Winter Tires VS All-Season Tires

There probably is no greater debate when it comes to tires than the merits of an all-season or a dedicated winter tire.

For drivers in regions that experience true winter conditions (which include temps consistently below 45F, ice, rain and snow), the question of whether or not you will use snow tires is a pressing one.

Many drivers opt to eke by on their all-season tires, either due to perceived cost of a winter tire set or because they think their all-season tires can handle it (spoiler alert: not nearly as well as you’d hope)!

Whether all-season tires or dedicated winter tires make sense for you depends on where and how you drive. Tires begin to lose their elasticity below 45 degrees Fahrenheit, which means they will lose their ability to grip and function as well as necessary. This means that temperature, not the presence of snow or ice, is the real defining factor in making the decision between an all-season or winter tire. This is also why we prefer the term “winter tire” over “snow tire”!

THE ARGUMENT FOR ALL-SEASON TIRES

All-season tires are designed for long-lasting comfort and capable handling and grip for the mildest conditions in each season.

All-season tires are perhaps the most common tire type on the market because of their versatility. They perform well in a wide range of conditions, so it’s no wonder they’re frequently the original equipment (OE) tire pick for new vehicles.

But all tire types come with compromises and all-season tires are no exception. Manufacturers can focus on one aspect, such as traction, but this will come at the cost of another feature, perhaps longevity. Unfortunately, there is no perfect tire.

A summer tire, for example, frequently has superior wet and dry traction compared to an all-season tire. However, they do not last as long as an all-season can and are not able to tolerate cooler temperatures.

But an all-season tire has so many positive qualities, including:

• Cost and availability: as the most common tire type, there is a wide range of available models and price points to shop from.

• Capability: considerable capability in a wide range of road and weather conditions suitable for large portions of the United States.

• Long-lasting tread: Unlike summer or ultra-high performance tires, all-season tires are engineered to last as long as possible (so they can work in all seasons)!

• Mileage warranties: It’s pretty typical for most all-season tires to include at least a modest mileage warranty to give drivers additional confidence.

These aspects make all-season tires very appealing for the majority of drivers. And if you’re facing infrequent or mild winter conditions that don’t require a specialized winter tire, then they’re an excellent option.

All-weather tires

It’s worth noting that there is an emerging tire category that branches from all-season tires called “all-weather tires” which are better optimized for cooler weather. Designed for strong performance year-round, they are better able to cope with light winter conditions than a typical all-season.

All-weather tires are capable of handling cooler temps than most all-season tires but cannot replace a dedicated winter tire in average or heavy winter conditions.

All-weather tires are an excellent year round option if you live in regions that experience a temperature cool down in the winter, and perhaps a light flurry here and there, such as the Southeast or Southwestern United States.

However, if you live somewhere that gets constant winter weather, including whiteout conditions, heavy snow and ice-covered roads, you’ll still want to change over to a set of dedicated winter tires.

The Goodyear Assurance WeatherReady, Nokian Encompass AW01 and the Michelin CrossClimate2 are both popular all-weather options. All-weather tires include the three-peak mountain snowflake rating for severe weather use, which is not commonly certified for all-season tires.

Want to see more? Check out our list of the best all-weather tires!

THE ARGUMENT FOR WINTER TIRES

Winter tires are highly specialized for safe winter performance. Whether you’re facing dry, salted roads, frozen streets with black ice or a full-on blizzard, winter (or “snow” tires) are optimized for just these occasions.

One of the biggest differences between winter and non-winter tires is their highly specialized tread compound. Manufacturers design winter (or “snow” if you prefer) tires with heavy silica-enhanced rubber mixtures; this helps the tread stay flexible in cold temperatures, allowing your vehicle to maintain its grip on the road. Other tire types, even all-season tires, become too stiff to be as effective in winter temperatures.

It’s a hard fact: all-season tires don’t perform as well as winter tires in winter conditions. All-season tires also cannot brake as well as winter tires in winter conditions, either.

Some manufacturers go even further and infuse their winter tires with special oil compounds, including everything from orange oil to canola oil.

Or, they may utilize bite particles in the tread compound which act as microscopic studs, helping your tire dig into icy surfaces and providing glue-like grip when roads are at their most dangerous.

If icy roads are a regular issue for you, you can always choose studded winter tires. They are armed for maximum traction as they are built with rugged metal pins that hold fast onto icy driving surfaces. Many winter tires come with pin holes that allow you to add studs.

The average winter tire has hundreds more sipes than an all-season tire, as well as more grooves. This can mean as much as a 50% increase in what’s referred to as a tire’s “biting edge,” which can be the edge you need to stay in control in winter conditions.

It’s pretty clear that winter tires offer superior driving capability (not to mention confidence) compared to all-season tires in winter conditions. You can check out our winter tire info page to learn more about winter tires and how they’re such rock stars in inclement weather.

SNOW TIRES VS ALL-SEASON TIRES: THE FINAL DECISION

The debate of winter/snow tires versus all-season tires for use in the winter months is entirely dependent upon your needs.

Drivers in winter regions who regularly face cold temperatures, snow and ice should seriously consider keeping a dedicated set of winter tires for the best performance and safety possible. We regularly have customers telling us that once they make the switch to winter tires, they won’t try to eke it out on all-seasons ever again.

But if you live in a mild climate or one that doesn’t frequently get significant winter weather or consistently cold temperatures, then an all-season tire may be better suited for you.

Ready to roll?

No matter what kind of tires you’re considering, you can discover the best options with Treadwell, our smart tire buying guide. In a minute or less, it’ll pair you with the best tires for you, your vehicle and your zip code.

Got a set of winter tires you need to put on? Let us do it for you with our winter tire changeover and installation service!

Also: don’t forget to check out our picks for the best winter wheel and tire packages!

Still have questions? Feel free to drop in or give us a ring. We’re always ready to get you taken care of. Wait less time when you buy and book online!

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