Winter vs. cross-climate tyres - confused

[Letstrysomethingnew]

So I asked the local chain tyre place to quote for and then fit Winter tyres and they offered Michelin, which sounded fine.

They made a massive fuss when I wanted my summer tyres back afterwards, telling me I didn't need them which was weird, I kept telling them I'd had winters tyres for years on my previous car and always got my tyres back to store for next time.

I've now googled and they've fitted Michelin cross-climate 2 tyres, which are all-season, not winter tyres. I think they're supposed to be left on all year, but I've no idea if they'd be safe in a British heatwave, or if they're even good enough to act as winter tyres (we live at the top of a hill in Yorkshire, where the gritting is done by tractor).

The tyre place were terrible in almost every respect, so even if I asked them I doubt they'd give me a straight answer. Can anyone enlighten me please?

Bump?

I’ve recently been down this rabbit hole but I’m no expert… My understanding is that they are winter tires and good for snow because they have the 3 peak mountain symbol but they’re also considered cross climate so fine to drive on in summer. I’d consider that a win-win. You could switch to prolong longevity, since you already own the other tires, but you don’t have to if you can’t be bothered.

Where I live we have to fit winter tyres. I’ve always thought that winter tyres have a different rubber compound which is better when it is under 7°C.
We get around 35° in the summer and it often goes down to -10° so I prefer to have the two types of tyres for my car.
Plus I live rurally and roads aren’t always cleared quickly.

interesting article here:
https://www.barum-tyres.com/car/experts-advice/all-season-or-winter-tyres/

I live in a country where summer and winter tyres are mandatory. Winter tyres wear more quickly - so they become unsafe with too low tread quicker than summer tyres.
maybe that helps?

I have a tyre guy because I go through a lot of tyres. He fitted same tyres as you had because nowadays cross climate are almost if not as good as snow tyres. I have them all year around and they are fab. You don’t need to switch back in summer.

rotate them annually - switch front left and back right and vice versa. Makes them last longer and wear evenly

I have 2 sets of wheels - one with Winter tyres on and one with Summer. I swap to the Winter ones in Nov and back to the Summer ones at about Easter. As I understand it the biggest issue with driving on winter tyres when you don't need them is that they are made from a softer compound and wear out more quickly especially on hot roads. There's also some impact on fuel efficiency.
Whilst I am no expert, I would think that the all season tyres are a bit of a compromise - softer compound than standard Summer tyres but not as soft as full on Winter ones. From what I have read, they should be ok in all but really bad winter road conditions but they won't be quite as good as standard winter tyres and in Summer they will wear a bit quicker and possibly affect handling slightly but not as much as driving on Winter tyres in the Summer. So you'll probably be ok, but it might be worth getting some chains or snow socks to have on standby just in case of more severe weather - might be cheaper than changing the tyres now you've got them?

They've got great reviews
https://www.michelin.co.uk/auto/tyres/michelin-crossclimate-2

And yes designed so you don't have to swap between summer and winter tyres so they're fine in all weathers. We sell a lot of them at work and they're popular

I have the cross climate on my car and they are great, good in bad weather and I leave them on year round with no issues.

Yep, I have cross climates all year round. Live very rural.

I have the same climate as @Boredatthemoment so I'm worried that they won't be safe at 35deg in high summer - and that they won't be hard core enough in really bad weather. And I'm over six hundred quid down including fitting. Aaaargh, bloody tyre place!

@Chipsahoy does your tyre guy reckon they're safe in a heatwave? (I wish I had a tyre guy!)

I also live very rurally in Yorkshire and chose Michelin Cross Climate 2 Tyres after doing masses of research. They are very highly rated.

I love them. Great road holding Summer and Winter, even in the snow drifts and ice in the Dale. Even better, none of the faff of having to change tyres each Spring and Autumn.

i had to wait three weeks for mine, they are so popular and were difficult to get at the time.

i reckon your Tyre dealer did you a massive favour if he fitted those without you specially requesting them.