WINTER TYRES vs SUMMER TYRES - Can you use Winter Tyres all year?

Winter tyres have superior grip to standard summer tyres in icy wet conditions. But do summer tyres have superior grip compared to winter tyres in dry warm conditions? And if so, by how much?
Changing tyres from summer to winter and back again costs around £120/year, not including the tyres. Can winter tyres be used all year round instead of switching back to winter tyres? Let's find out.

[@JaCk-ep6px]

I drive under 5000 miles a year in the Baltics and keep winter tyres all year round. I used TS860 (european winter type) for 7 winters and 3x4 summers. In summer when it's over 20-25°C you can feel the braking distance is longer, but with some caution it is fine. In winter if you have slush and lots of melted snow they are great (mostly in the city where they pour lots of salt). also fine in snow, but once the thread is around 5-6mm with lots of snow and freezing t° (-5 to -25°C) it's not easy to get out of snowdrift. also with little thread left you lose traction on gravel roads in summer
I guess, with some caution, winter (european winter type not scandinavian) tires are just fine in places where summer is cool

[@amateurtorque6709]

I bet it gets cold where you are, thanks for your input.

[@JaCk-ep6px]

@@amateurtorque6709 yep, winter is mostly around 0° to -5°C, but we get a few weeks in winter that t that can drop to -15° -25°C 🥶🥶🥶
most people use Scandinavian type or studded winter tyres to be sure

[@markw8139]

Top video mate...very informative .It's extremely important for safety as had some near misses breaking hard with winter tyres during the Spring when temperatures are on the turn from 2-7 degrees but you get weird "freak" warm days of up to 19 degrees

[@niclasbergman8418]

Interesting video, I thought there would be a much bigger difference between the two tyres. However, I'd really like to see this test but in wet conditions, I have a feeling the winter tyre will slack a lot more than the summer one there. Keep it up!

[@amateurtorque6709]

I would consider doing a wet version of this video.

[@bestmusic2112]

The handling sleeps on winter tyres got Sava Eskimo m+s.. Best handling takes around 1.5 meters more to brake fully, but i get used to it..

[@gjefferies]

Good job, thanks. When your winter tyres are worn down to 4mm, then they probably won't work well in the snow. I live in the French Alps, we often use these worn out but totally legal winter tyres in the summer. I'm guessing the summer dry breaking is improved when there is less tread. I'd be interested to know if that is true. I could test it myself, however, we definitely don't have such a nice quiet flat road available like you have!

[@amateurtorque6709]

Thanks for your comment, good to hear from someone from the Alps. Have you always used winter tyres, is it mandatory where you are?

[@gjefferies]

@Amateur Torque , we have always used them. And since last year they are kinda mandatory from the beginning of November to the end of March. But as I write this it is the end of April and snowing outside, so I'm glad I still have them on!

[@rafiq5455]

Do a test with winter tyres on wet roads

[@inevespace]

keep in mind that testing tires by braking "on mark" introduce huge uncertainty related with driver reaction. On 60mph and 0.2s average reaction time you will travel 5m more or less. To mitigate it you have to repeat every test 10-20 times and average out. But better - use OBD to see when brakes really was applied.

[@SSsss-wd3wi]

Useful video. Watching from Toronto Canada 🇨🇦🙏

[@JC-hu1wd]

Interesting when you Google some results say winter tyres not as good in wet weather. Car I bought 12 months ago has 3 winter tyres and one landsail. Tread is approx 5-6 mm. I drive steady and haven't had any issues. Usually put 32 psi in honda jazz.

[@JC-hu1wd]

Update, I got a similar part worn tyre GT Radial Winter Pro to match 6mm on it. Good tyres these.

[@houtao]

I am considering using winter tire in Vancouver BC all year round and your video gives me confidence as Vancouver (Raincouver) has pretty much the same climate with that in North England., Thank you!

[@amateurtorque6709]

I'm chuffed someone from Vancouver has found it useful. I was shooting my next video today, Hybrid vs Diesel MPG test, and the hybrid Toyota I was driving has winter tyres on all year round, and the MPG test doesn't seem to be hindered in any way.

[@carterhe3889]

Thanks for the test, really helpful.

[@amateurtorque6709]

Cheers.

[@S-u-p-a]

Thanks

[@alimirza3442]

Very useful thank you.

[@amateurtorque6709]

Glad it was helpful!

[@mikkeljan9076]

Thank you..

[@hehe4life957]

I will be more worried about low oil pressure warning 🤨

[@amateurtorque6709]

I quite agree, don't worry though the oil pressure is fine, its the layout of the engine sump, when you brake hard to a complete standstill that makes the sensor flash. I had an Avensis with the same engine, and if you cornered hard it would flash.

[@murchitoyou]

Thank you Just what I thought, summer tyres are a scam...