Tyres for:
Whenever you need to buy a new set of tyres, it’s the same question: When does it make sense to switch from all-season to seasonal tyres and vice versa? In this short overview, we want to provide you with the key facts.
Let’s state the facts: all-season tyres (also called all-year tyres) have a harder compound than winter tyres. And that’s what makes them more durable and less prone to wear than winter tyres. The hard compound also reduces the rolling noise. But they’re softer than summer tyres to better endure colder conditions. In turn they also sacrifice the durability of winter tyres for a better grip in summer. At low temperatures the compound actually hardens faster than that of winter tyres. So, driving with all-season tyres always means sacrificing braking and handling in extreme driving conditions. But they work well in average temperatures and light snow.
Unlike all-weather car tyres, winter car tyres endure temperatures below 7.0 °C. They remain supple, even in colder temperatures. On the other hand, they become even softer in temperatures above 7.0 °C. So, they cannot and should not be used in warm conditions. That's when they lose the driving characteristics that provide safety. Due to the soft density of the compound, winter tyres can grip better on snow and ice. This makes them seem louder than all-season or summer tyres. And they are quicker to wear, especially if used incorrectly. But drivers in mountainous or rural areas with a lot of snow and ice know they can rely on winter tyres.
We often hear the question when to switch to winter tyres. We advise to switch seasonal tyres when temperatures fall below 7.0 °C.
As all-season tyres work all year-round, they combine the best of both, summer and winter tyres. That’s why all-season tyres have a longer braking distance than summer tyres on dry and wet ground. Still, the braking distance is shorter than that of a winter tyre. It’s the other way around for snow: While all-season tyres brake well on snow, they are not on par with winter tyres.
So, we know that winter tyres perform well on snow when braking and handling. But can you still use winter tyres all year?
No, you shouldn’t use winter tyres all year. Unless you live in a region where it’s always cold with snow and ice. When using winter tyres in warmer months, you lose all the benefits of winter tyres. They are too soft to respond well to quick manoeuvres on dry or wet ground.
Some countries have winter tyre laws in place. These regulate when to use winter tyres throughout a certain time of the year. Before deciding between all-season or winter tyres, check if there are local laws.
When your local laws permit either-or, you can continue to take a look at where you’re driving. Is it a more rural area? Or urban? The difference between the two is in the weather: Urban areas are prone to be warmer, so snow and ice are less likely. Also, cities are more likely to plough and sand their roads, and you’ll see less snow covering your routes.
While we’re at it, the weather makes a difference as well. Do you live and travel in a more mountainous area or somewhere mild? When you’re faced with extreme weather conditions, you should choose winter tyres. If the temperatures don’t drop below zero and you’re only driving across light snow, you can consider all-season tyres.
When all other points above are clear, it comes down to how much you’re willing to spend. With all-season tyres you’ll be saving storage and tyre changing costs – if you don’t happen to do these things yourself. Also, you won’t need to buy two sets of tyres, only one. All-season tyres are more expensive than a single set of seasonal tyres, but you only need one set instead of two. But keep in mind that you’ll have to replace them more often.
The advantages of having two sets of seasonal tyres? It's their excellent performance and handling. It’s up to you what weighs more in your final decision for all-season or winter tyres.
