Winter Tires vs. All-Season Tires: 2 Main Differences

This week our Shop Manager, Justin, answers two of your most common questions: WHAT are the 2 main differences between winter tires and all-season tires and WHY are they important?

It’s already mid-December and we’ve been lucky that it has only lightly snowed a few times. But living in Canada we have to be prepared for unpredictable winter weather at a moment’s notice.

Many people right now are debating whether they should switch from all-season to winter tires right now. That’s why I would like to show you the 2 main differences between winter tires and all-season tires:

First up, let’s talk about the rubber compounds. The rubber compound of winter tires contains an ingredient called silica. Silica defines the overall flexibility and softness of the rubber: the more silica, the softer and more flexible the rubber. This is the key difference between winter and all-season tires allowing winter tires to perform better during temperatures 7⁰ Celsius and below. Unlike all-season tires which tend to harden like hockey pucks in cold temperatures, winter tires remain flexible to grip icy roads better.
Tire tread depth and pattern will determine the level of grip on the road. Commonly referred to as “sipes”, their main purpose is to channel the water and slush out and away from the tire. Winter tires have deeper sipes to provide better contact with the road on those slushy and wet days. Without these grooves, you could “float” or “hydroplane” on top of the slush and lose control. Micro-sipes are smaller slits in the tread that form a zig-zag pattern, giving you extra grip and stability while turning and braking on cold, slippery surfaces. Some winter tires even have tiny dimples in the tread which aid in water dissipation by absorbing water and throwing it off after that part of the tread has rotated away from the road.

With cold weather and snow comes poor road and driving conditions. Winter tires are going to help you avoid waiting hours for a tow truck to pull you out of the ditch you just slid into or the unplowed parking lot you thought you could conquer. I’m not saying that with winter tires you should follow a snowmobile through a snow-covered field, but our main goal is always to help keep you and everyone around you safe on the roads.

I hope this information has answered a few questions about the importance of winter tires. There are some features that I haven’t covered and each tire manufacturer has their own designs. Ask your local mechanic which tires are right for your type of commute.

If you have any specific questions, please comment below and I’ll be happy to answer!

Thanks for reading.

Justin
Shop Manager