Temperature range for summer and winter tires

[racer24crm]

So here's a question I can't find an answer to. Everything I have read about summer tires seems to say that once it starts going below 45 they lose their effectiveness and it's time for winter tires to go on. That being said, when does it get too warm for winter tires and they become a liability (in terms of performance, safety, durability, etc.)

The reason I ask is because I live in southeastern PA and with the crazy jumps in temps from one day to the next in the fall and spring (especially this year, 35 one day 72 the next) may mean I will cross the tires' thresholds overnight.

I want winter tires for sure but I'm debating between getting high performance all seasons or summers for the non-winter months. I will most likely be getting a second set of wheels so I could always just swap sets if its going to bad.

What do you guys think?

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[mmorningstar]

I'm near Hershey PA and I've had my blizzaks on since Thanksgiving weekend. Like you said it sucks cause it's been warm, but those PP Pirelli Summer's sucked on wet roads below 50 degrees......


-Matt
2015 EBM PP.

 

[dgc333]

Everytime there is an article comparing summer, all season and winter tires a variant of this graph is part of the article.

It shows relative performance between the three categories of tires verse temperature.

Dave

 

[Glenn G]

I live in Frankfurt Germany, We get a few days of heavy snow every year, I have UHP all seasons and there have only been 3-4 days in the last 12 years or so where I didn't feel secure driving, and only one where I couldn't make it. so Unless you live in the snow belt you would be much happier generally with the all seasons. Snow tires really shine in snow but suck in the mild winter we are having in Europe.

 

[KilluminatiDre]

It's funny alot of people run winters year round here.

 

[Coaster]

Now in Freedom Units!

 

[dgc333]

I live in Frankfurt Germany, We get a few days of heavy snow every year, I have UHP all seasons and there have only been 3-4 days in the last 12 years or so where I didn't feel secure driving, and only one where I couldn't make it. so Unless you live in the snow belt you would be much happier generally with the all seasons. Snow tires really shine in snow but suck in the mild winter we are having in Europe.

A winter tire will out perform an all season on cold dry, cold wet, icy and snow covered roads, basically any time the temperature is at or below freezing the winter tire will perform better.

Dave

 

[dgc333]

It's funny alot of people run winters year round here.

An some will run summer tires all winter too. Then you have people that don't consider replacing tires until the steel belts are showing on all four corners. It's amazing how many people I see in the winter months with bald tires.


Dave

 

[Glenn G]

A winter tire will out perform an all season on cold dry, cold wet, icy and snow covered roads, basically any time the temperature is at or below freezing the winter tire will perform better.

Dave

I've tried lots of winter tires, and I mean lots! I have never found one that performed as well in the wet or dry as my current all seasons. Once it is cold enough for there to not be any water at all I agree with you, like -10C. and on those 2% of the days the pure winter tire is better, and I call work and tell them I either won't be in or that I'll be late. The other 97% of the time I can't deal with with the tire squirm,poor grip and poor hydroplaning resistance of a pure snow tire.

This is from my experience driving in Germany the last 15 years or so. I read all of the magazine and reviews and know that they say exactly what you are saying, but my personal experience differs.

 

[racer24crm]

Just found this during my research. I think I may convinced to go summer and winter after reading it.

http://www.roadandtrack.com/new-cars/videos/a5604/winter-tires-track-tested/

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