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All Weather Tires vs Winter Tires - Toronto Star, Oct. 31, 2015

5K views 19 replies 9 participants last post by  TedB 
#1 · (Edited)
http://www.theautonet.com/en/2014/09/15/all-weather-tire-goes-anywhere

Too bad they missed the Cooper AWT in their article.

The test results surprised me, in some kinds of winter driving they found the All Weathers outperformed the the Winters. Bold is mine.

Recently 19 different tires (nine all-seasons, seven winters, and three all-weathers) were tested for braking distance on ice. In aggregate numbers, the all-weather tires stopped 20.7 per cent shorter than the all-season group.

The dedicated winter tires as a group stopped 15.3 per cent shorter than the all-weather group.

On wet and dry freezing pavement, the all-weather tire is more stable and stops surer than a winter tire. In heavy slush both tires work well.

Are all-weather tires the answer for everyone in the winter? No. But for most urban drivers who deal mostly with roads that are plowed, yes they do work and work very well.
ETA: LOL, 49 views as of right now and I'm left wondering if any of those actually read the link at the top? And noticed it was the wrong one? Here is the link to the STar article:

http://www.thestar.com/autos/2015/10/31/all-weather-tires-vs-winter-tires-whats-the-difference.html
 
#2 ·
We live in the People's Republic of Maryland, so we don't switch tires to 'winter' tires. At least my wife and I don't and I don't know of anyone who does. Before All Weather tires I remember putting on snow tires in the rear. If the snow is too deep we just stay home, drink coffee, and watch the birds in the snow!
 
#3 ·
Interesting article. Can we see the entire test somwhere ? I'd like to see for myself. Which tires were tested and how.
I'm also interested in all weather tire life ; how well they do at 50% thread wear (summer and winter) and how fast they wear.

One big problem I see with these tires is marketing : let's not kid ourselves, the tire industry makes a lot of money from doing seasonal tire changes. Many tire shops would close if everybody had all weathers.
They exist, but we won't hear much about them, won't see them much on TV if at all... because they are not profitable for the industry.
 
#8 ·
I myself have not had snow tires for well over thirty years and I live in a snowbelt surrounded by ski resorts. My last snowtires were back when tires were nylon bias ply and we only put the snows on the rear. I remember the garage man laughing at me, sweet young thing with her first car, asking if we put snows on the front as well as the rear. Still, when I need tires next I am going to look into All Weather tires.
@Mark_, yes it would be nice to see the actual research. The article does say which All Weathers were tested. I am sorry they missed the Cooper AW because it's Cooper tires that have worked very well for us all these years. Would really like to see how their new AW fared and what the individual ratings were.
 
#13 ·
Well, I'll just have to split the difference between experience and better equipment. I figure if you have good situational awareness, then good driving skills are going to be fine, you'll probably just be going a bit slower then you would be with dedicated snow tires. But in situations where you're less able to judge distance and speed, or just get unlucky, the equipment could save your bacon. I'm glad I ran across these 'all-weather' tires, as they seem to offer the general advantages of snow tires without the main drawback of additional investment and time swapping out entire sets. I think the main advantage that snows have is a more plyable tread compound in cold weather, and the newer tires preserve that advantage. The whole debate might be moot in a few years if these catch on.

If anyone cares, I happened to run across a reference to Toyo tires Celcius line, which is their equivalent to these types of tires. They offer a 60k warranty, which would imply that they should be able to handle summer driving without wearing down too fast. A bit cheaper then the others mentioned in the article.
 
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#15 ·
I figure if you have good situational awareness, then good driving skills are going to be fine, you'll probably just be going a bit slower then you would be with dedicated snow tires. But in situations where you're less able to judge distance and speed, or just get unlucky, the equipment could save your bacon.<SNIP>
Excellent summary Colin. I agree. You can get by without snows in most cases, but I want them if I need them. Some people have more risk tolerance than I do, perhaps that's the difference.

I hope your prediction is right. I considered Nokia WRG3's for the Cherokee, but my wife is so afraid of driving in the snow, I wanted the absolute best and in nearly all reviews that means Nokian Hakka 8 studded, which is what I got for her Cherokee. The WRG3's are WAY better than all seasons, but not quite as good as dedicated winter tires yet. Not a bad compromise for those that aren't able, don't have the equipment or simply don't want to bother with changing tires twice a year.

Hopefully they keep improving and we don't have to have this conversation ever again. :smile:
 
#18 ·
My tires are snow flake symbol stamped, so I just check all the blocks. I am going to be transitioning from 3 miles one way to 41 miles one way in January, so if I am not feeling warm and fuzzy I will look at getting snow tires.
 
#19 ·
Jusr info

I don't want to get involved in the previous dust up so here is some info on the all weather Nokian WS -3. I put them on my 2015 Cherokee this fall. I traded them in for the stock Firestones hoping I would avoid the annual tire change and the additional cost of a second set of tires and wheels. I had some trepidation about this decision after having spent the previous two winters with dedicated Toyo Observes on my Imprezza. With those tires on that little Subaru my snow and ice stabiltily was superb so I was concerned. However the nice people at Kal tire (here in British Columbia) thought it would be a good fit for the Jeep. Well we just returned from our first winter trip over the mountain passes that were snow covered and icy. I was very happy with both the Jeep and the tires. The tires are a tad noisier then the summers but the traction seems fine. I hope they will stand up over time. For now they are what we need.
 
#20 ·
Been driving since 1949, 66 years, and I did race a 1949 MG TC in '51 and '52. I've also driven in lots of snow, in Ontario, Connecticut, Maine and Washington State, and I've used studs on my 4x4s where permitted. I could not afford snow tires when I was young, not even sure they made them back then, but I've never had an accident due to snow or icy conditions. I just drove as if my life depended on driving safely, and it worked. Got my first 4x4 in 1964 and I sure put studs on that Scout as I was using it to plow driveways, and earn the money to pay for itself. - Drive safe, wherever you are, and Happy New Year - Ted
 
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