Summer or year-round tires? Why choose? In the event that you keep wondering which kind of tires to select, this information can allow you to produce a decision. Check which solution is most beneficial for you. View here for more info: firestone firehawk indy 500 review
Summer tires
Summer tires are specialized in the prevailing weather conditions in Poland from spring to autumn. The conditions of usage of summer time models are limited by the temperature: when it is below 7 degrees Celsius, the tires lose their traction properties.
Tires for the whole year
The year-round tires, also referred to as universal or multi-season tires, combine the characteristics of winter and summer models. Combining the benefits of two types of tires for differing times in a single is a superb challenge. There is a reason why it's stated that the art of manufacturing tires includes reaching a sufficient compromise involving the parameters to satisfy the expectations of the users. However the more road conditions to take into account, the more challenging this work becomes.
Summer or year-round tires? Differences and similarities
Summer and year-round tires differ in tread pattern, rubber compound and contour, i.e. their shape.
The tire tread for the whole year is characterized by way of a greater quantity of sheets. Its role would be to guarantee a much better behavior of the tire in the snow. However, in summer a tire by having an excessive quantity of tread incisions easily loses stiffness. This, in turn, affects adherence: it worsens braking and traction on dry and wet pavements.
For both year-round and summer tires, three types of tread are employed , symmetrical, asymmetric and directional.
In the year-round directional tire treads the functions of the different areas of the tread are clearly differentiated. The shoulder normally has fewer blades, it's accountable for driving in summer time, while the forehead, that's, the central part of the tread, has more blades and makes driving easier in winter.
The asymmetric drawings of the universal models enable the introduction of elements accountable for both winter and summer characteristics. In such a case, you will find usually two sides of the tread: summer time side and winter months side. The so-called summer features are usually on the "outside" side, that's, on the exterior side.
The rubber compounds used in year-round tires are developed to make sure satisfactory performance at any temperature. The compound in summer tires knows no compromises: its role would be to guarantee performance at temperatures above 7 degrees. Therefore, with increasing ambient temperatures, year-round tires cannot achieve the huge benefits reserved for summer models.
The contour of the tire is, in other words, the design of the tread. It is visible when we look straight at the tread. The contour of the tire determines the contact surface with the pavement, therefore its size is important for the adherence of the tire.
The contour of summer time tire is round, which guarantees low rolling resistance and good adhesion in summer conditions. The contour of the year-round tires is solid and similar to the square contour of winter tires. Solid shoulders ensure good grip in winter conditions, although in summer they accelerate tread wear and increase fuel consumption ;.