All-Season Tires
Though these tires are advertised for "all" seasons, they truly are three-season tires, but how odd would it be to call them that. All-season tires were really designed to handle the seasons of warner climate zones, not our cold Canadian winters.
Anyways, all-season tires are different for these key reasons. They are created using a more artificial rubber that allows them to last longer and not lose their form in hot weather. These tires are usually best for above 7 degrees Celsius temperatures, anything below that, and they become hard and get less traction. Another key difference is the tread style which is usually smooth and straight to help repel water when driving in the rain and provides a better grip on the road during warm to hot conditions.
Therefore, these tires are best used for the spring, summer, and fall seasons when in wet, dry, and warm conditions.
Winter Tires
Luckily, winter tires were named better, so we already know their primary purpose is to be used during the winter season. However, understanding how they are different may help you understand why all-season tires aren't sufficient for Canadian winter.
Firstly, these tires are made with more natural rubbers, which allows them to remain soft and get a better grip on the road. Therefore, they are best for below 7 degrees Celsius temperatures and should be used in cold, icy, slushy and snowy conditions. Like all-season tires, winters also have a unique tread, which make a massive difference in how the tire gets traction and displaces water. In this case, blocky tread with fine slits helps grip snow & push away slush to allow for the best traction and shortens braking distances by as much as 25%. Winter tires and the traction they provide can also enhance other vehicle features, such as traction control, vehicle stability assists, all-wheel drive, and anti-lock braking systems.
Therefore, these tires are best used for the early spring, winter, and late fall seasons when temperatures are 7 degrees or lower
