Winter Tires

The design is optimized to improve snow and ice traction. Many designs also provide a comfortable, quiet ride.

1.  Smaller shoulder grooves increase snow and ice traction without sacrificing dry or highway driving while wider grooves expel snow efficiently.

2. High-density sipes (small slits in the tread surface) help cut through water and slush enabling the tread to make better contact.

3. Large lug-and-groove shapes help expel packed snow for a better deep-snow grip.

4. A rounder casing design adds traction by cutting into the snow.

All-season Tires

Design is optimized to deliver the high-temperature traction and wear for non-winter driving conditions.

1. Shoulder blocks and groove designs "compromise" winter traction to meet cornering, wear and all-season traction requirements.

2. Less aggressive tread designs tend to pack and not expel snow as effectively as with Winter tires.

3. Less siping is used.

4. Flatter tread designs don't bite into snow effectively.

Learn about differences in Tread Compounds