All weather or Regular Tyres?

[mojo doug]

Hey everyone, I’m coming up to replacing the tyres on my VW California Beach and wanted to get some opinions from those with more experience. At the moment, I’ve got all-weather tyres, which have been fine, but I’m wondering whether to stick with them or switch to regular summer/winter tyres instead.

A few things I’m mulling over:

Do all-weather tyres actually last longer, or do they wear down quicker than standard tyres?

Are they really worth the price difference in the long run?

If you’ve run both, have you noticed much of a difference in handling, fuel economy, or road noise?

I mainly use the van for longer road trips (some European travel too), but I don’t do anything too extreme off-road-wise. Although I typically head to the Alps in spring, so I like the all weather peace of mind for this.

Just keen to hear what others think, what do you run, and what would you recommend?

Thank you!

Ive Driven on 4 season tyres on both my Cali's .Much better wear (about x3) , no increase in noise , more comfortable ride especially in our pot hole strewn roads . General Grabbers ...excellent .

 

[CaliMac]

I have been a fan of Michelin CC for many years now. I even put them on my wife's Fiat 500 as we travel across Scotland regularly in winter. There is a very steep hill where I live too that is challenge in snowy conditions. I remember once seeing a Land Rover 4 x 4 stuck on that hill with wheels spinning; we simply went past him without missing a beat!
Noise: on my previous Cali I had the Michelin Agilis CC and I thought they were noisier. I note they state '8 ply' which I suspect could be the reason. Black circles seem to permit car CC to be within the spec' for a Cali; the noise levels are 3 decibels less on the label than the Agilis.

 

[Cameron1960]

I run Michellin Cross Climates on my rental fleet in Scotland and they are amazing. Strong sidewalls, quiet, fuel efficient and they wear incredibly well. We rotate the tyres and get around 40-45k miles per set.

You'll pay more initially but they've worked out the cheapest long term that we've trialled.

I agree, I’ve just got 50,000 miles out of my Michelin Cross climates (205 65 R 16)!

 

[stationmaster]

I run Michellin Cross Climates on my rental fleet in Scotland and they are amazing. Strong sidewalls, quiet, fuel efficient and they wear incredibly well. We rotate the tyres and get around 40-45k miles per set.

You'll pay more initially but they've worked out the cheapest long term that we've trialled.

Do you fit the Michelin Cross Climate Agilis version, or the ordinary version? Have you experience of both?

 

[Hawthorn37]

I run Michellin Cross Climates on my rental fleet in Scotland and they are amazing. Strong sidewalls, quiet, fuel efficient and they wear incredibly well. We rotate the tyres and get around 40-45k miles per set.

You'll pay more initially but they've worked out the cheapest long term that we've trialled.

That’s good to hear. I needed to change our OEM fitted all season tyres recently at 23k miles, awful wear! We’ve opted for Michelin CC2 as well.

 

[RedWhiteMonkey]

One point of note as is common with all VWs - don’t swap front for rear - the design of the rear suspension is prone to making flat spots on rear tyres, so if you swap you’ll get a rumble from the now front tyres! Whatever you choose - drives safe

I am struggling to understand or visualise how that would happen. Any vehicle has to be moving for the rotation of its tyres to wear the tyres and I'm pretty sure VW don't use some magic type of wheel bearing that stops at exactly the same spot each rotation, whilst matching that to the tyre rotation speed. How does VW suspension design make flat spots on rear tyres?

 

[ThomasHJ]

One other thought on all season tyres.

They are much better on a muddy field than summer tyres.

Similar experience that we have no discernible impact on driveability and comfort or economy. Can't really comment on wear as yet but the published tests suggest it's not an issue from my reading. We have Bridgestones on the Cali and Goodyears on our people carrier.

I would say go all season and pick one of the premium brands - the Goodyears always seem to be well priced at the moment.

Now do you actually mean all seasons? Or do you mean all weathers?

 

[Viktorgeorge]

First trip with my Michelin Cross Climate 2 235/55/17/103Y bought yesterday to replace the original all weather Bridgestones.

After paying £600+ it is a little hard to the coldly objective - you are looking for the upside - but with a mixture of road type and surface over 70 miles I satisfied they are much the same on noise and ride/comfort (using DCC set to normal) but slightly nicer and more positive to drive. Perhaps the latter is partly new rubber and tread.

I luckily did not have any punctures on the Bridgestones over the 25,000 miles from new but all the same from feedback here I am also pleased to now have a tyre that others have found to be dependable in that regard.

Hereafter I will doubtless just get used to them, but in short I am pleased.

 

[ThomasHJ]

I also opted for the Michelin Cross Climate 2 based mostly on the positive mentions on this forum and have not regretted it. I have no idea which tyres were on it before to be honest but I havent noticed a difference in how it feels when we drive.

 

[Flower Power]

Ive Driven on 4 season tyres on both my Cali's .Much better wear (about x3) , no increase in noise , more comfortable ride especially in our pot hole strewn roads . General Grabbers ...excellent .

Yes, General GRABBER AT3 are excellent. Installed last Spring and happy with them in all conditions and situations.

 

[markusschork]

I run Michellin Cross Climates on my rental fleet in Scotland and they are amazing. Strong sidewalls, quiet, fuel efficient and they wear incredibly well. We rotate the tyres and get around 40-45k miles per set.

You'll pay more initially but they've worked out the cheapest long term that we've trialled.

We drive the same! Costly initially, but then peace of mind..

 

[oryx white]

Now do you actually mean all seasons? Or do you mean all weathers?

Here in the UK, they are called All Season tyres. So they have the snow and mud marks on the sidewalls. I suspect hey are called all weather for you in the Netherlands from your question. I have Bridgestone Weather Controls on the Cali - (well the rears, but that's another story). Apologies for any confusion caused.

 

[ThomasHJ]

Here in the UK, they are called All Season tyres. So they have the snow and mud marks on the sidewalls. I suspect hey are called all weather for you in the Netherlands from your question. I have Bridgestone Weather Controls on the Cali - (well the rears, but that's another story). Apologies for any confusion caused.

I asked, because they are not the same. And if people don't know, it might blur the conversation. I believe you are mistaken, or things are exactly the other way round in the UK, although I doubt that. See below.

"All season tires are, in fact, suitable for only three seasons if you encounter snow and other peculiarities of the winter months. All weather tires, on the other hand, suit both summer and winter driving conditions, providing snow traction in the winter and performing in warm temperatures as well."

"All-Weather tires perform well in both summer and winter seasons. But all-weather tires are better than all-season tires in the winter. All-weather tires carry the 3 peak mountain snowflake symbol and all-season tires typically do not."

So, if you are looking for tyres that you can truely use all year round, in all conditions, including in countries where the 3 peak mountain snowflake sign is mandatory (winter tyres), then you need All weathers and not all seasons.

 

[Flower Power]

Yes, General GRABBER AT3 are excellent. Installed last Spring and happy with them in all conditions and situations.

Correction ! Oh boy, I have come to new conclusions after additional 1/2 year on Grabbers AT3s.. I sold them!! Gone, after a few scary moments on the wet asphalt. They do not hold the grip in the wet and almost not drivable in a heavy Summer rain (aquaplaning risk). Additionally their robust tread was resulting in a less smooth ride that on "normal" Summer tires. Even though they were perfectly balanced I could feel them in my seat and steering wheel. Buying them was a mistake.

I hope not to make another mistake... I am focusing on Michelin Latitude Cross in our standard T6.1 17" size. Summer only but I have still All Weather Vredesteins Pro on OEM wheels for this winter.

 

[Laindesty]

I’m a bit late here, but I’ve recently switched between all‑weather and separate summer/winter sets on my own Cali and noticed a big difference in noise and grip. All‑weathers were fine, but the dedicated sets felt better on long motorway trips. Curious how others find tyre wear on all‑weathers over time. Has anyone tried the newer all‑season models that claim better summer performance?

 

[Laindesty]

I’m a bit late here, but I’ve recently switched between all‑weather and separate summer/winter sets on my own Cali and noticed a big difference in noise and grip. All‑weathers were fine, but the dedicated sets felt better on long motorway trips. Curious how others find tyre wear on all‑weathers over time. Has anyone tried the newer all‑season models that claim better summer performance?

I’ve also bounced between all‑weather and a summer/winter setup on my own van, and honestly it depends on how often you hit cold, slushy roads.

All‑weather is a nice no‑fuss option if your winters aren’t too wild, but a dedicated winter set really grips better once temps drop. I’ve found the guides on best tires for your car handy for comparing real‑world performance without getting lost in marketing fluff.

 

[Roger Boeken]

Correction ! Oh boy, I have come to new conclusions after additional 1/2 year on Grabbers AT3s.. I sold them!! Gone, after a few scary moments on the wet asphalt. They do not hold the grip in the wet and almost not drivable in a heavy Summer rain (aquaplaning risk). Additionally their robust tread was resulting in a less smooth ride that on "normal" Summer tires. Even though they were perfectly balanced I could feel them in my seat and steering wheel. Buying them was a mistake.

I hope not to make another mistake... I am focusing on Michelin Latitude Cross in our standard T6.1 17" size. Summer only but I have still All Weather Vredesteins Pro on OEM wheels for this winter.

Sorry to read you have bad experience with GG AT3, I am still happy and have confidence. Did do some succcesfull emergency braking.
With AT tires its wise to adapt drivng style accordingly , I have the impression people are looking for tires that allow them to drive same speed in all weather and all season. The only disadvantage of AT so far is the higher fuel consumption. It certainly also help having 4motion on my 204 HP Ocean. And being symmetrical I can use the spare in any position on the cali.

 

[pjm-84]

Ordered a set of wheels and XClimate Camping tyres for my Burstner....... this clip is impressive to show the ability of all season tyres.

I have Cross Climates on the Cali and Volvo and super impressed with them.

 

[Flower Power]

I kind of lough at this promo video above... why? For the last 18 years I live and in the Alps, on a German-Austrian border. Sure, this is not a Hi-Alps scenario but still elevations are above 1000m and much more when I drive in my extended "neighbourhood." NEVER, never, I had a road covered in snow like in the video. I was looking for some but never found it.

My cars... two AWD Subarus and a 4Mo California, do not have dedicated winter tires. Only a Q4 Alfa Romeo Stelvio has two sets and only because I wanted good sporty summer tires to drive it fast.

AWD/4WD is important for traction even in the summer and of course in the wet. My ill-conceived purchase of AT3s for California was with an off road/wild camping in mind but I realised that it was not worth a compromise on a tarmac.

 

[pjm-84]

So you want Michelin to film a video showing the merits of an all season tyre on a dry tarmac road?

Yes, Col de la Bonette (Bonette Pass) in the French Alps is typically closed due to snow from around late October/November until late June or early July, as it's one of France's highest roads, meaning it's currently closed for winter and only reopens when snow melts and roads are cleared, so check www.inforoute04.fr or www.inforoutes06.fr before planning a trip.

 

[Gruntfuttock]

First trip with my Michelin Cross Climate 2 235/55/17/103Y bought yesterday to replace the original all weather Bridgestones.

After paying £600+ it is a little hard to the coldly objective - you are looking for the upside - but with a mixture of road type and surface over 70 miles I satisfied they are much the same on noise and ride/comfort (using DCC set to normal) but slightly nicer and more positive to drive. Perhaps the latter is partly new rubber and tread.

I luckily did not have any punctures on the Bridgestones over the 25,000 miles from new but all the same from feedback here I am also pleased to now have a tyre that others have found to be dependable in that regard.

Hereafter I will doubtless just get used to them, but in short I am pleased.

Hi
Are you still happy with the MCC2 tyres, I need to replace my Bridgestones soon. 255/45/18's

 

[Viktorgeorge]

Hi
Are you still happy with the MCC2 tyres, I need to replace my Bridgestones soon. 255/45/18's

Yes, used them for 10,000 mile now in a range of conditions (though not snow) both long continental trips and around town and 100% happy. One puncture soon after purchase but it was nail, which was plugged and had been fine since. Wearing evenly (without any rotation) kept at 44psi as per @WelshGas advice.

They seem a nice balance between low noise, comfort and grip in dry and wet. Will buy again when these have worn.

Good price too from Blackcircles, including local fitting by my nearest tyre fitter, even though actual order placed online at Blackcircles. My local fitter advised me he could not match that doing it though him directly.

 

[colintfcolintf]

Hi
Are you still happy with the MCC2 tyres, I need to replace my Bridgestones soon. 255/45/18's

I aim to do the same once the set of Bridgestones wear that came with a set of Black Springfields, but the Conti’s on the wheels that came on the Cali just keep going 24,000 I’ve put on them and still plenty of meat left, so I haven’t even put the Black Springfields on yet!

 

[Canary]

Today I have ordered "Continental All Season contact 2"
These seem to have the highest B rating for fuel economy whereby all the other variants were "C" and then the same rating for everything else.

Hopefully these will cover a fair few miles and help with highland winter travel plus alp travel when we go.