When it comes to tires there is always the debate on whether you should choose all-season or winter tires. Some people live by all-season, I mean it’s in the name. These tires are supposed to be strong enough to get you through ever-changing weather and all conditions, but do they? On the other hand, there are people who are avid winter tire users. Their argument is that winter tires have deep tread and are specifically made for winter weather, and not to accommodate all weather which might be unrealistic. So, what’s better? Let’s Break it down.

There are a lot of different technologies in your vehicle that are made to assist and help your tires perform at the highest quality, but at the end of the day, it’s the tire that makes the difference. So what is the main difference between winter and all-season tires? Well, that is the rubber compound and the design molded onto the tire tread.

Why is rubber compound important you might ask? It all has to do with how hard or flexible the rubber tread becomes. In cold weather, regular all-season tread rubber and the rubber used in high-performance summer tires harden at a higher temperature than winter tires. The harder the rubber the less flexible the rubber becomes. You need the rubber to be flexible to grip the road. All-season tires harden around 42 degrees Fahrenheit and once it falls lower these tires begin to lose traction. On the other hand, when the mercury drops, in winter tires, they begin to gain traction.

The second most important factor is tread design. Summer tires tend to have solid ribs, separated by wide circumferential grooves. This type of tread is optimal for long tread-life, good fuel efficiency, and quiet rides on smooth roads. Regular all-season tires often have solid tread blocks arranged in a chevron-shaped pattern with wide grooves. These treads are ideal for evacuating water from under the tread, but for traction on ice and snow, tires need a high density of biting edges. You can accomplish this by molding tread narrow slits into the tread features. Similar features found on winter tires.

So, do you feel more clear about which tire might be best for you this winter season? If we’re to give you any advice, we suggest purchasing winter tires, especially in upstate New York. If you already have all-season, we suggest keeping those for the springtime and using them all summer times. If you need help replacing your tires, fin new ones, or rotating your tires, please schedule a service with us and we would be happy to help you with all of your tire needs!