Not sure if your tyres are truly all season? This quick guide explains how to identify all season tyres at a glance — from sidewall symbols to tread design. Discover what makes them ideal for UK roads and why they’re often the most cost-effective, all-year driving solution.
The tyre market is rife with different options – so much so that finding the right and most appropriate tyres for you can sometimes feel a bit overwhelming.
However, armed with the right guidance and information, making the right and most cost effective solution is easy.
In the UK especially, the need for seasonal tyres is low on most drivers’ priority list. Not only do we not suffer the same weather extremes as other countries and regions, but our roads remains accessible and manageable all year round. And while there are some areas where winter tyres may be a practical choice in the depths of winter, typically we tend to find that all season tyres are largely suitable for most passenger vehicles.
So, how do you spot all season tyres on the market – and what are the hallmark features of these tyres?
What Are All Season Tyres?
All season tyres are just that – tyres that are safe and suitable for all seasons.
They boast sufficient traction to hold the vehicle steady on wet and icy roads, with enough give and flex in the rubber to adjust to hot and cold surrounding temperatures.
What this means is that all season tyres are incredibly versatile. While they are not optimised to specific conditions and will likely not offer the same high level of performance as season-specific tyres, they are safe to drive on all year round. Not to mention, by adapting to different conditions and remaining suitable for year-round driving, they are by default more cost effective.
Of course, not all vehicles or regions are well suited to all season tyres.
Colder regions and countries often have a winter tyre regulation, whereby drivers have to change their tyres to winter tyres, or even fit snow chains to tyres, during the colder months, for safety.
The Symbol That Indicates an All Season Tyre
Believe it or not, it’s usually very easy to spot all season tyres.
Most are identified with ‘All Season’ or ‘A/S’ printed on the side of the tyre, making the information quick and easy to pick out.
Other signs of an All Season Tyre
Aside from the printed symbol itself, other signs and hallmarks of all season tyres include…
- A symmetrical tread pattern, that retains excellent grip while dispelling surface water
- Small slits in the deeper tread blocks, which are designed to hold traction on ice
You might also notice a three-peaks mountain symbol on some all season tyres. This essentially tells you that they have been deemed safe for use in snowy conditions, despite not being a specifically marked winter tyre.
