All Season vs. Winter Tires
All Season vs. Winter Tires
Posted on November 10, 2022
Your tires are your best defense when it comes to handling the road. Each type of tire is designed to respond to different types of weather and driving habits.
All Season Tires
All-season tires are designed for year-round use. They feature a blend of different compounds and detailed tread configurations to handle most driving conditions like rain, heat, cold, etc. All-season tires come in two classes: Passenger and Touring. Passenger tires are the most common class as they feature a smoother ride and longer tread life. Touring tires are often used for vehicles that sit lower to the ground as they offer low noise and enhanced handling. It is the almost perfect tire as it offers a smooth, quiet ride with great handling in many conditions.
However, all-season performance doesn’t mean the best performance. The trade-off is a loss of traction and compound stiffening anywhere below 7 degrees Celsius. While they offer a comfortable highway ride, they are not as effective on snow or ice as winter tires.
Winter Tires
With the volume of vehicles equipped with all-season tires, many are unaware of the benefits of winter tires due to the common misconception that all-season tires are fit for Canadian winters. Winter tires are designed with a softer rubber compound which allows them to better grip the road in cold weather. Their specialized tread design allows them to have better traction in winter conditions like snow, ice, and sleet.
Select winter tires based on your driving style and the purpose of your vehicle – meaning a daily city commuter does not need the same type of winter tire or winter tread pattern as a farmer’s work truck.
For any and all your tire questions and needs, visit our tire store today and our tire experts will be able to help you out.