All-Season Tyres
All-season tyres are a compromise between summer and winter tyres: you do not need to change them twice a year, but in neither season do they match a dedicated tyre. In Estonia they may be used during the mandatory winter tyre period only if they carry the three-peak mountain snowflake symbol (3PMSF) in addition to the M+S marking. Read the guide
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Who all-season tyres suit
- drivers with low annual mileage, mostly in town;
- those who drive mainly on maintained, salted roads and rarely on icy side roads or early in the morning;
- drivers who can postpone trips in bad weather;
- those who want to avoid seasonal tyre changes and tyre storage.
All-season tyres also suit a family's second car that is rarely driven in winter. If you drive a lot, often on highways or unmaintained roads, separate summer tyres and winter tyres are the safer choice in the Estonian climate.
What the rules allow in winter
From 1 December to 1 March, passenger cars and light vans must use winter tyres. A non-studded winter tyre must carry both the M+S marking and the three-peak mountain snowflake symbol (3PMSF), so an all-season tyre qualifies only if it has the 3PMSF symbol – a tyre marked M+S alone does not meet the requirement during this period. You will find the symbol on the sidewall, usually next to the M+S marking. The tread depth must be at least 3.0 mm during this period. See also our article on the 3PMSF marking.
Trade-offs to consider
- In winter – an all-season tyre grips less on snow and ice than a Nordic winter tyre; all-season tyres usually do not carry the ice grip symbol.
- In summer – a softer compound and more sipes mean longer braking distances, less precise handling and faster wear on hot asphalt.
- Tread depth – because the tyre is used all year round, it wears faster; with the 3.0 mm winter requirement it may need replacing well before it reaches the 1.6 mm minimum that applies at other times.
- Convenience – there is no seasonal swap, but it is worth rotating front and rear tyres from time to time so the set wears evenly.
How to choose an all-season tyre
Once you have checked for the 3PMSF symbol, compare the wet grip rating on the EU label, as an all-season tyre is driven mostly on wet and cold asphalt. Choose load and speed indices at least as high as the vehicle manufacturer requires, and check the tread depth before every winter.