All Season vs. All-Weather vs. Winter Tires

As the temperature starts to drop heading into winter customers start asking more questions like “Do I need winter tires?” or “Aren’t all-season tires and all-weather tires the same thing?”.  The terminology can be confusing and deciding what is best for you can be frustrating.  The good news is the team at Scott’s U Save Tires and Auto Repair is here to help you sort through the differences between these different types of tires and help you choose what is best for you and your family.

One of the most important things when choosing the right tire for your car is to consider what you are driving, how you drive, and where you drive.  Tires are a significant purchase and choosing a tire that is not aligned with your car and driving habits can make for a frustrating and dangerous situation.  

All-Season Tires: The All-Arounder

All-season tires are much like the name implies.  They are designed to balance the safety and performance of the tire regardless of the season.  Because of the wide range of conditions that this type of tire is designed for it is by far the most common tire you will see on the road.

However, as is true with most things in life, tires are about trade-offs.  In order to have a tire that is average at everything means that they don’t particularly excel in one particular area.

Advantages of All-Season Tires

• Long tread life, typically lasting 50,000-70,000 miles
• Good performance in mild weather conditions
• Cost-effective solution for areas with moderate climates
• Quiet and comfortable ride quality
• Excellent handling on both dry and wet roads in moderate temperatures

The largest drawback of all-season tires is that they begin to lose grip once temperatures drop below 45°F.  The reason for this is that the tread compound starts to harden and can’t conform as well to the road to provide excellent grip.  The best analogy is a piece of chewing gum.  When it is warm outside the gum is soft and sticky, but if you have left a package of gum in your cup holder overnight in the middle of winter and then tried to chew it, the gum just breaks into pieces.  This is what the rubber in your tires is doing and prevents you from having good traction in cold temperatures.  In addition, the tread patterns in all-season tires are not designed to grip in icy conditions and you spin the tires instead of having the tires bite in the ice and give you traction.

All-Weather Tires: The True Four-Season Option

Despite similar names, all-weather tires are distinctly different from all-season tires. The key difference lies in the rubber compound and tread pattern of the tire allowing them to operate in colder conditions and on slick and icy roads.  Because of this, all-weather tires will carry the three-peak mountain snowflake symbol, certifying them for use in winter conditions. Think of them as all-season tires that have been supercharged to perform better in winter while maintaining good performance year-round.

Advantages of All-Weather Tires

• Certified for winter use
• No need for seasonal tire changes
• Better winter performance than all-season tires
• Good year-round performance in a wider range of conditions

What’s the catch?  Tread life.  While all-weather tires are fantastic their design will generally mean that they are going to wear out more quickly, especially in the hot Summer temperature.  In addition, you are going to pay more initially for all-weather tires.  Their more advanced technology and capabilities come at a higher price.  You will pay more per mile with an all-weather tire compared to an all-season tire.  However, as we discuss below Winter tires can be a good cost-to-safety option middle ground because you will not be required to swap them out between seasons.

Winter Tires: The Cold Weather Specialists

Winter tires are the specialists of the tire world. They’re purpose-built for cold weather performance, featuring special rubber compounds that stay flexible in cold temperatures and aggressive tread patterns designed to bite into snow and ice.

What Makes Winter Tires Special

• Specialized rubber compounds that remain flexible below 45°F provide superior traction in cold conditions even if the roads are dry
• Deep and aggressive tread patterns for snow traction, options for studs for outstanding snow and ice traction
• Optimized for braking and handling in winter conditions

The downside?  Winter tires wear very quickly in warm weather and need to be swapped out when temperatures rise or you can easily wear through the tread of the tire in a couple of thousand miles.  Winter tires in hot temperatures actually have significantly worse braking and handling performance compared to an all-season tire. The requirement to swap them will cost more as you will either need to purchase a 2^nd set of wheels or pay to have them remounted each season.  In addition, they can be inconvenient if space is at a premium as they will require storage during off-seasons.  

Making the Right Choice for You

Now that you understand the different types of tires and their trade-offs you can make a more informed decision on what is best for you.  If you are driving Uber in Chicago Winters then maybe an all-weather or winter tire does make sense, but if you are looking for tires for a second car that you don’t even consider driving if there is a hint of bad weather then an all-season or performance tire may be a better choice.

Remember, the “best” tire choice is the one that provides you with safe, reliable performance in your typical driving conditions. If you’re unsure which tire type is right for your vehicle and driving situation, we’re here to help. Stop by Scott’s U Save Tire Auto & Repair and speak to one of our fabulous Service Advisors.

Don’t wait until you’re sliding on slick roads to think about your tire choice – plan ahead and make an informed decision that keeps you safe in all driving conditions.

Tire Services at Scott’s U-Save

If you’re ready for a new set of tires because your current set is worn out, or you want to explore a second set of winter tires, trust Scott’s U Save in Steger, New Lenox, Schererville, and Crown Point to provide your vehicle with top-notch tire service! Give us a call or schedule online today to secure a spot with our friendly and knowledgeable team.