"What is the difference between snow tires and all-season tires?" is one of the most common questions asked during the tire buying process. Before you buy online, get the information you need on all-season tires or winter tires to make the right decision.
Choosing Between Winter and All-Season Tires
It’s not always easy knowing which tire is best suited for you. Here are some things to consider as you decide.
Benefits of Winter/Snow Tires
Winter tires, also known as snow tires, are designed to help provide enhanced traction once the temperature drops below 45Fº/7.2Cº.
If you live in a colder climate and in a place where you’ll have to drive through harsh winter conditions and icy roads regularly, buying winter tires might be right for you.
Find & Buy Winter Tires Online
- Buying winter tires can provide enhanced braking performance in snowy & icy conditions
- These tires perform well in all types of winter conditions – snow, ice, sleet, slush, wet and even cold dry roads
- Winter tires feature tread designs made specifically for ice, snow and other severe winter conditions
- They have specially formulated tread rubber that stays flexible at low temperatures for better vehicle control
- The aggressive tread on a winter tire reduces snow build up
- Most drivers find that winter tires provide a sense of confidence and control in challenging winter weather conditions
- The treads have biting edges for greater traction on wet and icy roads
- Tread compounds are soft in the cold, leading to a sturdier grip
- The Severe Snow Conditions Symbol on the sidewall specifies that the tire adheres to a snow traction standard according to the RMA
Benefits of All-Season Tires
Goodyear’s all-season tires feature optimized tread patterns that help provide a strong grip on dry, wet and snowy roads.
If you live in a place where you know you’ll have to face a variety of warmer and colders weather conditions, including snow flurries but where icy, slick roads are rare, buying all-season tires might be right for you.
- Purchasing all-season tires means getting tires designed to help provide traction and grip in wet and snowy conditions
- They are made to help provide stable handling and even treadwear in both wet and dry conditions
- Although all-season tires offer traction in a variety of different weather conditions, winter tires surpass them when it comes to traction in snow and ice
- The tread life for all-season tires is usually longer than tires that are designed for a particular season
- All-season tires can have low rolling resistance which sometimes saves energy and results in better gas mileage
- Are often more comfortable and quieter
- The all-season tires shave asymmetric tread for performance with a dry grip and wet traction
3 Reasons Why You Shouldn’t Use Your Winter Tires in the Summer
- Winter tires are meant for snow and ice with deep treads for greater grip
- The tread rubber on winter tires is softer than regular tires and wears out faster on warm pavement, leading to more frequent replacement
- Softer rubber on dry pavement results in less precise handling and responsiveness giving your car diminished performance