Winter tires or an all-season tire?

Winter tires have been specially developed to offer more grip on wet and slippery road surfaces. To achieve this, the tires are made of a softer rubber than the summer tires and have a clearer profile. This ensures that the tires have better contact with the road, even if it offers less grip during the winter. After all, snow, knocked-on snow and ice make the roads slippery faster. Even at temperatures below seven degrees, you will see that the winter tires work better than their summer equivalent. Why should you choose winter tires or an all-season tire?

All-season tire restriction

All-season tires or all-season tires are tires that are somewhere between winter and summer tires and can therefore be used all year round. That seems very easy at first glance. But as is often the case with a middle ground, it’s really not suitable for both extremes. In the snow, for example, an all-season tire does not have almost all the advantages that a real winter tire has; whoever wants to drive off on a slope in a mountain village will really have a problem. If you really want to be sure that your car has the best tires, choose winter and summer tires.

How do you make your choice?

This means that you should orient yourself well if you are in doubt between winter tires or an all-season tire. AutoWeek has good sources for this. First, think about what you really want to use the tires for. If you are going on winter sports, then it is clear: use winter tires. Often these are also mandatory. If you stay in the Netherlands or in more temperate areas, you could fit all-season tires. Be aware of the limitations if it gets really slippery or snowy.

Also read the tire tests that our experts carry out every year. The tapes on the market are tested at various points and the editors’ judgment is based on these tests. Have you determined the direction of your choice? Then the AutoWeek Tire Price Comparator is an excellent starting point for choosing winter tires or an all-season tire and to see where you can get your tire most attractively.