What Are All-Weather Tires?

I’m a tire snob. There, I said it.

Since I was first introduced to all-weather tires, they’re the only kind I install on my cars. That’s because I live in the Northeast, in the middle of the so-called “I-95” corridor that usually averages 20 inches of snow a year.

Goodyear Tire technical support specialist Charmaine Creer validated my decision. “While all-season tires are fine for light snow conditions,” she says, “all-weather tires are excellent in heavy snow.”

Back in the 1960s, you had only two options: regular tires (aka summer tires, now called all-season) and snow tires. Now there are so many choices it can be confusing to determine which tires your vehicle needs.

In my 50 years in the auto service industry, I witnessed the introduction of several new types, shapes and designs of tires with hundreds of distinctive tread patterns. Today, up to 200 ingredients go into manufacturing a modern tire. These innovative and unique compounds have significantly increased tire life, reducing the likelihood of a blowout while making driving safer and more enjoyable.

Tires are one of your vehicle’s most important systems, and they take a pounding. Choosing between all-season and all-weather tires depends on your driving needs and weather conditions where you live. Here’s what you need to know to make an informed choice.

What’s the Difference Between All-Season and All-Weather Tires?

All-season tires perform well in warm, dry or wet weather and have great tread life. But due to their rubber composition and tread pattern, they’re not for use in heavy snow or cold, wintry climates.

The rubber in all-season tires becomes rigid and doesn’t grip the road well when temperatures fall below freezing. Loss of grip compromises steering, handling and braking distance.

All-weather tires are made from softer rubber compounds that won’t harden, keeping them flexible in sub-freezing temperatures. That, coupled with tread patterns that increase traction, provides better handling and maneuverability on wet, snowy and ice-covered roads.

Are All-Season and All-Weather Tires the Same?

No.

All-weather tires are a hybrid between all-season and dedicated winter tires, but can be driven year-round, even when temperatures rise above 40 degrees.

The main difference between all-season and all-weather tires is their overall performance under more severe winter weather driving and road conditions. All-weather tires have many of the same excellent features and qualities as an all-season tire. They also deliver good traction under wet and dry driving conditions, providing a smooth, quiet, comfortable ride.

Is It Worth It To Get All-Weather Tires?

Yes, depending on where you live and your individual driving habits.

According to Marc Hood, owner/operator of K & R Tire Service Center in Glenside, Pennsylvania, all-weather tires are an excellent option if you “need to get around in snowy weather.” Hood says all-weather tires cost 15 to 20 percent more than “highway or all-season tires,” but the newest models wear as well as all-season tires, justifying the extra cost.

Where you live

Consider all-weather tires if you live in regions that get a lot of snow, or in colder climates where the temperature frequently drops below freezing.

All-weather tires carry the Mountain Snowflake Symbol, aka 3PMS, on the tire’s sidewall. It’s a six-pointed snowflake inside a three-peak mountain. This indicates the tire has been evaluated for acceleration on medium-packed snow. Note: Braking or cornering performance are not part of 3PMS testing.

Conversely, due to poor steering response on hot road surfaces, all-weather tires are not recommended for regions with extended or extremely hot and dry summers.

Driving habits

While all-weather tires perform well in various driving conditions, they’re not the best choice for off-roading. All-terrain tires are more durable and will offer better traction than all-weather tires.

Electric vehicles

Many all-weather tires are now marketed as electric vehicle (EV) ready. But do your homework before you buy. All-season tires have lower rolling resistance, which helps an EV get more miles per charge than all-weather tires.

What Is the Downside to All-Weather Tires?

Unfortunately, no single tire design or type is perfect for every driving situation.

Although an excellent compromise between all-season and winter tires, all-weather tires may not be the optimal replacement for climates with extreme temperature and weather fluctuations. Here’s why:

• All-weather and winter tires wear out quicker than all-season tires, especially in warmer climates.
• All-weather tires are more expensive than all-season or winter tires.
• Tread designs provide better traction but also increase rolling resistance, lowering fuel economy.

NOTE: Never mix all-weather and all-season tires on the same vehicle. Installing tires with different sizes, tread patterns, weather capabilities and composition can compromise driving safety and reduce tire life. Always use four of the same make, model and size tires with the same load index, tread design, speed, temperature and weather ratings.

About the Expert

Mark Hood has owned and operated K & R Tire Service Center in Glenside, Pennsylvania for 36 years. Formerly an automotive technology instructor at a local vocational high school, he’s also volunteered as a judge and exam evaluator at technical schools for NOCTI assessments and SkillsUSA competitions.