You shouldn’t choose all-season tires if living in an area with severe or moderate winter weather unless you have the intention to change over to dedicated winter tires in the winter. All-season tires aren’t made for winter weather and therefore don’t hold the “Three Peak Mountain Snowflake” symbol which signifies that they have passed required performance criteria in snow testing to be considered severe snow service rated. Tires with this emblem provide improved snow traction over tires holding the mud and snow emblem (M+S). This being said there are some areas in the United States that don’t experience winter weather, and for those areas all-season tires are a great choice.
If the weather where you live has a mild climate and you would like to equip your car with one set of tires for the year, then all-season tires like the Nokian zLine A/S are a great choice. This high-performance all-season tire combines safety and performance to allow for a luxurious and comfortable drive. It incorporates many new technologies like the new comfort base compound, silent groove design, polished grooves, while offering low rolling resistance making it fuel efficient and thereby environmentally friendly. The polished grooves help provide both hydroplaning and slushplaning protection as the grooves allow to displace more water from between the tire and the road. It is also able to work in a wide temperature range making this tire ideal spring to late fall.
The fact that all-season tires are not made to handle winters is also the reason why they don’t need such aggressive tread pattern and thereby have a lower rolling resistance. The all-weather tire has a more aggressive tread to allow it to be marked with the “Three Peak Mountain Snowflake” symbol, like winter tires. In fact, the all-weather tire is like a hybrid between winter and all-season tires. The all-season tires not having this rating, and therefore do not need such aggressive treading. This also make them a lower rolling resistance tire and more environmentally friendly. To make sure to get the most out of the tires performance always replace your tires with the same recommended manufacturer’s dimension tires.
All-season tires are a great choice for areas not experiencing severe winter weather and allow for one set of tires throughout the year, eliminating the need to change tires. Having said that, the option does exist to change over to dedicated winter tires in the winter to allow for the use of all-season tires the rest of the year. There has also been a lot of advances in the manufacturing of all-season tires allowing for a more silent ride while also reducing vibration and rolling resistance thereby making them more fuel efficient and environmentally friendly.
For more information regarding all-season tires, visit: nokiantires.com