All-season tyres: are they worth it or not?
All-season tyres promise relief from the hassle of changing sets twice a year and finding storage. However, this universal solution suits only certain drivers, for whom does the investment pay off, and when is it better to stick with the traditional seasonal set change?
What are all-season tyres
All-season tyres are a compromise design between summer and winter sets: the rubber compound and tread pattern are engineered to handle both warm summer days and milder winter conditions without needing to change wheels. Higher-quality models carry, alongside the standard M+S marking, the mountain symbol with a snowflake (3PMSF), which confirms tested winter performance.
Who benefits from all-season tyres
They make the most sense for drivers with lower annual mileage, roughly up to 10-15 thousand kilometres, who drive mostly in town and only exceptionally on longer routes. They are also suitable in areas with mild winters without long stretches of snow or ice: typically for operation in Prague and its surroundings. For drivers who value comfort and a single set for the whole year more than peak performance in extreme conditions, an all-season tyre is a sensible compromise.
When all-season tyres are not worth it
The opposite applies to drivers with high mileage and frequent motorway driving: an all-season set wears out faster because it is used year-round. They are also unsuitable in areas with more demanding winter conditions, such as mountains or long snow-covered stretches, where specialised winter tyres mean a noticeably shorter braking distance. The same applies to more powerful or heavier vehicles, where a compromise design may be insufficient in both summer and winter.
Comparison with conventional twice-yearly tyre changes
| Criterion | Year-round (1 set) | Seasonal (2 sets) |
|---|---|---|
| Tyre change | None | Twice a year |
| Storage | Not necessary | Off-season requirement |
| Performance in extremes | Compromise | Optimal for the given period |
| Lifespan of the set | Faster wear and tear | Slower, operates only half a year |
For many drivers in Prague with lower annual mileage within the city, an all-year-round solution is operationally simpler and cheaper to manage. There is no need to book an appointment or store them. However, seasonal sets remain better tuned for safety during specific periods, so they are still more cost-effective for higher mileage or demanding winter conditions.
M+S and 3PMSF markings. They are not the same thing
The M+S (mud and snow) marking can be applied by the manufacturer to a tyre without it undergoing any winter performance testing. In contrast, the mountain with snowflake symbol (3PMSF) is awarded only to tyres that have successfully passed a standardised braking test on snow. When selecting an all-season tyre, it is therefore advisable to look for the 3PMSF marking rather than settling for M+S alone.
How to decide
Before deciding on an all-season set, consider three things: how many kilometres you actually drive annually, what your usual route looks like (city versus motorway and mountains), and whether a single set with compromised performance suits you better, or two specialised sets that require more frequent changing and storage. For low mileage in Prague without regular trips to the mountains, an all-season solution is usually a sensible choice, but for higher mileage or more demanding terrain, sticking with classic seasonal changes remains worthwhile.
Second car in the household
All-season tyres are often a suitable solution for a second, less-used car in the household: typically a vehicle that stands most of the week and is driven only occasionally around town. There is no point in managing two sets of seasonal tyres and their storage for a car that covers only a few thousand kilometres annually.
On the other hand, for the main family car that is driven daily in all weather conditions, it pays to stick with seasonal sets: the difference in performance on ice or in rain becomes apparent precisely in situations where safety matters most.
Not sure what to choose?
We will advise whether an all-season set or classic tyre changing is more cost-effective for your driving and usage, and we will collect your vehicle from you, change the tyres at a partner service centre and return it.