All-season tires are not approved for winter use because they have not passed required criteria in snow testing and therefore do not hold the “Three Peak Mountain Snowflake” symbol. This emblem is only held by winter tires and all-weather tires to signify that they can be considered severe service rated for snow and ice. It is important to understand this as all-season tires should not be considered for year-round use in areas that have severe winter weather. If you live in an area without severe winters, then all-season tires are a good option as they typically have low rolling resistance.
This low rolling resistance is due to the less aggressive tread and the reason that they perform better in all other seasons of the year other than winter. This is because the very reason all-weather tires and winter tires perform well in winter is because they have a more aggressive tread compound and softer rubber compound allowing them to grip well on snow and ice. This however are features that make them less able to handle well in warm weather on dry roads. In fact, winter tires become too soft in warmer temperatures and will wear down much faster. They even will chemically degrade if continually in contact with warm pavement, making them less capable of properly gripping the road, thereby making it more difficult to brake and increasing the stopping distance.
If the area where you live has mild winters or if you prefer to invest in an all-season tire for the rest of the year and switch into a dedicated snow tires in the winter, then you might want to consider the Nokian zLine all-season tires. These tires will offer the newest technological advances to ensure the most luxurious drive with excellent stability and handling to offer controlled driving comfort. With new advances to protect against hydroplaning these tires will prepare you for both dry and wet pavement. The Nokian zLine A/S tires work in a wide temperature range making this tire ideal in areas not experiencing severe winters.
The fact that all-season tires do not have the severe service rating means that they do not need as an aggressive treading as either winter or all-weather tires. This in turn, allows them to perform well in the other seasons of the year. 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. The benefit of the all-season tires is that they are fuel efficient and environmentally friendly due to their low rolling resistance.
For more information regarding all-season tires, visit: nokiantires.com