Buying brand new tires for your car can be tricky, especially during the winter months. You have to look into many factors like grip, traction, and performance. If you are not sure whether to get a set of all-season tires or winter tires, then read on.
What Are All-Season Tires?
All-season tires are designed to offer versatile performance in most driving situations. It is more suitable for areas with wet and dry conditions all year long. First released by the Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company in 1977, this type of tire was launched to remove the inconvenience of switching between summer and winter tires. Most new cars today come with factory-installed all-season tires.
Although they are called “all-season,” this type of tire only offers moderate performance. It doesn’t have the same kind of grip and handling similar to a summer tire, nor does it have enough traction for winter. Tire manufacturers had to make a few adjustments so they could make a jack-of-all-trades type of tire.
What Are Winter Tires?
Meanwhile, winter or snow tires are specifically designed to tackle snow, ice, and slush. This type uses a different rubber and tread compound that stays softer and more flexible during the cold weather. It also has differently designed grooves, channels, and edges that can dig into snow and push water away. Because of these, it offers excellent handling and safety during freezing temperatures.
But these tires are only for winter. Once the temperatures warm up again, you’ll have to switch back to your summer or all-season tires. Using winter tires during warm weather can actually weaken their performance in the long run as they wear faster.
Should You Use Winter or All-Season Tires?
The type of tire you choose should all depend on where you live and what driving situations you frequently face. If you live in an area where constant snow and icy roads are always a problem, you should have snow tires for your car during winter. But, if you live in a place that does not always experience heavy snowfall, then all-season tires are your best option.
Knowing when to use winter and all-season tires can help guarantee your safety while driving. If you need quality auto services and tire repair, contact Graham Tire today and schedule an appointment.
