All-season tyres:

On the passenger car sector, there are, besides the summer and winter tyres, so-called all-weather or all-season tyres. Names such as "all-weather" or "all season" indicate the application of such tyres, which is also depicted on the flank of the tyre: a snow flake, leaf, sun and rain drop symbolise the different weather conditions which the all-season tyre is suitable for. The all-season tyres common today are, however, a compromise. All relevant tests document the fact time and again: all-season tyres do not show the same high performance as either summer or winter tyres do.

Pros and cons of all-season tyres.
The decision for or against all-season tyres has to be made individually by each driver in each case, and is subject to a number of different factors, not least personal, geographic and car-specific data. The following hints can be summarised: Do not use all-season tyres if you want to have all the performance and safety reserves of your car at least temporarily available – even if these reserves are not required permanently. This is the case for example if individuals or families travel to high mountain regions by car (e.g. for skiing). Winter tyres are also mandatory for business people who have to be reliable in keeping their appointments and who therefore need the highest possible safety.

If you only drive in the flat country for most of the year and are able to do without your car in critical situations (e.g. a sudden short-term onset of winter), then modern all-season tyres are sufficient for your purposes. Sporadic drivers who observe a moderate driving speed and wish to have the highest possible safety on wintry roads, can use winter tyres the whole year through. This is a particularly suitable solution for people living and driving in alpine and semi-alpine regions. The slight increase in tyre wear will hardly be of any consequence.