Summer, all-season or winter tires: choosing by use

Summer, all-season or winter tires: choosing by use

Summer, all-season and winter are categories, not a performance ranking. NHTSA describes summer tires for warm weather, winter tires for deep snow and all-season tires for varied conditions. Choose the complete vehicle-approved specification for the weather on your route.

Source: NHTSA TireWise — Buying: What type of tire should I buy?

Write down the vehicle-approved size, load/speed description and wheel specification first. Then list expected snow, ice, rain and warm-weather use. Check the exact product’s intended use and relevant comparison tests; a label such as all-season does not itself satisfy every country’s winter rules.

Keep the make, model, article number and full sidewall marking together. Two tires with the same nominal size may have different specifications. Use the product data sheet and vehicle handbook for restrictions, then compare the same test conditions. A category alone does not establish dry/wet grip, fuel economy, wear or comfort.

No indexed braking percentages, compound transition temperatures or fixed 7 °C crossover are published here without an identified product test. A useful comparison names the tires, size, vehicle, surface, temperature and procedure. NHTSA category advice is not such a comparison test.

Country rules and route checks

Country rules and route checks · Summer tires in cold weather: check the exact product