Seasonal Tires: Choosing the Right Tires for Your Conditions

If you’ve ever wondered whether all-season tires are actually good for all seasons, you’re asking the right question. The short answer: they’re good enough for most conditions, but not great at any of them. Whether that matters depends entirely on where you live and what you drive through.

Let’s break down the three main types of tires, when each one shines, and whether investing in a second set is worth your money.

All-Season Tires: The Compromise

All-season tires are what come on most cars from the factory. They’re designed to handle dry roads, wet roads, and light snow. Think of them as a decent pair of sneakers — fine for everyday life, not ideal for hiking or running a marathon.

Strengths

Work reasonably well in most conditions
Last a long time (40,000-70,000 miles)
Quiet and comfortable ride
One set of tires year-round — no swapping

Weaknesses

Mediocre in real winter conditions. Once you hit packed snow, ice, or temperatures consistently below 40°F, all-seasons lose grip quickly. The rubber compound hardens in cold weather, reducing traction.
Mediocre in high-performance situations. They don’t grip as well as summer tires in warm, dry conditions.

Best for

Drivers in mild climates where winters are cold and occasionally wet but rarely snowy. Think: North Carolina, Tennessee, the Pacific Northwest (lower elevations), most of California.

Cost

$80-180 per tire for most passenger cars. Total set: $320-720 before installation.

Winter Tires: The Cold Weather Specialists

Winter tires (also called snow tires) are engineered specifically for cold temperatures, snow, and ice. They use a softer rubber compound that stays flexible below 45°F and feature deeper tread with unique siping (tiny cuts) that bite into snow and channel slush.

Look for the 3PMSF symbol (three-peak mountain snowflake) on the sidewall. This means the tire meets specific performance standards in snow.

Strengths

Dramatically better traction on snow and ice — stopping distances can be 30-40% shorter than all-seasons
The rubber stays pliable in freezing temperatures
Tread design pushes snow and slush out of the way
Better handling and control in all cold-weather situations

Weaknesses

Wear out fast in warm weather. The soft rubber compound that’s great in winter wears rapidly on warm, dry pavement.
Need to be swapped seasonally. You’ll switch to winter tires in late fall and back to your other tires in spring.
Slightly noisier than all-seasons on dry roads
Additional cost — you need a second set of tires (but see the cost analysis below)

Best for

Anyone who regularly drives in temperatures below 40°F or deals with snow and ice. If you live in the northern tier of the US, the Mountain West, New England, or the Midwest, winter tires are worth serious consideration.

Cost

$100-200 per tire. Total set: $400-800. Many people buy a second set of cheap steel wheels ($50-80 each) to mount the winter tires on — makes swapping easier and protects your nice wheels from road salt.

Summer Tires: The Warm Weather Performers

Summer tires (also called performance tires) are optimized for warm, dry conditions and wet roads. They use a harder rubber compound that grips extremely well above 45°F.

Strengths

Best grip in warm conditions. Shorter braking distances and sharper handling on dry and wet roads.
Excellent for spirited driving and performance cars

Weaknesses

Terrible in cold weather. Below 45°F, the rubber becomes rigid and loses grip. On snow or ice, they’re genuinely dangerous.
Shorter lifespan than all-seasons (25,000-40,000 miles)
Must be swapped for winter tires or all-seasons in cold months

Best for

Performance car owners in warm climates, or anyone running a two-set seasonal rotation who wants maximum warm-weather grip.

Cost

$120-300+ per tire depending on size and performance level.

The Two-Set Rotation: Does the Math Work?

“But buying two sets of tires is so expensive!” is the most common objection. Let’s do the math.

Scenario A: One Set of All-Seasons

Cost: $500 for a set
Lifespan: ~50,000 miles (roughly 3-4 years)
Annual tire cost: ~$150/year
You get mediocre winter traction

Scenario B: Winter + All-Season Rotation

All-seasons: $500 (you drive these ~6 months/year)
Winter tires: $600 (you drive these ~6 months/year)
Total upfront: $1,100
But each set lasts twice as long because they each only get half the mileage
All-seasons last ~6-8 years; winters last ~4-6 years
Annual tire cost: ~$160/year
You get dramatically better winter traction for about $10 more per year

The two-set approach costs barely more annually because each set lasts proportionally longer. And you get meaningfully better safety in winter.

Swap Costs

Most tire shops charge $60-100 to swap a set of tires on and off rims twice a year. If you buy dedicated winter wheels, you can swap them yourself in 20 minutes with a jack and lug wrench, or pay $30-50 for a shop to do it (just a wheel swap, no tire mounting needed).

When to Switch

Switch to Winter Tires

When temperatures consistently drop below 45°F — don’t wait for the first snowfall. Winter tires work better in all cold conditions, not just snow. For most of the US, that’s mid-October to mid-November.

Switch Back

When temperatures consistently stay above 45°F in the spring. Usually mid-March to mid-April. Running winter tires in warm weather wears them out fast and actually provides less grip than all-seasons on warm pavement.

Storage Tips

When your tires aren’t in use:

Clean them before storing — road grime and brake dust can damage rubber over time
Store in a cool, dry, dark place — a garage corner, basement, or closet works. UV light and heat degrade rubber.
Stack them flat (if unmounted) or store upright (if mounted on wheels)
Use tire bags ($10-15 for a set of 4) to keep them clean and reduce off-gassing
Don’t hang unmounted tires by the bead — it can deform them

Some tire shops and dealers offer seasonal tire storage for $50-100 per season. They store your off-season set and handle the swap. Convenient if you don’t have space.

What About All-Weather Tires?

A newer category worth mentioning: all-weather tires (not the same as all-season). These carry the 3PMSF winter rating while being designed for year-round use. Think of them as all-seasons that actually work in winter.

Pros: One set year-round, better winter traction than all-season, no swapping Cons: Not as good as dedicated winters in heavy snow, not as good as summers in warm weather. Still a compromise, but a better one.

Best for: Drivers who want improved winter capability without the hassle of seasonal swaps.

The Bottom Line

Mild winters, no snow? All-season tires are fine.
Real winters with snow and ice? Winter tires (or at minimum, all-weather tires) are a worthwhile investment in your safety.
Performance car in a warm climate? Summer tires for the win.
The two-set rotation barely costs more annually than running one set, and the safety improvement in winter is significant.

Your tires are the most important safety equipment on your car. Choose the right ones for your conditions, and they’ll take care of you.

MyFirstCar reminds you when it’s time to swap your seasonal tires, check tread depth, and rotate your set. One less thing to track in your head. Try it out →