I have all season Nokian Weatherproof tyres on my van. They do lower the economy slightly, by about 2mpg overall, but it isn't a major issue for me doing around 10k miles per year. If your friends has full on winter tyres, i'd be inclined to change them to all season tyres. If that is what they are now, for someone doing 3k miles per year, you'd struggle to notice the difference in fuel costs.

But if your friend drives hard, it would probably be a good idea to use summer tyres as the winter or all season tyres will wear faster and provide less grip (esp if full winters)

The tyres are Ovation W586. Never heard of them and never had or needed winter tyres myself. Here on the south coast, we're unlucky if we see more than half a dozen frosty mornings a year.

The normal thing would be to have a set of summer tyres as well, but with her low mileage, either set would perish before they wore out. These Ovations are Chinese and wouldn't be on my shopping list, but they are wearing well, aren't too noisy and are adequate for her style of driving.

P.S. Tyre pressures were all ok.

Edited by Chris M on 28/05/2019 at 17:55

So does it matter?

Most insurers will permit the use of winter tyres during the months of November through March with no additional premium but they have to be of the spec approved by the manufacturers which is in most cases a smaller diameter rim with perhaps a lower speed rating.

But use winter tyres during the summer months and have an accident you could possibly find yourself without comprehensive cover.

I suggest your friend calls her insurers to find out what they will allow.