BEST TYRES FOR SUMMER

Posted On 16 Mar 2022

What are the best tyres for summer?

What tyres should you use in spring and summer? Do you need to change from the tyres you were using in winter? How are you supposed to decide which tyres will be the most suitable for your vehicle - which are the best summer tyres?

In this post we hope to explain everything you need to know about summer tyres in order to make an informed decision about the best summer tyres for you.

We’re going to look at why vehicles need summer tyres, the difference between summer and winter tyres, and we’re going to reveal the most popular summer tyres using our own data. 

Why do we need tyres for summer?

For optimum performance, safety and efficiency it's important to have the right tyres for the right conditions. And when spring and summer arrive, with rising temperatures (generally speaking!) road conditions begin to change. 

If you've been using winter tyres throughout the colder months to tackle frost, ice and snow on the roads, come spring it might be beneficial to have some summer tyres fitted.

Why bother?

Because the best tyres for winter are not the best tyres for summer. 

Winter tyres perform best in temperatures below around 7 degrees celsius. So when temperatures creep above that level, summer tyres will deliver better performance. Winter tyres will also wear faster in summer when used at higher temperatures, so will be less economical. 

What’s the difference between summer and winter tyres?

Summer and winter tyres are made of different rubber compounds, they have different structures and different tread patterns. Here are a few more defining features:

Summer tyres

  • Perform best above 7 degrees celsius
  • Are made from a fairly hard rubber compound that’s suitable for dry and wet roads in warmer temperatures and prevents tyres from getting soft
  • Include tread bars to help prevent aquaplaning
  • Create less friction so are more fuel-efficient
  • Have a block-shaped tread pattern that improves handling and reduces braking distances  

Winter tyres

  • Perform best below 7 degrees celsius
  • Have a higher rubber content, which helps them to be supple in cold temperatures
  • Include thousands of ‘sipes’ (tiny grooves) to help prevent aquaplaning by dispersing water. They also help provide grip in snow and ice
  • Have a cavity for snow to improve grip further

A third option is all-season tyres

As the name suggests, all-season tyres can be used all year round and they offer a balance between the benefits of summer and winter tyres. They offer a middle-ground in terms of performance, but a convenience that appeals to many drivers, as they don’t have to be changed as often.

The 6 most popular summer tyres 

If you’re looking for the best summer tyres we’d love to help. At Just Tyres we keep a close eye on the tyres our customers like best throughout the seasons, and our data shows that the 6 most popular summer tyres among our customers are:

1. Goodyear EfficientGrip Performance

One of our most popular summer tyres, Goodyear EfficientGrip Performance tyres have been designed to decrease not only braking distances, but fuel consumption too. Auto Express gives these tyres an overall score of 97.2%, with especially high scores for dry handling (98.4%), preventing aquaplaning (97.9%) and wet handling (95.6%).

2. SUPERVALUE

We stock a range of SUPERVALUE summer tyres, which are popular for their lower price than many other brands, while still delivering solid performance in the warmer months. A popular choice for summer is the SUPERVALUE 205 55 16 model, but other sizes and specifications also do well in ambient weather.

3. Nexen N Fera SU1

The Nexen N fera SU1 is an ultra high performance tyre and one of the most popular tyres for hot weather. This model is known for its low rolling resistance, effective wet and dry grip, its handling and comfort on the road. 

4. Dunlop Sport BluResponse

This Dunlop Sport BluResponse is certainly one of the best tyres for summer. It was Auto Express’ top tyre choice in 2016 and the publication rated every element of its performance between 87-100%, giving it an overall score of 99.5%.

5. Michelin Primacy 4

This is another popular and extremely high-rated summer tyre from a world famous tyre brand. The Michelin Primacy 4 is a high performance choice for warmer months, and received an unbeatable overall score of 100% from Auto Express.

6. BFGoodrich All-Terrain T/A KO2

This tyre is a little different from those mentioned so far. As the name suggests it’s an all-terrain tyre and is aimed at SUVs and pickup trucks, rather than regular passenger cars. The BFGoodrich All-Terrain T/A KO2 is perhaps unsurprisingly a strong, durable tyre suited to road and off-road driving in the wet and dry. 

Summer tyres you can buy online today

If you want to make sure your vehicle has the best tyres for the conditions, to ensure safety, optimum performance and efficiency, it’s worth having the right tyres for the right season.

Take a look at our dedicated page to learn more about summer tyres, and which would be the best choice for your vehicle. You can add your reg number on that page for personalised recommendations of summer car tyres you can buy online today. 

Alternatively, give us a shout on live chat or call 01908 222208 and we’ll be happy to help.

Share: