Driving in the snow with summer tires, the risks
You've probably managed to do it: drive in the snow with summer tires. You're certainly not the only one. And that's not surprising. The Dutch weather is impossible to make head or tail of. One week it's twenty degrees with sunshine and the next week it looks like a winter wonderland in your garden. That's why many people don't think about changing their summer tires for winter tires in time. Or they know that it's actually time for winter tires, but wonder whether they wouldn't be better off saving the money and effort by just leaving the summer tires on the car. But one thing is for sure: driving with summer tires in the snow is anything but smart. In this blog you can read everything you need to know about it.
Why is it better not to drive in the snow with summer tires?
Summer tires have shallower grooves in their tread than winter tires, making it harder for them to get into the snow. Instead of maintaining traction on the snow by holding it between the tread blocks (as winter tires do), summer tires compress the snow and make the contact patch even more slippery.
In addition, summer tires are harder than winter tires, because they contain less natural rubber. At winter temperatures below 7 °C, this stiffness of the tires can become a problem. Because the colder it gets, the stiffer the tires become and the greater the chance of cracking. If you drive with summer tires in the snow, you run the risk of damaging your tires. Read more here about how you can be held liable in the event of an accident abroad when you drive without winter tires.
Do you always need winter tires in winter?
In the Netherlands, you are not required to use winter tires in the winter, but it is wise. Using summer tires in winter conditions is dangerous and increases the risk of damaged tires. If a really mild winter is coming, you can still get away with all-season tires. However, these are not suitable for extreme winter conditions. This is mainly because they brake more slowly than winter tires and thus pose a safety risk. However, winter conditions can also surprise you on the road. Read here what you need to do to get your car out of the snow when you are snowed in..
Are winter tires always safer?
Winter tires are in winter not always safer than summer tires. This is because they have slightly less grip on dry roads than summer tires at temperatures above zero. Only at temperatures below zero and in winter conditions such as snow and ice are you better off with winter tires. But since there is a big chance that you will encounter these kinds of conditions during a Dutch winter, it is advisable to choose winter tires. It is very risky to drive with summer tires in the snow.
Risks of driving with summer tires in the snow
We actually mentioned them at the beginning of the blog, but what are the biggest risks of driving with summer tires in the snow? We list them for you:
Risk of skidding and other accidents
Summer tires and all-season tires have an increased risk of skidding when turning, accelerating and braking due to their composition. In addition, summer tires have low rolling resistance, which ensures long braking distances on ice or snow. So if you are driving in the snow with summer tires and something or someone suddenly appears on the road, it will take you longer to brake and the chance of an accident is greater.
Risk of damage due to cold temperatures
Summer tires are not made for cold weather. The treads of the tires will stiffen in snow and other winter conditions. This not only creates a danger on the road, but also a risk of damage to the tire itself. For example, the summer tires can lose their elasticity and can tear.
Tips on how to drive in the snow
Now that we have told you that it is better not to drive in the snow with summer tires, we would like to give you a few more tips about driving in the snow. The most important thing when driving in the snow is to stay calm. Always stay focused on the road and keep both hands on the steering wheel.
Some additional tips for driving in the snow:
– Always remove snow and ice from the windows before driving away;
– Drive more calmly than normal;
– Allow a greater braking distance than normal;
– Always look far enough ahead to be able to brake in time;
– Brake gently and smoothly;
– Do not use cruise control (it is not designed for driving on slippery road surfaces).
If you have a winter trip planned and you are not sure whether your tires are winter and snow proof, choose a car rental in Sittard at Adrem Limburg. We ensure that you can always hit the road safely!
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