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WHAT TYPES OF TIRES ARE AVAILABLE FOR GMC TRUCKS AND SUVs?

Choosing the right truck tires or SUV tires for your GMC means considering your local climate, driving habits, safety, seasonal needs and more. This article will cover the unique features of each type of tire available to help you make an informed decision before you shop for new replacement tires.

A GUIDE TO DIFFERENT TYPES OF GMC TIRES

Profile View of a GMC SUV Parked on a City Street

ALL-SEASON TIRES

Best for: year-round driving in areas with mild seasons.

All-season tires are a popular factory option for most GMC vehicles because they serve the needs of most drivers in moderate climates. Designed to provide a balanced performance in a wide range of conditions — including wet roads and light winter snow — they offer a quiet ride, good tread life and reliable handling.

When should I consider all-season tires?

  • If you drive primarily on paved roads and highways
  • If you live in areas with mild to moderate weather changes
  • You want the convenience of not switching tires seasonally
  • You prioritize longevity and fuel efficiency

PERFORMANCE SUMMER TIRES*

Best for: hot climates and maximizing performance.

Engineered for peak performance in warm weather, summer tires* excel in both dry and wet conditions. Their specialized tread compounds remain flexible on hot pavement, providing excellent grip, cornering and braking. However, these same compounds* harden and lose traction as temperatures drop below 40°F (5°C), making them unsuitable for cold or icy weather.

When should I consider performance or summer tires?*

  • If you live in warmer climates with mild winters
  • You prioritize handling and braking performance
  • You drive a sports-oriented or high-performance truck or SUV
  • You don’t mind storing and switching to winter tires when needed

WINTER TIRES*

Best for: regions with heavy snow, ice and consistently cold winters.

When temperatures consistently fall below 40°F (5°C), winter tires* (often called snow tires) are essential. Their rubber compounds stay softer and more pliable in the cold than all-season tires, allowing them to maintain grip. Deep tread depths and special patterns called sipes bite into snow and ice, channeling away slush to help prevent hydroplaning and providing crucial stopping power.

When should I consider winter tires?*

  • If you need better traction for snow and ice
  • You want to maximize your braking performance in cold conditions
  • You don’t mind storing and switching to all-season or summer tires when needed

ALL-WEATHER TIRES

Best for: regions with unpredictable weather and moderate winters.

All-weather tires bridge the gap between all-season and winter tires.* Many carry the Three-Peak Mountain Snowflake (3PMSF) symbol, indicating they meet severe snow service requirements. While they offer better snow and ice traction than all-season tires, they are designed to be used year-round.

When should I consider all-weather tires?

  • You prioritize comfort and longevity over specialized performance
  • You prefer a single set of tires
  • Your winters are moderate

ALL-TERRAIN TIRES*

Best for: off-road capability without sacrificing on-road comfort.

All-terrain tires* are designed to handle both asphalt streets and loose off-road surfaces. They feature aggressive tread patterns with larger, more spaced-out blocks for a better grip on dirt, gravel and mud. They also feature reinforced sidewalls to resist rock and debris punctures, and deeper grooves that self-clean when driving through mud or sand.

When should I consider all-terrain tires?*

  • If you regularly drive on unpaved roads, construction sites or trails
  • If you need reliable traction for camping, hunting or outdoor recreation
  • You want good performance in light snow conditions
  • You don’t mind slightly more road noise

RUN-FLAT TIRES

Best for: peace of mind in remote areas or unsafe locations.

Run-flat tires have reinforced sidewalls that help support the vehicle’s weight even when air pressure drops to zero. They allow you to continue driving for a limited distance of up to 50 miles at speeds below 50 mph after a puncture.

When should I consider run-flat tires?

  • If you frequently drive in areas where tire service isn’t readily available
  • If you prefer to avoid roadside tire changes for safety reasons
  • You don’t mind a slightly firmer feel when driving
  • You understand and will adhere to the manufacturer’s speed and distance limits

MT TIRES*

Best for: maximum traction for frequent off-roading.

MT stands for mud terrain. MT tires* are designed for aggressive off-road use in challenging conditions like mud, sand and rocks. They feature a rugged design with reinforced sidewalls and large, widely spaced tread blocks for maximum traction and self-cleaning in loose terrain. However, this aggressive design often makes them louder and less comfortable for regular on-road driving compared to other tire types.

When should I consider MT tires?*

  • If you live in an area where you frequently travel on dirt or gravel roads
  • If you enjoy recreational off-roading with hills and steep grades
  • You want an aggressive aesthetic look
  • You don’t mind louder road noise compared to all-terrain tires

GMC TIRE COMPARISONS

Here’s how different types of tires stack up against each other.

Front View of a GMC SUV Driving Effortlessly Off-Road

ALL-SEASON VS. ALL-WEATHER TIRES

While each of these types of tires are designed for year-round use, their winter capabilities differ significantly. All-season tires are suitable for light snow, but their performance diminishes as conditions worsen. In contrast, all-weather tires are certified for heavy snow, offering much better grip and control in winter weather without needing to be swapped out in the spring. Think of all-weather tires as a more capable, four-season solution for areas with harsh winters.

ALL-SEASON VS. WINTER TIRES*

The debate of all-season vs. winter tires* comes down to climate. All-season tires provide adequate traction for general use, but their rubber stiffens in the cold, reducing grip. Winter tires* are made from a softer compound that stays flexible, allowing them to bite into icy and snowy surfaces. If your region sees significant snowfall and freezing temperatures, dedicated winter tires* help provide more confident control.

ALL-SEASON VS. SUMMER TIRES*

Here, the choice depends on performance priorities and climate. All-season tires offer a balanced, comfortable ride across many conditions. Summer tires* trade some of that versatility for superior agility, braking and cornering in warm weather. If you live in a place without cold winters or are a performance-oriented driver who enjoys responsive handling, summer tires* are an excellent option. For most others, all-season tires provide a more practical, year-round solution.

WHAT TIRES DO I NEED FOR MY GMC?

Now that we’ve covered the differences between the most common types of truck tires and SUV tires, here’s what you should think about when determining which to choose:

1. Your climate: If you live where winters are harsh, a set of winter tires* is a crucial safety investment. If your seasons are mild, all-season tires will likely suffice. For those in between, all-weather tires offer a convenient and capable compromise.

 

2. Your driving style: Do you crave sporty handling? Then you may want to consider summer tires.* Do you want off-road performance? Then mud-terrain* or all-terrain tires* are a better match for you. Either way, if your winters are harsh, then you’ll want to switch them out for winter tires* when the time comes.

 

3. How often you should change your tires: All-season or all-weather tires may be a better fit for you if you’d rather just stick to one set of tires until they wear out. If you want to maximize your seasonal performance, then you’ll likely want to invest in mud-terrain,* all-terrain* or performance summer tires,* then switch to winter tires* when the weather gets harsh.

WHERE TO FIND GMC TIRES

Ready to shop available tire types recommended for your specific GMC truck or SUV? You can use our Tire Finder to browse the options at a Certified Service tire dealer near you. You can shop tire inventory and even schedule your tire installation online.

Find out more about GMC tires and parts on our Certified Service page.

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