Many drivers purchase all-season tires thinking that they will provide good performance in all seasons. The designers of all-season tires traded some advantages like the ability to grip the road in wet weather in order to gain mobility in snow. They did this so that drivers wouldn’t have to change their tires in icy weather, but in Florida, it never snows. A great summer tire could be used all year round.
Specific Driving Needs for Floridians
Though summer tires (also known as high performance tires) will not give you good traction in snowy weather, they do provide much better traction in damp or rainy weather. The rubber compound will harden in colder temps though and be dangerous. The bottom line is to figure out your own driving habits. For those who rarely drive up north during the winter, a summer tire could be used year-round. Those who are concerned and not sure would be better off with an all-season tire.
If you’ve decided to go ahead and put summer tires on your car, it may be tough to find the right tires for your vehicle. As mentioned above, it most often boils down to your own driving habits. Do you spend a lot of time on the highway driving at high speeds? Or do you mostly drive around the city?
The Budget
You’ll also need to consider your budget. If you’re trying to stay under $150 per tire, then consider brands like Dunlop, BFGoodrich and Nitto. If you can spend a bit more, then brands like Goodyear and Michelin offer well-made summer tires that will give you many miles of excellent use.
Sticky Summer Tires
A good summer tire is constructed of a rubber formula that softens on warm pavement or gets sticky. The tread pattern will usually expel water on wet pavement and provide good road grip in either warm or rainy weather. Since the rubber is softer, these tires often wear out faster unless you spend more and get a really good brand, something over $200 per tire. Summer tires do provide better handling, braking and acceleration as long as you don’t drive in cold weather.
If you are still not sure on how to choose the right summer tires for your vehicle, give us a call at (561) 847-4097. Deals on Wheels has a huge inventory of new & used tires in West Palm Beach, FL. Our expert mechanics can assist you in choosing the right summer tires for your vehicle based on several factors such as driving routine, frequent areas where you drive, etc. We are located at 3292 Shawnee Ave #9 West Palm Beach, Florida. We’d be happy to see you at our shop!