A/S & Winter tire set vs Summer & Winter

[sage fern]

I'm having trouble deciding on getting a set of All Seasons & Winters vs doing the typical Summer & Winter set.

I live in NE Ohio in an area where heavy snow is common for about 90 days of the year, and for about 6 months of a year temperatures & conditions wildly fluctuate (32°F last week and it's now in the high 60s this week for example). Because of this for much of the year I can slip out of the ideal temp range for both Summer & Winter tires which makes me think All Seasons may be a better solution, then switch to Winters when the temperatures go down and stay down.

Need advice!
Vehicle they're going on is a 2012 Volvo S60 T6 AWD.

[acoustic ridge]

I mean here where I live I get 32 degree weather too but not that much snow I’m good with all seasons. You might want a winter summer set if it’s the same price as the all season. The bad parts is buying rims though.

[sage fern]

True, it would be more than just a set of A/S tires, but I plan on getting wheels for it anyway, would just use the stock wheels for the winter set. I'm just worried that by getting some UHP tires I will have issues in the dead of winter

Granted I've always driven cars with cheap shitty tires until now and I handled it just fine

[acoustic ridge]

Depends on what you think. Just do research on best tires and go from there.

If it’s not that bad you could do all season and winter

So you get the best of both worlds

[sage fern]

Yeah I might just get the all seasons first and decide if I really need winters after that

[acoustic ridge]

Yeah good idea to me!

[sage fern]

Summers I feel would be wasted because of the crazy temp swings, if there's a cold snap they're gonna ride like shit

[acoustic ridge]

Agreed

[sage fern]

Thank you for the advice man :)

[pine anvil]

I’m a diehard for two sets of tires, however…. You can find snow rated A/S tires now. Look for the three peak mountain logo. https://www.michelinman.com/auto/tires/michelin-crossclimate2 for example. Many A/S just have the M+S rating which is garbage, but now a few are starting to add the snow rating and call them “all weather.” I used a set last winter and very pleased with the results, in a similar climate as you

[sage fern]

These would probably be good as well. Currently I'm looking at getting the Falken FK460 A/S which is a UHP tire, I know they're not so great in winter which is why I am considering dedicated winters

[north minnow]

2 sets. All seasons are not truly meant for winter conditions especially drops in temperatures. Winter tires are soft so they keep traction undo the cold. Summers are harder to keep a proper structure when it is hot. All seasons can’t do both. @sage fern

Boom

Main difference is not tread; it’s the rubber construction.

[north minnow]

It’s more like coping, I wouldn’t. They also will wear down faster than independent tires per season

[oak willow]

theres no benefit to having all seasons for summer. dedicated summer tires have better grip, less road noise, and better fuel economy. all seasons r not particularly good for snow either. here in canada having all seasons for winter is sketchy asf. def go for summers+winters👍