Do You Have the Right Tire? Summer vs Winter vs All-Season Explained!

In this video, we are talking about the differences between summer, winter, and all-season tires to help you make the best decision for your vehicle. Whether you're facing the blazing summer heat or icy winter roads, understanding the right tires can make all the difference. Now, let's get rolling, starting things off with Summer tires. Summer Tires Summer tires perform best when the mercury rises above 45°F (or 7°C). They excel in providing unmatched traction on both wet and dry surfaces compared to their winter and all-season counterparts. This advantage stems from their unique asymmetric tread patterns and minimal grooves, which maximize rubber-to-road contact, enhancing grip significantly. Their stickier rubber composition allows them to cling to the road better, providing a tighter grip and reducing the risk of hydroplaning. However, this high level of traction comes with reduced tread life. Summer tires generally last between 20,000 to 40,000 miles, significantly shorter than the 40,000 to 100,000 miles you might expect from all-season tires. They also start with shallower tread depths, around 8/32" to 9/32" (6.5 to 7 millimeters). As summer tires wear down, particularly once the tread depth drops below 4/32" (3 millimeters), their performance can be significantly compromised, especially in preventing hydroplaning. In contrast, all-season tires maintain decent performance even at tread depths as low as 2/32", while winter tires start losing their edge below 5/32" (4 millimeters). Summer tires, with their superb road connectivity, provide the best traction and stability, particularly at higher speeds. Common sizes for these tires include 205/55R16, 225/45R17, and 245/40R18, typically featuring a lower profile and wider tread for better grip and handling. Winter Tires Winter tires excel in temperatures below 45°F (7°C), making them perfect for snowy, icy, and cold conditions. Their tread patterns are usually directional and often V-shaped, incorporating aggressive grooving and sometimes even studs to enhance traction. The soft rubber compound of winter tires remains flexible in extreme cold, improving grip and control on slippery roads. These tires also feature more siping and deeper grooves compared to their all-season and summer counterparts, with an initial tread depth of about 11 to 13/32" (9 to 10 millimeters). Their directional V-shaped lugs help push snow backward, creating forward momentum.