Using snow tires in summer
#1
So here I am with another car question... The all season radials (i.e. summer tires) on one of our Mazda3’s are toast, they’re completely bald. So I’ve simply rotated and left on our winter tires for now.

Question: I’ve been thinking of leaving these older (half worn) winter tires on all summer and then buying a new set of really good snow tires in the late fall. In other words, our older/half worn snow tires would effectively become our new summer tires. They have lots of good grip on them so will work well. I’m doing this because of budget/affordability reasons. I can’t really afford a new set of all season radials but don’t have a choice when it comes to winter tires. Our Mazda3’s really need good winter tires. Does this make sense?

Thanks in advance. Rob
Rob
<!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.robertrobotham.ca/">http://www.robertrobotham.ca/</a><!-- m -->
Reply
#2
Hi Rob,

You can, but make sure you get new winter tires, because after using them for summer diving they won't be any good for next winter.

Winter tires are made with a softer rubber that remains flexible in freezing weather; But that means the tread will wear out faster on hot pavement.

The treads are deeper too, so the ride isn't as smooth.

When the weather warms up, the softer rubber will affect your mileage. The mushy rubber will slow you down compare to the harder summer tire rubber.

It may also affect your stopping ability causing you to skid and possibly lose control at highway speed.
Ron Wm. Hurlbut
Toronto, Ontario, Dominion of Canada
Ontario Narrow Gauge Show
Humber Valley & Simcoe Railway Blog
Reply
#3
Thanks... This sounds good (what I expected), except for the last line!
Rob
<!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.robertrobotham.ca/">http://www.robertrobotham.ca/</a><!-- m -->
Reply
#4
I havent lived in snowy climate in along time, but if I remember some places have laws against driving on snow tires during the summer.
--
Kevin
Check out my Shapeways creations!
3-d printed items in HO/HOn3 and more!
<!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="https://www.shapeways.com/shops/kevin-s-model-train-detail-parts">https://www.shapeways.com/shops/kevin-s ... tail-parts</a><!-- m -->
Reply
#5
Thanks! I'm quite sure Ontario doesn't have any such laws for the summer but I believe you need snow tires by law in Quebec.
Rob
<!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.robertrobotham.ca/">http://www.robertrobotham.ca/</a><!-- m -->
Reply
#6
(04-13-2021, 04:58 PM)RobertInOntario Wrote: Thanks! I'm quite sure Ontario doesn't have any such laws for the summer but I believe you need snow tires by law in Quebec.

Dat's becuz K-beck is farder nord, and dey git more snow an' dice.

(No disrespect intended towards my friends in Québec.)

I can recall when studded snow tires were allowed in Ontario...now they're allowed only in northern Ontario.

As for snow tires in the summer, you'll likely wear them out if you do any appreciable amount of driving.  I put new snow tires on my Mazda last fall, but we didn't have much snow at all (maybe 10" once and 8" another time.  In most cases it was gone in a few days. 
We also had a lot of fairly mild weather, and I found the snow tires to be a lot squirrelier on dry and wet pavement when the weather got milder, although I do tend to push that car a lot more than most drivers would.

I have high performance summer tires, and it's like the car's on rails when you put the pedal down on a twisty road.

Wayne
Reply


Forum Jump:


Users browsing this thread: 1 Guest(s)