What is the difference between winter tires and all season

Despite the fact that we don’t receive much snow in Tennessee, we do have a few winter seasons. Even if we don’t receive snow, driving in snowy locations over the Christmas season may be necessary. Once winter arrives, you may need to replace your tires. Although they serve distinct functions, there are two types of tires: winter tires and all-season tires. What is the difference between all-season and winter tires, exactly? Continue reading this article from Lexus of Memphis in Memphis, TN to discover more about the difference between winter tires and all-season tires. Make an appointment to take a test drive with us now!

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  • What is the difference between winter tires and all season
  • What is the difference between winter tires and all season

Winter Tires vs. All-Season Tires

Winter tires outperform other tires on snow and ice. Winter tires have additional slits in the tread and a tread composition that keeps the tire flexible in cold weather to boost traction. They also feature a unique tread pattern as compared to all-season tires. Winter tires have a 30-foot stopping distance, while normal tires have a 36-foot stopping distance. Winter tires also provide better traction, allowing for speedier acceleration.

All-season tires are designed to work on and off the road, in rainy and dry weather, and in temperatures ranging from 100 to 20 degrees Fahrenheit. They can harden at near-freezing conditions, reducing traction. Off-road driving has a high level of puncture resistance, which necessitates certain durability requirements.

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Get New Tires at Lexus of Memphis in Memphis, TN

If you live in or around Memphis, TN, and need tires replaced, give us a call. Our skilled staff will be delighted to assist you. They can aid you in finding the correct tires for your vehicle. Our parts store also has components that are specifically developed for your car, truck, or SUV.

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What is the difference between winter tires and all season

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We live in the Great White North, dreaming of a life in permanent sunshine where we drive our convertible down a beachfront avenue with a surfboard strapped to roof-rack. But that’s not our reality. The truth is for the long winter months, we are driving on snow-plowed streets and highways, scraping our windshield in the morning, and refilling our engine’s anti-freeze tank when it runs low.

What is the difference between winter tires and all season

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What is the difference between winter tires and all season

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Rain is weather. Snow is, too. So, that must mean that all-weather tires work for both raindrops and snowflakes, right? As with almost everything else, the answer is: it depends. As seasons change and road conditions worsen, it's essential to understand the differences between all-weather tires and winter tires.

What Are All-Weather Tires?

All-weather tires, also known as all-season tires, offer a mix of the benefits that you gain from summer and winter tires. To maintain their signature well-roundedness though, all-season tires compromise on some features for more extreme conditions like heavy rainfall or significant road icing.

For example, all-season tires can be louder and less responsive than summer tires because they have deeper treads. On the other hand, all-weather tires' treads are not quite as deep as winter tires', which reduces their stopping power and traction on icy roads.

All-weather tires offer many benefits for drivers who live in areas with milder seasons. For example, drivers with all-season tires can enjoy the convenience and cost-savings of not needing semi-annual tire changes. Plus, all-season tires offer a quiet ride and more than enough traction for everyday driving! Although all-weather tires are great for many people, motorists in places with particularly harsh winters or extra-long rainy seasons should look for more specialized options.

What Are Winter Tires?

Winter tires are designed to meet the challenges of rough winter weather, thanks to their softer rubber, specialized tread design, and traction-enhancing biting edges. If you live and drive in a climate that experiences severe cold, ice, and snow, then winter tires definitely can come in handy.

Wondering how differences in rubber and design impact winter tires performance as compared to all-season tires? Here's how these components set the two types of tires apart.

Tread Rubber

Most winter tires contain softer rubber than all-season ones. The purpose of such rubber compounds is to prevent tires from stiffening in low temperatures, which reduces traction when you need it most. Winter tires' unique rubber compounds are designed to remain flexible, enabling them to grip the road better. That's one reason many technicians recommend switching to winter tires when the temperature consistently dips below 45°F, even if the forecast calls for clear skies.

Tread Depth and Design

Winter tires come with deeper tread depths and more detailed tread patterns than all-weather tires do. The deeper treads of winter tires grip the road, enhancing traction. The unique tire tread patterns channel snow and slush out and away from the tire.

Biting Edges

"Biting edges" are tiny, shallow slits within a tire's tread blocks. Each slit "bites" the road as a tire turns, improving traction on snow and sleet. While both all-season and winter tires have biting edges, winter tires have more than all-season tires, giving them additional traction in wintry road conditions.

Overall, winter tires have an advantage in areas where winter temperatures regularly hit 45°F or below. In a test conducted by Popular Mechanics, winter tires improved performance in braking (up to 5%) and cornering (up to 20%) on snowy and icy roads compared with all-weather tires.

Are you getting ready to truck through a harsh winter? Visit your local Firestone Complete Auto Care for excellent winter tires like the Bridgestone Blizzak and the Firestone Winterforce. (And don't forget to properly store your regular tires!)

All-Weather vs. Snow Tires: Which Should You Get?

The decision of whether to equip your vehicle with winter tires or all-season tires depends on where you live and drive.

If you drive somewhere that rarely gets hit with snow or ice, all-weather tires should be just fine. But if snow, ice, and freezing temperatures are a common occurrence, it's best to invest in a reliable set of winter tires.

Dashing through the snow takes on a whole new meaning when you do it with the right tires. Shop tires online or visit your nearest Firestone Complete Auto Care today!

Can you use winter tires all year round?

Unfortunately, using snow tires year round isn't recommended. In the long run, it will cost more money than changing them out and could compromise your vehicle's performance on the road.

Is it worth it to get winter tires?

Think again. Tests conducted by Canada's Traffic Injury Research Foundation showed that winter tires provide superior traction, braking, and cornering in all cold-weather driving conditions compared to an all-season tire. We're talking better traction whether the road surface is snow-covered, icy, wet, or even dry.

Do winter tires last longer than all season?

Longer Tread Life Because all-season tires have a balanced tread compound, they generally offer more tread life. And this longer tread life sometimes comes with a longer warranty. In some cases, these warranties can stretch to 120,000 km. Summer and winter tires rarely have treadwear warranties.