The spring weather here can't decide if it wants to be 85 or 33, so I'm still riding my winter tires (Conti WinterContact TS810 SSR 195/45 16). I will be swapping back to summer tires (Bridgestone Potenza RE 05A 205/45 17) soon, but have a rookie question.

When is it time to change? Other than the fact that my winter tires will wear faster as the weather finally gets warmer, is there any other "risk" of leaving winters on as the temps start hitting 85? I have to put on some highway miles next week and don't want summer tires on if I'm driving in the 30s again.

Thanks for any input.

 

Change the tires in mid to late May or about 2 weeks.

No need to wait for 80 degree weather.

No sense to wear out the winter tires unless it's still below 50.

Makes sense to have All Season tires for the transitional weather of the spring and fall.

That is, All Seasons for most of the year and winter tires for snow.

 

Thanks. That's the cut-off I was wondering about. (edit: it's been staying below 50 much of this spring.)

Good idea. I'll keep that in mind as I thinkabout replacing summer performance tires.

 

"babydoc" as in pediatrician?,

I'm a "skindoc".

Reason for 50 is arbitrary. Weather can shift easily 20-25 degrees even in May. If it's 50 and a cold front arrives there could be ice and subfreezing temperatures (not even snow) and that would be ugly for a summer tire which do ok down to about 40-45 degrees.

If you don't really need high grip for performance driving you can still get a very good tire looking at Ultra High Performance All Season tires. Some have a good balance of handling wet or dry, comfort for street use, long treadwear and reasonable prices (although some are very expensive since they do most of these very well).

Those that like performance and don't mind a little firmer ride could consider Goodyear Eagle F1 All Season. Those that want more balance but don't mind higher prices could consider Bridgestone Potenza RE960AS or Yokohama Advan S.4.

Those that want good value could consider Falken Ziex Ze-912. One owner has noted that he didn't think they did well under 40 degrees.

 

That would be correct!

What I need and what I want are often two different things! The reality is that I am not a "performance" driver, and my MINI is a daily driver, never on the track, no autocross to be found for hundreds of miles. Despite that, she IS a MINI and deserves to have tires worthy of her heritage!

My almost-worn Potenzas will go back on next week, and I'll ponder the 912s vs F1 AS, or the General Exclaims...

I've known nothing but runflats since I got the car last summer. I don't think the "firmer ride" would bother me at all!

Thanks again for your insight.

 

I have Nokian winters and General UHP exclaims for summer - The exclaims have gotten me through some slush this Spring with no problem.

I am in Calgary, Alberta, Canada so we can get snow up until the end of May -

My Exclaims are on now and seem to be handling the transition season well due to wet weather capabilities of the tire, one of the main reasons I purchased them + the price!

 

I've driven on Blizzaks for a week in the summer while waiting for a set of damaged rims to be replaced... They squealed at parking lot speeds. LOL