Winter, summer or all-season tyres: which do you need?
The right answer depends on your winters, your mileage and whether you can store a second set. Here is the honest breakdown, including the 7 degree rule that decides most of it.
Summer tyres
Best grip, braking and precision above 7 degrees, wet or dry, and the longest life in warm climates. The wrong tool below 7 degrees: the compound hardens and grip falls away.
Winter tyres
Soft cold-weather compound and sipes that bite into snow and ice. Transform braking below 7 degrees and are the only safe choice in real snow. Wear quickly in warm months.
All-season tyres
One set, no storage, no swap costs. Modern all-seasons are genuinely good in mild winters, and many carry the Alpine symbol. They give away a little to each specialist in its own season.
The 7 degree rule
Below roughly 7 degrees Celsius, summer tyre compounds harden and lose grip even on dry roads, while winter compounds stay soft and keep biting. Above 7 degrees the reverse is true: winter tyres squirm, wear fast and brake longer. If your winters sit reliably below 7 degrees for weeks at a time, two sets or proper winter tyres pay for themselves in braking distance alone.
Legal note: several countries, including Germany and Austria, require winter-rated tyres (Alpine symbol) in wintry conditions, and fines apply without them. Check the rules where you drive in winter.
The honest recommendation
Mild-winter, city driving with modest mileage: quality all-seasons are the sensible single-set answer. Regular snow, mountain routes or a legal requirement: run dedicated winter tyres in the cold months and summers the rest of the year. High annual mileage on fast roads: dedicated summers plus winters outperform and often outlast a single all-season set. Whatever you choose, fit the same type on all four wheels.
Common questions
Are all-season tyres good enough for snow?
For occasional light snow, a quality all-season with the Alpine (3PMSF) symbol copes well. For regular snow, ice or mountain driving, dedicated winter tyres brake and climb measurably better.
When should I switch to winter tyres?
When daytime temperatures settle below about 7 degrees Celsius, commonly October to Easter in central Europe. Book the swap early: fitters are busiest right after the first cold snap.
What is the Alpine symbol on a tyre?
The three-peak mountain and snowflake (3PMSF) mark means the tyre passed a standardised snow test. It is what winter-tyre laws recognise; the older M+S marking alone is being phased out of legal recognition.
Is it worth paying for tyre storage?
If you run two sets and have no dry garage space, many workshops store the off-season set for a small fee, including checking them before refitting. It also protects tyres from UV and temperature swings that age rubber.
Compare all three types for your car
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