The type of tyre you choose significantly affects your vehicle's safety, handling, fuel efficiency, and comfort. Different tyre types are engineered for specific conditions, temperatures, and driving styles, using specialized rubber compounds and tread patterns optimized for their intended purpose.
Choosing the right tyre type means understanding when and where you'll be driving. Summer tyres excel in warm, dry conditions but become dangerously hard in cold weather. Winter tyres provide exceptional grip in cold, snowy conditions but wear quickly in heat. All-season tyres offer a compromise for moderate climates, while performance tyres prioritize handling and speed for enthusiastic drivers.
Our guide explains the main tyre types available, their performance characteristics, and when each type is most appropriate. Whether you're replacing worn tyres, preparing for seasonal changes, or upgrading your vehicle's performance, understanding tyre types helps you make informed decisions that balance safety, performance, and value.
Summer tyres are designed specifically for warm weather conditions, typically temperatures above 7°C. They use a harder rubber compound that maintains optimal flexibility and performance in heat, providing excellent grip on both dry and wet roads during spring, summer, and mild autumn weather.
The tread pattern features fewer sipes (small slits) and shallower grooves compared to winter tyres, optimized for maximum contact with warm road surfaces. This design delivers superior handling, shorter braking distances, and better fuel efficiency in warm conditions. However, the harder compound becomes rigid and loses grip rapidly when temperatures drop below 7°C, even on dry roads.