As residents of the Okanagan we know all too well about the major swing in seasonal temperatures and driving conditions. Just as it’s important to ensure you’re using winter tires in the colder seasons, it’s important to change over to summer tires in the warmer months to continue to drive as safely as possible from work to school or during those summer road trips. Summer tires are made of special compounds and specific tread designs to ensure high grip and better handling on clear roads – they’re also built to last longer on warmer roads, so you can save your winter tires for when it counts. Now is the time to start preparing for summer- get your summer tires today at Kelowna Toyota.

The Difference Summer Tires Make

Summer tires may look similar to winter or all-season tires, however they are engineered specifically for the temperatures and conditions of summer.
Advanced Compound
  • Summer tires are made of a harder compound in order to keep their grip in warmer temperatures as well as increase durability.
  • They also contain less silica (which acts like sand) to make the tires resist higher temperatures from both the environment and excess heat from running at constant high speeds.

Siping and Treads Another advantage of summer tires are hairline cuts in the tire treads called siping.
  • The siping acts to grip the road while displacing water. These treads are specifically designed to maintain contact with the road when rain is present, but don’t need large gaps for siphoning snow or sleet like winter tires.
  • Finally, the less-aggressive tread on summer tires is designed to maximize safety while increasing performance handling.

What About All-Season Tires?

All-season tires fall just short of being optimal for our warmer driving conditions in the summer. Although all-season tires are designed to handle both wet and dry conditions, they are made of a softer compound that doesn’t handle as well as summer tires as well as lasting a shorter amount of time. When it comes to the tread patterns, all-season tires are designed to be “OK” in as many temperatures as possible, rather than being the optimal choice. Using all-season tires in the summer will result in decreased performance as well as lowered cornering and braking capabilities.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long should I keep my summer tires on for?
It is recommended you keep summer tires on until temperatures drop below 7°C. For us Canadians that typically translates to putting them on some time during April/May – when we are lucky.



Can I store my all-season or winter tires at your store?
Yes, you are welcome to store your all-season or winter tires with us during the summer season for your convenience. For more info call our Parts department to arrange this at (250) 491-2475



Can I just replace the two front or back tires?
You should replace all 4 tires when switching to a summer tire regardless if your vehicle is front-wheel-drive, rear-wheel-drive, or all-wheel-drive. Transport Canada notes that without changing all 4 tires, you can expect unsafe handling and dangerous stability issues.



Do I need to get a wheel alignment when changing to a summer tire?
Nope! If you wheel alignment in general, a summer tire swap is a great time to perform one – but you’ll never have to perform an alignment due to a tire change.



Get Your Summer Tires Today


Knowing the difference between Summer and all-season tires is important to know the facts about driving safely for local conditions. While all-season tires compromise handling and braking capabilities, summer tires are designed to maximize safety and performance even at hotter temperatures. A proper tread design and siping further help grip the the roads during our interior rain storms, keeping you and your passengers as safe as possible. Get your next set of summer tires at Kelowna Toyota today, you can find us at 1200 Leathead Rd, Kelowna, BC V1X 2K4 where our expert Service Staff will be able to assist you in finding the perfect set of tires for your vehicle. If you have any questions concerning summer tires or staying safe in your car this season, give us a call at (250) 491-2475.