All-weather tires can replace the need for dedicated winter tires

All-weather tires can replace the need for dedicated winter tires and thereby eliminate the need to change tires in the winter. Advances in all-weather tires make them just as good on snow and ice as winter tires. This is because with improvements in the rubber compounds and tread patterns they are able to handle the most severe winter conditions. This is also why they hold the same “Three Peak Mountain Snowflake” symbol as winter tires. This emblem branded on the tire’s sidewall indicates that the tires have met required performance criteria in snow testing and are considered severe snow service rated. Since winter tires are made only for the winter season they need to be changed after the winter is over whereas all-weather tires can be used all year round.

All-weather tires like the Nokian WR G4 combine high-performance, all-season handling and reliable winter grip, making it a true all-weather tire. It takes advantage of a new all-weather dual performing compound that ensures excellent wear resistance while remaining a fuel-efficient tire. It is able to efficiently route rain and snow and slush with its functional tread blocks and “Blade grooves”. These sipes, staggered at different angles, are the reason for the effective longitudinal grip and the wide longitudinal grooves the reason for the lateral grip.

When investing in all-weather tires you eliminate the need to change over into dedicated snow tires and the need to figure out at what moment to do this. The general indications for winter tires are when the temperature drops near freezing which is vague as many areas might have weather that is unpredictable with a cold front moving in quickly, that is then is followed with warmer weather. If using studded tires this becomes even more complicated as each state in the United States has different laws for their use. There are some States that allow their use as early as September while others not at all. There are also some States only allowing rubber studs while others allow both metal and rubber studs. When to put them on depends on where in the United States you live. This is something that is not a problem if using all-weather tires.

When equipping your car with all-weather tires, make sure you follow the manufacturer’s recommended tire dimensions. If the recommended tire dimensions for your car are 265/75R16 then you would need to install 265/75R16 all-weather tires. Keep in mind if you do install winter tires instead of all-weather tires, it is important that winter tires are installed in sets of four to help maintain control and stability of your vehicle in winter conditions.

You should choose all-weather tires in areas that endure severe winters weather as they hold the severe service emblem, in comparison to all-season tires that do not.  However, if the area where you live has mild winters, then maybe all-season tires would be another option if looking for all year round tires.