Rubber Compound Differences
Summer tyres use a harder rubber compound optimised for warm temperatures. They provide excellent grip on dry and wet roads above 7°C but become rigid and lose performance in cold conditions.
Winter tyres are made from a softer compound that stays flexible below 7°C. This flexibility allows the tread to grip cold road surfaces and maintain performance in ice, snow, and freezing rain.
Tread Pattern Design
Winter tyres feature deeper tread grooves and thousands of tiny sipes — small slits that bite into snow and ice. Summer tyres have shallower, broader grooves designed to channel water away at speed and maximise road contact in warm weather.
Do You Need Winter Tyres in the UK?
For drivers in Scotland, northern England, and rural areas with heavy winter conditions, winter tyres offer significant safety benefits. In milder southern regions, all-season tyres may be a practical compromise.
Regardless of which tyres you choose, a mobile tyre fitting service can swap your seasonal sets at home, saving you the hassle of visiting a garage twice a year.
