Choosing the right tires for your vehicle is like choosing the right shoes for the occasion. You wouldn’t wear flip-flops to ski the Alps or hiking boots to go floating. Similarly, it’s essential to match the tire to the driving conditions and your lifestyle.
Having the wrong tires could be a recipe for disaster. Driving on icy roads with summer tires can leave you skidding out of control. Or mudding through the back fields with highway tires is likely to leave you stuck in the mud.
Your daily routine, occupation, local climate, interests, and preferences all contribute to your driving lifestyle. For instance, are you a daily commuter, off-roading adventurist, or frequent highway traveler? Do you have an aggressive, economical, or relaxed driving style? Is performance, durability, fuel efficiency, or comfort your top priority? Answering these questions will help you determine your unique driving lifestyle.
Selecting the right tires is essential for your safety, comfort, and the performance of your vehicle. Let’s explore the pros and cons of different tire types and their uses, so you can make an informed decision.
All-Season vs. Winter Tires
With winter right around the corner, you may wonder if you need winter tires. That depends on your driving lifestyle and the severity of the climate you’ll be driving in.
All-Season Tires
All-season tires offer versatility and reliability in a variety of weather conditions. Engineered with rubber compounds suitable for warm and cold temperatures, all-season tires can absorb surface irregularities, such as potholes, while maintaining a relatively smooth ride.
Standard all-season tires may feature symmetrical tread patterns for a quieter ride and enhanced comfort. Due to the consistent pattern across these tires, they can be rotated in any direction, which helps prolong the tread life.
High-performance all-season tires often have an asymmetrical tread pattern. This means the tread on the inner part of the tire differs from the outer part of the tire. The varying tread provides better grip on wet or dry roads and enhanced cornering stability, handling, and traction. Rotating asymmetrical tires in the correct direction, as indicated on the tire’s sidewall, is crucial.
Pros:
- Year-round versatility
- Provide a well-rounded driving experience
Cons:
- Do not perform as well as winter tires in extreme low temperatures, deep snow, or ice
All-season tires are the one-size-fits-most option. They provide reliable performance across the board, making them your go-to option for everyday driving, mild climates, and occasional light off-roading. If you’re looking for just one set of tires to cover all four seasons, these are the ideal choice for you.

Winter Tires
Designed for temperatures below 45˚F (7˚C), winter tires feature deeper treads with more aggressive tread patterns and extra sipes (small, thin slits) to provide better traction on snow and ice. These tires also use softer rubber compounds to remain flexible at low temperatures.
It’s important to note that winter tires aren’t suitable for temperatures above 45˚F, as the softer rubber compound can become too soft in warm weather. This causes them to wear more rapidly and increases rolling resistance (which decreases fuel efficiency).
Additionally, the specialized tread of winter tires, which provides optimal traction on ice and snow, may reduce traction and handling on wet and dry roads in warm weather. The deeper treads also contribute to a less smooth and quiet ride.
Pros:
- Superior traction on ice and snow
- Low rolling resistance/improved fuel efficiency in cold weather
- Remain flexible in freezing temperatures
Cons:
- High rolling resistance/decreased fuel efficiency in warm weather
- Reduced traction and handling at higher temperatures
- More road noise, less smooth ride
Winter tires are an excellent choice if you live in a rural area where roads aren’t treated for ice or cleared of snow. If you intend to use your vehicle for plowing or rescuing stuck vehicles from deep snow, winter tires are for you.
All-Season vs. Summer Tires
You may not be aware that summer tires are even a thing, especially if you live in the Ozarks. They are less common in our region, as most local drivers are unlikely to invest in a separate set of tires for summer. However, they do have their advantages over all-season tires in warm weather.

Summer Tires
Designed for temperatures above 45˚F, summer tires are ideal for warm and hot weather. Their specialized tread patterns and shorter tread depths offer superior grip and enhanced traction on both wet and dry roads in warm conditions. Summer tires are constructed with harder rubber compounds to prevent them from becoming too soft in the heat, which helps maintain lower rolling resistance, improving fuel efficiency.
Summer tires are not suitable for cold weather conditions. The hard rubber compounds that allow them to withstand the heat become too hard in low temperatures, significantly reducing traction. This can also cause them to crack and chip, compromising their integrity. Additionally, the shallow tread depth reduces traction on snow and ice, increasing the risk of skidding and losing control of your vehicle in these conditions.
Pros:
- Superior handling, braking, and cornering capabilities in warmer weather
- Built to withstand the heat
- Lower rolling resistance/improved fuel efficiency in higher temperatures
Cons:
- Compromised integrity in cold conditions
- Poor grip on ice and snow
If temperatures consistently drop below 45˚F, it’s time to switch out those summer tires for all-season or winter tires. It’s especially critical if the temperature drops below the freezing point, 32˚F (0˚C), as there is an increased risk of ice or snow, which can be dangerous on summer tires.
If you drive professionally, you may want to consider switching to summer tires when the weather gets warmer. Summer tires provide better traction, control, and longevity in higher temperatures compared to all-season tires. If you live in an area where the temperature rarely drops below 45˚F, summer tires may be the best option for you.
Touring vs. Highway Tires
If you prioritize comfort in your driving experience and rarely venture off paved roads, there are tires designed with comfort in mind. Both touring and highway tires are engineered to create a smoother, quieter ride. Although they both offer greater comfort, there are some key differences between them.
Touring Tires:
Touring tires are designed to provide a smooth, quiet ride with enhanced handling and stability for smaller vehicles, such as cars, minivans, crossovers, and compact SUVs. They are ideal for highway and long-distance driving and are suitable for most weather conditions. However, they are not the best option for off-road driving.
Standard touring tires may feature a symmetrical tread pattern, providing a smoother and quieter ride, longer tread life, and easy rotation. Due to their symmetrical design, these tires offer a balance between performance and comfort.
High-performance touring tires often feature asymmetrical tread patterns. These tires are designed with large, rigid outer tread blocks to improve road contact when cornering, and smaller inner tread blocks with more sipes to enhance traction and disperse water on wet roads, decreasing the risk of hydroplaning. This combination of tread patterns provides excellent traction on wet or dry roads in most weather conditions.
Pros:
- Year-round versatility
- Greater resistance to hydroplaning
- Smooth, quiet ride on paved roads
- Enhanced handling and braking
- Reduced rolling resistance/improved fuel efficiency on highways and paved roads
Cons:
- Not as suitable for rough or unpaved surfaces
If you drive a smaller vehicle, don’t venture much off the beaten path, and seek the perfect balance of comfort and performance for your highway travels, touring tires are the ideal choice for you.

Highway Tires
Highway tires are designed to provide a smooth and comfortable ride on paved roads. These tires are highly specialized for heavy-duty performance and have a higher load-carrying capacity, making them ideal for larger, heavier vehicles like trucks, vans, and full-size SUVs, particularly if you frequently transport goods.
Highway tires also have a higher speed rating, offering exceptional grip and traction on wet or dry paved roads. They are designed for long-distance, high-speed highway driving and usually feature symmetrical tread patterns to enhance comfort and reduce road noise. These symmetrical tread patterns also allow the tires to wear more evenly, while reducing rolling resistance and improving fuel efficiency. They are not well-suited for rough terrain.
Pros:
- Comfortable ride on paved roads
- Higher load-carrying capacity
- Excellent grip and traction on dry or wet paved roads
- Longer tread life
- Low rolling resistance/improved fuel efficiency
- Higher speed rating for long-distance travel
Cons:
- Not suitable for rough terrain
- May not perform as well in extreme weather conditions
If you drive a large, heavy vehicle and you often embark on lengthy highway journeys, especially for transporting goods, highway tires are the top choice for you. They’ll give you the comfort, performance, and durability you need for those long journeys.
All-Terrain (A/T) vs. Mudd-Terrain (M/T)
If you’re an off-road adventurist or live in a rural area with unpaved roads, you may want to consider tires specialized for venturing off the beaten path. Both all-terrain and mud-terrain tires are designed for off-road use, however there are notable differences between them.
All-Terrain (A/T) Tires
As the name suggests, all-terrain tires are designed to handle various terrain conditions, from highways to unpaved trails. They offer a good balance of off-road capability and on-road comfort, offering improved traction and durability on both paved and unpaved roads.
Their robust tread patterns, featuring deep grooves and interlocking blocks, provide excellent traction on various surfaces like highways, dirt, gravel, mud, and light snow. Additionally, their durable, reinforced construction improves resistance to punctures, making them a dependable choice for various driving conditions.
Pros:
- Versatile performance on mixed terrain
- Durable and puncture-resistant
- Balance of on-road comfort and off-road capability
Cons:
- Noisier on highways
- Less smooth ride on paved roads
- Higher rolling resistance/decreased fuel efficiency
If you frequently drive on paved roads and love the thrill of off-roading adventures, or if you’re an off-road enthusiast who occasionally hits the highway, all-terrain tires are the ideal option for you.

Mud-Terrain (M/T) Tires
Mud-terrain tires are designed for extreme off-roading conditions, such as deep mud, sand, and rocks. They are typically found on larger vehicles, such as trucks and SUVs.
Their chunky, aggressive tread patterns provide excellent grip on rough surfaces. They have wider spaces between the tread blocks to expel mud and debris. Their hook-shaped, open shoulder blocks enhance grip at various angles, which is beneficial for slippery and uneven surfaces. They also have reinforced sidewalls and a higher resistance to punctures, and some offer deep sipes for improved traction on wet or icy surfaces.
Pros:
- Excellent off-road capability
- Durable and puncture-resistant
- Self-cleaning
Cons:
- Noisy on paved roads
- Rougher ride
- Higher rolling resistance/decreased fuel efficiency
- More expensive
These are perfect for off-roading enthusiasts who drive large vehicles, rarely drive on highways, and like to take on the most challenging off-road conditions.
Performance Tires vs. Ultra-High-Performance (UHP) Tires
If you’re looking to maximize your vehicle’s performance and enjoy an aggressive or sporty driving experience, you should consider tires specifically designed for performance and high-speed driving.
Performance and ultra-high-performance tires are engineered to provide superior grip and handling at high speeds, thanks to their specialized rubber compounds, which become flexible and sticky as they heat up from road friction. This feature enhances grip, handling, and overall stability for a more thrilling driving experience.
Both performance and UHP tires are available in summer, winter, and all-season options, to suit your needs.
Performance Tires
Performance tires are designed for everyday sporty driving. They often have stiffer sidewalls and shallow, asymmetrical tread patterns to enhance traction, stability, and agility during sharp turns and high-speed maneuvers. You can also find these in cost-effective, symmetrical tread patterns for more uniform performance, even wear, and easy rotation.
Performance tires may also have directional tread patterns, meaning they rotate in only one direction. This enhances high-speed stability and traction on wet surfaces, which reduces the risk of hydroplaning. This feature also improves handling on mud and snow. On dry surfaces, this type of pattern improves performance at higher speeds. Tires with directional tread patterns must be rotated facing the correct direction, which is indicated by the arrow on the sidewall of the tire.
Pros:
- Excellent handling and grip
- High-speed stability
- Available in summer, all-season, and winter options
Cons:
- More expensive than standard tires
- Faster wear
Performance tires are an excellent choice if you enjoy a more aggressive driving style, prioritize high-speed handling, and don’t mind investing in premium tires for a superior driving experience.

Ultra-High-Performance (UHP) Tires
Ultra-high-performance tires are designed for speed. They are typically found on high-end sports cars, high-performance vehicles, and race cars. These tires provide maximum grip, handling, responsiveness, and stability at high speeds, with a higher speed rating than regular performance tires, often exceeding 150 mph.
UHP tires are truly impressive with their advanced soft, sticky compounds, which outperform regular performance tires in terms of traction and handling. They often have stiffer sidewalls for maximum stability and handling, and aggressive, asymmetrical tread patterns with rigid tread blocks and intricate siping patterns for better performance on wet or dry roads. This feature may result in increased road noise and a less smooth ride.
Some UHP tires feature innovative dual-compound technology, with softer rubber compounds in the tread area for unparalleled grip, traction, and water evacuation, while maintaining stiffer sidewalls for exceptional dry grip, cornering stability, and high-speed handling. Furthermore, the tread compounds’ high silica content enhances grip in wet and dry conditions.
Pros:
- Superior grip, handling, responsiveness, and precise steering
- Optimized for wet and dry conditions at high speeds
- Available in summer, all-season, and winter options
Cons:
- Shorter tread life
- More expensive
- Less smooth ride
- More road noise
If you drive a sports car or luxury vehicle, have a need for speed, and demand the ultimate in performance and maneuverability, UHP tires are for you.

Tire Selection Guide
Wouldn’t it be convenient to have a tire selection guide where you can make tire comparisons, see warranty information, and request a quote? Well, you’re in luck.
At Rick’s Automotive, we have a wide range of tires available to suit every driving lifestyle. We offer a convenient interactive tire catalog on our website, where you can search for tires that fit your vehicle, search by size or brand, compare warranties, and request a quote.
Alternatively, if the idea of searching through pages of tire types and making comparisons gives you a brain freeze, our friendly, pressure-free certified mechanics are happy to help you find the best tires for your car, truck, SUV, or van–customized to fit your driving lifestyle and budget. We also offer a full range of tire services, from new tire replacements to rotations and alignments, as well as identifying tire pressure issues through your vehicle’s tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS). Whether you’re a daily commuter, road warrior, or adventure enthusiast, having the right tires can transform your driving experience.
Call or schedule an appointment online and let Rick’s Automotive be your trusted partner in ensuring a smooth, safe, and satisfying ride.