What is the Difference Between Winter Tires and All-Season Tires?

What is the difference between winter tires and all season tires? Do you need to replace your tires for winter driving? Do all-season tires make more sense for you? These questions are good ones and should be considered when it comes to deciding whether to buy winter tires or all-season tires. There are pros and cons to having both but the bottom line is – it is usually a personal preference on which ones make the most sense for you.

Winter Tires Pros

* If you live in a state with a lot of snow or you regularly drive through snowy, slushy, or icy roads, these tires are a great option for you.

* Tread on winter tires reduces snow build up to reduce slipping plus they have a “biting” edge to aid in icy conditions.

* These tires will likely give you better grip and better braking ability in slippery conditions.

Winter Tires Cons

* Winter tires can be noisy on bare roads and can be rough on the asphalt due to the pegs in the tires.

* They can give you less control over your handling

* The winter tires’ rubber is a bit more fragile than regular tires, thus they can wear more quickly especially in warmer weather.  If you equip your vehicle with winter tires, be prepared to change them back to a more efficient year-round tire in the non-snowy months.

All-Season Tire Pros

* All-season tires are great for those who do not get much snow often.

* These tires offer a comfortable and quiet ride.

* The tread pattern provides for good traction in both dry and wet conditions.  These are an all-around tire with a tread pattern to handle well on wet conditions and bite during slushy conditions while offering a comfortable ride.

All-Season Tires Cons

* All-season tires do not perform as well when it comes to heavier snow or icy conditions.

* The tire material becomes harder during the colder weather, leading to less traction than a winter tire.

Whichever set of tires you choose, make sure you change out all 4 of the tires. If you do not, there is a greater risk of unpredictable handling.

This gives you a brief overview of winter tires and all-season tires but the tire experts at Emich Chevrolet would like to provide more detailed information.  We can discuss your driving situation to help you choose the best tires for your particular situation.  Don't forget to ask about our '110% Tire Price Guarantee'!