Where the Rubber Meets the Road
They are round, smell funny and pretty much look the same. What do you choose now that the winter tires are going into storage? Well that depends on your vehicle, driving style and budget.
All-Season tires AKA 4-Season or Touring Tires
All-Season tires are designed to perform well in all road conditions. They are ideal for those looking for value and all-around performance. As with anything that claims to do it all, there is some compromise. In this case the grip may not be quite as good in the middle of a very cold winter.
All-Season tires tend to last longer and are designed for use on wet, dry and, to a lesser extent, snowy road surfaces. They are made out of a harder compound with softer sidewalls. Softer sidewalls do not transfer as much road noise and tend to flex more while corning or taking a curve hard. They are quieter than any type of performance tire.
Summer or 3-Season Tires
These are becoming increasingly popular in North America. These tires are slightly more expensive than the comparable all-season tire. They are built of a grippy soft compound that is nosier than all-seasons but provides superior handling in most spring to fall driving conditions. They become less useful near or at the freezing point.
Performance Tires (the other Summer Option)
The performance tire is designed for the best level of grip in warm temperatures. It will do well in both wet and dry conditions. They have stiff sidewalls for better cornering, crisp handling and better directional stability. They tend to be noisy and wear out faster because they are meant to stick to the road more than the other tires. They will not work in colder weather as their compounds are meant for use at higher temperatures. There are many levels of performance in this classification and the prices reflect that.
To find the right tire for your vehicle, contact your Boyer Chevrolet Buick GMC service advisor.