Seasonal tires need to be changed twice a year - at least if you don't use all-season tires. But according to a study, they are becoming increasingly popular.
Changing tires seasonally is certainly not one of the greatest joys of the year for most car owners. First of all, it is important to decide on the right time for the change. Anyone who has their tires changed by professionals often has problems finding an appointment at the workshop during peak times in spring and autumn. Changing the tires yourself is of course also possible - but for many people it's simply too strenuous. However, you should never drive with winter tires in summer - and especially not the other way around. One solution could be all-season tires, which according to a study are becoming increasingly popular.
Survey: More than 60 percent of Germans can imagine switching to all-season tires
More than 60 percent of Germans can imagine switching to all-season tires - this was the result of a survey by the market research company Civey on behalf of the tire manufacturer
Michelin.
When asked about a possible change, 61.1 percent of all respondents answered "yes", 33.5 percent answered "no" - 4.9 percent were undecided. Although the study did not show a real north-south divide, it was noticeable that drivers in federal states with milder winters - such as North Rhine-Westphalia - are more likely to consider all-season tires (71.7 percent). In federal states that tend to require winter tires, respondents were less open to all-season tires: for example in Bavaria (50.7 percent) and Thuringia (58 percent).
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Sales of all-season tires increased significantly last year
In fact, the willingness to change to all-season tires is also reflected in retail. According to a statement from the
Federal Association of Tires and Vulcanization Crafts (BRV),
sales of all-season tires increased by 11.6 percent in 2023. However, you have to carefully consider whether you really want to switch - because all-season tires are not suitable for every driving profile. It is very convenient to be able to forego the seasonal tire change - and you also save money because you can do without a second set of tires and rims. Nevertheless: If you regularly drive in snowy areas, it is better to use real winter tires. They are certainly an option for people who mainly travel in the city and can sometimes do without a car in extreme winter situations.
Tread depth and air pressure: Regular checks are important
No matter what type of tire you ultimately choose: there should definitely be enough tread on the tire - you can easily check the tread depth with a coin. For safety reasons, you should definitely avoid driving a tire down to the legal minimum tread depth of 1.6 millimeters. An ADAC test some time ago showed how dangerous it is to drive with worn tires. Equally important and often neglected: the correct tire pressure, which should be checked regularly.