Tire replacement is an eternal problem that every car driver faces every six months. The main drawback is that it is virtually impossible to schedule it in advance. It is never known exactly if the snow will fall down soon, how long it will last, whether it will be followed by warming, and after the first spring sun, there will be a new round of frosts.

Because of this, universal all-season tires look very attractive for any season. Its manufacturers managed to combine the features of summer and winter tires:

  • For summer tires, solid rubber and a low, wide tread are used. The special curves on the tire prevents it from premature wear. This is an option for a temperature of +7 degrees, because in the cold the material’s properties are lost, it cracks and breaks, and the risk of accidents increases.
  • For winter tires there is used softer rubber, which is not so sensitive to cold. Elastic material gives better grip on snowy or icy roads. The tread pattern is deeper and can be studded. In the summer it wears out faster thus it impairs car handling.
  • For all-season tires medium density and hardness rubber is used. The tread is relatively low, but the picture is wider. It is applied deeper than in summer tires, but smaller than in winter ones. However, universality is relative. This is a good option for temperatures from -10 to +5 degrees, otherwise performance drops significantly.

Pros and Cons of All-season Rubber 

It is difficult to say clearly whether good or bad all-season rubber is. The following arguments support it:

  • There is no need for constant seasonal change, which means that you can save on car service;
  • The price of tires is lower than in winter  and is about the same as in summer ones;
  • It is not necessary to think where and how to store seasonal tires. It is just enough to monitor their condition and balance;
  •  This is the best option in the off-season and the changing winters;
  • In the middle zone and southern regions with rainy winters, all-season rubber is significantly better than the specialized winter tires;
  • It is almost noiseless on the asphalt road;
  • If you rarely use a car, it’s much more economical.

Speaking of the disadvantages of all-season tires, it is worth noting the following nuances:

  • They are constantly used, and therefore they are worn out. And in the heat or frost, such a tire will have to be changed every 6-7 months.
  • If the summer turns out to be too hot, the combined rubber just melts. If winter is very frosty – it freezes and loses its properties. In regions with pronounced seasonality, this is not the most practical option.
  • Combination tires are not designed for aggressive driving and off-road use. They wear out quickly with frequent trips to the countryside.
  • If you want to get rid of liquid dirt, all-season tires with small patterns are as inefficient as summer ones. Only brand new and not worn out rubber will cope with it.
  • In extreme weather conditions, control over it worsens. The agility of the car is worse. In case of ice or heavy snow, there is a high risk of damage on the road.

Conclusions:

All-season rubber is a win-win option for US highways with stable weather conditions and high-quality pavement without significant changes in altitude. In our latitudes, you must first clearly set priorities and understand what properties are at the forefront of what you expect from the car, where and how often you will drive.

If you do not want to worry about changing tires, equipment, technical reviews and other organizational issues, rent a car. All models at the Ukr-Prokat fleet in Odesa are regularly inspected.






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