How all-season tyres perform in the wet

The UK has been experiencing higher than average rainfall* so far this autumn/winter season which has resulted in a lot of excess water on the roads, making driving conditions more hazardous. 

For drivers who are travelling on summer tyres that have already accumulated several thousand miles, reduced grip is heightened on these extremely wet roads and driving becomes stressful, particularly when it’s dark. Having the right tyres for the conditions – such as all-season tyres – can help you feel confident to tackle any weather, but what is the best tyre in the wet?

What are all-season tyres?

All-season tyres feature a hybrid summer and winter design, which provides better grip and water channelling grooves than traditional summer tyres, making them safer in the cold. While they don’t provide as much grip in the ice and snow as traditional winter tyres, they are a reliable compromise for everyday driving in more temperate climates like the UK.

Why do all-season tyres perform well in the wet?

All-season tyres are built to grip the road while channelling water away from the contact area, which reduces the risk of aquaplaning – something that occurs when the tyre loses traction due to excess water on the road. The all-season tyre is effective in this scenario thanks to the intelligent sipe design and directional tread pattern, which work together to disperse water and improve braking in the wet.

When is the best time to swap to all-season tyres?

The benefit of all-season tyres is that they are applicable all year round, which eliminates the need to change from summer to winter tyres and vice versa for optimal tyre performance through the seasons. This means they can be fitted any time, but there is certainly an advantage to doing so in the winter months if you are currently driving on summer tyres and you don’t have the storage capacity for winter tyres.

Not only do they perform well in the wet, but all-season tyres are designed to grip better in icy conditions too, giving drivers peace of mind. Check out our video showing how our all-season tyre performed during a controlled wet braking test.

The Davanti Alltoura 4-Seasons and Vantoura 4-Seasons range is ideal for passenger car and commercial vehicles looking for a safer alternative to summer tyres this winter. For more information, check out our product pages or contact your local Davanti dealer.

*Source – Met Office