Once in a while, snow falls, temperature drops, erasing the lines between vehicles and begging an age-old question:
Do all-season tires work in snow?
Their name implies that they are made to be used in all seasons, even in winter. But it’s not that simple. All-season tires can tackle many things, but they are not the ideal solution for every use case. Let’s dive in to this topic to better understand what all season tires are good at and in what cases you shouldn’t rely on them.
What Are All-Season Tires Designed For?
All-season tires are designed for diverse driving conditions. They’re great on both dry and wet roads. They are also capable of dealing with light snow. As such they are ideal for mild climates.
We could also say that they are the “generalists of car tires”. It is no surprise that almost all new cars are equipped with all-season tires, the generally good choice that will satisfy most drivers’ needs.
The rubber used in all-season tires remains pliable even at cooler temperatures. The tread design can deal with rain and some snow but they are not built for a harsh winter conditions.
Can All-Season Tires Handle Snow?
All-season tires can handle light snow and slush. They’re passable at lower speeds on clear roadways. The problems arise when it gets really cold and/or there is much snow on the surface of the road. Even premium all season tires cannot cope with challenging winter conditions. Here’s why:
Rubber Tire
All season tires work their best above 45°F (7°C), below that the rubber gets too hard to work effectively: hard rubber doesn’t grip in snow and ice.
Tread Design
Shallow grooves in the treads are characteristics of all-season tires. They have fewer sipes than winter tires. This makes them unable to grab onto snow or ice adequately. As a result they also slide around more on slippery surfaces.
No 3PMSF Certified
Few all-season tires have the infamous 3PMSF symbol on them. This sign is usually found on winter and all-weather tires. All-season tires rarely meet the standards and pass the tests to be eligible for this sign. Only the tires ideal for use in harsh winter conditions get it.
Want to learn more? Check out our ultimate guide to all season tires!
How Do All-Season Tires Compare to Other Winter Options?
To understand where all-season tires fit in, let’s compare them with other relevant types of tires:
| Tire type | Cold weather grip | Snow/ice performance | Temperature range (for best performance) | 3PMSF certified? | Best for… |
| Winter tires | Excellent | Excellent | Below 45°F (7°C) | Yes | Severe winters, heavy snow, icy roads |
| All-weather tires | Good | Good | Above and below 45°F | Yes | Moderate winters, variable climates |
| All-season tires | Fair | Limited | Above 45°F (7°C) | No | Mild winters, light snow only |
Real-World Scenarios: Should You Use All Seasons in Snow?
Let’s look at some everyday driving situations:
You live in a southern state (e.g., Georgia, Texas)…
Snow is infrequent in those warmer zones and when it does snow, roads are cleaned pretty quickly. All-season tires will generally do the trick in these areas. Just go slow and easy if you happen to drive during a rare snow storm with all season tires on your car.
You’re in a city like Chicago, Boston, or Toronto...
These cities experience snow and ice with regularity. All season tires may not be the ideal tire choice when it comes to the cold months in these parts of the USA. Streets are slippery in the morning. Black ice is a significant danger. Winter or all-weather tires are generally safer as they offer more traction in these circumstances.
You commute in rural or mountain areas...
Country trails are not always plowed. Hills are steep on mountain roads. All-season rubber doesn’t have quite enough bite. In this case, the safest are winter tires. Trust me, you don’t want to drive on all season tires while it’s snowing in the mountains.
You want one tire for year-round use…
If you hate the hassle that comes with frequent tire changes or simply believe that you’re financially better off with one set of tires year-round (generally true) you will probably use a set of all season or all-weather tires.
I believe that by now it should be clear what you should take into consideration when deciding between these two types: the harshness of winter and how hot it gets in the summer.
What the Experts Say
Pretty much all experts agree that all-season tires are limited in winter. Here’s what they say:
Tire Rack:
“All-weather tires are not a substitute for winter tires. They are not very good in the snow or on ice. Winter tires are a lot safer.”
Consumer Reports:
“Tests demonstrate that all-season tires flounder in snow. They don’t brake or corner competently on ice. Winter tires fare significantly better in tests like these.”
“All-season tires are too hard in the cold. They slip below freezing. There’s no system better for winter than winter tires, or what are often called all-weather tires.”
As you can see all these experts agree that all-season tires aren’t great in harsh winters. If you must regularly contend with snow or ice, you may want winter or all-weather tires.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I drive with all-season tires during winter?
Yes, but you should only do it during very mild winters. They may lose traction if it’s cold enough (if it slips below 0 degrees). Snow-packed highways are also hazardous. In those conditions all-season tires may not be safe.
Do all-season tires have the 3PMSF symbol?
Most don’t have this sign. This is actually one of the ways how you can decide whether you have all season tires on your vehicle. The Three-Peak Mountain Snowflake is granted only to tires that pass special tests. It’s common in all-weather and a must in winter tires, but not in all-season tires.
Are all-season tires better than no-season (summer) tires in snow?
Yes, they’re far better than summer tires. It’s unsafe to drive in snow or cold on summer tires. They get hard and very slippery. All-season tires have some winter capabilities, but again: they’re not ideal for serious winter conditions.
Can I use all-weather tires instead?
Yes, you can also use all-weather tires. They’re fine in the snow and cold. They’re not terrible in warmer weather either, though all season tires perform better in warm and hot temperatures. They’re also legal where previously mentioned winter tire rules apply.
Final Verdict: Are All-Season Tires Good in Snow?
All-season tires perform OK in light snow. They’re fine when the snow isn’t too deep and when it isn’t too cold. But they’re not exactly great for real winter stuff. Their rubber stiffens in the cold which diminishes traction on snow and, above all, ice.
If you are in a part of the country with ”real winter”, get winter tires and use summer or all season tires in warmer seasons. The only year-round solution in areas with harsh winters is all-weather tires – but then again, they won’t work that well if it gets really hot in the summer.
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