Should I use winter tyres in the summer?

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Should I use winter tyres in the summer?

Aviva has told me that I don't need to tell them I have fitted cold weather tyres, but I understand that other insurers do require it. A colleague told me that winter tyres might be illegal in the summer because you can have a lower speed rating for winter tyres. Have you heard anything about that?

Asked on 28 December 2013 by RN, via email

Answered by Honest John

Depends on the tyres. Technology has moved on. A lot of winter tyres are now suitable for year-round use, and compromise ‘all-weather tyres’ now perform as well in the winter as full ‘cold weather’ tyres do. Obviously the tyre industry does not want people to know that because it would rather sell them two sets of tyres.

Tags: wheels and tyres winter tyres all-weather tyres

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