Introduction
You did the right thing this winter: you fitted your winter tyres. Well done. But if you are reading this in May or June with those same tyres still on, there is something important you need to know.
Winter tyres are not designed for heat. Above 7°C, their rubber, which is softer by design, starts to deform and overheat, and loses precisely the qualities that make your car easy to handle. This is not a marketing myth to push you into buying summer tyres: it is materials physics.
And yet every spring, hundreds of thousands of Belgians drive on winter tyres without realising it, or keep putting off the change until “next week”.
What the law says in Belgium
Unlike some neighbouring countries, Belgium has no legal obligation to fit winter tyres in winter, or to remove them in summer. But make no mistake: that does not protect you.
⚠️ Warning: In the event of an accident, your insurer may invoke lack of vehicle maintenance if your tyres are unsuited to the driving conditions. Driving on worn winter tyres at 25°C can be held against you.
The rule of thumb most experts use is simple:
- Below 7°C → winter tyres
- Above 7°C → summer tyres (or all-season tyres)
In Walloon Brabant, temperatures regularly rise above 7°C from March. Driving on winter tyres until June is not just suboptimal: it is potentially dangerous.
The real risks on the road
Braking distance: the figure that should convince you
| Outside temperature | Tyre type | Braking distance (100 → 0 km/h) |
|---|---|---|
| 20°C (spring day) | Summer tyre | ~35 m |
| 20°C (spring day) | Winter tyre | ~48 m |
| 30°C (summer day) | Summer tyre | ~36 m |
| 30°C (summer day) | Winter tyre | ~55 m |
A difference of 13 to 20 metres. That is the length of a school bus. At Belgian main-road speeds, that difference can decide between life and a serious accident.
The other effects you cannot see
- ✗Less roadholding in corners (rubber too soft = sidewall deformation)
- ✗Fuel consumption up 3 to 5%
- ✗Faster wear of the winter tyres (they wear out 3x faster in summer)
- ✗Possible tyre overheating at high speed (risk of a blowout)
All-season tyres: not such a good idea after all?
Increasingly popular in Belgium, all-season tyres (or “four-season” tyres) are presented as the universal solution. The reality is more nuanced.
“An all-season tyre does everything reasonably well, but nothing perfectly. It is the smart compromise for people who drive little or do not want to manage two sets of tyres.”
Summary of feedback from tyre experts in Belgium
| Situation | All-season tyre | Summer + winter tyres |
|---|---|---|
| Mixed use, few km per year | ✅ Recommended | High cost, hard to justify |
| Sporty driver or high-mileage driver | Compromise falls short | ✅ Recommended |
| Harsh winters (Ardennes, etc.) | Limited in snow | ✅ Recommended |
| Urban use, Brussels/Wavre/Liège | ✅ Very suitable | Viable option |
💡 Good habit: check the symbol on your tyres. A snowflake with 3 mountain peaks = approved winter tyre. “M+S” alone is no longer enough under the new European standards.
Why this matters even more on a used car
If you buy or sell a used vehicle in Belgium, tyre condition is one of the most often overlooked points, and yet one of the most revealing about the vehicle’s overall maintenance.
A seller who shows their car in July on winter tyres worn beyond the legal limit (1.6 mm of tread) is not simply saving money: they are passing a risk on to you. And as a buyer, if you do not pay attention, it becomes your responsibility from the moment you sign.
How Le Garage Privé helps you plan ahead
At Le Garage Privé in Wavre, we support private individuals and professionals in their car transactions, and tyre condition is an integral part of our 111-point inspection.
In practice, we can:
- Check the condition and suitability of the tyres during any pre-purchase inspection
- Identify out-of-season tyres or tyres below the legal limit before a sale
- Advise you on the best choice (summer, winter, all-season) for how you actually drive
- Value a vehicle up or down based on tyre condition
- Manage your switch: selling your current car and looking for the next one? We guide you from A to Z, with no conflict of interest
Do not let a technical detail spoil your purchase or sale. Plan ahead with an expert at your side.
👉 Book an appointment with Le Garage Privé
FAQ
The rule of thumb is simple: as soon as temperatures regularly rise above 7°C, which in Walloon Brabant is usually between mid-March and late April. Do not wait for the first heatwave day to act.
Yes, completely. Provided they are approved (3-peak snowflake symbol) and meet the legal minimum tread depth of 1.6 mm. They are particularly suited to urban and semi-urban use.
Yes, it is a real possibility. If the post-accident assessment shows that your tyres were unsuited to the conditions and that this contributed to the accident, the insurer may invoke a lack of maintenance to reduce or refuse compensation.
Check the symbol, the manufacturing date (the 4 digits on the sidewall, e.g. “2319” = week 23 of 2019) and the tread depth. A tyre that is more than 6 years old or has less than 3 mm of tread should be replaced, even with no visible damage.
Yes. If you sell a vehicle with non-compliant tyres (below the legal tread depth, unsuited to the season or to the declared load) without telling the buyer, you are liable under civil law. One more reason to go through a car agent who handles these checks for you.