Can You Use Winter Tires Year-Round?

Why Winter Tire Compounds Wear Faster in Warm Weather

Winter tires are made with a soft rubber compound that flexes to the road. This provides more surface area for the tires to grip the road, leading to improved traction for braking and handling. Because of this soft compound, winter tires wear down in warmer temperatures.

Winter tires are only meant to be used when the temperature is 45 F or 7 C and below. Anything beyond that, and the tires will start to wear down. These tires also become overly malleable in warm weather, leading to diminished handling, reduced turning grip, and longer braking times, making it riskier to drive.

Seasonal Tire Swaps: When to Change Back to All-Seasons

There isn't a particular day or month you should switch out your winter tires every year. As the seasons start to blend together is when you should consider changing your winter tires. In the late winter and early spring, you should check the weather to make sure it's consistently staying above 45 F / 7 C. If it's 47 for the high and 38 for the low, you're still good to drive, but if the forecast says 50+ for the high and the low is only 42, it's time to change those winter tires for a summer-ready pair.

When summer is over and the temps start to dip, the opposite applies. If the weather is still hanging above 45 F, then you need to wait before installing winter tires. This can be October or November in northern states, otherwise early December at the latest so you can be prepared for that early morning frost.

Best All-Weather Tires That Replace Winter and Summer Sets

All-weather tires are a hybrid that blends the benefits of all-season tires and winter tires for better traction and longevity year-round. Here are some of the best all-weather tires so you can see their benefits and advantages.

Pirelli Scorpion WeatherActive

Engineered to take on all weather conditions, the Scorpion WeatherActive delivers high performance in snowy conditions with a smooth ride quality in warmer seasons as well. These all-weather tires sport a 60,000-mile warranty, so you can trust that they will last longer throughout the year for added value.

Goodyear Eagle Enforcer All Weather

Designed for law enforcement, these all-weather tires are built to tackle all road conditions year-round. It earns its 3PMSF rating with optimal traction in severe winter conditions and uses a soy-based rubber for better grip on the road. This tire compound also extends its tread life for greater value. Designed with anti-hydroplaning grooves and deep sipes for high-performance handling, you can install these tires for a more confident drive.

Pirelli Cinturato WeatherActive

Its eye-catching zig-zag central groove delivers greater grip on wet surfaces and superior traction and braking on snow. The Cinturato WeatherActive also features an innovative compound that balances wet and snowy driving without major reductions in fuel efficiency. With long lateral grooves, it can expertly channel water away from the tires to resist hydroplaning for heightened performance.

Cost Analysis of Seasonal vs Year-Round Tire Options

Figuring out how much you want to spend on new tires can feel like a headache. We want to make it easier to look at the long-term value of your tires and whether switching out tires every season fits your budget.

*Service life assumes proper off-season storage.

Switching out winter tires every season with cheaper all-season tires can give you a lot of value without costing you a ton over time. Going with all-season tires year-round is the cheapest option, but you don't get the higher performance you can expect from all-weather or winter tires in snowy conditions. If you really want that extra protection during the winter, leveling up to season-specific tires will help you out and give you a more confident driving experience on rougher roads.