Tread and material make the difference
Depending on the season, seasonal tyres also offer other features. What exactly do they do? Where is the difference?
The secret is a combination of the tread and the material. Closer examination of the tyres reveals the following: The treads are formed differently. Winter tyres have a particularly deep tread thickness. The deep tread grooves can take hold of the snow and improve grip as a result. Numerous little cutouts – also known as lamellae – also help achieve this effect. Summer tyres do not require these. They have a lower tread height instead, meaning a larger surface area is in contact with the road. This improves driving comfort on dry roads, as well as braking.
Another special feature of seasonal tyres is the particular rubber compound. Winter tyres have a particularly high proportion of natural rubber. The tyre is softer and, as a result, offers stable traction. Summer tyres contain less natural rubber and are therefore not quite so soft. This means they provide better grip during milder temperatures. As the weather gets colder, summer tyres become more rigid and therefore unstable. When temperatures fall below seven degrees Celsius, it is better to use winter tyres.
