When to Change to Summer Tyres: A Spring Guide

The sun's coming out, and there are already queues outside the tyre shops. But when to change to summer tyres? That's the question. Don't go by the calendar. Go by the temperature. And before you put your summer tyres back on, there are a few things I want you to check. Trust me, it's worth it.

When is it time to change to summer tyres?

Summer tyres work best when temperatures stay consistently above 7°C. Below that, the rubber starts to harden and the tyres lose grip. So don't rush out to change them at the first sign of March sunshine. Wait until those freezing mornings are behind you.

What should you check before fitting your summer tyres?

Tread depth — the legal minimum is 1.6 mm, but once you're below 3 mm, your stopping distance on wet roads gets noticeably longer.
Manufacturing date — tyres age even when they're sitting in the garage. After five or six years, the rubber starts to harden.
Check the tyre sidewalls for cracks and bulges.
Uneven wear — if one side of a tyre is wearing faster than the other, you could have a problem with the wheel alignment or shock absorbers.

Tyre and suspension inspection at Das Auto Service

What should you do after changing your tyres?

After a few days of driving, check the tyre pressures again.
If your car has TPMS, reset it using the correct procedure or wait for the system to relearn automatically.
If your steering wheel isn't straight or the car pulls to one side, get the wheel alignment checked.

How should you store your winter tyres properly?

Give them a thorough wash to remove all the salt and mud.
Put them in tyre bags to keep them protected.
Find somewhere dry, dark and cool to store them.
If they're off the wheels, store them upright. If they're still fitted to the wheels, lay them flat or hang them up.

Please don't drive around on winter tyres all summer thinking, "I'll just wear them out." On hot tarmac, your stopping distance gets longer and the tyres wear out much faster. It's simply not worth it.

A tip from Kris Mladenov: Before you take your winter tyres off, mark where each one was fitted with a piece of chalk. Next time you change them, swap the front and rear positions. That way, they'll wear more evenly.

If it's time to put your summer tyres back on, come and see us at Das Auto Service. We'll check their condition, tyre pressures and TPMS. We'll also see whether your car needs a wheel alignment. I want you driving away knowing everything's right with your car. That's what matters to me.