Since car tires need to be replaced every 3-4 years a decision you may need to make, is what category of tires you should buy. Having the correct type of tire installed on your car is critical for good performance and safety. The most common type of tires out on the market fall under the following three categories: summer, winter, and all season.
All Season Tires: These tires are designed for superior performance year round. They are primarily designed to tackle year round weather that does not vary beyond both extremes of the weather spectrum. This tire type makes a very popular choice for demographics with year round mild temperatures. On the short term, these tires are cost effective as you do not have to worry about install costs every time the season changes. To put the cost into perspective:
Tire change frequency: 2 times (two seasonal changes)
Average install cost to change tire: $60 (per tire)
Cost to swap tires per year: Tire change freq. per year X tire change cost X # of tires
2 X $60 X 4 = ~$480
Summer Tires: Summer tires, sometimes referred to as performance tires are designed to provide excellent dry and wet traction along with precise handling. These tires are generally meant to be used during the warmer months, or all year in regions that don't get a true winter. In warm temperatures, these tires are built with materials that offer excellent tire to road grip. In the rain, these tires over excellent protection against hydroplaning since these tires are generally made with sticky tread compound. These tires are generally designed for high performance vehicles and generally cost more than all season tires.
Winter Tires: Winter tires offer the best snow and ice performance compared to All season and summer tires. Since the material in all season and summer tires causes them stiffens in cold weather, winter tires continue to be flexible. These tires are designed for cold temperatures and regions with frequent ice and snow conditions. If properly maintained, winter tires should last between 6 to 10 seasons. Unlike other tires, one thing to note is that some regions have a mandatory winter tire protocol and should be followed in order to avoid fines.