All-season tires...aren't. Read why all-weather tires are the most convenient winter driving option

Written by Nokian Tyres Senior Communications & Content Manager, Wes Boling.

I was picking up a rental car in Denver recently when the friendly store attendant informed me that I'd be safe in the mountains even if a sudden snowstorm popped up. "You've got all-season tires," he said. "So you'll be fine no matter what."

That sounds nice, right? But I quietly grimaced, because he was sadly mistaken. In fact, under a new [at the time] Colorado state law, I wouldn't even be legal if I took those tires into the Rockies.

About All Season Tires

Several decades ago, some executives in the tire industry made a marketing decision that has challenged drivers ever since: the naming of the all-season tire.

It can be a confusing moniker. All-season tires are great for all seasons -- if you live on the southern end of North America. But if you get snow and ice even a few times a year, they won't do the best job keeping you safe in those conditions. In fact, even when roads are dry, all-season tires tend to lose much of their grip when temperatures fall below 45 degrees Fahrenheit [7 degrees Celsius]. The colder temperatures harden their rubber compounds and lowers their responsiveness to the road.

Colorado legislators agree. They recently passed a law that requires drivers without four-wheel-drive vehicles to use snow tires in mountainous areas.

Fortunately, there's a winter driving solution.

About All Weather Tires

Nokian Tyres is leading a movement to protect drivers year-round in Colorado and beyond: all-weather tires that offer true four-season protection. We're an industry leader in making all-weather tires, which are rated for winter driving but hold up well in rain and heat, too. We've made six generations of them since inventing the category over 25 years ago. Our all-weather tires feature the severe service emblem (also known as the three-peak mountain snowflake), which indicates they meet the necessary standards to be certified in winter weather. The symbol also indicates the tires are legal for winter driving in places that require winter tires during that season.

The Nokian Tyres Remedy WRG5 is our latest all weather tire. Car & Driver wrote about the tire, explaining Nokian Tyres “has combined its winter and all-season tire technology to produce a suitable option for heat and heavy rain or snow, promising to handle conditions all-seasons won't.”

Tire Business Magazine does a great job talking about why companies like ours believe all-weather tires should be their own segment of the market. The Truth About Cars asked whether this was the year “all-weather tires hit the mainstream.” As the inventors of the winter tire, we recognize the importance of true safety in snow and ice.

"There's a growing community of players, led by Nokian Tyres, Kal Tire and others, arguing that the time has come to add all-weather tires as a distinct category to the mix of products for customers in areas of the U.S. and/or Canada that experience 'milder' winter conditions," Tire Business Magazine states.

"'All-weather — or 'four seasons' — tires are considered an upgrade on the traditional 'all-season' tires," the piece continues, "which some have started calling 'three-season' tires."

We believe that's a correct way to approach it. And we think you should keep that in mind, too. 

To wrap the preaching, I'll leave you with Matthew Guy of The Truth About Cars words, “This writer thinks all-weather tires will help immensely. Now, if only we can get other drivers to pay attention.”

How to know if all weather tires are right for you

How do you know if you're a fit for all-weather tires? They're a good fit for you if:

• You experience occasional snow and ice, or if winter temperatures frequently drop below 45 degrees Fahrenheit [7 degrees Celsius]
• You live near mountains or other areas with unpredictable winter weather [I'm talking to you, Colorado residents]
• You don't get enough snow and ice to justify dedicated winter tires, which are still the best option in areas with frequent winter weather

If you're interested in all-weather tires, or still aren't sure which tire type is right for you, we invite you to learn more by checking out our Tire Buying Guide. The next time someone suggests that all-season tires have you covered in snow and ice, you can kindly inform them that there's a better, safer way -- and that Nokian Tyres specializes in it.

Find a Nokian Tyres dealer near you