Is it necessary to run-in summer tires?

When you hear the term "tire run-in," an image of winter tires, or more specifically, studded winter tires, comes to mind. Yes, indeed, the quality of a studded tire's run-in, which is around 700-1000 km, will depend on how long the anti-skid studs will last. But do non-studded tires need to be run-in? Let's complicate the question: do summer tires need to be run-in?

In short, the answer is yes, all new tires, including summer tires, need to be run-in. Contrary to occasional information found on the internet, the issue is not with the tire's coating, which remains from the press-form processing. The reason is entirely different. 

The fact is that a new tire has a smooth, monolithic rubber mixture. There are no micro-damages or roughness. A new tire is literally smooth. Tire manufacturers recommend running-in tires to get rid of this smoothness. Paradoxically, this can only be done by using the tire on the road and is impossible to do in factory conditions. Unlike winter tires, the lack of run-in for summer tires will not threaten any incorrect wear or reduction in service life. The tires will literally have better contact with the road and will unfold to their full potential. This is especially true for sports cars with wide tires and a large contact patch.

Running-in new summer tires is also relevant from another point of view. If you've replaced your summer tires for the first time, you may be surprised to notice that your car's handling can change dramatically. It's not just that the car has become better at handling water obstacles, but also that the overall handling and directional stability have changed. That's why the moment of running-in new tires is also useful from the point of view of getting used to your car's new handling.