Using Winter tires during summer

[Joshua]

Hey guys,

I have a question. I have a Mazda 3 2008 w/ 98 000K. I bought 4 Pirelli Winter tires recently. The tires are brand new and they're great except that we barely got any snow this winter (not complaining).

Now my question is: is it ok if I keep those tires all year round? My all seasons are gone. I drive around 10K in the city a year and this summer I won't even be around.

Should I leave the Pirellis on or should I buy a set of new summer/all-season tires?

Thanks guys!

[Mr Wilson]

You're fine to use them, but they are made to be used in low temps......in higher summer temps, you'll wear them super quick.

[yearoftherat]

The winter tires use a softer compound thereby giving you better grip in colder weather/icy conditions.
Therefore by keeping them on during the hot summer days = wear out the tires very quickly and you will prb end up buying new tires come the fall time.

[peterm15]

If you keep them on you'll need a new set come winter.

[boyracer]

*EDIT* yearoftherat beet me to the punch. He covered every thing that I mentioned. LOL

[sp3GT]

^But OP said he won't be around this summer. Keeping them on is fine.

[bluemazda3]

+100 to everything said previously

[PearlM3]

The problem is not neccesairly premature wear, but that when winter tires are used in +7 degree weather the compounds will start to change and by next winter you will have a harder compound tire similar to an all season

[Jackal]

The problem is not neccesairly premature wear, but that when winter tires are used in +7 degree weather the compounds will start to change and by next winter you will have a harder compound tire similar to an all season
I've never heard of this phenomenon. Hmmm.

[PearlM3]

Its not a phenomenon it's why you don't run them in the summer.

[The Wolf]

I drive around 10K in the city a year and this summer I won't even be around.

well if you aren't going to drive the car, it shouldn't matter really if you leave the winters on...

[dentinger]

I've never heard of this phenomenon. Hmmm.

neither have i.

the only concern is the softer compound that snow tires are made out of.
basically, it's like a super cheap racing tire.

[Default User]

^But OP said he won't be around this summer. Keeping them on is fine.

If he's parking his car up for the summer, he'll come back to 4-bald, flat winter tires. Unless he parks it up on jack stands.



The problem is not neccesairly premature wear, but that when winter tires are used in +7 degree weather the compounds will start to change and by next winter you will have a harder compound tire similar to an all season

+1

- Summer tires are hard and rigid in cold weather.
- Winter tires will get greasy and soft in hot weather.

[Default User]

Buy a set of dedicated summer rims with all-season tires.

[applepeel]

Aren't they loud? I have michelin's alpin and they are "loud" at least in my opinion.
And with our other car, the blizzaks are extremely "loud"
The treadpatterns and compounds make winter tires much louder, and it bugs me.

I love my summers and all-seasons because they are quiet, but like everyone else said its mainly just a treadwear issue

[zzz3]

Hey guys,

I have a question. I have a Mazda 3 2008 w/ 98 000K. I bought 4 Pirelli Winter tires recently. The tires are brand new and they're great except that we barely got any snow this winter (not complaining).

Now my question is: is it ok if I keep those tires all year round? My all seasons are gone. I drive around 10K in the city a year and this summer I won't even be around.


If your not going be driving much this the summer, if at all then you should be fine. If the car isn't going be driven for a few weeks, then make sure to take the necessay steps to store it.

[peterm15]

I missed the part about him not driving.

Up on stands it should be fine. I keep my winters in the shed all summer and I'm sure garages that store tires don't keep them temp controlled environments.

[AubZ]

If he's parking his car up for the summer, he'll come back to 4-bald, flat winter tires. Unless he parks it up on jack stands.

Technically, each tire would only have a really good bald-spot, as opposed to completely bald, no?
:P

[Default User]

Technically, each tire would only have a really good bald-spot, as opposed to completely bald, no?
:P

Yes
But even 1 bald spot ruins the whole tire.

[DarkKilla]

Using winter tires also affects the summer drivability of the car. Even though winter tires have softer compound, in dry hot summer days, or even heavy rain, they will not perform well. The car will take longer to brake, have a mushy feeling on turns etc... in summer. The tread pattern of winter tires are designed for winter use, not summer.

[slam525i]

I wouldn't consider winter tires on a hot day to be safe. If you're gonna buy a set of summer/all-seasons eventually, you might as well get them now.

A long time ago, I had a set of Pirelli Snowsport 210 on my E34 on an unseasonably hot day (~18 C) and braked hard for a squirrel. Not only did the car take a forever to stop, I also left a stupidly long set of tire marks (ABS didn't kick in during threshold braking). I should have just flattened the little bastard...

[Joshua]

Thanks guys. I guess you convinced me to get some all season or summer tires (Damnit!!) Any idea who's having promotions right now?

[cereal83]

My work car has winters year round and they don't wear super fast during the summer months at all. Normal wear is what I noticed. So far I have been 45000km on a set of winters and still have half thread on them!

[kat3501]

I think there might be an effect on your gas mileage too as winter tires generally can have a higher rolling resistance than all season.

[Impressive]

Winter tires wear faster in part because they are softer. You can go out and find a set of rock-hard winter tires & they won't wear down nearly as much, but will suck ass in the snow and on ice.

[Joshua]

I actually get better mileage from my winter tires than my all seasons! 50K more...

[kat3501]

What are your winter tires?
We have Gislaved Nordfrost 5s on one car and Michelin X-Ice2 on the other. Personally, I liked my old Hakkepelittas (sp?)

[standsideways]

I actually get better mileage from my winter tires than my all seasons! 50K more...

Im sure there is many more factors that gave you extra mileage.

What are you using for summer vs winter?

[Joshua]

Winter: Pirelli
All season: Maragoni

[Impressive]

Winter: Pirelli
All season: Maragoni

That's why.
Get a better set of all-season tires.

[Huronmak]

I'm still running my winters cause i'm just a lazy ass