I retired in 2010 and, having driven company cars for most of my working life averaging 40,000 miles per year, I never changed to winter tyres. Having read many items in your columns, when I bought my own new diesel Volvo V70 D5 in March 2011, I decided to fit winter tyres (Pirelli Winter W210 225/50HR17) during the winter of 2011/12. I swapped back in the spring having done just over 10,000 miles. I have never felt safer in the rain, sleet and snow – an unbelievable difference. I refitted them in November 2012 and am still running on them in September having done over 32,000 on the original set, but the fronts will need replacing soon. Having consulted with Pirelli, I drove to Italy in high summer. Their only recommendation was not to exceed 140mph. I am now converted and will always fit winter tyres, but why do I need summer tyres?