All-Season Tires

All-Season Touring Tires

All-Season tires are typically the most popular choice for consumers as a year-round tire that adequately meets all weather conditions.

Traditionally sold for year round performance, all-season tires are intended for moderate weather where the temperature does not drop below 7°C.  In Canada, a typical all-season tire performs at its optimal level during the most temperate months of April-September, as when the average temperature hits the 7°C point, the rubber compounds in all-season tires harden, reducing traction and braking ability.

Within the all-season category there are a variety of additional factors that consumers can consider:

• Low rolling resistance for fuel economy
• Reduced siping and grooves for ride comfort and reduced road noise
• Long tread life for high mileage use
• Run-Flat/extended mobility
• Varying degrees of performance

All-season tires come standard as Original Equipment on a wide variety of favourite cars, Utility vehicles (CUV/SUV), and light trucks.

Note: Many high-end coupes and sedans are being fitted with High Performance (HP) and Ultra High Performance (UHP) tires due to their higher speed ratings and handling capabilities.

All-Season vs. Winter Tires

The primary differences between all-season and winter tires are the rubber compounds used to build the tires, and the design of the biting edges and siping for traction, water and snow evacuation.

Manufacturers design all-season tires using compounds that function well when faced with varying environmental conditions. The compound will work in varying conditions; however, it is not the best option for either extreme.

Many Canadian highways prohibit vehicles using all-season tires without chains during the winter months.

All-Season vs. Summer Performance Tires

Unlike high performance or summer tires, which are built to excel in handling in warmer months, all-season tires are intended to fit a variety of needs into one tire, excelling in only a few characteristics.

The siping and grooves in all-season tires are different from those of performance tires due to the higher need for water evacuation over cornering and speed requirements. All-season is not an official classification used in tire construction. Unlike winter tires or all-weather tires, to obtain the M+S designation, all-season tires must meet a manufacturing standard and are not tested in severe conditions. Winter tires and all-weather tires must pass stringent tests; this is why most carry the 3PMS symbol (Three Peak Mountain Snowflake) to designate that they have qualified for the highest traction ratings available on snow or ice conditions.