All season vs Winter vs Summer tyres

Buying new tyres is a task that, although is not a favourite for many of us, is very important.

Once a tyre’s tread begins to drop below 3mm, you may start to find yourself looking into your options.

Not only is there a large choice of tyres, but there are also the question of which type of tyre you need. 

Which is right for you? Is it a summer, winter or all-season tyre?

Let's have a look at the different options to see which type of tyre best suits your needs, type of vehicle and climate.

What are Summer Tyres?

Summer tyres are developed to excel in warm weather conditions. They perform at their best in temperatures over 7°C.

What sets summer tyres apart is its dedicated tread designs. Engineered to deliver robust traction and responsive handling. This design helps to enhance safety during wet conditions as well as dry in the summer months.

What are All Season Tyres?

All-season tyres are often seen as a versatile solution for drivers who are seeking a reliable performance throughout the year.

They have been designed to perform well in a variety of changing weather conditions and seasons.

Their hybrid nature allows them to deliver reliable traction and handling on both wet and dry surfaces. Making them a suitable choice for those who prefer a tyre capable of delivering a consistent performance year-round.

If you're seeking all-season tyres that are certified to be suitable for winter conditions, look for the EU sanctioned 3PMSF marking. This proves the tyre has passed the ‘Three Peak Mountain Snow Flake’ compliance.

This marking is used to signify that a tyre has passed rigorous tests. Demonstrating their winter performance capabilities.

In essence, it's a symbol that confirms a tyre's suitability for winter driving.

What are Winter Tyres?

Winter tyres are a specialised category designed to enhance vehicle performance in cold weather. Particularly, as the name suggests, during winter conditions.

These tyres are constructed with a unique blend of materials and tread patterns, tailored to address the challenges of snow, ice, and low temperatures.

What sets winter tyres apart is their rubber compound, engineered to remain flexible in freezing temperatures. This flexibility ensures optimal traction and grip on icy and snowy surfaces.

Summer Tyres vs. All Season Tyres

If you're in pursuit of a good performance during the warmer months, summer tyres are a robust choice. The design of summer tyres is specifically tailored to excel in warm weather conditions, making them a go-to option for peak performance.

As a general guideline, summer tyres boast tread elasticity and stiffer compounds, engineered to deliver exceptional results when temperatures rise above 7°C.

It's worth noting, though, that achieving similar performance in winter requires a shift to winter tyres or all season tyres once the thermometer dips below 7°C.

Today many tyre manufacturers have an all-season tyres line-up. Tyres which aim to blend the best attributes of both summer and winter into a single tyre.

The primary aim is to deliver year-round performance which does not require a tyre change to match the weather or season.

For those who live in areas of the country which do not suffer from extreme winter weather, all-season tyres can be seen as a good option.

While it's true that a summer tyre tends to outshine its all-season counterparts in warmer months and a winter tyre trumps it in the colder seasons, the all-season tyre takes the crown for delivering consistent performance throughout the year.

All Season Tyres vs. Winter Tyres

While winter tyres excel in icy and snowy landscapes, all-season tyres bridge the gap by delivering commendable performance in a variety of conditions.

In comparison to winter tyres, all-season tyres step up as a choice that maintains a satisfactory performance level. Regardless of the weather or temperature.

An all-season tyre's performance extends beyond mere versatility. As they will competently outperform a winter tyre in the warmer seasons.

This adaptability is what positions the all-season tyre as a sensible choice. Ensuring a balanced and dependable driving experience.

Winter tyres are designed to tackle the challenges posed by freezing and wintery conditions.

Tailored for optimal performance in cold climates, winter tyres boast a specialised tread pattern and compound. These have been designed to enhance traction on icy and snow-covered roads.

Unlike summer tyres, which may struggle to maintain grip in cold temperatures, winter tyres deliver a safe driving experience. Ensuring better control and stability on frosty surfaces.

One notable advantage of winter tyres is their ability to reduce braking distances on snow and ice significantly. Additionally, the flexibility of the tyre rubber used in the tread compound allows winter tyres to maintain their elasticity. This in turn allows them to remain effective in adverse temperatures below 7°C.

This same elasticity can lead to a poorer performance in warm weather. If used all year round may lead to quicker wear of the tread depth.

What tyres should I buy?

When trying to decide which tyre is best for you the decision between winter tyres, all-season tyres, and summer tyres hinges on your needs.

To help you decide the best tyre type for you, here is a recap of the general differences:

All Season Tyres

• Designed to cope with all sorts of conditions. Delivering a good performance delivered throughout the year.
• Moderate natural rubber content. To stop the tyre hardening in temperatures below 7°C – enhancing grip.
• Designed with moderate tread depths that have been engineered to help deliver a longer tread life than many summer tyres.

Winter Tyres

• Performs best during the winter months. When the temperature drops below 7°C.
• Compound contains a higher natural rubber content. Helping the tyre to remain flexible in freezing weather and conform to the road surface.
• The grooves of winter tyres are typically wider to channel snow and water. The latest generation also have smaller shoulder grooves to improve snow and ice traction.

Summer Tyres

• Optimum from Spring through to Autumn. When the average temperature is above 7°C.
• Typically use a softer rubber compound – designed for good grip and traction when driving on dry and wet roads.
• Specialised tread patterns with shallower tread depths. For improved handling in cornering and control at high speeds.