Summer tyres

Your complete guide for Hertfordshire roads

The sun’s finally out, your car’s begging for a wash, and those winter tyres are looking out of place. Time to switch to summer rubber? If you’re driving around Hertfordshire’s mix of country lanes and busy A-roads, here’s what you need to know.

What exactly are summer tyres?

Summer tyres aren’t just «not winter tyres». They’re specifically designed for:

• Warmer temperatures (consistently above 7°C)
• Wet & dry roads – Deeper grooves channel rainwater better than all-season tyres
• Longer wear – Softer compounds grip better when it’s warm

Key difference: Check the tread pattern. Summer tyres have more longitudinal grooves for water dispersion, unlike the zigzag cuts of winter tyres.

The 20-second check: Do you need them?

Ask yourself:

• Is your commute mostly urban? (Potters Bar to London = ideal for summers)
• Do you park underground / indoors? (No risk of surprise frost)
• Can you store a second set? (If not, all-seasons might be simpler)

Surprising fact: Even in UK summers, morning temps can dip below 7°C. But unless you’re in rural Hertfordshire at 5am daily, summer tyres still outperform all-seasons.

Hertfordshire’s summer tyre test spots

Some local roads perfectly reveal why summer tyres shine:

• The A414 curve near Hatfield – Sudden summer downpours need quick water clearance
• Potters Bar high street – Frequent stop-start wears softer compounds evenly
• Bricket Wood country lanes – Dry cornering at 50mph feels planted

Watch out for: Gravel on rural roads. Summer tyres pick up more stones than rugged all-terrains.

When to switch 

Best time: When overnight lows stay above 7°C (usually April-October here).

Wait if:

• You’re near Ashwell where frost lingers in shady spots
• Your tyres are below 3mm tread (summer tyres lose wet grip faster when worn)

Myth buster: «You can’t use summer tyres in spring showers». Actually, their wet braking often beats all-seasons above 10°C.