Summer tyres vs. all season tyres

Some motorists may find that a dedicated set of summer tyres is more suitable than a single set for year-round use. We examine the pros and cons of both options.

Summer tyres: tyres intended for summer use typically use a softer compound rubber for good grip and handling in wet and dry conditions. Summer tyres are designed to perform best at temperatures above 7 °C, making them less suitable for colder conditions.

You should consider a dedicated summer tyre if:

  • You already have a set of winter tyres for severe driving conditions
  • You are looking for optimal vehicle handling and performance in warmer weather
  • Your local conditions involve mild winters with temperatures typically staying above 7 °C, meaning you can use summer tyres year-round

All-season tyres: For areas with milder winter conditions – where it is rare for temperatures to fall below 0 °C, or to experience heavy snowfall – all-season tyres may offer an acceptable compromise between specific summer and winter options.

Sava all-season tyres carry the same ‘M+S‘ and ‘Snowflake’ designations as dedicated winter tyres, meaning they are acceptable for winter use where winter tyres are required by law, and offer good performance in challenging driving conditions.

You should consider an all-season tyre if:

  • You don’t want to change between summer and winter tyres
  • Winter temperatures in your locality rarely drop below freezing – if this is not the case, you should consider a set of dedicated winter tyres
  • You’re unable to store and fit two separate sets of tyres

For optimal performance in winter conditions, we advise use of Sava winter tyres.