All-Weather Tyres

All-weather tyres are tyres which are able to grip the warm, dry roads of summer, in addition to working well on colder winter days. The rubber mix used in the manufacture of these tyres is designed to function well in temperatures both below and above 0°C.

In countries with milder climates such as the UK, where the summers are rarely burning hot and the winters rarely see heavy prolonged snowfall, all-season tyres are a good compromise. They also work very well in wet driving conditions.

UK winters do get below 7°C which is where the grip on summer tyres begins to deteriorate. As such, all-weather tyres might be the better choice if you don’t want to change tyres with the seasons. It’s worth noting that all-weather tyres are best used in urban environments where snow isn’t on the roads for long periods of time. All-weather tyres work well on roads with a small dusting of snow, but when driving in heavier snow and ice they can end up being problematic.

All-weather tyres will provide the “standard” driver with a more than acceptable level of performance throughout the year. The all-weather driver will also be prepared for sudden cold spells as the rubber compound can function below temperatures of 7°C. This versatility is one of the main benefits of the all-weather tyre design.

Other advantages include:

•  Longer tread wear: All-weather tyres are designed to wear across the entire tyre at an even rate so they last longer than many other tyres. If your driving is mainly short distances in an urban environment, all-weather tyres may actually grow old before they are worn down.
• Cheaper than other types of tyres: That’s right, these tyres are durable and more affordable. Because these tyres are more popular than other types, supply and demand work in favour of the buyer.
• Longer warranties: All-weather tyres are meant to last and as such most manufacturers guarantee their tyres for up to 90,000 miles.
• Use the same set of tyres all year round: Choosing all-weather tyres means you don’t have the hassle and cost of swapping and storing summer and winter tyres between seasons. All-weather tyres are perfectly adequate for motoring on UK roads for most drivers and their vehicles.
• Better level of performance throughout winter than a standard summer tyre: Due to the unique tread and groove pattern combined with the intermediate rubber compound, all-weather tyres give a better level of performance throughout summer than a specific winter tyre will. The tread on all-weather tyres provides improved handling on warm and dry roads.

All-weather tyres are a compromise. They will never match the performance of winter tyres in winter conditions or summer tyres in summer conditions.