The first experiments aimed at creating an all-season tire were in the mid-1970s, when the need was felt to move away from the classic dualism between summer tires and winter tyres. Initially, the philosophy of the "all weather" was to offer a good compromise so as not to put the car in difficulty, especially in winter situations, sacrificing something in normal conditions, which, especially in southern Europe, are clearly prevalent over demanding ones. The development of the product was slow, for four decades, both due to the limited acceptance by the market and the compromises required, due to technologies not yet perfected.They were tyres that had the M+S marking on the sidewall, enough to be in compliance even when winter tires were mandatory but not to get by in the event of a heavy snowfall. They were often tyres designed for off-road vehicles that needed tires suitable for handling slippery surfaces (the acronym M+S means "mud and snow").
A fundamental turning point came in 2015 with the debut of the Cinturato All Season by Pirelli, the first premium product aimed at that segment of consumers who used summer tires all year round and, due to their driving style and method of using the car, preferred a single solution to the summer/winter alternation. At the time, the range covered three-quarters of the most popular 15, 16 and 17 inch sizes and already adopted Seal Inside technology, which allows - in the event of a puncture - the car to continue moving, albeit at a limited speed.
The Cinturato All Season was decisive for the development of the typology. Starting from the work done on the directional tread design, aimed at optimizing the ability to drain water through the two large longitudinal and lateral channels, so as to reduce the phenomenon of aquaplaning to a notable extent. Thanks to the innovative design, noise was also reduced, both outside the vehicle, in full compliance with European regulations on noise pollution, and inside the passenger compartment, to the full advantage of driving pleasure. As for the tread compound, thanks to Full Silica technology, Pirelli already managed in 2015 to obtain a product capable of performing at its best in a wide range of temperatures and climatic conditions.
A further distinctive feature of the Cinturato All Season, perfected from its birth until the current evolution of the Cinturato All Season SF3, is represented by the 3D siping technology: the tread design is conceived in such a way that on dry or wet surfaces the 3D sipes, optimizing the movement of the block, guarantee better braking and cornering performance, standardizing the wear profile of the tire and thus extending its life. In the case of snow-covered roads, by opening, the same blocks allow you to capture the snow crystals, offering excellent road holding. It is no coincidence that every All Season must bear the M+S marking, which allows its use as a replacement for winter tires or chains on roads where their use is mandatory by law.
The definitive leap in quality always came with the typical conditions of the cold months in the mountains in mind. The more sophisticated All Season models also bear a symbol depicting a snowflake in a three-peaked mountain (Three Peak Mountain Snow Flake or 3PMSF), as in the case of the Pirelli Cinturato All Season SF3, the Scorpion All Season SF2, or the Carrier All Season for vans only.The marking indicates that the rubber compound and tread are particularly suitable for use on snow-covered roads.Practicality, functionality and safety are now at the highest level, thanks to constant research.
