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Right Type of Tires For The Right Type of Season

Choosing the right type of tires for your vehicle can be a challenging task. There are many different types that suit specific purposes, and it is essential to understand what their specific purpose is when choosing the correct tire for your car or truck. 

Amie-Lynn Mitchell

Content Creator

All-terrain tires

All-terrain tires are best used on SUVs and Jeep-style off-roading vehicles. They have a higher load capacity that is perfect for off-roading or bumpy roads, but they also handle well in wet conditions, which makes them great all-around tires to have on your car.

If you live somewhere where snow falls during the winter months, these are not the right type of tires for your vehicle as they will decrease traction significantly when driving through slush or snow-covered roads. All-terrain tires are long-lasting and are expected to last upwards of 50,000 km.

All-season tires

All-season tires are a great type of tire to have on your car or truck. They handle well in wet conditions and provide good traction during the dry summer months but don't get too bogged down when there's snow on the road either.

This makes them an excellent choice for anyone who lives somewhere where it snows in wintertime, as they will be able to maintain safe speeds while driving through treacherous roads covered with ice and snow.

Passenger car tires/SUV tires

These are the most common type of tires that you will find on your average family vehicle. They have a high load capacity which makes them perfect for daily driving or highway use, but they also handle well in wet conditions and provide good traction when off-road as well. The tread life is shorter than an all-terrain tire so expect them to wear out within 20,000km. These types of tires are very versatile depending on how often you take trips, both locally or long-distance vacations, with your vehicle being used each day, so be sure to consider this before buying new ones at the store.

Winter tires

If you live somewhere where it frequently snows during this time, winter tires are a must. Some provinces even make it mandatory to use proper winter tires during October - Arpil. They have much larger treads than all-terrain or passenger car/SUV tires which allow them to manage better slushy roads and packed snow on our local street.

These types of tires also offer excellent grip when winter driving for stopping, so they increase safety in times like these. The downside is that if not properly maintained, then their performance will decrease significantly, quickly losing traction even on warmer days outside those designated months for Winter usage.

Snow tires

Snow Tires are very similar to winter tires, with one major difference being that their overall design allows them to perform just as an all-terrain does off-road. Unlike winter tires that are only allowed to be used between October and April, snow tires can handle the Canadian Winter months without compromising their performance.

Again like all-terrain or winter tires, these too have large treads, which allow them better traction on slushy surfaces as well as packed snow, but they also provide superior grip when driving through deeper piles of powder, so you don't lose control easily. Choosing the right tire for your vehicle is an important decision because it allows you to feel safe while driving in any condition, whether it's rain, sleet, hail, or snow.

Summer tires

These tires are best used on warm, dry days (7°C or higher) and will not perform well in wet or snowy conditions. They have a lower load capacity which means they're fine for cars that don't weigh much like your average family sedan, but if you own an SUV, then this is not the right type of tire to use. These types of tires also do not last very long, only lasting about 20,000 km before needing replacement. Summer tires can be a little pricey, but this is a great option if you live somewhere where the temperature stays between 20 and 30 degrees Celsius year-round.

Performance tires

Performance tires are designed for high-end sports cars and luxury vehicles. They will not handle well in wet conditions and should never be used when it snows. These types of tires have a low load capacity which means they're only meant to carry the weight of your vehicle, so you'd want to avoid heavy luggage or equipment while using them as this can cause damage over time. performance tires can cover up to 60,000 km before needing replacement, which is not as long-lasting as some other types.

Touring tires

All touring tires are the type of tires that you'll find on most family vehicles. They're meant to be used in all conditions and weather, so they perform well when it snows as well as in wet or dry climates. They are similar to all-season tires but focus more on performance and will help improve maneuverability and handling in all conditions.

The tread life is not very long-lasting, but if maintained properly, these types of tires should last upwards of 40,000 km without needing replacement. Depending on your driving habits and how often you use your vehicle will determine what kind of touring tire you need for optimal performance. If you drive short distances every day, like to work and back home again, then a high-quality touring tire with a load capacity designed for this frequency would be suitable. Also, if it's only an occasional use vehicle, the load capacity doesn't need to be as high.

The above tires are very versatile depending on how often you take trips, both locally or long-distance, with your vehicle being used each day, so be sure to consider this before buying new ones at the store. The type of car you drive will also play a part in the type of tire you need, so do your research before purchasing.