Winter & Snow Tires vs. All-Season: What’s the Difference?

Nov 8

Northern Michigan winters are long, cold, and, some years, incredibly snowy. Many drivers opt to purchase a set of dedicated snow tires to navigate icy, snow-covered roads and make their winter commutes a little less challenging. Before you invest in winter tires, it’s important to understand the difference between those purpose-built products and normal all-season tires. We’ll look at how each type of tire is designed, how the compounds and treads differ, and when it makes sense to rotate between sets of tires by season.

All-Season vs. Winter Tires

It’s important to note that all tires are designed to perform safely in most road conditions. The difference in composition and tread is relatively small, but the driving characteristics of snow tires and all-season tires are very different when the snow flies.

What Are All-Season Tires?

All-season tires are designed for bare pavement, rain, and otherwise normal driving conditions. They offer adequate traction in light snow, but they aren’t well-suited for heavy snow or ice. They typically have a harder rubber compound that makes them resistant to wear.

How long do all-season tires last?

Most all-season tires last 50,000-80,000 miles under normal driving conditions, although most manufacturers recommend replacing them within 10 years of purchase, as rubber naturally degrades over time.

What Are Snow Tires?

Also known as winter tires, snow tires are specifically designed to navigate snow, ice, and slushy road conditions safely. The rubber that comprises the tread pattern is softer and more flexible in cold weather, which improves traction and handling. Most have biting edges on each side to provide additional control in deep snow and ice.

How long do winter tires last?

Because they are made of a softer compound, winter tires wear faster than all-season tires. Depending on how often you drive and how many miles they have on them in warm weather, you should expect to get 4-6 seasons out of your snow tires.

Do You Really Need Snow Tires?

Deciding to buy snow tires is a significant decision that affects both your finances and safety - that’s never an easy call. Snow tires provide superior traction, control, and reduce braking distance in cold, snowy weather - but you may not do that much driving in those conditions.

Consider snow tires if:

You drive on snowy, icy roads consistently
Temperatures are below 45 degrees for most of the winter
You drive frequently (every day) or long distances (holiday travel) without the option to stay home until roads are plowed

You may not need snow tires if:

You live in town, where major roads are cleared regularly
You live where temperatures are often above 45 degrees for most of the winter
You have the flexibility to wait until roads are plowed to commute

While Garfield Auto does not sell or install tires, we can help you determine if your tires need replacing and will recommend snow tires based on your driving habits.

When To Switch Your Tires for the Season

To maximize the life of your snow tires, make a point of getting them swapped out every fall and spring based on average temperatures and snowfall:

Install your snow tires when temperatures are below 45 degrees and snow is in the forecast; this will help you avoid the rush.
Remove your snow tires in the spring as soon as long-range temperatures are consistently above 45 degrees and there’s little chance of significant snowfall.

We know predicting Northern Michigan weather isn’t easy; when in doubt, hold off so you’re prepared for that last blizzard of the year - in April.

Drive Safely Year-Round with Garfield Auto

Nothing improves performance or safety like a properly-maintained vehicle. Garfield Auto has helped Northern Michigan drivers weather Traverse City winters for decades, offering fast, reliable service at a fair price. Our skilled technicians work on all makes and models, and we always provide friendly customer service. Schedule an appointment today and drive confidently!

Cody Sovis