All-season tires are standard equipment on the majority of new passenger vehicles, making them the most popular tires for the average driver. All-season tires are designed for moderate climates and driving conditions, as well as areas that do not experience frequent extreme winters. They are a versatile set of tires that provide acceptable performance on wet and dry road conditions, and are designed to provide vehicles with enough winter traction to get through light snow conditions.
All-season tires are engineered for versatility
Some all-season tires use cutting-edge tread pattern and compound technologies to provide balanced year-round traction and handling, whereas others prioritize three-season performance over winter traction. Regardless, all-season tires offer:
- Longer tread life
In the warmer months, the tires’ moderate tread depths and rubber compound are designed to provide long tread life and adequate traction on wet and dry roads. Moreover, their tread patterns are symmetrical, which provides more rotational options for evening out tread wear and extending tire mileage. The tread life warranty on most all-season tires ranges from 30,000 to 80,000 miles.
- A quiet and smooth ride
Their consistent grooves, ribs and slots decrease noise and improve overall stability.
- Comfort
All-season tires are designed with softer sidewalls to allow more cushion over bumps thus improving the comfort of your ride.
- Affordability
All-season tires are more affordable compared to dedicated winter and summer tires. They also have a low rolling resistance and thus better fuel efficiency.
- Good traction
They provide enough traction for occasional snow travel and on dry and wet pavements thanks to the deep grooves, variations, and voids.
Snow and ice Performance of all-season tires
All-season tires can provide traction in the winter, but not in extreme winter driving conditions (snow tires are recommended). They are referred to as “three-season” tires by tire experts because they do not meet the Rubber Association of Canada’s severe snow safety requirements and perform poorly in temperatures below 7°C.
Below that temperature, the rubber compound in the tire hardens significantly, increasing braking distance and increasing the likelihood of losing traction.
The tread design of all-season tires is closed and becomes clogged in frosty weather, reducing biting into snow capabilities. This creates a slick ‘snow on snow’ or ‘ice on ice’ surface.
Road conditions that are ideal for driving in all-season tires
- Rain- wet pavements
- Dry roads
- Light snow covered roads
Weather conditions that favor all-season tires
- Warm
- Dry
- Mild wet conditions
Types of all-season tires
- Ultra High Performance All-Season:
They have flexible tread designs and compounds that provide traction in light snow. They do, however, sacrifice some dry and wet traction and handling in order to provide year-round performance with good handling and high speeds in most seasons.
- High Performance All-Season:
A low-profile, ultra-high-performance tire that provides all-season traction while also providing good handling and light snow traction. Made for sports coupes and sedans
- Performance All-Season:
They are an upgrade for vehicles which are originally fitted with passenger all-season tires to provide a great performance at an affordable cost.
- Grand Touring All-Season:
They are intended to combine the appearance of a performance tire with the smooth and quiet ride of a passenger tire for a more comfortable ride. They are frequently original equipment tires that provide excellent handling and high-speed capabilities.
- Standard Touring All-Season:
Their primary goal is to provide drivers with a quiet, comfortable ride that lasts longer. They come in lower speed ratings and larger aspect ratio sizes.
- Passenger All-Season:
It has a good steering response and handling capabilities, as well as good wear and ride comfort. They work well as an all-season tire, even in light snow.
- Street/Sport Truck All-Season:
Because of their low profile and large rim diameter fitting, they provide traction in light snow and improve the vehicle’s look and performance when combined with all-season versatility.
Who should use all-season tires and the factors to consider
The top four factors that drivers consider when deciding between a winter, all-weather, or all-season tire set are as follows:
- The winter driving conditions in your area
Do you live in a place where the weather is either mild or severe? A winter or all-weather tire is ideal for those who live in harsh climates, whereas an all-season tire can be used all year if your area rarely sees snowfall.
- Storage space
Choosing an all-year-round tire that does not require tire changeovers or swaps is ideal for those with limited storage space. An all-weather tire is a great choice for them because it will provide the same great performance in the winter as it will in the summer, eliminating the need to change it. Having a winter-specific tire, on the other hand, will necessitate you swapping it out for an all-season or summer tire once the sun begins to shine.
- Winter laws
If you live in a province or state that does not require you to switch to a tire with the three peak mountain snowflake designation when temperatures fall below 450 degrees Fahrenheit, you can keep your all-seasons all year. From December 15th to March 15th, residents of Quebec are required to install tires with a 3PMSF designated symbol. When driving on certain highways in British Columbia, the change is mandatory.
- Willing to take the seasonal tire change costs or not
Changing tires every season may be costly for some, but it is a worthwhile investment in the long run. Winter tires necessitate not only a new set of tires, but also new wheels that can withstand the tire pressure. If you’re willing to pay the extra money, you could get two sets of tires: one for winter and one for all-season use. Those who want to save money can go with all-weather tires. However, because all-weather tires have a shorter tread life, the cost of running them may be higher than that of seasonal tires.
What to look for in an all-season tire?
Whether it’s an upgrade or a tire replacement, different brands offer a variety of all-season tires, and which one best suits your driving needs is dependent on;
- Size of the tires
The size of your vehicle’s tires varies depending on the model. Tire sizes for cars and light trucks are typically displayed on the sidewalls of the tires in letters and numbers, such as 245/40-R18. The first number, 245, denotes the width of the tire at its widest point in millimeters. The next number (40) represents the sidewall’s height as a percentage of its width. Finally, ‘R-18’ is the inch diameter of the wheel to which the tire must be mounted. Manufacturers recommend buying tires that are the same size as your original equipment. Consult with a tire expert first if you want to upgrade your size.
- Speed rating
This is a letter range from L to Y that indicates how fast the tire dissipates heat. The faster the rubber wears, the more heated it is and by exceeding the fixed maximum for your tire, you risk tire failure. High performance cars have tires with higher speed ratings compared to mainstream family sedans and SUVs. The speed rating of the original tires that came with your car was matched to the maximum speed the car could achieve—plus a significant built-in safety margin.
- Cost
Keep in mind that the higher the speed and performance rating of a tire, the more you can expect to pay it.
- Other factors
Traction ratings assess a tire’s ability to grip the road’s surface and range from A, AA, B, or C, with A or AA being the best.
Tread patterns: Look for open treads with a narrower tread for good traction and the ability to move water away from the tire surface in wet conditions.
Mileage: When shopping for tires, look for those that come with a mileage warranty.
Road noise, ride quality, fuel efficiency should also be in your bucket list.
Best all-season tires near you
Our top picks are based on the best overall, high performance, and budget-friendly tires available in your area.
- Continental TrueContact Tour
Continental TrueContact has an 800 rating from UTQG, making it one of Canada’s longest-lasting all-season tires. It also has a low rolling resistance for improved fuel efficiency and a strong performance on dry, wet, and snow-covered surfaces. This tire has a 128,000 km warranty and a speed rating of H.
- Michelin Pilot Sport A/S 3+
The Michelin Pilot Sport A/S 3+ is a premium all-season tire that provides a smooth ride, confident cornering stability, excellent dry road handling, and adequate wet road traction. The tire has a 6-year and 70,000km warranty and speed ratings of H, V, W, and X.
- General Tire AltiMAX RT43
A low-cost tire with even and long tread wear, a comfortable ride, and a replacement tire monitor that alerts you when it’s time to replace your tires. It has a 120,000km warranty and T speed ratings.
Conclusion
Manufacturers often have to compromise on some features of summer and winter tires to make it a year-round tire, but overall, all-season tires provide a good performance in wet and dry conditions and are great for everyday driving in areas with light snow.