Winter is quickly approaching. If your vehicle is equipped with all-season or all-weather tires, it should be fine. However, what is the distinction between these two tire types?
If you live in a state that does not experience extreme cold or snow, all-season tires will suffice for your vehicle.
All-season tires have tread patterns that are effective in snowy weather, although the rubber becomes less malleable below 45 degrees Fahrenheit.
In contrast, an all-weather tire features deeper grooves and siping — lateral grooves – to "claw" at the snow during winter driving.
The tread design isn't what separates all-weather and all-season tires. All-weather tires are softer than all-season tires, making them more flexible in cold conditions.
Look at the sidewall to spot an all-weather tire. All-weather tires have a three-peak symbol and "M+S" on the sidewall.
Certified with the three-peak mountain snowflake and built for year-round usage, all-weather tires offer superior snow traction and handling.
Because its compound is similar to that of an all-season tire, yet its tread pattern is similar to that of a winter tire, an all-weather tire offers the best of both worlds in every season.
However, if you reside in a region where the winters are severe and the temperatures are consistently below freezing, you should still use winter tires.