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Oftentimes we as car owners wonder what the difference is between the different tires out there. One of these questions is, what is the difference between all-season tires and all-weather tires? Are they not the same?

In this blog we will be going through the differences between what the purpose of the different tires are and the reason for why it may make sense for you to own one or the other.

What are All-season tires?

This type of tire is commonly confused with all-weather tires, however, it may not necessarily be for “all weather, or seasons”. Typically all-season tires are best used for the spring, summer, and fall seasons. They are not very useful when it comes to the winter months where the temperature drops below 7 degrees Celsius. This is due to the fact that the treads on all-season tires are often smooth and straight, which allows for repelling water and gripping the road better during warm to hot conditions. In addition, they are built with harder rubber in order for them to last longer as they are typically used the most out of any of the other tires we’ll be discussing.

What are All-weather tires?

All-weather tires are the ultimate hybrid tire that can work well for you in mild winter conditions as well as the spring, summer, & fall seasons. The reason for this is that they typically have a mixture of blocky treads that push away slush and provide stability while using them in warmer climates. The rubber used in making these tires is flexible in order to be used above or below the 7 degree Celsius threshold. 

Which One Do You Need?

Just a quick recap of each of the tires:

All-season tires

• Good for spring, summer, & fall
• Lasts a really long time due to harder rubber
• Not the best when temperature drops below 7 degrees Celsius and you have to deal with snow

All-weather tires

• Good for spring, summer, fall, & mild winters
• Works well above and below 7 degrees Celsius
• Does not last as long due to softer rubber 

Based on the above, and given the current changes in climate in Greater Vancouver, we would highly recommend looking into purchasing all-weather tires as opposed to all-season tires. While they may not last as long, they allow you the flexibility to still be able to drive in our new wintery conditions, while also not having to worry about changing them in the summer. If you are looking for more advice on this or you want to purchase a new set of tires, visit Mobil 1 Lube Express + Tires – Etobicoke. We have a tire shop and the technicians with expertise to give you the best tire advice possible.