Chris Hau/Mercedes-Benz Canada Thinking the only difference between a winter, all-season, and summer-only tire is the tread pattern is like thinking the only difference between a Lamborghini and a Subaru is the way the doors open. And, much like the limited effect scissor doors have on an Aventador’s top speed, tread pattern actually plays a smaller role in the tire’s performance. Critically, it’s the tire compound (the rubber, silicone, and plastics) and the tire construction (how the compound is mixed together with the steel weave) that really make the difference. Ultimate grip from a tire comes from how well the rubber can dig into the road surface. And just like a high-performance summer tire works best when it’s hot, winter tires work better than anything in the cold.