Winter tires are typically better below about 45F/7C, regardless of conditions and certainly not just snow. Summer tires are superior in warmer temperatures, naturally. Breaking performance and handling are improved, both related to safety and not just “enthusiast performance.”
It’s been suggested to me that it’s a “wash” in cost to slightly cheaper to run both winter and summer tires at appropriate times in the years for climates that have the temperature variability; particularly if you manage to get a set of tires already mounted on compatible wheels on like Craigslist or something.
I’ll take the improved safety and performance any time.
Winter tires are typically better below about 45F/7C, regardless of conditions and certainly not just snow. Summer tires are superior in warmer temperatures, naturally. Breaking performance and handling are improved, both related to safety and not just “enthusiast performance.”
It’s been suggested to me that it’s a “wash” in cost to slightly cheaper to run both winter and summer tires at appropriate times in the years for climates that have the temperature variability; particularly if you manage to get a set of tires already mounted on compatible wheels on like Craigslist or something.
I’ll take the improved safety and performance any time.