Truck owners living in areas that experience the winter season are usually in a dilemma if it is possible to continue using winter tires during other seasons. Unfortunately, it is not advisable to use winter tires throughout the year. Doing this will be costly and can interfere with the performance of your truck.
Tire makers offer various types of tires suitable for every season. When buying tires for your truck, factors such as season, driving style, and performance will determine the type of tire suitable for your truck. Never use winter tires throughout the year for various reasons.
What Are Winter Tires?
Winter tires offer better traction when temperatures go below -1°C. Such tires are made of unique soft rubber, making them flexible and better conform to slippery roads. They also have deeper treads with unique designs, making them ideal for the winter season.
Why Your Truck Should Not Run On Winter Tires Throughout the Year
The unique design of winter tires allows them to perform better during winter. When the season changes and it becomes warmer, you will no longer need soft and deeper tread tires. These are some reasons why you should remove winter tires after the winter season.
Winter Tires Wear Out Very Fast on Dry Pavement & Warm Temperature
The soft and flexible rubber of winter tires increases traction. As temperatures increase, the soft rubber and the treads wear out quickly. All-season and summer tires are designed to withstand harsh summer temperatures and offer a long service life.
Reduced Fuel Economy
The soft and sticky compounds of winter tires offer a higher rolling resistance. Rolling resistance is the energy that gets lost when tires are rolling, and the energy loss results from tire deformation. Winter tires wear out faster, and their rolling resistance is 15% higher during warmer seasons, which increases fuel consumption.
Stopping Might Not Be Instant
Winter tires have more tread blocks in comparison to all-season or summer tires. These tread blocks are softer and flexible. During hot seasons the flexible designs of winter tires increase the stopping distance.
Whether all-season or winter tires, high temperatures make tire treads flexible and have a greasy feel due to the dissolution of the chemical components. If the temperature goes beyond 30°C, winter tires will start to marble which is dangerous because the rubber balls formed will spin under the wheels.
Winter Tires Are Effective at Lower Temperature Range
Some truck owners may save much money using winter tires throughout the year. It’s because of an assumption that winter is an extreme season, and a tire that can handle it can handle any season. Winter tires have flexible treads below the freezing mark. In comparison, summer tires with smooth tread blocks to offer a maximum surface area grip, while winter tires have softer compound tread blocks that make them effective in freezing seasons.
Conclusion,
Before swapping your truck tires, consider the thickness of the tire treads. Tire manufacturers recommend a minimum tread depth of 6/32 during winter. You should consider buying new tires if your tread depth is below the minimum.