Winter and summer tyres - how important is it really?!

Although the use of seasonal tyres has been a legal requirement in Serbia for several years now, many drivers still ignore this rule. Thus, even in the middle of summer, we can see cars rolling on winter tyres at every turn.

While the use of summer tyres during winter is understandably and provenly dangerous, many drivers tend to take the use of winter tyres in summer lightly, considering it a harmless matter of "we know we shouldn't, but it can't hurt." The reasons vary—from simple ignorance and understandable economic factors to perhaps irrational ones that interpret the introduction of seasonal tyre rules as a conspiracy to "squeeze some more money" out of citizens.

Although it is a fact that purchasing an additional set of tyres represents a significant financial expense, we will highlight some lesser-known facts regarding safety while driving with winter tyres in summer and the (un)economical aspect of it.

Firstly, it should be emphasized that despite their similar appearance or a few extra treads, winter and summer tyres are made from different materials or material compounds that exhibit entirely different physical properties in winter and summer conditions.

Summer tyres are made from a compound that demonstrates excellent properties at higher temperatures. However, at lower temperatures, these tyres become harder and stiffer, resulting in poor braking and even skidding on dry pavement.

On the other hand, winter tyres are made from a blend that remains soft even in winter conditions. This softness, combined with deep treads, allows the tyre to have better traction and grip on wet, snowy, or icy surfaces. However, what makes winter tyres reliable in winter also represents a significant drawback in summer because the already "soft" compound further softens in high-temperature conditions, affecting various performance aspects of your vehicle:

• During summer, a winter tyre can take up to 10 meters longer to brake at a speed of 100 km/h compared to a summer tyre. Braking distance depends on the vehicle's weight as well, but this is certainly not a negligible difference. In situations where safety is determined by meters and centimeters, 10 meters make a significant impact.
• A winter tyre exhibits poorer performance in corners during summer, which also affects vehicle stability.
• The softness and treads of a winter tyre cause it to have wider contact with hot asphalt, resulting in significantly higher rolling resistance compared to a summer tyre. Greater friction leads to increased fuel consumption and, therefore, more expensive driving.
• Due to increased friction between the winter tyre and the road surface, road noise is generated, which increases as the speed rises, making the driving experience less pleasant compared to driving on summer tyres;
• During summer, on hot asphalt, a winter tyre wears out and wears out much faster than in winter conditions. At the same time, it loses its primary properties, so the damage is, so to speak, "double" – when winter comes, the tyres are worn out, and their winter performance is no longer the same.

These reasons should be sufficient for you to "fit your car with winter footwear" from November 1st to April 1st or, even if you haven't done so yet, to use summer tyres during the summer period.

Although there are no penalties for using winter tyres in summer, an economic motive can be sufficient reason to change tyres. By timely changing tyres and properly storing them, you will extend their lifespan and, after a few years, realize that you have probably fared better financially than if you had bought a complete set of tyres every two years because, as the saying goes, "if you don't pay at the bridge, you'll pay at the crossroad." As for safety risks, there is no need to discuss them unnecessarily.