In Austria, the rule for changing from winter to summer tires is that winter tires are mandatory from November to April when winter conditions prevail. As soon as temperatures regularly exceed 7°C, you should switch to summer tires. But does this make sense?
Why change tires?
Changing from winter tires to summer tires ensures better driving characteristics at higher temperatures. Summer tires have a harder rubber compound, which provides more grip on warm roads, shortens braking distances and reduces fuel consumption. Winter tires, on the other hand, wear out more quickly in summer conditions and offer less grip.
Does changing tires make sense for a fleet?
Yes, changing tires makes sense, especially for fleets, to ensure safety and efficiency. Worn winter tires increase the risk of accidents and fuel consumption. Changing tires also avoids costs caused by excessive tire wear.
Is it allowed to drive with winter tires in Austria in summer?
There is no legal regulation that prohibits the use of winter tires in summer, but there is a safety-related question. As already mentioned, winter tires have a softer rubber compound and a deeper tread, which can lead to faster wear and poorer road grip in hot summer temperatures. In addition, fuel consumption increases as winter tires have a higher rolling resistance.
In the event of an accident with winter tires in summer temperatures, this could even have an impact on the insurance company’s liability, as the tire conditions do not meet the requirements for safe driving in warm weather. It is therefore not advisable to drive with winter tires in the summer months, even if this is not legally prohibited.
How does GPS fleet software help manage tire changes?
Managing a fleet of vehicles can be a challenge, especially when it comes to changing tires on time. To ensure that no deadlines are missed, GPS Fleet software can be a great help. Among other things, our software solution also offers a reminder function that reminds fleet managers in good time of the upcoming change from winter tires to summer tires. By planning in good time, you can also avoid unnecessary costs due to worn tires or safety risks.
The GPS Fleet software provides a central overview of all vehicle data so that tasks such as tire changes can be integrated into the overall operation without the fleet getting out of sync.
