The summer months in the warm climates invite all car owners for road trips. And road trips require tires that can go the distance. You need to feel prepared for the twists and turns of the journey — including the rain and heat of the season. As the sun beats down on the roads, you need tires that can stand the heat and provide wet traction when the summer rains come down. Will all season tires suffice? Or do you need specialized summer tires for the season? Choosing the right type of tires can help you drive safely, so we will break down the differences between summer tires and all season tires for you.
What are summer tires?
As their name implies, summer tires are exclusively made for warmer weather conditions. They can withstand the dry and wet conditions of the season, keeping their shape as temperatures rise. But to their core, summer tires are built for drivers who value performance on dry roads. They’re equipped for high-speed sports vehicles (also known as high-performance vehicles) that require extra grip at all times.
The tread patterns on summer tires are specialized with less grooving to improve the tire's contact with the road. Summer tires have increased traction and grip with the tires’ specialized tread compounds and more rubber in contact with the road. They are crafted for agility and speed, giving you more control and precision on dry roads. Summer tires have shallower tread depths than their all season counterparts, which allow them to maintain stability when pushed to the limit.
Summer tires help you remain calm and collected with their safe tread and grip, but they are better used only during the summer. Although most summer tires perform well in wet conditions in the summer, their usefulness is limited to the warmer months. That is why Nokian Tyres doesn’t currently sell summer tires in North America. With harder material than winter tires, they can prove hazardous as cold weather rolls in.
If your area sees consistent extreme winter driving conditions, make sure you have a set of dedicated winter tires to ensure optimal traction and braking performance in wintry weather.
What are all season tires?
All season tires are made for, well, all seasons. From dry summers to mild snow, the same four wheels can carry you through with balanced performance for all four seasons (if you don’t experience much wintry weather and extreme driving conditions).
All season tires have moderate tread depths and are engineered with rubber compounds that extend tread life. Their rubber compounds offer more flexibility -- literally. The softer rubber of an all season tire is responsive in both warmer and colder temperatures, down to 45 degrees Fahrenheit (or 7 degrees Celsius).
All season tires provide reliable performance in wet and dry conditions, traction in light wintry conditions, ride comfort, and handling. They handle well in warm weather but may offer less grip than summer tires, with potentially less cornering, braking, and steering capabilities. But these are necessary sacrifices due to all season tires’ longer tread life and light winter performance - unlike their summer tire counterparts.
The Nokian Tyres One is a great example of an all season tire. It's designed to fit most vehicles on the market. Regular summer tires wear faster compared to all season tires. The Nokian Tyres One, however, has durable tread with an 80,000-mile treadwear warranty. It’s responsive to the road, with a tread pattern tailored to the demands of North American roads. The Nokian Tyres One even comes with a Pothole Protection Warranty, thanks to blowout-resistant Aramid fibers embedded in the tire sidewall.
There’s a reason all season tires are the most popular type of tire in much of North America – they offer durability and solid versatility in many areas of the United States, and they’re a strong summertime option for Snow Belt drivers who swap to winter tires when the weather gets cold.
Find your Nokian Tyres all season tires here.
What about winter tires?
In certain areas with tough winters, choose a dedicated winter tire during the colder months. Winter and snow tires come with and without studs. Choose studded winter tires when the roads are icy and you require the extra grip of the tiny studs embedded in the tire. Go for non-studded winter tires for a quieter, more comfortable drive in light winter conditions and freezing temperatures. Remember to refer to your local regulations for using winter tires and state-specific requirements.
Though all-season tires can provide traction in moderate driving conditions and climates, if you live in a climate where winter temperatures consistently sit below 45 degrees F (or 7 degrees C), we recommend having a set of all weather tires or winter tires to switch to during wintertime.
All-weather tires go the extra mile: they’re built for year-round use and have earned the three-peak mountain snowflake symbol that means they’re suitable for driving in winter, too. And for drivers who experience extreme wintry weather, there’s nothing safer than swapping to a set of dedicated winter tires.
All-season vs all-weather tires
When the leaves change in the fall, you’ll want to consider a new set of tires. If you live in a warmer climate that does not see snow, opt for all season tires that offer summer weather performance. If you live in a climate where snowy conditions visit your area from time to time, you may want to consider winter-rated all-weather tires instead, such as the Nokian Tyres Remedy WRG5.
Based on their names alone, the difference between all-season and all-weather tires is not obvious. In fact, it's confusing. If wintery conditions come to visit the area where you live on occasion during the wintertime, all-weather tires provide year-round performance. For driving in the winter, check that your tires are marked with the 3PMSF symbol that indicates the tires are suitable for winter driving; this is what differentiates an all weather tire from an all season tire. All weathers are snow-certified with the 3PMSF symbol, as shown below, which indicates they've been tested to perform in winter conditions.
Summer tires vs all-season tires: which tire is right for me?
If you can literally cook an egg on the sidewalk and want strong performance for a very short time, summer tires might be for you. But for the majority of North Americans, all-season tires like the Nokian Tyres One, crafted at our North American factory in Dayton, Tennessee, will do the trick in the spring, summer and fall. If necessary, you can drive with all-season tires even in winter if the driving conditions are not too severe.
Visit our Dealer Locator page to locate a tire shop near you who sells Nokian Tyres products:
