What Are All Season Tyres & Should You Get Them?

As the weather starts to turn, have you ever worried about your summer tyres not being suitable? Do you routinely have to change your tyres when the cold weather kicks in?

Swapping your tyres out seasonally can become tedious and you may well forget. What’s more, summer tyres are likely to perform particularly poorly in icy conditions and winter tyres aren’t always worth it in milder climates. It would be much more efficient to run with a tyre that falls somewhere in the middle, right?

Well that’s where all season tyres come in. Read on to find out more about this type of tyre and its benefits.

What are all season tyres?

All season tyres, also known as all weather tyres, are just one of the many different tyre types available on the market today. They provide a happy medium and are perfect to keep drivers firmly on the road come rain, snow, or shine.

This tyre type is designed to be used in countries that have moderate weather all year around, like the UK. These tyres are optimised for milder winters but can cope across all four seasons. They combine elements from both the summer and winter tyres to create the best of both worlds, giving drivers confidence no matter the season.

While all season tyres aren’t likely to match up to the specialist performance of specific winter and summer tyres, they are an excellent all rounder with their own list of strengths.

How are all season tyres different from other tyre types?

Summer and winter tyres are designed for peak performance in their respective weather conditions. They are made from different compounds which are specifically engineered for certain temperatures. In contrast, all season tyres are a hybrid of the qualities of summer and winter tyres. They are made from an intermediate rubber compound that provides good grip on warm dry roads but also won't harden in cold weather.

Summer Tyres

Summer tyres are the standard tyre product that is fitted to the car from new when you buy it from the manufacturer. These tyres are best suited to the warmer months between March and October. Summer tyres are made from a softer compound so, during the warmer months, they grip dry roads superbly and offer excellent handling and steering.

Winter tyres

Then there are winter tyres, which are the optimum choice when the temperature drops below 7 degrees. Sometimes referred to as snow tyres, they have a different rubber compound that enables them to grip the road in wet, icy, or snowy conditions. They also feature tiny grooves on the tread pattern known as sipes which help to grip snow and ice.

All season tyres

In comparison to the seasonal options, the all season tyre is an all-rounder, agile enough to grip on dry roads but resilient enough so as not to harden like summer tyres on colder days. In mild climates like the UK where you cannot guarantee hot summers but equally snowfall is fairly rare, all season tyres offer the ideal solution as they still perform great in wet weather. .

Are all season tyres for you?

Tyres are a crucial aspect of vehicle safety as they ensure your car is able to grip the road properly. Many UK drivers opt for summer tyres due to the mild winters. However, all-season tyres are also well-suited to the British climate.

If cold weather suddenly hits, all-season tyres will offer stronger performance than summer tyres. This is because their tread pattern is designed to reduce the risk of aquaplaning which provides reassurance to drivers in the case of sudden bad weather. All season tyres could be a good option for you if:

• You live in an area where temperatures are usually mild, especially during winter time.
• You typically drive in urban areas where the streets are regularly cleared of snow.
• You only drive for a limited amount of miles each year.

If these factors apply to you, then all-season tyres could suit your driving needs.

Get your all season tyres at Kwik Fit

Here at Kwik Fit, we stock a comprehensive range of all season tyres from premium brands such as Goodyear, Michelin, and Continental. Take a look at a couple of the tyre options available to you below:

Goodyear Vector 4Seasons Gen2

The award-winning Goodyear Vector 4Seasons Gen 2 is an all season tyre which offers drivers great performance in all weather conditions, as well as on snowy and icy roads. This tyre is designed to meet the needs of drivers in the UK who don’t always change tyres in line with the differing and unpredictable weather conditions. 

Michelin CrossClimate

The Michelin CrossClimate achieves all-weather excellence thanks to a combination of an intelligent new rubber compound mixture which adapts to weather conditions, providing grip in all temperatures with its unique tread pattern. In tests carried out by TUV SUD, the V-shaped tread provided excellent dry performance while the new bevel-edged tread blocks with higher performing sipes allowed for great traction on snow and ice.

As well as boasting safety in every weather condition, the Michelin CrossClimate delivers the highest levels of combined performance in fuel economy, longevity, and driving comfort that Michelin is committed to delivering in every tyre that it develops.

Speak to Kwik Fit

If you are unsure which tyres are the right ones for you, contact your local Kwik Fit centre, tell us a little about your driving habits and we'll be able to suggest the best tyres for the job.

Take a look at our Kwik Fit all season tyres here or head over to the Kwik Fit blog for more expert motoring advice.