The Pros & Cons of Summer Tires

If you’ve just purchased yourself a sports car, first of all, congratulations—we know you have a lot of fun ahead of you. Secondly, you’re probably wondering if you need a pair of summer tires, also known as performance tires. Depending on the model or trim you purchased, your vehicle might have come with summer tires, but it might have come with all-season. As a dedicated summer tire dealer, we here at McCluskey Chevrolet often work with customers who are trying to decide if summer tires make sense for their driving habits.

We find it worth mentioning that summer tires are also known as performance tires, given that many of the perks of these tires pertain to road performance. The reason they’re predominately called summer tires is that they are optimized for warm climates that don’t get more than the occasional rain shower. They can handle wet roads, but they won’t do well in places that regularly accumulate several inches of rain. Other than that, the focus of these tires truly is on their performance-enhancing abilities. Let’s take a look at the pros and cons of summer tires.

Pros of Summer Tires

First, let’s talk about the pros of summer tires, which mostly pertain to how they do in a performance environment.

They’re Best for Spirited Driving

Summer tires are designed to respond well when you’re taking tight corners, reaching high speeds, and coming to abrupt stops. You probably noticed by now that this sounds like track driving (or maybe regular road driving if you aren’t afraid of a traffic ticket). Some owners of performance vehicles—who also use their car as an everyday car—keep a pair of spare summer tires in their trunk that they swap to solely for the track, and they use all-season tires the rest of the time. The critical thing to know is if you need tires that respond well to spirited driving behaviors because those are going to be your summer tires.

Summer tires are also designed to work well with anti-lock braking technologies (ABS). This means that, in an emergency, the ABS will help your tires regain traction so that you can safely steer the vehicle. In a track setting, this feature can prevent major accidents.

Feeling Like You’re One With the Road

Summer tires have a lower profile than other types of tires. This creates better balance and aerodynamics. It also means you, as the driver, can really feel and hear the road beneath you, which can enhance the thrill and experience of performance driving. Additionally, their large block tread and rigid sidewalls enhance traction—in the correct setting, i.e. dry and mildly wet roads.

Many Summer Tires Are Run-Flat

With all-season or winter tires, if you get a puncture, you’ll need to pull over right away to fix it. However, most summer tires are run-flat tires, meaning they can continue to drive for up to 50 miles after a puncture. They have those stiff sidewalls we talked about to thank for that, which can actually support the weight of the vehicle, should the tire go flat, better than other tires can.

Naturally, if you are aware of a puncture, it is important to address it as quickly as possible. However, getting one in summer tires that are run-flat doesn’t pose as big of a risk of losing control of your vehicle as you would face with a flat in a different type of tire.

Great Fuel Economy

Summer tires have great fuel economy—when used in proper conditions. They boast something we call in the car world “low rolling resistance.” This basically just means that the vehicle doesn’t have to work as hard to move the car forward on summer tires as it does on other tires, creating better MPGs.

Do note again that this maximum fuel economy is only achieved under the right conditions. Alternatively, winter tires get the best fuel economy in winter conditions, due to the way they can power through slush and snow.

They Can Prevent Hydroplaning

Even though summer tires sound like they do best on sunny days, they actually have a specific tread pattern designed to expel water and prevent hydroplaning. So they can keep you safe in light rains.

Cons of Summer Tires

Now that we’ve covered the pros of summer tires, let’s go over the cons. There aren’t many—and if you plan on taking to the track often, performance tires are really your only option—but it’s important to be aware of them.

They Cost a Bit More

Summer tires do traditionally cost a bit more than other tire types. However, we are often running promotions and having sales on our tires, so buying your car a set of summer shoes might be more affordable than you think.

They Aren’t Ready for Winter

As their name implies, these tires are not meant for winter. Unlike winter tires, summer tires have a particular rubber that quickly hardens when it gets too cold. Once the temperatures drop below 45 degrees Fahrenheit, you will need to switch to winter tires. Continuing to use summer tires in such low temperatures puts the tires at risk of cracking. At the very least, they won’t get a good grip on the road.

They Can Be Louder

This can either be a pro or a con. On the track, you probably enjoy hearing the tires beneath you; it enhances the overall experience. However, when you’re on regular roads, summer tires can suddenly seem too noisy. Again, you might consider just using them on tracks and using all-season or winter tires (whichever is right for where you live) when off the track.
Summer tires aren’t really meant to enhance comfort—that’s what touring tires are for. So, these won’t be the tires you want to use for long drives, like road trips, as you’ll soon become fed-up with the noise.

They Don’t Last as Long

Summer tires do not last quite as long as other tire types. But, if you only use them on the track, that will extend their lifetime. Just keep in mind that you drive more aggressively on these tires than with other tires, so their tread wears down quicker.

Get Your Summer Tires Today

If you are aware of the right conditions for each tire type, and you keep up with important routine maintenance like tire rotations, you will get the best features of whichever tires you choose, and you will enhance their lifespan.

Visit us at McCluskey Chevrolet and our expert tire techs will be glad to help you decide if summer tires make sense for your driving plans. We carry tons of summer tires from top brand names, and our seasoned technicians know which ones are best for which model. We’re also regularly offering promotions, so you might just get a great deal on the best of the best summer tires.

Ultimately, if you do plan on hitting the track and making the most of your performance vehicle, you ought to have summer tires—either as your permanent tires or as a spare you keep in your trunk. Designed to grip the road during tight turns, handle short stopping distances, and get good traction at high speeds, they’re made for performance—hence why they’re also known as performance tires. It’s important to understand in which conditions these are at their best, as well as when you should not use them, in order to be safe on the road and prolong your tires’ lives. Visit us today, and let us get you equipped with a great set of tires.