Winter or all-season tyres?

The core differences between tyre types

Both all-season and winter tyres are approved for use in winter. Winter tyres should be alternated with summer tyres, while all-season tyres can be kept all year round. These two types of tyres have substantial differences and are characterised by different compounds, designs and technologies.

Winter tyres have a softer compound than all-season models to guarantee better performance when temperatures fall below 7°C. They also have more sipes and deeper grooves to improve grip on snow, ice and water.

All-season tyres have a slightly harder compound to allow them to provide balanced performance in both winter and summer. They have fewer sipes than winter tyres, but more than summer tyres, with good grip on both dry and icy surfaces or in the presence of water and snow.

Winter tyres ensure high performance in winter, with shorter braking distances than all-season tyres. During the summer, winter tyres lose their advantages, making all-season tyres a better performing tyre in terms of grip, handling, resistance to wear and lack of noise.

The benefits of winter tyres

Winter tyres are designed especially for driving on snow and ice, or on tarmac when temperatures fall below 7°C. In these conditions they are more efficient than all-season tyres, offering improved grip, shorter braking distances and superior durability.

They do, however, need to be alternated with summer tyres when temperatures go above 7°C, something that brings with it the added costs of having to have your tyres replaced every season and storage for the second set. Winter tyres are safer and more efficient in winter, but are more expensive and more inconvenient to motorists.

The benefits of all-season tyres

The main advantage of all-season tyres is that they can be used all year round and allow you to drive even when winter tyres are required. The presence of the M+S (mud + snow) label indicates that a tyre has been designed for winter use and they may even have a 3PMSF ‘3 peak mountain snowflake’ symbol for even better winter performance.

Compared to summer tyres, all-season tyres work better in winter, offering superior grip in the event of ice and snow and at low temperatures. Not only that but no costs are incurred by periodically replacing your tyres, although it is important to remember that these tyres are a balanced option and do not perform as well as summer tyres in summer and winter tyres and winter.

What tyres should I choose?

When it comes to choosing between either summer and winter tyres or all-season tyres, there are a number of things to consider. For those with a low annual mileage, who live in a mild climate and are cost conscious, all-season tyres are undoubtedly the best option.

However, for those with an annual mileage of more than 10000 miles, who live in an area with harsh winters and are prepared to spend a little more, winter tyres are the best solution. In general, you should take into account costs, your driving needs and climatic conditions when making your choice.

Factors affecting your choice

There are three main factors that affect the choice between all-season and winter tyres: local legal requirements, weather conditions and annual mileage. An assessment of these three aspects allows you to choose the right tyres, either all-season ones to keep all year round or alternating seasonally between winter and summer tyres.

Location

In some European countries, seasonally or on some stretches of road the use of 3PSMF marked winter tyres (or All-season tyres with a 3PSMF symbol) is mandatory. Non 3PMSF marked All-season or summer tyres can be used anywhere during any season in the United Kingdom with no further requirements. It therefore remains a personal decision based on safety and driving comfort which type of tyres you choose to use in the UK.

Local weather

Those who live in areas with mild winters can choose all-season tyres safe in the knowledge that the inconvenience caused by a few days of intense cold and rare snowfalls will be minimal. If, on the other hand, winters are long and harsh in your area, with temperatures that often fall below 7°C, frequent snowfalls and the formation of ice on the road, it is preferable to opt for winter tyres.

Average annual mileage

For those who do not drive often, only using the car for short journeys from home to work or just at the weekends, for example, all-season tyres are the most convenient and practical choice. Winter tyres are recommended for those who use their car a lot, making regular long journeys and often driving in areas at risk of snow and ice.

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