Summer tires: the practical guide
An essential security feature
Everything you need to know about summer tires in Luxembourg:
The beginning of summer is fast approaching, and you are wondering if it's time to swap your winter tires for all-season tires or summer tires. But when is the ideal time to make the change, and how do you choose your summer tires wisely? In this practical guide, we discuss the features of summer tires and their advantages. We also provide you with all our expert advice on how to choose your next tires wisely.
When should the change be made in Luxembourg?
In Luxembourg, winter tires are mandatory as soon as the roads are icy, covered in ice, or snow. This rule applies to residents as well as foreign drivers. In case of non-compliance, a fine of €74 and vehicle immobilization are provided.
Although keeping winter tires all year round may seem economical, it is recommended to switch to summer tires as soon as temperatures exceed 7°C. The ideal period for this change is between April and May.
What are the advantages of summer tires?
These tires meet various safety criteria. Their advantages make them the optimal choice during the summer period.
Durability: The specific composition of summer tires provides them with greater resistance to hot weather driving conditions and extends their lifespan compared to all-season tires.
Braking distance: With a harder rubber, summer tires provide better safety (from 15°C) by requiring shorter braking distances than winter or all-season tires as illustrated below:
The design and manufacturing of summer tires are strictly regulated by quality standards to ensure the safety of motorists.
Driving with winter tires in summer: the risks you face
Driving with winter tires in the spring does not pose an immediate risk, except in case of unusually high temperatures. However, keeping them all summer long can lead to several inconveniences.
The rubber of winter tires softens under the effect of heat, which reduces their grip and increases braking distances. They also wear out faster, requiring earlier replacement. In addition, their rolling resistance being higher, they increase fuel consumption.
Switching to summer tires in the spring is therefore a more economical solution. This allows you to preserve winter tires for the following winter while benefiting from better driving comfort, less noise, and optimized road holding.
All-season tires: a few drawbacks
Faster wear: All-season tires wear out faster depending on driving style and terrain. For example, high summer temperatures will cause faster wear on all-season tires. Due to their premature wear, they will be less cost-effective and durable compared to a separate set of summer and winter/snow tires.
Performance: Even though they are designed to meet all usage conditions, all-season tires maintain an intermediate performance when it comes to braking. They indeed lack the speed and responsiveness compared to high-performance summer tires.
Consumption: With a higher rolling resistance than a high-performance summer tire, all-season tires inevitably cause higher fuel consumption, making them the least economical and least environmentally friendly solution.
How to store summer and winter tires?
To extend the lifespan of your tires, storage conditions must be taken into account. When storing the tires that have been removed when switching between sets, make sure they are kept in a place protected from moisture. The position in which you store the tires is also important. You can store them vertically to prevent the carcass from deforming. If the tires are mounted on rims, it is also possible to position them horizontally and stack them.
You can also leave your summer tires at your dealership when the season ends, and vice versa for your winter tires. In addition to our Pitstop service, Autopolis offers a storage service: we monitor the condition of your wheels and tires and notify you when the next tire change is due!
The tire workshop at Autopolis is at your disposal for changing your wheels as well as for all your tire needs.
