Five out of ten people surveyed think tires are tires. (Okay, we made that statistic up).
But, if you were to ask your friends and family members about the importance of tires, some would probably tell you that a dedicated set of summer or winter tires is a waste. Others will likely tell you that they make all the difference.
So, who’s right? The answer falls somewhere in the middle, as you’ll see.
That said, we aren’t going to tell you that you absolutely need to buy summer tires. Instead, we’ll explain why summer tires can be advantageous to certain individuals. So, let’s put the rubber to the road and answer this common car care question once and for all.
How Climate & Temperature Affect Tires
Simply put, an area’s climate can have a huge impact on the type of tires you use in your vehicle. This is true in both cold and hot climates for different reasons.
- In Cold Weather: In areas where winters are cold, wet or snowy, and icy, having tires with sufficient tread depth as well as a tread pattern designed to optimize traction, grip, and peace-of-mind is important.
- In Hot Weather: In areas where summers are hot (and therefore roadways, too), having tires that are designed to provide maximum grip and traction is important. In areas where summers are hot and wet, this is even more true.
How Summer Tires Impact Performance
In both wet and dry heat, summer tires can provide the following benefits compared to all season tires:
- Increased overall grip and enhanced traction
- More grip when turning (making for a smoother cornering experience)
- Shorter stopping distances
This is no mistake; it’s by design. It’s all about the tread pattern and rubber compounds used!
Who Needs Summer Tires in California?
Here in the greater San Diego area, thanks to a Mediterranean climate, summers are mostly hot and dry. Rainy days are few and far between. Temps range from the low to high 60s for the low averages to the low to high 70s for the high averages.
Therefore, while you might be okay skipping the summer/UHP tires in favor of regular old all-season tires, it probably isn’t worth the gamble, especially if you:
- Drive a sports car like a MAZDA MX-5 Miata or another pre-owned Mazda model like a MAZDASPEED3 or Mazda RX-7. You’ll definitely want to fit your vehicle with summer tires for life in greater San Diego come June, July, and August!
- Are a parent driving a Mazda CX-70 or Mazda CX-90 who’s a stickler for safety. The gains you can experience in grip and stopping power (not to mention peace of mind) are priceless. Once you experience them, you’re unlikely to use all-season tires in the summer again.
How to Choose Tire Size
Once you know how to choose car tires based on weather and driving needs, it’s time to figure out your tire options. You don’t “choose” tire size, technically speaking, it chooses you. In other words, you will use a certain-sized tire based on your vehicle, or more specifically, its wheel size.
Need help reading tire sizes? Check out this handy article: “How to Read Tire Size and Determine What Fits Your Car.”
A wide variety of brands and tire models exist, and different trims of the same make and model vehicle may use different-sized tires. Therefore, we always recommend checking your vehicle owner’s manual for tire brand and size guidelines.
Better yet, check your driver’s side door jamb (most new vehicles also include a sticker somewhere in the driver’s side door jamb detailing the necessary tire size to use).
Did you know that some sports cars − especially those with RWD − actually use “staggered” wheels and tires, meaning the rear wheels are wider and bigger in diameter than the front wheels?
Purchase New Tires for Your MAZDA
Still need help deciding between tire types and weighing pros and cons? Read Consumer Reports’ Tire Buying Guide.
Thinking it’s time to swap out your all-season (or winter tires, if you’re moving to Cali from somewhere colder) for a dedicated set of summer/performance tires?
Visit our online Mazda tire center or contact one of our Mazda-certified service and parts pros for more help choosing the right set of tires.
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