All seasons vs. All-Weather Tires: Stop Confusing the Two – Jalopnik

Tire marketing has become so confusing lately that even car nerds sometimes stare at the sidewalls and wonder what the heck they’re riding on. ‘All season’, ‘all weather’, ‘four seasons’, ‘snowproof’; it’s like the Starbucks menu made of rubber. But the difference between all-season and all-weather tires isn’t just semantics, it’s actually traction science, and it could be the difference between stopping safely or sliding into someone’s bumper on your morning commute.

If terrain is a factor to consider in your usage, then all-terrain tires undoubtedly make the most sense. However, the latter are designed for the middle lane of tire performance: an all-purpose tire good enough for dry pavement, wet roads and light snow. But “all” doesn’t really mean every season, as they start to lose traction once temperatures drop below 40 degrees Fahrenheit, which is where dedicated winter tires perform best. All-weather tires, on the other hand, are like the triathletes of the tire world. They are built to handle cold weather traction just like a winter tire, but with the ride, comfort and noise levels of an all-season tire. The secret sauce? Softer rubber compounds that remain flexible in freezing temperatures and yet hold up in the summer heat.

If you live somewhere where you can’t choose between snow and sunshine in the same week (we’re looking at you, Denver), then all-weather tires are a year-round solution, which basically means all year round. Just don’t expect them to beat a real winter tire in deep snow or an ultra-high-performance summer tire on dry asphalt. Like most good compromises, the point is to maintain balance.

All-season tires are designed with harder rubber compounds that remain firm in warm weather, providing firm grip and slow wear. That makes them great for spring, summer and fall, with some light winter riding thrown in. But once temperatures drop below freezing, their performance decreases as the rubber stiffens. The resulting traction fade translates into longer braking distances on ice and hard snow. In Tire Rack’s side-by-side winter test, a car on all-season tires needed about 9 meters more to stop from 50 km/h compared to a car on special winter tires. That’s enough to turn a near miss into an insurance claim.

Unlike their all-weather counterparts, all-season tires do not carry the Three-Peak Mountain Snowflake (3PMSF) symbol because they are not intended for persistent freezing conditions. However, for most drivers, they still offer the best combination of value and versatility. There are numerous options for the best all-season tires you can buy. With the right set, you can get started smoothly all year round, without the drama of seasonal changes.

All-weather tires, on the other hand, proudly wear the 3PMSF emblem, which means they have passed the ASTM F1805 snow traction test for acceleration on medium snow (the test does not include braking or cornering). Their deeper grooves and extra sipes dig into mud and snow while shedding water on wet surfaces; provides a firm grip all year round. The trade-off? They wear out faster than all seasons, especially in warmer climates. They are ideal for colder regions with unpredictable weather, but can be a bit overkill if you live somewhere warm and dry. Just like with all-season tires, there are a plethora of options when it comes to the best all-weather tires.

The rule of thumb is that where you live determines what shoes your car wears. If your winters are mild, all-season tires are the best choice. They last longer, run quieter and feel smoother. They’re perfect for drivers in places like California, Texas or the Southeast, where the coldest thing most tires see is an ice-cold morning coffee.

If you’re in the northern half of the country, or in places where severe weather, snow and subzero temperatures are regulars and crossing mountain passes is a regular part of your drive, all-weather tires make a lot more sense. They’ll get you through slush and surprise gusts without the “should have changed my tires” regret looming mid-commute. You’ll sacrifice some life, but you’ll gain confidence and control when everyone else is pulling the trigger.

The real takeaway? ‘All-season’ is a bit of a misnomer; they are three-season tires at best. “All-weather” means exactly what it says: a set of tires that can handle almost anything except an Alaskan snowstorm. So, before winter takes hold of you again, maybe it’s time to ask yourself: are your tires right about their seasonality? And while we’re on the subject, consider brushing up on the other types of tires out there.