Michelin Pilot Sport A/S 3
Yokohama AVID Ascend Radial Tire
Michelin Defender LTX
Car Bibles is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Learn more
Between your motor and the road, there’s one faithful component of your vehicle—your tires. When weather conditions worsen, storms strike, and rough roads are ahead, your tires are either going to perform, or die trying. Don’t be the guy that waits until you have a blowout to do something about his tires. We’ll explain everything about the best all season tires, their intricacies, how they work, and why they should be on your car right now.
1
Michelin Pilot Sport A/S 3
The Pilot Sport series comes with the best UTQG rating possible, giving you ultimate traction on asphalt and concrete. 760 revolutions per mile covers enough of the road while prolonging your tread life—these are made for sedans and sports cars for maximum traction under high velocity situations. If they can do that on the racetrack, imagine what they can do for your car.
Designed by the experts, this all-season tire encompasses pressure and temperature placement, while the internal components of the tire include a couple of high-density, durable steel belts to aid in extending tread life. Looking for tires that won’t quit in the city, on the highway, or even on dirt paths? You’ve just found them.
Perfect for sports cars
1,653 / 6,612 total load capacity
UTQG of 500 AA A
225/45ZR17/XL 94Y
- BrandMichelin
- ModelPilot Sports
- Weight29 lbs
760 revs per mile
Long tread life
Performance driving capable
Complicated warranty information
Not cold weather compliant
Hard to balance
2
Yokohama AVID Ascend Radial Tire
When you need a fast solution for your tires, you turn to inexpensive models. The trick is finding the quality ones in the stack of knock-offs, and that’s exactly what we did. Yokohama has a history of providing quality products on the cheap while improving your fuel economy (2MPG on average).
Owners compare these tires to more expensive brands, and state that these come in on top in multiple tiers. You can outfit your sedan-style car with a full set of new tires for under four-hundred.
1,074 / 4,296 total load capacity
UTQG of 740 A A
For Cars
195/60R15
- BrandYokohama
- ModelAVID
- Weight19.5 pounds
Affordable
Great warranty
Slight improvement to fuel economy
Low load capacity
Loss of psi
Loud road noise
3
Michelin Defender LTX Tire
Highways and city roads don’t stand a chance against your car riding on your new Defenders. You get a 70,000 mile warranty and excellent performance in dry and wet traction conditions. These tires come with one of the best UTQG ratings available and boast an immense total load capacity at over five tons.
You’ll enjoy driving on these tires because they increase your traction on both dry and wet roads. They’ll also improve your fuel economy, just be sure to maintain your tire pressure, so you get the maximum benefit. They also have MaxTouch, a construction method to these tires, and creates a contact patch for the ideal rolling resistance and durability.
2,535 / 10,140 total load capacity
UTQG of 800 A A
For vans, pickups and sport utility vehicles
275/55R20 113T
- BrandMichelin
- ModelMichelin Defender LTX
- Weight39 pounds
Great warranty
Top notch wet performance
Increased fuel economy
Off-road performance severely lacks
Handles similar to a performance tire
Short tread life
4
Goodyear Assurance Tripletred
These tires have a three-way tread zone for a unique grip on the road while providing nearly 6,000lbs for a maximum load capacity. These are ideal for minivans, sedans, and small pickups. They offer a smooth and easy ride on asphalt and concrete.
Your superb warranty balances between 70,000 and 80,000 miles, depending on which tire grade you select. There’s also a thirty-day test drive. It has 820 revs per minute and the perfect psi to increase your fuel economy.
1,477 / 5,908 total load capacity
UTQG of 740 A B
For coupes, sedans, and minivans
215/55R17
- BrandGoodyear
- ModelAssurance Tripletred
- Weight23 pounds
Excellent warranty
Three unique track patterns
Internal twin steel belts
Very poor handling on dirt roads
Quite loud
Reduced traction with tread wear
5
Pirelli Zero Nero Tire
Unique to these all-season tires is their noise canceling system that’s integrated into the inner lining of the tire. This plays a role in reducing that whirring noise you hear while driving, all while improving fuel economy. Their tread compound is greatly enhanced by silica, aiding in high temperature air pressure control.
This all-season tire has surprisingly great handling on off-road areas, though they perform horribly with even a light dusting of snow on the ground. With an average load capacity on your tires, we would have liked to see a standard warranty as well. Overall, these inexpensive tires are an excellent addition to your vehicle.
1,565 / 6,260 total load capacity
UTQG of 400 AA A
For cars in all weather conditions
245/40R18 97V
- BrandPirelli
- ModelZero Nero
- Weight29 pounds
Improved fuel economy
Inexpensive set
Unique tread pattern handles decently off-road
Poor winter performance
Warranty limitations are lacking
Loud road noise
6
Michelin Pilot Sport A/S PLUS Tire
Similar to their Pilot Sport model on the peak of our list, this set of performance all-season tires comes with a serious bounce to your fuel economy, while providing maximum durability thanks to the C3M production process that’s specific to Michelin tires. High tensile steel cords weave throughout these tires, adding to the Michelin tough quality.
With A/S PLUS, you get advanced durability that reinforces pressure points that weaken when air pressure reduces. Your sidewalls will retain their structural integrity.
1,709 / 6,836 total load capacity
UTQG of 500 AA A
Perfect for Cars
225/45ZR17/XL 94Y
- BrandMichelin
- ModelPilot Sport
- Weight35 pounds
C3M tire production
Excellent addition to fuel economy
Steel cord belts for improved durability
Warranty leaves something to be desired
Poor winter/snow performance
Lots of road noise
7
Michelin Primacy
Rain and light snow don’t stand a chance in your Primacy set of tires. Capable of supporting over 5,000lbs in total load capacity and rocking a superior UTQG rating, these tires offer you internal steel belts for added durability. Excellent road dry road traction lowers treadwear while improving your fuel efficiency.
BAZ technology improves your high-speed handling and performance, which can all be equipped to your sedan, minivan, or crossover vehicles. For an excellent all-around replacement price, you get immeasurable quality from one of America’s most-trusted names in tires: Michelin.
1,279 / 5,116 total load capacity
UTQG of 620 A A
BAZ technology
5,000 lb capacity
- BrandMichelin
- ModelPrimacy
- Weight20 pounds
Excellent warranty
Surprising handling in 1/4-1/2” snow
Slow treadwear
A bit of road noise
Cracking along sidewalls
Fast treadwear
8
Continental Contiprocontact
Minimize noise while gliding on one of the best warranties we’ve ever seen. You’ll drive easy knowing that Continental has everything under control, including those high-speed turns. With nylon-wrapped twin steel cables and a unique tread pattern for maximum traction, you’ll be able to take corners like a stuntman.
Improved handling due to the active edges on the contact patch gives you the ultimate protection and durability in stormy weather, no matter what. Enjoy the noise-free smooth ride as your fuel efficiency increases.
1,389 / 5,556 total load capacity
UTQG of 500 AA A
Nylon-wrapped twin steel cables
- BrandContinental
- ModelContiProContact
- Weight24 pounds
80,000 mile tread life warranty
Improved high-speed performance
Reinforced stabilized interior tread
Pricey to replace the whole set
Terrible in winter/snow handling
Uneven tread wear
9
Michelin LTX M/S2
The well-rounded LTX comes with appeal on all sides—decent off-road and light snow handling while giving you high-speed turn capabilities and excellent durability. Your warranty is good for up to 70,000 miles, giving you plenty of room to work with.
This performance leaps forward compared to the other LTX models. If it’s about to snow and you need to hit the road for last-minute items, you’ll be good to go. On both wet and dry roads, this tire is like gliding on a cloud the entire drive.
2,535 / 10,140 total load capacity
UTQG of 720 A A
For vans, pickups and sport utility vehicles
3D Active Sipes
- BrandMichelin
- ModelLTX M/S2
- Weight38 pounds
Great warranty
Unique tread pattern
Slow treadwear
Expensive
Harsh ride
Need extra weight for better traction
10
Pirelli Scorpion Verde
Pirelli produces quality while focusing on keeping your initial cost on the lower side. This tire has high-speed performance on turns and stability when driving on dry roads. Between city and highway, you’ll get close to their 65,000 mile warranty.
This tire is phenomenal in the rain and handles well enough off-road. The unique tread pattern keeps you stable, riding easy, and most of all, these tires keep money in your pocket.
2,149 / 8,596 total load capacity
UTQG of 740 A A
65,000 mile warranty
For light trucks and sport utility vehicles
- BrandPirelli
- ModelScorpion Verde
- Weight4.4 pounds
Superb warranty
Excellent price
Improves fuel economy
Poor winter/snow performance
Produces whirring sound
Weak sidewalls
11
Continental Crosscontact
Continental is all about getting a great ride out of your vehicle. Specific components increase treadwear, allowing you to enjoy your tires for years to come. These tires are ideal for light duty trucks and crossovers, giving you ultimate control up to 95MPH
These tires operate quietly, cutting out any whirring sounds you may hear with other tires. Increase your fuel efficiency while receiving phenomenal traction on wet roads, light snow, and a bit of off-road handling for the dirt road traveler.
2,403 / 9,612 total load capacity
UTQG of 740 A B
For light trucks and SUVs
Tri-net silica tread compound
- BrandContinental
- ModelCrossContact
- Weight40 pounds
70,000 mile warranty
Quiet operation
Firm responsiveness
Narrow width
Slightly less handling post 95MPH
Problems with balancing
All Season Tire Buying Guide & FAQ
Ever wanted to know how much really goes into a set of tires? We’re about to tell you. It’s not just a hunk of rubber full of air—there are tactical and logistic components to them to create the best all season tires. Let’s jump into it.
Should I Invest In All-Season Tires?
All-season tires are less expensive than most other types and provide excellent benefits. However, the best way to tell if they’re really right for you is by asking yourself a couple of questions, which we’ve outlined here.
Q: Do I experience improper handling while driving?
A: It could be that your tires are worn, or you’re using the wrong type. All season tires provide you with improved traction and handling in just about every circumstance (except extreme winter, which we’ll get into in a moment).
Q: Do I have trouble in the rain?
A: For the most part, we don’t think twice about hopping in the car when it’s raining. Having all season tires between you and the road improves your wet traction so you can move seamlessly.
Q: Are my tires in their warranty?
A: Chances are, your current all weather tyres are not within the normal realm of your warranty. All season tires come with excellent warranties, some even supporting up to 90,000 miles of treadwear, so you can always utilize that warranty when you’re in need of repairs or replacements, and your budget isn’t what it used to be.
Benefits of All Season Tires
All season tyres are awesome, but don’t just take our word for it—take a glance over some of the key features behind all-season tires and why they’re the top pick of, well, just about everyone.
- Longer Treadwear: You’ll actually burn through them slower. Yeah, sounds crazy, but it’s true. They’re designed to evenly wear across the entire tire, so you don’t end up replacing them within the first year.
- Quiet Operation: Any time you’re in a car, it’s rather quiet, right? Depending on the size of your vehicle, your tires may be part of the reason you hear a whirring sound when you’re barreling down the highway. All-season tires and their unique tread designs stay smoother longer, so you don’t hear annoying low-pitched sounds while you’re driving.
- Affordable: Durable and more affordable? Yeah—it’s true. There’s a much higher demand for all-season tires, and as a result, the supply and demand mechanics work in your favor. You have so many competitors trying to win you over and get in the spotlight, and you get to benefit from that.
- Warranties: All season tires are meant to last, and manufacturers want you to know it. That’s why they slap 90,000+ mile warranties on their tires, so you know you’re riding on their good word.
Types & Factors to Consider When Buying All Season Tires
With any purchase, there are a few factors to consider when choosing your next all-season tire.
- Load Capacity: A standard car runs about 4,000lbs, and between the four of your tires, you need enough to handle that, plus passengers, plus some cargo. Our top all seasons tyres give you a max load of 1,653lbs per tire, or just over 6,600lbs in total. Basically, don’t transport a bunch of cinderblocks in the trunk of your sedan, and you’ll be fine.
- UTQG: If you’re not familiar, this standard for Uniform Tire Quality Grade. Comprised of various elements, such as treadwear, traction and resistance to temperatures, this metric measures the safety rating of your tires, and their overall quality.
- Fuel Economy: According to Bill VandeWater, an auto expert at Bridgestone Firestone North America, you can see as much as a 20% increase in your miles per gallon by choosing the appropriate tires for your vehicle. Look for a tread compound that has a low rolling resistance.
Understanding the Design of All-Season Tires
All-season tires are a very focused piece of equipment for your car. They’ve been designed to work perfectly between the realm of safety and performance, all while remaining durable and versatile. For the common commuter, the weekend warrior, and the busy dads out there, all season tires provide the perfect blend of safety in adverse weather conditions.
That being said, when the newscasters say to stay out of the snow, your all season tires are really not meant to handle those conditions, and you should abide by the weather forecast. We all know the weatherman is wrong (a lot), but your all season tires were not designed to handle snow and ice. It’s best to plan ahead or equip your other vehicle with snow tires.
Types of Tread Patterns, Performance, and How Long They Last
Ever wondered why your treads are the way they are? It’s not by accident or just to “look cool,” they all serve their own functions. Let’s get into it.
- Unidirectional: Designed to move in a single direction. These are standard on most cars, and they require rotations more than any other type. They’re only set to move in one way, one direction, so they wear down a lot faster on key points. Ever thought that getting your tires rotated was just a scheme for mechanics to get more money? Well, there’s actually a reason.
- Symmetrical: Able to be rotated in different ways, these last for a really long time (on average). Due to the groove patterns, you’re able to even out the wear-and-tear on these tires, so you don’t run through them too quickly.
- Asymmetrical: You’ll find these on muscle cars and sports cars. These combine a few different tread pattern standards to give you excellent grip, especially if you’re driving at a high speed. You get excellent grip on both wet and dry surfaces.
Are All-Season Tires Good in Snow?
There’s a big misconception between the terms all season, and snow (or winter) for your tires. They are most definitely not good in snow. Here’s a summary for each tire type to better point out their primary differences:
All Season Tires – Perfect for wet roads and slippery trails, these are the best option for summer road trips without having to worry about a rainstorm on the GPS getting in your way. This also means that light bits of snow or slush on the road aren’t going to stand a chance against your new tires, but don’t push the envelope. Pushing through a bit of slush is alright, but when the roads haven’t been plowed yet, your all-season tires are going to know it.
Snow (Winter) Tires – Icy roads, snowfall, and some wet inclement conditions are the perfect opponent for winter tires. If your home is set far back on your property and you’re not planning on snow blowing or shoveling your entire driveway to the road (and nobody could blame you), you’ll need tires that are going to get over all of that mess. That’s where snow tires come in; they have a tread compound and pattern to maximize tread life and traction.
You May Also Like: Tire Size Calculator
Sources:
- Winter & Snow Tires vs. All Season Tires - Bridgestone
- Tire Tread Patterns – What do the Different Patterns Mean? - Pep Boys
- Tire Tread Patterns - Tire Rack
- Carefully Consider Fuel Economy - HowStuffWorks
