The months are finally warming up. Car owners and drivers are thinking of replacing their winter tires. If you are an average driver, you might not know what to choose between all-season and summer tires. Both are designed and manufactured to serve different functions in various road conditions. They can impact your driving experience differently, especially regarding performance, ride comfort and safety.

However, one option might be better based on your vehicle, personal preferences, and driving conditions. You must understand the differences, advantages, and limitations of each. This will help you choose the right tires translating to high-performance vehicles that serve you perfectly in different weather conditions.  

What are All-Season Tires?

Also known as performance tires, these tires provide a perfect balance of capabilities, providing optimum capabilities in dry and wet conditions. They also provide ample traction in light snow. These tires are versatile and are perfect for average drivers who live in a climate where summer and winter weather is relatively mild.

Trading Off Some Traction and Braking Capabilities for Longer Wear

All-season tires are designed and engineered to perform throughout the year, usually in regions that do not experience too much heat, ice, or snow. All the same, they have less grip compared to summer tires. They sacrifice some steering, cornering, and braking capabilities for longer tread life.

The all-season tire tread design is generally symmetrical, providing more rotation options to align the tread wear and for longer mileage. Note that these tires are not the perfect alternative for genuine winter tires due to poor tread patterns. They are therefore not reliable during winter driving.

What are Summer Tires?

Summer tires are engineered with a particular rubber compound providing an incredible grip and precision even in cold weather. They are designed for utmost speed, responsiveness and agility.

Usually, summer tires feature relatively shallower tread depths providing increased stability and reduced rolling resistance. Additionally, they produce little to no road noise even when on the highway.

Summer tires feature flexible sidewalls for maximum contact with the road. However, they lack sipes for sufficient snow grip. This makes them unsuitable for extremely snowy slush and icy winter weather. Besides, their rubber compounds tend to freeze during cold temperatures. If you constantly operate on highly wet roads, consider switching to snow tires.

Summer Tires Provide Better Performance in Rain and Heat

 Summer tires have various dimensional characteristics (including width, rim diameter, and aspect ratio) speed and braking capabilities, among other design features. This increases their performance in wet and dry conditions.

For instance, you might be surprised to find SUVs, sedans, and other sports cars performing better in winter thanks to their particular tread pattern. Besides, given less friction and reduced rolling resistance, summer tires provide high fuel economy compared to their all-season counterparts.  

One significant difference between the two tire types is the tread compound. Summer tires are composed of blends of silica rubber and other polymers to maintain grip even during high temperatures. Their wide tread blocks allow summer tires to evacuate water and avoid hydroplaning.

All-season Vs. Summer Tires- Which is the Best Option?

If you are in the market for a new set of tires, you must choose the right tire that meets your needs. After all, all types of tires are purpose-built. When choosing between all-season and summer tires, you must consider your type of car, driving conditions, performance needs, and weather conditions.

All the same, your vehicle must have the same type of tire for the best performance. Generally, summer tires are considered to easier alternative as you can use them all year round. These tires offer great handling capabilities during the warm weather especially deep into the summer months.

If unsure, feel free to talk to a tire expert from TreadNation. We will guide you in choosing the best tire for summer and winter conditions. We sell a wide range of top-quality tires at the most competitive rates in the market. You can also rely on us for tire rotation and tire storage services and enjoy a warranty advantage. Whatever your needs, do not hesitate to contact us today.