Tyres for summer have to be able to handle different weather conditions in warm temperatures. When the temperature drops below zero degrees, then you will have a problem with summer tyres as they will get hard as the rubber compound is not designed for low temperatures and is designed for temperatures above zero degrees. The fact that the tyres are not designed for low temperatures causes problems when the temperature drops as hard tyres can’t produce the same friction as soft tyres and are therefore exhibit worse properties when used at low temperatures than winter tyres.
They also have different tread pattern as they are designed for different weather conditions. The summer tyres basically have to deal with dry asphalt roads or then wet roads that occur when you have heavy summer rains and thunderstorms. The challenge during the wet conditions is that the grip is reduced, so that they will need to have good wet grip properties. The water when amassed on the roads can also cause aquaplaning, so you will need tyres that are good at preventing aquaplaning. Thread depth is important in combating this phenomenon, but also a row of new inventions have been introduced to help in preventing aquaplaning.
Old tyres are more likely to end up aquaplaning as they are worn and have low tread depth, as low tread depth can store less water in the tread, which can easily cause it. You will need good tyres that also have innovations to store more water and effectively push it away from the contact area at the surface point. The more water that can be pushed away the faster you can drive and the less likely you are to end up in a situation where you will lose control over the vehicle.
Some of the new innovations also include polished grooves to faster and more effectively remove the water within the grooves. Cheaper tyres will generally have less innovations if any and this is why it is better to choose tyres that have good reputation and have demonstrated in tests that they have good properties on wet surfaces.
You can also check the EU tyre label to see how good they rate on wet grip, which indicates how quickly you can stop on a wet surface. Braking distance is always important for avoiding accidents when driving. You can also see in the label how well they perform on rolling resistance, which is important from the tyre wear and fuel consumption more than on the safety side. However, there is no need to select a tyre that has a high rolling resistance as it will be a more expensive choice and environmentally worse option. The higher fuel costs will lead to higher CO2 emissions and they higher wear will lead to new tyre purchase and more waste as you dispose of your tyres. So check the label and choose wisely.
For more information regarding summer tyres with great wet and dry grip, visit: www.nokiantyres.com