There are both similarities and differences between all-weather tires and non-studded tires. For the similarities they both hold the “Three Peak Mountain Snowflake” symbol signifying that they have met required performance criteria in snow testing and can be considered severe snow service rated. The main difference being that all-weather tires can be used in all seasons whereas the non-studded winter tires can only be used in winter. Even though the non-studded tires have less restrictions than studded tires they are still not made for use in other seasons but winter. The new generation of all-weather tires have shown to be as good on snow and ice as winter tires while holding the advantage of all year-round use. With rubber compounds that are adapted to endure a wider temperature range than dedicated snow tires that are not meant to be used in warmer weather.
There are many good all-weather tires on the market, like the Nokian Encompass AW01 which ensures excellent handling in all weather conditions from summer heat, rain, as well as snow and ice. You will not be compromising on safety in winter conditions while enjoying the flexibility of all year-round use. These tires, like all all-weather and winter tires, hold the “Three Peak Mountain Snowflake” symbol guaranteeing that they have passed all performance criteria to handle severe winter road conditions so you will not have to compromise on safety. In addition, they are equipped with the strong “Aramid” sidewalls that help protect against potholes and other road hazards. They even offer a 60,000-mile tread warranty.
Another good quality all-weather tire is the Nokian WR G4 which also offers excellent grip for all seasons no matter what the forecast. They perform equally well on dry, wet, snowy and icy surfaces with many new innovations allowing these tires to perform as well as snow tires. In addition, they come recommended for hybrid and electric cars. Innovations like “Blade Grooves” which are fan-like rib patterns on the tread blocks help route rain, snow and slush away from the contact surface. With the sipes being staggered at different angles it allows for improved acceleration grip as well as longitudinal grip on both snow and ice. All-weather tires also offer a rubber compound that is meant to be used in wide temperature ranges, so whether the temperatures are below freezing or over 100 degrees Fahrenheit in the summer, these tires will perform equally well.
All-weather tires as compared to non-studded tires offer the flexibility of being able to be used all year-round eliminating the need for changing of tires. This not only makes the all-weather tires more convenient but also allows you to move smoothly between seasons not having to predict at what moment to change in or out of snow tires. With newer innovations in all-weather tires, they are able to perform virtually the same as non-studded tires. With the many advantages of all-weather tires over non-studded tires it is not surprising their rising popularity in recent years.
For more information regarding all-weather tires, visit www.nokiantires.com