Winter Tyres v Summer Tyres: the Truth! - Auto Express

[RelativeRelativiness]

On actual ice the studless winter tyres are almost as useless as summer tyres. Which is why studded tyres are the most popular choice for winter driving in Nordic countries. Shame they rape the asphalt though.

[gotmatt2]

Thanks, now compare all-season to winter

[wolfpl1947]

@gotmatt2 All-season and summer tires are mostly the same.

[WisconsinEric]

I have owned 2 sets of 1st generation Blizzak WS-15s, two sets of 2nd gen Blizzak WS-50s, and now I am on a set of Michalin Primacy Alpines.

There is NO COMPARISON between All-Season tires, and true Winter (Snow) tires during winter driving conditions. Winter tires should last about 3-5 winters, and at the same time they allow you to gets years more life out of your summer tires.

Buy a set of true Winter tires for the safety of your loved ones!

[adnanalagic]

People don't realize how much winter tyres affect driving

[adnanalagic]

Oh, Mat. You're in Sweden. Come by me, I'm just down the road

[rugbyboyko]

of course winter tire wins. and that is why it is called SUMMER tires!

[TheReapersSon]

I figured this would be the case, but It's nice to know actual results.

[jamiebridges123]

Hm, actually most "brits" have shitty budget tyres which are not "summer" tyres, they're "shitty" tyres. Fine on a crappy 1991 fiesta but on your family hatch, there's no easier way of guaranteeing death to your loved ones.

I put winter wheels&tyres on and find they do make a noticable difference...my Michelins would not be able to corner like my goodyear winter tyres can at these temps!! only thing is they aren't half noisy in comparison...

[Timo606]

Where I live I have driven in snow once. was fun although is shut everything down.

[helenaki8]

...and for all other jobs, take the summer

[hollystimpson]

I love my winter tyres!

[bryncomeaux]

yeah but what about all year tires vesus winter tires. now thats what were all really considering isnt it. or the totl cost of tire wear and mpg for 2 sets versus 1 all year tire?

[revolutionpm]

Soft rubber + braking = wear amount A

Hard rbbr +braking = wear amount A minus B = less wear

Lesson: Soft rubber = more frequent tire replacement = more expense for you.

[acemanyellow13]

@revolutionpm

It is true what you say but it is true when temperatures etc is over 5 + degrees.

under 5 + degrees it becomes something else entirely.

So when you get ice and snow then winter tires do not wear out as much to almost nothing.

[TheReapersSon]

@revolutionpm

@revolutionpm

That's why you store your winter tires when you don't need them. They're not going to wear out in a month or two, so use them during the worst part of winter and then put them away for the rest of the year.

[revolutionpm]

These are not Continental tires...are they ??

[acemanyellow13]

@revolutionpm

both are conti. winter tire is TS 830 P while the summer tires are SportContact 3

[HaykakanAper]

anyone from SoCal we will benefit for about a day or two from the year. SO BUY WINTER TIRES

[G0ML3]

good test, but a good set of summer tires will outhandle the winter tires as long as the rain isn't pouring. sure breaking distance is better cause of the pattern, but they aren't as responsive to quick steering manouvers as long as the road conditions aren't full of puddles and stuff. it's a choice each driver have to make themselves, if the road conditions are good and the rain isn't that bad, a set of good summer tires will be better. even reduce running cost which is relevant too.

[RZEZZZ]

@G0ML3 Don't forget temperature. Summer tires become hard plastic trolley wheels when the temperature gets cold.

[G0ML3]

@RZEZZZ

ofcourse, which is why if theres minus degrees outside you shouldn't take any chances. if it's mild and road conditions are not icy you're better off changing early.

[Bgoober181]

problem with that usa dont get that much snow plus dont have enough money to get winter tire

[ToxCcc]

hmm winter tyres sound very beneficial, what would it be like running winter tyres all year around?

[fabulousprofound]

@ToxCcc depends. if your summer weather is warm, winter tyres get too soft and wear down quickly. you would be best to look into all-weather tyres instead?

[hunghuge12]

I'm sorry but what kind of moron drives at the same speed regardless of conditions? You drive to a speed you're grip level allows safely. If you go past that you're going to have a crash - if you're on winter tyres you'll be going faster when the crash begins. This stupid argument could be applied to slicks, wets, race compounds vs long life, etc. If you want to be as safe as possible don't look at the tyres - drive the car properly.

[sparkygl0s]

@hunghuge12

Taking your argument to its extreme, we should drive on the worst tyres we can get, so that we will be going more slowly when we crash.

[hunghuge12]

@sparkygl0s That's not what I'm saying at all. What I'm saying is there has to be balance. This test is comparing summer tyres with winter. Most people drive on all weather tyres so this test makes it look like winters have a massive advantage which they don't unless you happen to own an Exige or similar - in which case fitting winters would make sense. The point is you should drive to whatever limit you and the car have. Winters set that limit higher but don't change (pt1)

[hunghuge12]

@hunghuge12 the other variables. Putting sticky slicks on in the summer would mean more grip but wouldn't help safety because it just up's the limits and gives less reaction time. We simply don't get bad enough weather for long enough to justify them vs all weather tyres in the UK.

[sparkygl0s]

@hunghuge12

I don't think most people do drive on all weather tyres. They are certainly another option worth considering. The Goodyear Vector 4 Season performs close to a winter tyre in tests.

[tc1uscg]

Nice concept but it's a trade off. One: You have to have an extra set of rims or make friends with your local tire shope who will swap them over every season. Two: You may be able to start and stop faster, but the if the guy in front of you or behind do not have the same type of tire, going forward,you are not going anywhere, from the rear, well, maybe one needs to keep a few extra bumpers in the garage.

[sparkygl0s]

I've fitted Dunlop Winter Sport 3D tyres this year. They definately feel a lot better when the roads are cold and wet. I bought a set of steel wheels to fit them to, so I don't have to pay a tyre bay to swap them over twice a year.

[kxantonxk]

MAT WATSON.... FUCK YESSSSSSSS :D

[coldxxxworld]

id rather have my summer tire on all year long

[subzerized]

why buy a winter tires if you can buy a chain for the tires in winter time?

[eliteyouth5]

@subzerized Chains are illegal in most places.

[sparkygl0s]

@eliteyouth5

Where are chains illegal? Certainly not "most places".  They are widely used in mountain areas of Europe and North America..

[sparkygl0s]

@subzerized

With chains you are limited to 30mph. You have to stop to fit them, and then again to take them off when you hit clear tarmac. Winter tyres can be fitted in November and removed in March. I carried chains last winter and used them once. This year I've fitted winter tyres, but I'm still carrying the chains as well.

[besttyler]

This has been proven multiple times. What has yet to be proven is if summer tyres actually make a difference when using them in summer.

[idiotzrule]

Well that settles it, Im buying a G wagon =]

[emeletele]

What about dry surface below 7 degres ?

[Schleutermann]

It is not a fake, believe me!!!

[TGV1337]

Fucking fake on wet. Under those circumstances the summer tyres perform FAR better. There's nothing worse than winter tyres on wet surface.

[eliteyouth5]

@TGV1337 Didn't you hear the part of temperature?????

[TGV1337]

@eliteyouth5 I don't care what they said. When the water is in fluid state it means, that it's over zero Celcius degree and in temperatures over zero the summer tyre wil always drive better in wet/dry conditions than winter tyres. 7 Celcius degree threshold is tyres companies' bullshit.

[sparkygl0s]

@TGV1337

Having tried winter tyres I can assure you it is not bullshit. They have come a long way since the Firestone Town and Country M&S tyres which I used in the 70s. Those were basically like a Land Rover tyre. Great in the Snow but lethal on smooth wet tarmac.

[truknayr23]

Why is Matt here???

[7502stephen]

@armydray13 In a word NO. If going around a corners in slippery conditions the front wheels will hold while the rear tyres wouldn't. This would cause a loss of control and the car will spin. Winter tyres really need to be put in in a set of 4.

[armydray13]

That was impressive. I feel like you've done the nation a service! Could I get away though with just winter tires on the front with a front-wheel drive car?

[sparkygl0s]

Its the performance in cold wet weather which convinced me to switch. See 2:40 onwads. I've fitted Dunlop Winter Sport 3D, and they feel much more secure when cornering in the wet when its 2 degrees outside.

[7502stephen]

Something doesn't add up here. In the wet condition tests at under 7 degrees it is claimed that the car with summer tyres takes a further 7 metres to stop, but it then goes on to claim that the car with summer tyres is doing 20 mph as is passes the point at which the car with winter tyres had stopped. It other words it is claiming the the car with summer tyres when travelling at 20 mph stops in 7 metres. Don't think so!!!!

[Christoik]

Are winter tyres good for using them as all day tyres from december to february?

What's the highest air temperature they should be used at clear road?

[braingoing]

Winter tyres are fantastic. last winter 2010/2011 where we live, Essex, Our car took us where others could only dream of. The stopping distance was much less than with standard tyes and we we able to corner without having to worry about sliding. Just remember that they do not make you a racing driver, Keep to a sensible speed and don't take risks, I am a Retired professional driver (I.A.M. Etc.) and I have to say that after ABS and Air Bags, winter tyres are a must.

[JDSFLA]

It would be interesting to see how summer tires perform againt all-season tires, which is what most Americans use year-round.

[Spanky2k]

The trick is to buy a set of second hand alloys, put winter tyres on them and switch them in the late Autumn. That way the only significant outlay are the alloys. Although a set of winter tyres obviously cost money, having a pair will mean you won't have to change your summer tyres as frequently. If you don't have a garage to keep your second set of wheels when not in use then you could keep the second set at family/friends/self storage etc. Well worth it.

[karchun9860]

Its MAT!!! From CARBUYER!

[bigjohnuk67]

I live in a flat so I don have the space to store 4 tyres, as a result I will drive slower

[8motion]

@bigjohnuk67 Where will your store your coffin?... I

[lldrewtime]

you know f**k all pal.

[ernest9812]

Seat Leon in white is very beautiful (y)

[03056932]

this is a crock of shit, they must think we are idiots. they could have lied realistically but they had to make up some supid shit, extra 40meters? MY ARSE.

[TheOne42]

MAT YOU'RE THE BEST!!! :D

[7502stephen]

@alinus73 from experience I can assure you it's not fake. Winter tyres perform well on ice and they certainly far exceeded my expectations in terms of stability and vehicle control.

[alinus73]

all fake!!! winter tire is better only on snow!!

[robdavis16]

@alinus73 no there not u prick !! i have them on my car and they make huge differences at any temperature under 7.5degrees. this is due to a softer composite, get your facts right before you make comments like this !!!

[keshakaty3oh3]

THUMBS UP... if u got this from twitter!

[cli2018]

How about having winter tyres for all year round?

[gurkmajonaisewannabe]

youtube brought me :D

[koronas21]

Why can't you drive on winter tires all year long?

[lildobe]

@koronas21 They wear much faster then the harder rubber of Summer Tires (Unless you are talking about ultra-performance summer tires) and they also aren't quite as stable in warmer temperatures because the rubber becomes very VERY soft

[koronas21]

@lildobe thanks for answering a person who is to lazy to google :)

[nypeify]

were in Sweden is that?

[TrevorNL]

Summer tires: it's slippery, better be carefull. Winter tires: no problem, so drive like nomal

[splashley98]

thumbs up if u clicked via youtube twitter

[JLPA42]

@splashley98 I did!

[an50331]

@splashley98 should i thumbs down if i didnt?

[GiR2007]

What tyres were they on the right at 0:43? it looks like wintercontact 830P but they seem to have additional horizontal sipes. Are they experimental ?

[kaaka1990]

great one

[laur121212]

i don't understand this tests... of course that the winter tires are gonna be better on snow ... well the name kinda explains everything ...

[purrability]

@laur121212 Quite simple: some drivers still think that they can save couple of quid by using summer tyres in winter and some drivers don't want to change the tyres until it snows. So you get the idea how they end up. The tests are for these people to show them that they should change tyres as early as possible.

[runnerbaba]

Audi A3 Wheels, Volkswagen WOB Licensplates

[Lybiniqboy]

this was only making the brand of the winter tyres good,because the summer tyres hadnt any profile!

[ImHereToAnnoyYou]

It snows for about 6 days in most of Britain per year and for about 2 of those days there is snow on the road and it hasn't been gritted, the rest of the time it's just rain and slush.

I'm not surprised that brand new winter tyres are better on a frozen lake (they bloody well should be) but the fact is, not many people have the spare dosh to splash come Christmas time. I suggest slowing down according to the conditions and to regularly test your stopping distance in poor weather.

[onraj9mm]

wait, you dont have a law in uk to use winter tires in... winter?

[SebastianMuino]

Mat is the best!

[Torque0000]

1:12 eighty five meters = 58 meters :D

[ivobondptbe]

@Torque0000 the white car stopt at around 30m and the red at 85m so the distance between them is 58m

[squadmeta]

@Torque0000 85metres for summer tyre minus 27metres for winter tyre = 58metres.... they're showing the extra distance needed to stop with that graphic. wake up lol

[grdixon83]

Ok I get that winter tyres are better during winter.so surely dealers should be offering them when you buy a new car!But they dont so come winter we all save our mony and forget about it.Afterall tyres aint cheap!Yes its our own life we are taking a chance with,but what can you do if you cant afford them.

[HesteBremse]

Good One - I recently moved to Germany a got myself a car. The law in Germany states that from 12th of November your car needs to be fitted with winter tires - else you will get fined. It makes good sense IMO.

[javaupdtae]

@Autoexpress plzz do these tests more often coz they r so interesting

[MrAthanz]

What about all-season tires?

[MacGyver920]

How did the white car come up to speed in the brake test, when it didn't in the drag race?

[zonaxmd]

We have a law, which do not aloud summer tires durring winter and winter tires are not alod at the other part of year. Simply clever and no video to proove it are needed.

Video is good. Thank you for the made work.

[regasirea]

Bravo!!!

[Karmakameleeon]

how do winter tires fare in dry conditions and in summer months?

[respectable07]

@Karmakameleeon almost as bad as summer tires in winter. Winter tire rubber is very soft in summer time and that make car wobbling and steer much worse.

[MrLeonheywood]

you may want to point out that they are hugely expensive, I have a quote of £290 for 2 just TWO for my VW Bora

[DaveF40]

I recently watched an autocar video which contradicts this video. It showed that summer tires had a shorter braking distance than winter tires in the wet. However it did show that winter tires gave more grip in the corners in wet conditions than summer tires . They did no testing in snow or icy conditions. Who are you supposed to believe?

[atami210]

Respond to this video...

I would go with snow/icy conditions, because 10 Celsius degree is still when summer tires can still work effectively, as 7 Celsius is when summer tires work worse.

[thltube]

erm...what happens if it's dry.....?

[atami210]

@thltube

I live in Canada, so I know a bit about winter/summer tires. Even in dry, summer tires will stop as effectively when the temperature drops below 7 Celsius degrees. This is because the rubber compound is different, so winter tires can still grip the road when it gets cold.

[armanarmadillo]

Now try it in California.

[XscXps3]

Ummmmmm cost???

[ftpaddict]

@XscXps3 One or more lives.

[derbigpr500]

I just dont see why so many people assume that winter tires are made for snow or ice only, which is completely not true. Winter tires are made for all conditions, and summer tires will suck even on dry road in very cold conditions. Its just surprising how many people dont realize that and why they are surprised with these facts presented in video.

[legr8est1234]

I'd be curious how all-season tires compare to both. There is no doubt summer tires are a bad idea in the winter, but are winter tires that much better than all-seasons?

[DocWolph]

@legr8est1234 All-Season tires would split the difference between Winter and Summer tires and excel at neither. You can however, buy all-season tires that lean one way or the other, as with sub-tropical and tropical regions. But for the best results, you should be willing to buy for and swap the tires per season. Coincidentally, alternating sets of tires ought to last longer as they are being used about half the year.

[legr8est1234]

@DocWolph My problem isn't really cost, it's that I have nowhere to store all these tires. There are 4 cars in my household, and my garage is fairly full of stuff as it is. There is no place for me to store one set of extra tires, much less four sets. So, switching tires is really impractical for me.

[DocWolph]

@legr8est1234 Swapping tires isn't an ideal solution for everyone. No matter what All-season tires you get, it's a compromise somehow. I'm not sure they sell all-season tires in Europe, if they don't or you don't live there, looking to them for answers isn't going to work. You may want to check out "Motortrend", "Car and Driver", among other US car mags and sites on what they have on All-season tires. Many tire selling sites like "The Tire Rack" can be helpful as well.

[dcukic]

@legr8est1234 they arent as good as winter ones. i used to drive golf mk3 and had on it 4 winter tires i used all trough the year and they were 5 yrs old. my friend had golf mk4 and 7 months old all season tires. there is one particularly bad intersection im my town. one part of it is on hill so when you stop on red light you are just below the top of that hill. my mk3 climbed it with no problem on those old winter tires and his mk4 just spun and when backwards. so, they are shit on snow

[legr8est1234]

@dcukic I'm wondering just how shit they are. In your situation, the cars' performance could've also depended on the brand/model of tires you both had. Cheap new all-seasons will probably be worse than more expensive, if older, winter tires.

In any case, I know all-seasons are a compromise in both winter and summer, but considering that's what I have on all my cars, would the difference in performance be big enough to warrant a change?

[dcukic]

@legr8est1234 it depends on the weather... if you get loads of snow then yes, you would feel the difference in car stability. if not, all-seasons would do good. and you can always drive more defensively and carefully. or set winter tires only on drive wheels. if you have 4 cars im guessing some of them are driven by young\inexperienced\old drivers. they would benefit a lot, but only if you have a lot of snow.

[legr8est1234]

@dcukic Michigan.

[ohyeshim2]

This opens my eyes completely

[88Sauce]

So what is the use of "summer"tyres then? apart from the price

[legr8est1234]

@88Sauce They are usually better for handling in summer conditions, and they do not wear out as fast as winter tires would.

[derbigpr500]

@88Sauce Summer tires are made to be used in warm conditions, just as the winter tires are made to use in cold conditions. Using winter tires in summer is almost as bad as using summer tires during winter. Same goes for "all season" tires, which in most cases suck both in winter and summer. There are of course good all season tires, which can match the performance of decent winter or summer tires, but they cost more than buying 2 sets of very good tires, for winter AND summer.

[Shtrudell]

For everyone from countries with harsh winters (like Russia, where I am from) winter tires are necessity. And their effectiveness is undoubtable.

[zanderesqueda]

yes mat ure the best!!!!

[MiguelRelvas1]

So, good presenter and cool car soooo... AWESOME VIDEO, as ever!

[AlecMMillar]

I watched another video about tires and it was boring. Mat Watson makes this video so much more interesting, well done. Mat, You're Underpaid

[dunnoher]

Here in Estonia it is compulsory to use winter tyres between 1.of december til 1. of March. Plus many use tyres ith spikes

[younghovcu]

very good video

[loster88]

I've one question: at which temperature is recommended to have winter tyres fitted?

Because, where I live I think we don't need winter tyres

[ludicer]

Any video with matt= a good video!

[minibus1351]

informative.

[123wendywhite]

That was very informative, but I don't mind I live in the hotter part of the world!

[03iamhopeless]

@123wendywhite i think where i live will be summer tyre for the whole year :D

[TheVtieg6]

Bloody hell didnt think tires could make soo much difference!

[MacGyver920]

Exellent video, and great quality. Mat, you're the best!

[mclarenfanuk]

Great video

[ExplosiveFilms2007]

Great testing and explanation again Mat! I am getting my new Leon tomorrow and will definitely put on the winter dress ;)

[skoshy]

Great video, awesome new graphics.

[scoot24925]

I never use winter tires on my car,i use only a set of tires for all seasons and it doesnt bother me in winter cause winter here is warm and never snows,great video anyways,when it snows winter tyres are a must.

[peterhejlejensen]

PSA: Buy fucking winter tires!

[lexusfan100]

great review,,i just purchased a used one tho. Its BFGoodrich Winter Slalom KSI. Has been used for like one winter..great deal..

good review tho..thanks

from Canada

[jo05dk]

From what i've learned all year tires beat the hell out of winter tires on every non ice or snow road. You should have tested that as well.

[TheTripleX]

@jo05dk all seasons are a mix. 50/50. Not as good in the summer as summer tires, not as good in the winter as winter tires. They are tires that can do average, but never great.

[jo05dk]

@TheTripleX I know. All i'm saying that in non-icy and non-snow conditions with low temps, they should do better than winter tires. Around where i live (Denmark) that's usually most of the winter described. Bad weather with lots of weat stuff rom above, but not much snow. The last couple of winters aside that is.

[DwnNvr]

Yes there really is that big of a difference between these tires.

[ClaritySWE]

When was this filmed? Since there hasn't snowed anything at all so far this winter in Sweden. This must be old footage then.