Summer Tyres from National

Summer tyres can be used throughout the hot summer months, providing extra grip and performance on hot road surfaces. We have a wide range of summer tyres available for every vehicle, so you can use the search tool above to find the correct summer tyres for your car.

What are summer tyres?

Summer tyres are designed to work in hotter conditions, allowing for more grip on hot road surfaces. They offer a different tread pattern, allowing optimal performance in temperatures above 7 degrees celcius.

Summer tyres are made from a soft rubber compound, which offers more grip and traction in warmer conditions. Combined with a minimal tread pattern, summer tyres offer excellent handling in wet and dry conditions. This is due to the tyre providing better contact with the road surface and offering more grip.

Find summer tyres online today

Enter your vehicle registration number in the ‘search by registration’ box to purchase summer tyres. Alternatively, you can search for your tyres by entering the tyre size below that box.

If you require any support finding a tyre, you can contact us via our help centre.

What makes summer tyres different to winter or all-season tyres?

There are a few key differences between summer tyres and normal tyres. One of the key differences is a softer tyre compound. A softer compound allows for better grip and handling in warmer conditions and will maintain a high level of grip in both wet and dry weather conditions.

Another difference is the tread pattern. Summer tyres offer a simple tread pattern, with fewer grooves than all-season or winter tyres. This allows the summer tyre to have a larger contact area with the road surface, meaning it can provide improved traction, alongside better braking ability.

These two factors allow summer tyres to perform better in warm conditions when compared to all-season and winter tyres. If driving in cooler conditions for a prolonged period of time, we would recommend switching to either all-season or winter tyres.

There are many advantages to using summer tyres in hotter conditions:

Summer tyres offer improved grip levels, allowing for better traction and handling when driving in warmer conditions
The softer tyre compound allows for a more comfortable ride, as they can absorb vibrations better than stiffer winter tyres, and also don’t make as much noise whilst driving
Improved rolling resistance will lead to better fuel economy, as well as the tyres being more durable and lasting longer
Great performance in wet and dry conditions, due to the thin tread pattern
The softer tyre compound allows for excellent car control, providing maximum driving performance

All the advantages of summer tyres are in temperatures above 7 degrees celcius. If the temperature is below that, you should look to use either all-season tyres or winter tyres.

When should summer tyres be used in the UK?

Summer tyres should be used when temperatures are consistently above 7 degrees celcius. This is usually between the months of April and September. It is important to wait until the temperature consistently stays above 7 degrees before switching to summer tyres, as the soft compound won’t provide as much grip in the cooler temperatures.

Can summer tyres be used all year round?

Summer tyres can be used all year round however if temperatures are consistently below 7 degrees celsius, your vehicle would be better suited to all-season or winter tyres. Summer tyres will perform well in wet or dry, so their only limiting factor is temperature dependent.

Can summer tyres be used in winter?

Yes, summer tyres can be used in the winter if temperatures are regularly above 7 degrees celsius. However, if temperatures are consistently below this, you would be better suited to winter or all-season tyres. The thinner tread pattern of summer tyres will become clogged easily, and therefore you will notice a major loss in grip and performance. The softer tyre compound will also not perform as well as the harder winter tyre compound, which could reduce your fuel efficiency and handling ability.

Summer driving advice

There are a few key things to remember when driving during summer to ensure maximum safety on the road.

Check car fluid levels

Car engines are prone to overheating during summer. Therefore, you should check that your car has sufficient engine coolant, engine oil and windscreen wiper fluid. Coolant is vital for your engine during summer, as it will prevent it from overheating when idle. Engine oil will ensure your engine runs smoothly and prevent a breakdown, whilst wiper fluid will clear your windscreen and prevent any sun glare.

Keep water in your car

If you’re planning a long journey, make sure you have plenty of drinking water in your car. This will help you stay hydrated, and therefore more alert whilst driving.

Check your tyres

Before starting any journey, you should check your tyres. Tyres with existing issues are more likely to blow out in the hot weather. Therefore, you should always check your tyre pressure and tread depth to prevent a puncture or blowout.

Check your driving route

In extreme heat, some road surfaces may become unsafe to drive on. This could be down to a part of the road falling away or some of the tarmac melting. It’s always worth checking your route online before travelling, as you don’t want to be stuck in traffic in the heat.

Check your wiper blades

When the sun shines on a dirty windscreen, visibility can be significantly reduced. Therefore, it’s crucial to check your wiper blades are sufficiently cleaning the windscreen. There should be no streaks or smearing, allowing you to have full visibility even when the sun is shining directly on your windscreen.