All-season tyres: They save you having to change them – but they are not suitable for everyone

Created: 09/26/2022, 09:30 am

By: Sebastian Oppenheimer

The tire needs to be changed twice a year – an annoying affair for many drivers.

Are all-season tires a viable alternative?  

The change from summer to winter tires is due in autumn - many drivers like to put it off.

The result: When winter first sets in, it becomes difficult to get an appointment to change tires in the workshop because many others have the same idea.

Alternatively, you can of course change the tires yourself - but you should pay attention to a few things.

All-season tires therefore appear to be a good alternative simply to save time.

And currently - in times of sharply rising prices - the cost factor is also playing an increasingly important role.

All-season tyres: They save you having to change them – but they are not suitable for everyone

The rising costs for raw materials, energy and transport worldwide are also having an impact on the prices for winter tyres.

According to an analysis by the comparison portal Check24, the prices for the 100 best-selling winter tire types in August 2022 were on average 20.8 percent higher than a year earlier.

In times of tight budgets, many motorists are therefore considering whether the purchase of all-season tires is worthwhile when buying new ones.

These have also become more expensive (plus 15.5%), but you save the costs for the seasonal change as well as for a second set of tires and, if necessary, the storage fee for the second set of tires at the tire dealer or in the workshop. 

If you drive a lot in the snow, you should definitely use the right winter tires.

(Iconic image) © Jochen Tack/Imago

All-season tyres: Winter tires are a better choice in snowy areas

Unlike summer and winter tires, all-season tires need to be able to handle both cold and warm seasonal conditions.

Their area of ​​application therefore includes cold with snow and black ice, but also high temperatures.

They have to deliver decent performance on dry and wet roads, in cold and heat.

However, compared to the seasonal specialists, they are a compromise.

Anyone who lives in areas with little snow, generally drives little or leaves the car parked up in winter weather will be fine with all-season tyres.

However, if you regularly drive in snowy areas, winter tires are the better choice.

Warning lights in the car and what they mean

View photo gallery

You can find even more exciting car topics in the 24auto.de newsletter, which you can subscribe to here.

also read

Sleeping in the car: then it's allowed - and when there are penalties

BMW iX1 in the test: The compact SUV now also drives purely electrically

All-season tyres: Look out for the snowflake symbol when buying one

When buying an all-season tire you should make sure that the tire has the snowflake symbol on the flank.

It states that this tire is a certified winter tire.

The EU tire label, which provides information about environmental compatibility, background noise and fuel efficiency, also offers orientation. 

Regardless of which tire you choose, it is important to regularly check the tire pressure.

It is best done about every other fuel stop, at least once a month.

The air pressure recommended by the car manufacturer can usually be found in the fuel tank cap, in the entrance to the driver's door or in the car's operating instructions.

On the one hand, correct air pressure is important for safety.

Only then can a tire provide the best possible grip on the road and good braking properties.

On the other hand, it helps to save fuel.

For example, if the air pressure is too low, this has a negative impact on fuel consumption.

Too little air also causes spongy and unpredictable driver holding and can cause tire damage.