What are All-Weather and Winter Tires?

If there is anything that we can count on during a Lower Mainland winter season, is that it will be wet. Water is great, except when it is on the road between your tires and the smooth asphalt. To help make sure that your vehicle has great traction with the road, it might be time to get some new tires.

What is an All-Weather Tire?
First, it is important to know that all-weather tires are not all-season tires, although they may sound like the same thing. All-weather tires are year-round performance tires, capable of handling a wide range of moderate winter conditions, as well as warmer temperatures.

All-season tires are not designed to be used in low temperatures. They do not handle well on ice, and do not have the snowflake symbol meaning that they are suitable for winter driving conditions. All-weather tires, however, are suitable for mild winter conditions, including heavy rain, and light snow.

What is a Winter Tire?
A winter tire is marked with the peaked-mountain symbol with a snowflake in the middle. These tires are designed to perform in severe winter weather conditions and can handle snowy, slippery roads much better than any other type of tire. If you will be driving in sub-zero weather or on icy roads, it is best to invest in winter tires.

All-weather are different than winter tires in that they perform well in warmer temperatures. Winter tires are a better option for more harsh winter conditions, but do not perform well in warmer temperatures, as they are designed to be softer during cold temperatures. All-season tires remain soft and flexible in both cold and warm conditions, but not in sub-zero weather or icy road like winter tires.

Depending on where you will be driving this winter, an all-weather tire might be the best compromise – or it may be recommended to invest in winter tires. All-weather will give you suitable handing in dry, rainy and cold conditions, meaning you have an all-around durable tire that will handle your day-to-day driving. Stick with all-season tires for the summer months, and winter tires only if you plan on heading where it’s especially cold or icy.