Why are all-season tires more popular?
With hundreds of articles published on Tire Hungry, you may have noticed a trend. Most of the models in the individual reviews or the list articles were all-season models, and with good reason.
If you’ve been browsing your favorite tire retailers, you may have noticed more all-season models than summer models. Most people don’t pay much attention to that, but some do and want to know why. This is where I come into play.
I’ll explain why they’re more popular and a common purchase option. This is especially true for the US market, where the difference is massive. It’s a similar story to the rest of the world, but the difference isn’t as pronounced.
What are the differences between all-season and summer tires?
Before I start diving into the reasons, let’s talk briefly about the differences. To be fair, this is a long topic to discuss, but for today’s explanation, I’ll only scratch the surface.
As you can guess from the name, the first type is the kind of tires that will perform in multiple seasons, including winter. The biggest caveat here is that the performance is limited in these conditions. They do well in lighter ones but struggle in harsher, like deep snow or extremely low temperatures. The performance comes from the rubber compound and tread pattern, allowing them to perform in colder temperatures and on snow and ice.
![](https://tirehungry.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/pexels-mike-bird-441103-1024x576.jpg)
The second type is summer tires, but they’re not the type you’ll only use in the summer months. These tires do an excellent job in dry and wet conditions as long as the temperature is somewhere over 45 degrees. The rubber compound isn’t as “soft” as the all-season tires, which is why they do a poor job in colder temperatures. In addition to that, the lack of an M+S rating means that the pattern won’t be able to tackle snow.
Why are all-season tires more popular?
With the comparison out of the way, let’s see why they’re more popular than summer tires.
Available winter performance
The main advantage these tires have over their summer counterparts is that they’re usable in winter. Sure, they’re not a replacement for a set of dedicated winter tires, but there is a market for them.
Plenty of areas in the US have mild winters, meaning that people see an inch or two of snow and temperatures that aren’t too far into the freezing zone. It’s something that all-season tires can tackle as long as you’re getting a set that performs well.
![](https://tirehungry.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/pexels-karolina-grabowska-6603941-1024x683.jpg)
It’s important to note that there are areas with no winters, so a set of summer tires would also be a good option. To be fair, in these situations, it would be better because they won’t be bothered by high temperatures.
They’re more affordable
Before I explain, I have to point out that I’m talking about a set of all-season tires compared with having two sets – summer and winter. It means I’ll discuss areas where global warming hasn’t erased the winters.
Going for two sets of tires means the initial investment is almost double that of one all-season set. Plus, you’ll need to replace them twice a year before their respective season, which is another expense. Some people get a second set of wheels and do the replacement themselves, but that doesn’t reduce the cost. Having two sets means you’ll also need to think about storing the tires that are not in use. Some people keep them in their garage or basement, but some cannot do that, so they revert to using tire hotels, which costs money.
![](https://tirehungry.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/tires-storage-1024x683.jpg)
On the other hand, installing a single set of tires means driving them until you need to replace them. The only additional expense is rotating them so you don’t void the warranty and have them performing as long as possible.
They’re mode practical
With the price aside, let’s talk about practicality. A single set of tires will serve you several years, and the only thing you’ll need to do is the rotation. The interval depends on how many miles you drive and varies from manufacturer to manufacturer. This is all you have to worry about during the ownership of that particular set.
Going for two sets means you’ll have more things to worry about. Switching from one set to another is something you’ll do twice a year, and even though it’s a relatively quick job, you’ll still need to plan ahead. Weather can be unpredictable, so you may find yourself in a situation where you’ll need to make the switch sooner.
![](https://tirehungry.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/mechanic-changing-tires-car-service-1-1024x683.jpg)
I have to mention the storage again, but not from a financial standpoint. Many people are in a position to store their tires at home, which is handy. However, they take up space, and they need to consider the conditions in which they’ll be left.
All of this goes away when you’re running a single set of all-season tires. Some models can last well over 70,000 or 80,000 miles, meaning you can drive worry-free for several years.
Most people will be fine with the performance
I may get a bit hate for this, but before you start throwing stones, hear me out. All-season tires are designed to combine the performance of summer and winter tires. The most important thing to know is that they won’t be better than either of them in their respective seasons. As a result, they won’t perform on the same level as summer tires in hot climates, nor as good as winter ones in harsh winter conditions. They are designed to be flexible and usable in most conditions, so they won’t be the best in a particular season.
![](https://tirehungry.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/close-up-woman-driving-winter-season-1024x683.jpg)
Considering that most people drive their cars to work, pick up groceries, or take the kids to school, a set of all-season tires makes perfect sense. They don’t drive too aggressively or have vehicles that aren’t made for that kind of driving. As commuter tires, they’re excellent. There are performance-oriented models for the casual enthusiast, which are pretty good at what they do.
Why do people use summer and winter tires?
By now, you probably think that no one will go for the two-set combination, but you’re mistaken. Yes, all-season tires are much more popular, but there are still people like me who own both sets.
I won’t categorize myself as an expert driver, but as an enthusiast, I want to have fun with my car. To achieve that, I need a set of summer tires. I’ve tried some all-season models that were surprisingly good, but even those fall behind their summer cousins. Don’t take this the wrong way; they do an excellent job of delivering performance. They’re safe and offer more than enough performance, which is what most drivers are after.
![](https://tirehungry.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/erik-mclean-_t_Cyst6HEA-unsplash-1024x683.jpg)
On the opposite side of the spectrum, we have winter driving. I’ve seen snow a few days a year in the past several years, which probably isn’t a good enough reason to go for winter tires. That is true, but the reality is different. I already own summer tires, so I need something to cover me for when that one-inch snow falls. Since summer tires are terrible in these conditions, my options are all-season or winter. I could go for the first option, but that will leave me in a tight spot if I ever need to drive in harsher conditions. Plus, I need a second set, so why not get one that will excel in winter?
What about all-weather tires?
In recent years, tire manufacturers have started pushing all-weather tires. They are a type of all-season model, but unlike those with the M+S rating, these have the 3PMSF one, like winter models. You’d think this makes them excellent in winter, but they’re not.
All-weather tires are slightly better than all-season ones in winter, especially on snow, which is why they’re becoming quite popular. With that said, they’re still not as good as proper winter tires.
![](https://tirehungry.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/closeup-mechanic-hands-pushing-black-tire-workshop-1024x684.jpg)
Deciding which option to take
It’s time to decide, but you don’t know which is the best. It’s an individual thing, meaning only you know what option will better cover your needs. If you’re looking for tires that will get you from point A to point B and don’t experience harsh winters, then a set of all-season ones will be a great option.
On the other hand, if you’re a bit enthusiastically inclined, summer tires may be a better option. I’m not saying the all-season ones won’t be fun, but not as fun as these. You can still go for these tires, even if you need to drive in harsh winter conditions. People are going for the all-season and winter combination. It doesn’t make a lot of sense to me, to be honest. They’re buying winter tires anyway, so why not have a set of summer ones?
Conclusion
All-season tires have been on the market since the 80s, and even though they weren’t accepted initially, people have understood the advantages of owning them. Being able to offer performance in multiple conditions throughout the year is one of the many reasons why they’re so popular today.
Despite most people going for all-season or all-weather models, it doesn’t mean that the combination of summer and winter is a bad option. People like me rely on this despite not being as affordable or practical.
At the end of the day, the most important thing is to have a good set of tires. Maintain them properly and replace them before they get too old, and you won’t experience any issues in your daily driving adventures.