Winter Tires vs All-Season Tires

Winter Tires vs All-Season Tires

Posted on September 17, 2024

Don’t leave your vehicle out in the cold (literally) — it’s time to think about your winter tires! Albertan winters are no joke, with harsh conditions combining snow, ice, and an increased risk of car accidents. In fact, the highest number of injury collisions in Alberta occur in December. 

Winter tires can help prevent you from getting into a car accident, offering more traction and control on slippery roads. But what’s the difference between winter tires and all-season tires? And what’s the benefit of having winter tires during the colder months?

Find out below in our Winter Tires vs All-Season Tires blog. 

Winter Tires vs All-Season Tires: Tire Types

Let’s explore these two popular tire types: winter and all-season. 

All-Season Tires

These tires are made from a rubber compound that remains flexible across a wide temperature range with a moderate tread depth. Designed to conquer most road conditions, they perform best in mild conditions (temperatures above 7°C). However, while all-season tires can handle light snow and wet weather, they become stiff and inflexible in extreme cold.

Winter Tires

These tires are made from a rubber compound that remains flexible in harsh winter weather with a deep tread depth. They are optimized for low temperatures below 7°C and perform best in heavy snow or icy conditions due to their increased grip and control. The one downside of winter tires is that they cannot be used in summer, as this can lead to accelerated tread wear and decreased tire lifespan. 

Learn more about preparing your vehicle for winter here. 

Winter Tires vs All-Season Tires: Benefits

While there are places that don’t legally require winter tires, some Canadian provinces do! Many highways in BC legally require vehicles to have winter tires from October 1st to April 30th. 

Living in Alberta with its extreme winters means that winter tires are a must - for your safety, your vehicle’s longevity, and your travel plans. Moreover, keeping on top of your vehicle’s tire maintenance can ensure your tires last longer. Learn more about the importance of tire rotation and maintenance in our blog: Lexus Tire Rotation & Balance Guide. 

Let’s review the benefits of these two tire types.

The Benefits of All-Season Tires

Think of all-season tires like your favourite sneakers. Durable, long-lasting, great for most weather… but not great for a foot of snow and black ice. But that does mean these tires have a longer lifespan than any other tire! With proper maintenance and good driving habits, all-season tires can last you between three and five years. They’re designed for longer usage and can offer a smooth ride in most weather conditions. 

The Benefits of Winter Tires

While it may be unappealing to swap your tires twice a year, we highly recommend using winter tires in Alberta and the rest of western Canada. Not only is it legally required on some roads, but winter tires provide superior traction, better vehicle control, improved braking in slippery conditions, and the unique tread designs help reduce the snow buildup on the tires. 

These tires also have high sipe densities (thousands of tiny slits in the tread) and an increased number of biting edges that help provide traction on ice. 

The Lexus Tire Price Match Promise

Lexus South Pointe will match the advertised price (or Canadian internet quote) on tires from any of the sixteen top tire brands sold by participating Lexus Dealers within thirty days of purchase and reimburse you the difference. You can rest assured when purchasing new winter tires from our Lexus Tire Centre, knowing that we keep our Lexus Tire Price Match Promise!

Our Lexus Tire Centre carries top tire brands that include: Pirelli, Michelin, Bridgestone, BFGoodrich, and Uniroyal. 

Learn more about how the Lexus Tire Price Match works here. 

Lexus South Pointe Tire Centre

Need new tires? Want to swap your all-season tires as winter slowly approaches? Or, do you have a service or tire-related question? Explore our tire options online in our Tire Centre or chat with one of our Service Technicians today. 

Did you know that Lexus South Pointe can store your all-season tires for you? Our service team will swap your tires out and hold onto them until the season is over, and it’s time to put them back on your vehicle. Learn more here. 

Experience Amazing with Lexus South Pointe! You can find us at 830 - 100th St. SW, Edmonton, AB, T6X 0S8 or contact our sales team at 780-989-2222.