Did you know that winter tires are made of softer rubber that is not designed to hold up to hot temperatures? The reason for this is because winter tires are designed to provide maximum grip rather than deal with hot pavement. Additionally, winter tires are made to handle colder temperatures and winter precipitation.
If you’re wondering when the best time to remove your winter tires, it’s when the outside temperatures are consistently above 40 degrees Fahrenheit. One of the main reasons to switch your winter tires to summer tires is because winter tires will wear down faster on warm, dry pavement. This is due to the tread rubber being significantly softer. Although softer rubber is better for winter road conditions it is certainly not the best for summer road conditions.
Additionally, if you keep winter tires on year round you will notice a decrease in performance especially if trying to make a quick turn. The reason for this is because winter tires are softer and don’t grip the pavement as easily. In the long run using winter tires during summer months will increase your costs due to shortened tire life span.
If you follow our recommendation to change to either all season or ideally summer tires we would also recommend you do a few other things. This includes getting your tires balanced as well as a wheel alignment. The benefit of balancing your tires is that there will be less strain on your suspension and you’ll also get better gas mileage. This is especially true for high performance vehicles. Most vehicles in the New England area will need a wheel alignment at some point after the winter season due to pot holes in the road. The benefit of a wheel alignment is that it helps prevent your vehicle from pulling to the right or left and it also helps extend the life of your tires. Furthermore, a wheel alignment enhances braking performance and improves fuel economy.
If you’re ready to make the switch and get the most out of your vehicles performance head down to a Town Fair Tire location near you or visit us online to schedule an appointment today.
