How to Choose the Best All-Season Tires

Tires All season

All-season tires should make annoying seasonal changes to car tires. In addition, drivers save the second set of summer or winter tires and the possible costs of tire storage. How long do all-weather tires last? Find out on this website.

Fact: Quality all-season tires last longer

How long you can drive an all-season tire depends on many factors. As with all other car tires, the quality of the all-weather tire is essential here. Quality premium tires from significant manufacturers usually last significantly longer than cheap tires from no-name manufacturers.

But even in the middle price segment, there are robust, cheap all-season tires. In most cases, these are second brands from the best-known manufacturers. Price comparison is worthwhile. Take a look at the current all-season tire tests on our blog.

Frequent drivers should change all-season tires earlier

It seems logical and a truism that drivers with higher mileage also have to replace their all-weather tires earlier. After all, more kilometers on the road means more tread wear. But frequent drivers not only have to switch to a new set of tires earlier, but they also cover significantly fewer kilometers with one set.

All-season tires on a frequent driver car often reach their zenith after around 35,000 kilometers, while drivers with less mileage can cover up to 50,000 kilometers on all-weather tires. For hard-working drivers who spend a lot of time on the motorway, this means changing tires after about two years.

All-weather tires can last for many years with infrequent drivers.

It is difficult to determine the durability of an all-season tire in general. Because factors such as tire quality and mileage also include driving style and tire age. If you only use your car for short commutes and shopping trips and stay under 10,000 kilometers a year, you can drive a quality all-season tire for up to 4 years. Depending on how long the tire has been waiting in some warehouse before it was used and was able to "mature," the durability prognosis may have to be reduced.

The rubber compound of all-weather tires changes and ages even when the tire is not used. The material properties decrease with each passing year, and the profile thins out faster. Therefore, do not waste too much time checking the profiles and regularly check the all-season tires for damage and sufficient tread depth. Get support from tire professionals in a car workshop or a tire shop if in doubt.

What to pay attention to when choosing all-season tires

The significant advantage of all-season tires is that weather-related, seasonal tire changes are no longer necessary. You also save additional money because you do not have to buy two sets of tires (summer and winter). In addition, you do not need space for the second set of tires or have to pay for storage.

The disadvantages of all-season tires, however, are on the road. Because they are just a compromise, they are inferior to summer tires and winter tires in the respective season.

If you drive with all-weather tires in summer, you have to reckon with higher fuel consumption and longer braking distances compared to summer tires. The latter also applies to wintry road conditions when compared to winter tires.

However, general criticism of the safety of all-season tires dates back to the times when tire manufacturers only offered half-hearted solutions.

All-season tires are also allowed in winter, but due to their properties, they are more worthwhile for drivers who mainly drive at lower speeds in the city and are spared extreme weather conditions.

If you can leave your vehicle in the harsh winter weather, you could save money with all-weather tires and still be safe on the road when the road conditions are not quite as wintry.

However, if you live in the mountains or want to go there on holiday to ski, you need winter tires – and possibly even snow chains.

What to look out for when buying?

If you decide to buy all-season tires, make sure they have the so-called Alpine symbol. The symbol shows a mountain pictogram with a snowflake and marks tires suitable for winter use according to the winter tire regulation.

Although the label "M+S" stands for mud and snow, it is not sufficient according to the regulation. However, a transitional rule will apply until September 30, 2024: Tires with the "M+S" symbol manufactured up to December 31, 2017, may still be driven off.

When is it high time to change all-season tires?

The legislator prescribes a minimum tread depth of 1.6 millimeters in most countries. However, experts recommend a significantly deeper profile, especially for tires with winter properties (and these inevitably include all-season tires), to ensure safety in all weather conditions.

It is recommended that all-season tires should only be worn down to a tread depth of 4 millimeters, as braking performance on wet surfaces, in particular, decreases significantly from this point. You can measure the tread depth of your all-season tires quickly and easily with a cheap tread depth gauge. This is how you measure the tread depth of your tires.

How to make your all-season tires last longer

To ensure the longevity of your all-weather tires, always provide the ideal tire pressure (click here for our small guide to tire pressure). If the tire pressure is too low, all-season tires can overheat and lose stability. The result: they wear out faster. Too high tire pressure, in turn, reduces the grip of the tires on the road.

The correct adjustment of the chassis also makes your tires last longer. If your track or camber is misaligned, surfaces are not optimal on the road and wear unevenly. The chassis often adjusts unnoticed, even with small bumps on curbs or other obstacles. It is, therefore, best to have a wheel alignment and, if necessary, an adjustment of the chassis carried out at least every two years.

Conclusion

All-weather tires make having two sets of tires (for winter and summer) obsolete for many drivers. Nevertheless, motor vehicle professionals also recommend replacing all-season tires every six months. This way, you enable your tires to wear evenly and thus have a longer tire life.

Grand Touring All-Season

Provide sensible traction and driving comfort throughout the year. The treads are designed to minimize road noises and have a decent tread life. They are available in M+S, allowing the driver to cruise at higher speeds. The tires provide sufficient traction over snowy roads.


Ultra High Performance All-Season

They provide traction across all seasons, boast of a longer tread life with superb handling characteristics. Tires possess unique tread patterns to enhance traction over snow and use flexible material to maintain resilience over cold winter conditions. Available in M+S ratings.


Performance All-Season

Beyond sufficient all-season traction, these tires boost handling capabilities. The tires complement the exterior outlook of most passenger cars, given their stylish designs. They are branded M+S and provide adequate traction when driving over light snow. They are decently responsive to steering...


Crossover/SUV Touring All-Season

Highway tires which enhance the physical appearance of a vehicle while offering superb all-season traction, driving comfort and handling. The tread patterns facilitate traction on wet and dry roads with acceptable defense against hydroplaning. Their performance may be lowered when driving over...


Highway All-Season

Tires provide a good balance between performance and longer tread life. They provide appropriate traction on dry and snowy roads. Their tread blocks are capable of scattering surface dirt and enhancing grip over light snow. They offer a comfortable highway ride.


Passenger All-Season

M+S rated tires that guarantee all-year traction and driving comfort. They have average but predictable handling and steering characteristics. The handling of these tires is above average and has an almost uniform wear rate. They perform well over light snow and can withstand the cold winter...


Standard Touring All-Season

Provide a blend of traction, comfort and acceptable tread life to tackle dry and wet driving conditions. They are M+S branded and try to balance performance and appearance. They are preferable for low-speed driving and have the treads optimized for noise cancellation guaranteeing highway comfort.


High Performance All-Season

Optimized for superb handling, traction and versatility throughout the year. The tires are made from quality materials that can withstand cold conditions. They have a decent tread life and guarantee an all-season performance. Treads are optimized for comfort and are available in M+S standards.


Street/Sport Truck All-Season

Provide excellent traction on dry and wet roads. They have decent winter traction, perfect for enhancing responsiveness and handling capabilities. Low-profile aftermarket alternatives tuned for a comfortable highway ride and a longer-lasting tread life. Winter performance is reliant on tread widths.