Are All-Season Tires Good in the Snow? The Pros & Cons Explained

When the snow hits the icy roads, will your all-seasons be up to the task? Or is it best to swap them out for winter tires? Here's a closer look including some pros & cons.

In theory, yes, though the answer really depends on the construction of the tire. A chunkier tread pattern might lend itself better to driving in snow, but even a sportier tire design can find grip in wintry conditions if its rubber compound is formulated for traction on icy surfaces.

Certain jurisdictions across North America (including some areas of British Columbia in Canada, for instance) require all cars to be fitted with all-season tires (as opposed to summer-only tires) during the winter months. Plus, there are all-weather tires in the snow as well – something winter drivers should also look at.

Still, we recommend dedicated winter tires for vehicles driven regularly in freezing weather and snow and ice conditions. Their rubber compounds stay softer and more flexible in the cold, and their tread designs are optimized to find as much grip as possible on slippery surfaces.

First, how to confirm you have all-season tires

First, it’s essential you know how to read tire sidewall markings. All-season tires bear the M+S (mud and snow) designation on the sidewall. That means the tire has wider tread grooves and larger tread blocks to provide more traction in muddy and snowy conditions than a tire intended for summer driving only. Seen here:

tire-symbols-tractionlife

What is a touring all-season tire?

A touring all-season tire tries to be all things to as many different types of drivers as possible. Its design will prioritize the most commonly desired qualities in a tire, like long tread life, a quiet ride, and valuable winter traction. Expect a touring all-season tire to cost more than those labeled simply as “passenger” all-seasons.

Pros & Cons of driving in snow with all-season tires

As the term suggests, an all-season tire is meant to provide confidence-inspiring performance under any road condition. For a performance-oriented car, an all-season tire is a better choice for occasional winter driving than a summer tire.

If you have a vehicle that will see limited use in winter conditions and you don’t want to have to switch between dedicated summer and winter tires, a quality set of all-seasons is a suitable compromise.

Pros:

  • No need to change tires: the main benefit of all-season tires over other kinds is that you don’t have to change them for any season. It would save you a lot of time and possibly money.
  • Less noisy on the road: Typically, all-season tires offer quieter rides since they offer less grip and, thus, less friction on the road.

Cons:

  • Impractical depending on where you live: Living in areas where the temperature drops significantly or regions experiencing snowfall often, all-seasons cannot offer the grip you get with winter tires. 
  • Compromised performance: The lesser grip compared to winter-only tires translates to lower performance on the road.

Takeaway: should you keep all-season tires on during winter?

Sure, having one set of tires all year round will keep more money in your wallet, save time and hassle, and avoid hogging valuable garage or shed space. And while all-seasons will offer adequate performance during the winter months, nothing beats a set of winter-only tires for snow and sleet. The difference in performance, including stopping power, is significant.

Best part? You can buy affordable winter tires instead of a used set, which comes with risks.

Up Next:
Author:
Chris Chase
Chris Chasehttps://chrischasescars.com/
Chris has been writing professionally about cars since 2004, in print and online. He lives in Ottawa with his wife and two feline tyrants. In rare quiet moments, he can be found travelling or playing one of his way-too-many guitars. Chris is also a journalist member of the Automobile Journalists Association of Canada (AJAC).