One set of tyres, no seasonal swaps, decent grip all year round - it's easy to see the appeal of all season tyres. But are they actually the right choice for UK roads? Here's an honest look.
All season (or all-weather) tyres are built to work reasonably well in both warm and cold conditions. Their rubber compound and tread pattern sit between a summer tyre and a winter tyre, so you get usable grip in summer heat, autumn rain and the occasional cold snap - without swapping sets twice a year.
Summer tyres give the best dry and wet grip in warmer weather, but their compound hardens as temperatures fall - a widely used industry rule of thumb is that this happens below around 7°C, reducing grip and braking. Winter tyres are the opposite: superb in cold, snow and ice, but they wear faster and feel less sharp in summer. All season tyres bridge the two, which is why they suit a climate like the UK's that rarely sits at either extreme for long.
This is the bit worth knowing. The M+S (mud and snow) marking is decided by the manufacturer and isn't independently tested. The 3PMSF symbol - a snowflake inside three mountain peaks - is different: it's awarded only after a tyre passes standardised snow-traction testing in a certified laboratory. If you want genuine winter capability from an all season tyre, look for the 3PMSF snowflake, not just M+S.
The advantages:
The trade-offs:
For most drivers around Sunderland and the North East, yes. Our winters are usually cold and wet rather than deep in snow, which plays to an all season tyre's strengths. If you live somewhere rural or high up - the Durham dales, say - where snow and ice are a regular feature, dedicated winter tyres are still the safer bet.
“For most of our customers around Sunderland and the North East, a good all season tyre is the sweet spot - proper wet grip all year, no swapping sets in October and April, and nothing to store in the garage. If you're up in the dales dealing with real snow, that's when I'd point you to dedicated winters.”
We supply and fit all season tyres - premium, mid-range and budget - at your home or work across the North East. Send us your reg for a free, no-obligation quote and we'll bring the right tyres to you.
Yes. All season tyres are fully road-legal in the UK, and there's no requirement to switch to winter tyres in the colder months.
Look for the 3PMSF (three-peak mountain snowflake) symbol, which certifies genuine snow performance. M+S alone is only a manufacturer claim.
For most UK drivers, yes - they offer dependable year-round grip without seasonal changeovers. If you regularly drive in snow and ice, dedicated winter tyres are better.
Winter tyres are better in cold, snow and ice; all season tyres are the better all-rounder for the UK's milder, wetter climate.
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