Weather conditions can be our biggest challenge on the road on any given day. From cold and snowy conditions in the winter to muggy and rainy summer days, there are countless situations that we must account for throughout the year.
In the past, consumers have relied mainly on all-season tires to get them through all the different types of weather and road conditions they would face throughout the year. In some climates, where snow and ice are more common, some consumers have chosen to swap in winter tires for the colder months of the year.
Recently, a new category of tires – all-weather tires – has done its appearance to help meet the needs of consumers who often encounter snow but are looking for options based on their specific habits.
What makes them so special? It's all in the flexibility. Think of them as a “jack of all trades” that provide a comfortable and high-performance ride whether it's pouring rain or the sun is shining, in the highs of summer and the lows of winter. In summary, it's just one tire for any weather condition.
The difference between all-weather and all-season is simple – more confidence and better performance in extreme conditions like snow and ice, certified by the presence of the 3 peak mountain snow-flake rating. This symbol indicates that the tire meets required performance criteria in snow testing to be considered severe snow service-rated. So, they have great performance on snow in the winter without compromising the mileage benefits in the summer.
All-season tires are great tires and have been around for a long time, but consumers are often forced to compromise when snow and ice come into play if they are driving on all-season tires. All-weather tires provide excellent performance in the winter, summer and everything in between. Pirelli WeatherActive, for instance, has among its main benefits superb wet performance and outstanding snow traction obtained thanks to the adoption of highly functionalized polymers that helps tread compound's pliability in cold temperatures.
While some extreme environments call for heavy-duty gear, all-weather tires provide the ideal year-round treads that most Americans need for their daily driving and road tripping plans. For example, a consumer living in the New York metro area will experience extremely hot summers and an average of 25 inches of snow every winter. An all-weather tire like the Pirelli WeatherActive is the ideal tire to provide the average New Yorker ultimate performance all year around.
It's important to know your tires. After all, they are the only component that connects your vehicle's critical performance systems with their operating environment. So, instead of anxiously awaiting your meteorologist's predictions and letting them dictate your travel plans for the day, hit the road confidently with all-weather tires, like the new Pirelli WeatherActive.
True or False? Here some common tire misconceptions dispelled.
All-season tires are ideal for all year around use.
It depends: All season tires are suitable year-round for many areas of the country that do not experience significant snow fall. In areas that do experience snow fall, the all-season tire without a 3PMSF rating will not perform as well as a 3PMSF marked tire.
All-season tires are the same as all-weather tires.
False. All-weather tires are a true all year around tire able to perform in all four seasons, especially when the potential for snowy conditions exist.
All-weather tires should be swapped out for winter or snow tires during the winter months.
False. All-weather tires come with the three-peak mountain snowflake (3PMSF) symbol branded on a tire's sidewall which indicates the tire meets required performance criteria in snow testing to be considered severe snow service-rated. So, they have great performance on snow without compromising the mileage benefits.
