Do I Need Winter Tires if I Have All-Season Tires?

If you need a set of tires, why would you get winter tires if all-season tires work for all four seasons? This is a common question, and completely understandable for drivers who live in areas that experience heavy winter weather. However, the winter versus all-season tire debate is a bit more complicated than that. 

The quick answer to the all-season versus snow tires question is that it depends on weather conditions and regional climate. All-season tires have your back in rain, light snow, and mild seasonal weather, but are not optimized for severe winter weather, and lack the tread flexibility and design to traverse through heavy snow and ice. Winter tires are built completely for snow, slush, and freezing temperatures.

We’re going to explore the topic of all season tires vs snow or winter tires. We’ll talk about the features of both tire types and help you make the decision on a tire that’s best for you. 

What's the Difference Between All Season and Winter Tires?

First, let’s cover what makes a tire “all-season” or “winter” so you have a clearer idea of the strengths and weaknesses of each tire type. 

All-season tires explained

All-season tires are designed to perform well in the moderate weather conditions of every season. The keyword here is “moderate,” as an all-season tire is going to have a hard time punching through heavy snowfall. Additionally, all-season tires are meant primarily for on-road driving as they are meant for commuter vehicles, with the driver’s comfort as a priority.

All-season tires will also have a tread compound that’s designed to stay flexible in a range of ambient temperatures. Below 45 degrees Fahrenheit, rubber begins to harden, which reduces grip.  

This is what a typical all-season tire looks like, with asymmetrical tread pattern.

Winter tires explained

Winter tires are meant for freezing temperatures and heavy, deep snow. Winter tires usually have deeper tread depths and wider grooves that are jagged so that they can cut into snow. They’ll also have a very flexible rubber compound that stays soft in below-freezing temperatures.

For even more grip, some winter tires are studded or studdable, designed specifically for driving on icy conditions. 

This is what a winter tire looks like, with deeper tread depths and wider grooves.

What’s Better For Me, All Season or Winter Tires?

When it comes to the winter tire vs all-season debate, it will ultimately come down to your specific needs. It depends a lot on where you live, the snowfall you experience, and whether you need to drive through snow or icy conditions. 

If your area regularly drops below 45°F (7°C) in winter or gets heavy snow or ice, you need winter tires for safety and traction. If you live in a milder climate with occasional light snow and plowed roads, quality all-season tires are usually sufficient.

For example, if you live in an area that does get snowfall during the winter but you’re driving mainly on roads that are plowed and salted, you should only need all-season tires for the light snow and slush. 

However, if your car has to make it through heavy layers of snow or through dirt roads that have been completely snowed over, winter tires are probably the best option for you. This is especially true if you’re really far north and experiencing snow even outside of those winter months!

And so the difference between all-season and winter tires goes beyond just the names of the tires. It comes down to the construction and rubber compound with which each tire is built.  

What About Winter Rated All-Season Tires?

Some tires, such as the Kenda KLEVER H/T 4S All-Season, have a Three-Peak Mountain Snowflake (3PMS) rating, which indicates that it’s a winter-ready tire. Is this tire going to be able to compete with a dedicated winter tire?

Yes and no. 

Yes, that all-season tire has been tested in standardized snow conditions and would not receive the 3PMSF rating if it didn’t meet performance standards. However, the more an all-season tire balances on-road and winter performance, the more likely it’s going to perform worse in one area or another.

An all-season tire with a 3PMS will have better performance in winter weather than an all-season tire without it. It may offer a less comfortable ride in summer and could have a lower treadwear rating due to its softer rubber compound and more aggressive tread pattern.

Examples of All-Season and Winter Tires

Goodyear Assurance WeatherReady 2

An all-season, 3PMS tire that’s designed for a wider range of weather conditions, the Assurance WeatherReady 2 is packed with features like a flexible tread compound for cold weather and a tread pattern that’s designed for channeling water and slush out of the tire. The tread design is optimized for winter and rain, but still has driver comfort in mind with unique comfort inserts designed to smooth the driving experience. It has a 60,000 mile warranty, which is a bit lower than a touring tire, for example, but still very good. 

Goodyear Ultra Grip 8 Performance

As a direct comparison, the Ultra Grip 8 Performance is a studless winter tire that’s packed with biting sipes and edges that maintain traction on the snow. It’s built with a silica compound that’s specifically designed for freezing temperatures. You’ll notice the center of the tire’s tread zigzags, to enhance snow grip as you drive. This tire is optimized for snow, slush, and even rain with a 3PMSF rating. But, this tire does not come with a treadwear warranty, which is common for winter tires. 

Miscellaneous Questions About Winter Tires

Can you drive on winter tires year-round?

You can, but winter tires will be uncomfortable to drive on summer roads, and their compounds won't last as long when they're driven on high-temperature roads. 

What about mud and snow tires? 

Mud and snow tires often carry an M+S symbol, which isn't actually a rating. It's a tread design that's found on some all-season tires, all-terrain tires, and some off-road heavy duty truck tires. So, in comparing M+S tires to winter tires, there really is no comparison. Mud and snow tires are designed for all-season in mild snow; they are not recommended for severe snow and ice.

Can you install only two snow tires instead of four?

Mismatching tires is never a good idea, especially in snow and ice. Putting two winter tires on the front or back creates and imbalance in traction. The goal of installing winter tires is to create a balanced and safer drive, so mismatching winter with all-season tires is not a good idea. We offer several payment plans, which can help break the purchase into smaller payments. 

What are the best tires for snow?

This guide to winter and snow tires includes a side-by-side chart comparing the tread depth, rubber compound and other features, as well as a list of good options for winter tires.

How do snow tires work? 

This post explains what snow tires are made of, how they work, and explains their tread patterns.

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