Quote:
Originally Posted by Schmed
But... the stock tires are actually decent for winter. If I'm doing a long trip and expect serious winter storms, I'll switch to the snow tires. Otherwise, the normal commute is good with stock tires.
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It is the temperature that matters.
Stock (summer) tyres in the UK are advertised as being OK down to +7 degrees centigrade. When the temperature falls below that the manufacturers state that the rubber compound hardens and the braking distance lengthens giving the potential for an accident. Additional when it is wet the braking distance increases, thereby compounding the problem.
On the continent in many countries, it is mandatory to have winter tyres fitted after a certain date (forgotten exactly) even when there is no snow.