All-season tires are the most common tires drivers use. They don’t provide the best grip or performance across different temperatures or weather conditions, but they do a decent job nonetheless — until winter arrives. While all-season tires perform adequately in mild to hot, dry, and wet weather, the rubber used in these tires starts to lose elasticity as temperatures drop below 7 C. Less elasticity means a reduced grip, which is why they may not be the best winter tires. Don’t be fooled by the “M+S” symbol that stands for mud and snow because the icon is entirely unregulated, meaning any manufacturer can slap it on any tire they want. When it comes to true year-round tires, however, there is a solution: all-weather tires. All-weather tires are designed to retain elasticity in cold temperatures, just like the best winter tires. Also, like winter tires, they have been tested and certified for snow traction performance by the Rubber Association of Canada. Look for the snowflake in a mountain symbol to verify the status of the tires. While they don’t perform as well as true winter tires in heavy ice or snow, they perform better than all-season tires. Unlike winter tires that suffer reduced performance on clear or wet asphalt, all-weathers provide increased grip and function well in warmer temperatures. Here’s a handy guide by Kal Tire explaining the differences.