Opting for all-season tyres means just buying and owning one set of tyres - which can often sound like the cheaper option. However, all-season tyres need to be incredibly resilient and strong, and are usually significantly more expensive than summer and winter tyres.
Seasonal tyres which are designed for specific conditions are cheaper to buy but need to be switched with the change in season which means investing in and maintaining multiple sets of tyres. The benefit of this is that both sets of tyres last longer because they are used for less time, while all-season tyres will likely need replacing more regularly due to their year-round use.
The choice between all-season and seasonal tyres is personal to each driver and is typically impacted by everything from budget to local conditions and road surfaces.
Optimise Tyre Maintenance
Another way to save money is to prolong the lifespan of tyres through effective tyre maintenance. This means not only looking to replace tyres quickly once they’re either damaged or excessively worn but keeping on top of tread wear and regularly checking tyres for signs of bulging, cracking or slow punctures.
Most drivers already know that the legal minimum limit for tyre tread is 1.6mm, and that anything below that means the tyre is considered bald and unsafe for driving. What many don’t realise is that they should be looking for replacement tyres as soon as their tread limit reaches 3mm, so as to prioritise handling and effective traction.
It’s also important that tyre maintenance includes a regular inspection of tyres, to ensure there are no signs of damage on the sidewall in particular. Some examples of damage can be fixed with tyre repair kits while others require a full tyre replacement; tyre specialists and mechanics will be able to advise accordingly based on your situation. Either way, if you want to save money on your tyres and avoid unnecessary replacements and debilitating damage before a tyre has become naturally worn, it’s important to invest in proper maintenance.
What NOT To Do
All things considered, there are several ways in which drivers can save money on their tyres - from changing the brand of tyre you choose to prolonging the lifespan of each fitment with effective maintenance and tyre rotation.
But while these tips are all safe to follow, there are a handful of options out there that should be avoided. One of these is buying second hand or refurbished tyres.
Fitting second hand tyres is not considered safe, mainly because you don’t know how stable the structure of those tyres is. Tyres can often be damaged and repaired externally, while maintaining their damaged interior.
This leads into another piece of advice, which is to approach tyre repair cautiously. Only some forms of damage can be safely repaired, with an expert mechanic the best person to advise on safe repair or the need for replacement.
Tyres are an integral part of any vehicle and so skimping on their quality is not something we’d advise. Whether you need standard tyres for everyday commuting, or specific tyres for off/road travel or long distances, there are tyres to suit all budgets. And drivers can further boost the long term value of their tyres with the right approach to maintenance. Find out more about tyre checks and maintenance, and pinpoint your ideal tyre models, with our comprehensive Knowledge Hub and blogs.
