Tires have been around for many hundreds of years, with rubber tires showing up in the mid-1800s before automobiles ever even took to the roadways. So for every advancement made in engines and braking systems and luxurious reclining seats, the tire niche has had a lot more changes to give us the safe, reliable tires we have today. There are all sorts of tires from which one can choose to put on their vehicle, but what about all-season tires? Are they actually worth it?
A Brief Background On All-Season Tires
Before you rush out to get a tire change, you may first want to know a few things about all-season tires to decide if they’re worth the investment to have them placed on your car or truck. In a nutshell, all-season tires have treads designed to work in a lot of different weather conditions. This is very handy especially for those of you that live in a country with a four-season climate. You want to prepare come snowstorms or the heavy winter months. With an all-season tire, the adjustment will be less difficult.
One thing to keep in mind about a tire’s performance is that it’s not only about a smooth ride with a tire that holds air. It’s also about gripping onto the road with traction so that turning and braking happen properly and help you to drive safely.
To that end, all-season tires are designed to work well on paved roads, dirt roads, dry and wet and icy roads, and all other sorts of conditions. Though the question remains: Are they worth it? Find out by reading below.
Why All-Season Tires Are Worth the Trouble
The overall verdict here is that, yes, all-season tires are definitely worth the investment. They’re so popular that almost every SUV style of vehicle basically comes factory equipped with all-season tires today. They prove to be very reliable, and they also prove to be a lot more convenient, which we will get into in more detail below. Suffice to say that these sorts of tires are definitely worth the investment, especially if you live in an area like Canada where the winters can be very rough and the road conditions are sporadic and unpredictable.
The Top 3 Benefits of All-Season Tires
1: Convenience
As mentioned above, it’s all about convenience. Now, of course, if you’re dealing with blizzard-like conditions where roads haven’t been plowed, then no basic car tire by itself will help. You will need chains, most likely, if you insist on driving anywhere. However, for most changes in conditions, all-season tires mean that you won’t need a tire change. These tires will perform well on all sorts of different roads, whether they’re very wet, icy, or even full of loose dirt and gravel. So the convenience factor here is pretty huge.
However, for most changes in conditions, all-season tires mean that you won’t need a tire change. The all-season tires will stay on your vehicle the entire time. So, you’ll spend lesser time at the auto shop for tire swaps when the season changes. Whenever you need to use your car, you can simply get in, drive, and go. Yes, you may feel that you need some snow tires to put on your Jeep come winter season, but all-season tires can also do just trick as well. These tires will perform well on all sorts of different roads, whether they’re very wet, icy, or even full of loose dirt and gravel. So, the convenience factor here is pretty huge.
2: Cost Savings
One surprising factor about the all-season tire is that they’re affordable. At the outset, the price may seem quite hefty. But, in the long run, it’s one of the most economical tires that you can ever add in your vehicle.
Remember, you’re not dealing with some specialty tire here per se. It’s not as if these tires are woven with gold in some secret hilltop facility. They’re tires that just about every manufacturer produces, and they’re basic tires with a different sort of tread pattern that’s going to perform well on all sorts of road conditions.
So they’re readily available and very affordable. You can get all-season tires for around the same price as any other set of tires. Because these tires are made to withstand different seasons and weather conditions, you don’t have to keep changing new tires when the season changes.
A bonus here is that if you do plan on selling your car when you have all-season tires installed, this increases the marketability and sale value of your vehicle.
3: Versatile
The versatility is really what sells here in a big way. By versatility, this means that the car which you’ve installed the all-season tires can be used no matter the time and the season of the year.
There’s just something to be said about never having to change out your tires. This is especially important for people who live in an area where the seasons can change in a big way. Driving to work in April might mean a lot of rain and wet roads, whereas having to drive in January could mean dangerous icy conditions. Though despite how the conditions change, the versatility of an all-purpose set of tires means that you can simply get in your car and go.
Make sure you’re checking the treads and your tire pressure like usual, but you certainly won’t need to change anything here to drive. Also, check for the “M+R” label on the tire, which is indicative that the wheel itself is safe to stand up in the mud and the snow.
When it’s about safety and reliability and a tire you can count on, there’s no better way to go than an all-season tire. It truly is worth the investment here, and the best part is that it isn’t going to be a large investment at all.
Final Word
If you’re looking to supply your vehicles with new tires, all-season tires are a very good option to go for. With this kind of tires in your car, you know that it has several capabilities, and it can also withstand both wet and dry conditions.
As you start shopping for one, you’ll also come across so many kinds, load capacities, and even brand and budget range. The key is for you to choose the perfect match for your vehicle. All these said, switching to all-season tires will always be worth it.