Open this photo in gallery: Winter tires are pictured in a Munich garage in 2012.

Some summer tires are awsome in the wet while others are nearly slicks and are horrible. RICHARD RUSSELL. Remember, too, that winter tires in summer have longer stopping distances than all-season or summer tires. Summer performance tires are at their best when it's warmer, as they provide almost no traction in snow. I don't understand why their traction would be worse when its super cold other then all tires are worse when its super cold. If your area tends to have such unpredictable late freezes, put off the changeover a little longer than you would with all-seasons. The only exception: when the thermometer drops below freezing or … Usually marketed as performance tires, summer tires work best in warmer weather (read: over 45-degree temperatures). When you drive on winter tires in summer, you reduce their lifespan by close to 60 per cent, as opposed to if they were only used in winter conditions. Winter tires provide greater road resistance, which not only makes them noisier while driving but impacts fuel consumption. To achieve moderate traction in ice and snow, all-season tires sacrifice some wet weather traction. Additionally, to provide long-lasting tread life, all-season tires sacrifice flexibility and grip in cold weather… Changing to summer tires: it’s a safety issue So keeping them on year-round is far less economical than it may seem. So not the best idea. For the last 13 years, I've run studless snows as my year-round tires, both on sedans and on heavy 4x4 vehicles. The tread pattern isn't designed with compromises for snow and ice traction. It just depends on the tire's tread pattern. There are many other things that give tires grip in the snow. But you can't put enough sipes in a summer tire to give it useful mobility in the snow. "Sipes" small slices in the tread are among the top features. MICHAELA REHLE/REUTERS. The reason: Summer tires offer more grip on both wet and dry roads than all-season tires, much less winter (aka "snow") tires. Winter tires in the summer – is it illegal?

Summer tires have lower rolling resistance than winter tires; this improves efficiency and handling while also reducing noise levels. Here's why. I have personally experienced summer tires in the snow … In contrast to Alan Birrell's answer: yes, and depending on where you live, it might be the smart choice. The tread on these performance tires, however, performs poorly on ice and … If you do end up using them, remember to check pressures. Tire technology has come a long way, but winter tires … A: Snow tires, also known as winter tires, have tread patterns specifically designed to dig down and bite into snow and ice, plus they are made out of softer rubber compounds that retain their flexibility in cold weather, allowing the tire to better conform to the surface of the road.Regular tires tend to get hard and brittle in cold temperatures. If you’re looking to save a few dollars, you’re better to do the annual tire changeovers yourself.