It is quite difficult to compose any rating. And the audience that is looking for information is becoming more demanding. Any rating reflects someone's personal opinion, and the so-called professional reviews do not always reflect the full reality. In our today's article, we decided to present rating of the best winter tires 2018 - 2017 in the category of studded and non-studded tires. We relied on the difficult Russian climate and on the feedback from consumers who have already tested tires in real conditions. You will learn which winter tires are better to choose, what to look for, what are the differences between studded and non-studded tires.
When our material was just being prepared, we noticed that most of all reviewers refer to the European automobile magazine ADAC. This is a German magazine with competent and detailed reviews of accessories for motorists, including quality tire reviews. But, making a rating of the best winter tires 2016 -2017, based on this publication, is silly. Firstly, at the legislative level, drivers in Europe are prohibited from putting studded tires on their cars, and secondly, winter in Europe is not winter in Russia. We have a harsher climate, more reagents on the road and completely different operating conditions. This fact must be taken into account first of all.
Our task is not to persuade you to a particular brand, to force you to use studded or non-studded (Velcro, friction) tires. We tried to make a rating of which winter tires are better to choose in winter 2016 - 2017. After reading the article, you will draw conclusions yourself, based on the facts presented and on your personal selection criteria. Also interesting:,.
The best winter studless tires 2018 - 2017
In the common people, studless tires are called velcro, and in professional slang, friction tires. They do not have metal spikes. The tread is created with a certain shape of the pattern with a number of grooves that remove excess moisture and snow from under the wheels. This allows the tire to find traction and does not fill the tread with excess snow. An excellent option for a mild winter climate, especially in Europe, but in Russia, Velcro has positive feedback from consumers.
1. The best winter studless tires 2018 - 2017: NOKIAN HAKKAPELIITTA R2 SUV - Price from 9,000 to 12,000 rubles.
A novelty from the Finnish tire manufacturer NOKIAN. Since the parent company is located in Finland, and the climate of this country is as close as possible to the Russian winter, they also produce a very high-quality product. The NOKIAN HAKKAPELIITTA R2 SUV non-studded tires are, as the name suggests, designed for SUVs and crossovers. Features of this product, unique tread pattern. It literally pushes out excess moisture and snow from under the wheels. The tread pattern is not clogged for good traction. Aggressive drawing, it is not only beautiful, but also safe. The location of all elements is thought out and calculated, so you should not be afraid of drifts on a city or country road. Non-studded tires NOKIAN HAKKAPELIITTA R2 SUV are manufactured using a special technology, special crystals are added to the rubber compound, which prevent the rubber from hardening, even in extreme subzero temperatures. Feedback from consumers speaks of the excellent quality of the products, and the correspondence of the characteristics to real conditions.
Pros:
- Excellent road holding, both in urban and non-urban environments. Clear controllability;
- Getting into a rut is not a problem, the rubber instantly finds something to cling to and the car does not fidget;
- Accurate and confident braking in all conditions. During the tests, the NOKIAN HAKKAPELIITTA R2 SUV studless tires were tested on dry, wet and snowy asphalt. In all tests, the braking distance was within normal limits;
- Heavy SUVs and crossovers with this rubber show good handling;
- Crystals in the rubber prevent the wheel from freezing, which ensures a quiet ride;
- European quality, high durability, NOKIAN HAKKAPELIITTA R2 SUV studless tires are enough for several seasons.
Minuses:
- In extreme winter conditions, especially on the road after reagents, a slight yaw is felt, but it does not affect the control;
- High price, non-studded tires with similar characteristics are sold at a lower price.
In conclusion, NOKIAN HAKKAPELIITTA R2 SUV can be safely called the best non-studded tires of 2016 - 2017, only due to the quality and performance. If your financial situation allows you to spend so much money on rubber, then buy it without hesitation.
2. The best winter studless tires 2018 - 2017: MICHELIN X-ICE XI3 - Price from 8,000 to 13,000 rubles.
The French brand MICHELIN always occupies a leading position, but in the ratings of summer tires. In the ranking of the best winter non-studded tires 2018 - 2017, the MICHELIN X-ICE XI3 brand occupies only the second position. It is difficult to demand a quality product from a European manufacturer for the harsh and unpredictable Russian winters. After analyzing all consumer reviews, we identified one significant minute of MICHELIN X-ICE XI3 tires, they do not perform well on ice. But, this disadvantage applies to all non-studded tires, because they simply have nothing to cling to the ice with. On other indicators, they have advantages. The tread pattern was created during testing. It is designed with the physical laws and realities of harsh climate in mind, which is not typical for European companies. It is the tread pattern of the MICHELIN X-ICE XI3 winter non-studded tires that provides excellent grip, reduces the risk of skidding and behaves clearly on a snowy road. Surprisingly, the best tires come to Russia from Europe, where the winter climate is mild.
Pros:
- Demonstrates excellent grip due to the unique tread pattern, instant drainage of water and snow slurry from under the wheel;
- Smooth and quiet running. This criterion applies to all studless tires;
- Clear control when cornering at speed;
- The quality of rubber is the highest, wear-resistant rubber is enough for several seasons;
- Starts off without slipping, clear and expected control.
Minuses:
- The problem of all the stickies, lack of confidence in ice;
- Soft tires are not always good for snowy roads.
MICHELIN X-ICE XI3 rubber, confidently occupies the second line in the ranking of the best winter non-studded tires 2018 - 2017. Good value for money. You will rarely find a similar product on the market that combines all these qualities.
3. The best winter studless tires of 2018 - 2017: GOODYEAR ULTRA GRIP ICE 2 - Price from 5,000 to 11,000 rubles.
The new GOODYEAR ULTRA GRIP ICE 2 studless tires have improved braking properties. This is not surprising, because the company took three years to create this rubber. Only after hundreds of tests and tests in the harshest climatic conditions, GOODYEAR ULTRA GRIP ICE 2 appeared on the market. GOODYEAR ULTRA GRIP ICE 2 winter tires are made from a cryo-adaptive rubber compound that prevents freezing in the harsh northern climate. The GOODYEAR ULTRA GRIP ICE 2 winter studless tires demonstrated excellent grip and handling. The legendary Za Rulem magazine placed them on the fourth line of its rating, and in European car magazines, GOODYEAR ULTRA GRIP ICE 2 always fall into the top three winter tires. GOODYEAR ULTRA GRIP ICE 2 is the first brand to use the definition of cryo-adaptive rubber compound. This means that the rubber was specially prepared for the northern market, and it does not tan, even at a temperature of -25 degrees. Consistent brand name of GOODYEAR studless tires, V-shaped tread pattern. It pushes out water and slurry and provides reliable traction.
Pros:
- One of the best value for money. There is hardly a decent product for this price;
- Unique braking properties. The company has taken several years to create a unique rubber with reduced braking distances on snow;
- Excellent handling and stability on slush. The protector does its job perfectly.
Minuses:
- Poorly absorbs road irregularities;
- Uncertain acceleration from standstill on ice.
4. The best winter studless tires 2018 - 2017: BRIDGESTONE BLIZZAK VRX - Price from 9,000 to 13,000 rubles.
The Japanese could always surprise, but this time they surprise us with new non-studded BRIDGESTONE BLIZZAK VRX tires. They were created using a special technology and specifically for the northern markets. Therefore, the manufacturer took into account the peculiarities of the climate, snow cover and temperature drops. BRIDGESTONE BLIZZAK VRX tires are one of the few imported products that are ideal for use in the changeable Russian winter climate. BRIDGESTONE BLIZZAK VRX tires have passed a number of tests in Russia. They showed a decent braking distance on snow and ice. The unique tread pattern has a positive effect on the functionality of the rubber, all excess moisture and snow slurry are literally pushed out from under the wheels.
Pros:
- Unique technologies in rubber have made it possible to create a soft and comfortable ride;
- They perform well in urban and rural conditions, cross-country ability in high snow;
- Braking;
- The unique design perfectly removes slush and demonstrates good cornering stability.
Minuses:
- Unstable behavior on ice:
- Rapid wear, especially in urban areas.
Bottom line: the best winter studless tires BRIDGESTONE BLIZZAK VRX are a good option for those who rarely drive on the track in winter, mostly driving at low speeds in urban conditions.
5. The best winter studless tires 2018 - 2017: YOKOHAMA ICE GUARD IG50 - Price from 7,000 to 10,000 rubles.
When the question arises what good winter studless tires to buy, the best answer is YOKOHAMA ICE GUARD IG50. Ideal value for money, excellent performance and unique capabilities on a frozen road. If most of all tires are afraid of water on an icy edge, then YOKOHAMA ICE GUARD IG50, that's okay. The special tread pattern instantly removes water from under the wheels, which allows the rubber to cling to the ice edge, giving good control.
Pros:
- Ideal value for money;
- Shows itself well on ice, cornering safety;
- Suitable for both urban and rural use.
Minuses:
- If the temperature is above zero, you should immediately change the shoes of the car;
- Watch the pressure, on the flat tires the controllability decreases.
Choosing the best winter studless tires is difficult, and if you are on a budget, the YOKOHAMA ICE GUARD IG50 is the most versatile choice. Take it off, you definitely won't get into trouble.
6. The best winter studless tires of 2018 -2017: CONTINENTAL CONTIVIKINGCONTACT 6 - Price from 11,000 to 13,000 rubles.
It is hard to imagine even one of the top best winter tires without the CONTINENTAL brand. So our rating did not bypass the non-studded CONTINENTAL CONTIVIKINGCONTACT 6 tires. The CONTINENTAL CONTIVIKINGCONTACT 6 tires from the German manufacturer consistently occupy the top lines in the reviews of European journalists. Their unique production technology gives the driver the confidence to drive, even in challenging driving conditions. It would seem that the mild European climate cannot be compared with the Russian winter. But, this is a delusion. CONTINENTAL CONTIVIKING CONTACT 6 tires were created for the northern markets, taking into account Russian realities. The high price tag repels many consumers, and because of this, the tires are at the end of our ranking of the best winter non-studded tires 2018 - 2017. But, the fact is that they are really great and have enviable road performance.
Pros:
- Good stability on a snowy road, the car does not throw to the sides;
- Soft and smooth ride;
- Good grip even on ice, no drifts when cornering;
- They do not tan in the cold due to the crystals in the structure of the rubber;
- Handling and braking at a high level.
Minuses:
- Suitable for urban use. The soft structure of the rubber reduces grip in snowdrifts.
7. The best winter non-studded tires of 2018 -2017 NOKIAN NORDMAN RS- Price from 3,000 to 5,000 rubles.
What are the best studless winter tires for my budget? The answer is simple, NOKIAN NORDMAN RS tires. The most budgetary option for Velcro, but with quality characteristics. Low price and decent performance made NOKIAN NORDMAN RS tires the leader in the Russian seasonal market. The rubber does not have any unique capabilities, it is simply worthy rubber for that kind of money.
Pros:
- Price, one of the lowest;
- Decent traction;
- High quality rubber, enough for several seasons;
Minuses:
- Russian production;
- Weak exchange rate stability;
- May be incurred during heavy braking.
This is actually the whole rating of winter studless tires 2016 - 2017. I would like to get away from the word rating or top, this is a selection of worthy products on the domestic market. You can listen to our opinion and choose tires from the list, or simply build on it when buying tires. It is very important to buy good winter tires, your safety and the safety of other road users depend on it.
The best winter studded tires 2018 - 2017
Winter studded tires, the most reliable rubber option for your car. In the harsh Russian winter, there is nothing more reliable than thorns. Velcro is well suited for urban driving, where reagents are sprinkled on the roads. If you often drive on roads that are not cleaned or sprinkled with reagents, then be sure to buy a tire with spikes. Only they will provide reliable grip in ice, reduce the possibility of skidding when cornering to a minimum and provide a short braking distance in case of a sudden stop. We have compiled a small rating, the top of the best winter tires with studs, which you should pay attention to.
1. The best winter studded tires 2018 - 2017: GISLAVED NORDFROST 100 - Price from 6,000 to 9,000 rubles.
Popular winter tires GISLAVED NORDFROST 100 have been present on the Russian market for several years. The unique arrangement of studs on the tread provides reliable traction and controllability. The tread pattern removes excess water and slurry from under the wheel. The studs are mounted securely, which reduces their fallout and allows the rubber to be used for several seasons.
Pros:
- Good cross-country ability on a rural snow-covered road;
- Wet asphalt and ice is not a problem;
- Clear controllability without drifts;
- Good road holding at speed.
Minuses:
- The number of spikes is limited to European standards;
- Soft rubber.
2. The best winter studded tires 2018 - 2017: NOKIAN HAKKAPELIITTA 8 SUV - Price from 13,000 to 18,000 rubles.
Winter studded tires NOKIAN HAKKAPELIITTA 8 SUV, the first European rubber version, designed for use in the harsh winter. The Finnish company focused on the Russian market. The number of studs is increased, the tread pattern is created taking into account the physical properties of water and snow slurry. The tread pushes out everything from under the wheel, providing confident traction. All European publications have awarded NOKIAN HAKKAPELIITTA 8 SUVs the highest awards, and expeditions wear this rubber on their off-road vehicles for traveling in the north. The unique structure of the rubber makes winter studded tires the best, because NOKIAN HAKKAPELIITTA 8 SUV rubber does not tan at extremely low temperatures.
Pros:
- Perfect grip in all conditions, be it a snow edge or ice ice;
- Confident braking even with a sharp press on the brake pedal;
- Increased wear resistance, rubber lasts for several seasons.
Minuses:
- High price compared to competitors;
- When the wheel falls into a rut, instability is felt.
3. The best winter studded tires 2018 - 2017: GOODYEAR ULTRA GRIP ICE ARCTIC - Price from 6,000 to 11,000 rubles.
We can safely say that GOODYEAR ULTRA GRIP ICE ARCTIC is the best winter studded tire. Initially, the company developed technology for travelers to the north. You noticed from the photo that the thorns are arranged in a strange, unique pattern. It is this pattern of studs that provides maximum grip, and the car does not skid on sharp turns at speed. Ice on the road will no longer be a problem for you. But, like any rubber, GOODYEAR ULTRA GRIP ICE ARCTIC has its pros and cons. About them below.
Pros:
- Unique tread pattern wicks away water and slush;
- Good braking on ice;
- Confidently holds the road at speed;
- Suitable for use in the north.
Minuses:
- In a rut, the car starts to drive.
4. The best winter studded tires 2018-2017: PIRELLI ICE ZERO - Price from 6,000 to 18,000 rubles.
It is difficult to find more modern winter studded tires, or rather rubber, where so many modern technologies are used. Firstly, PIRELLI ICE ZERO tires are equipped with double-core studs, this is additional grip on ice, and secondly, a unique tread pattern, pushing out water and snow. All this together gives excellent rubber for the winter period. It is not possible to make a mistake with PIRELLI ICE ZERO tires, if some brand confuses you, then buy PIRELLI ICE ZERO.
Pros:
- Reasonable value for money;
- Reliable rubber;
- Braking with confidence in all conditions.
Minuses:
- If the temperature is above zero, you need to urgently change it.
5. The best winter studded tires 2018 - 2017: CONTINENTAL CONTIICECONTACT - Price from 7,000 to 10,000 rubles.
The most versatile range of winter studded tires CONTINENTAL CONTIICECONTACT. Most often used on domestic cars. They have good grip and flotation performance. The CONTINENTAL CONTIICECONTACT studded tires are suitable for both urban roads and rural areas.
Pros:
- Confident grip and cross-country ability;
- Comfortable and high quality rubber.
Minuses:
- High price
Regardless of which winter tires you prefer, studded or non-studded, you need to understand which is right for your vehicle. Observe road and operating conditions. Which winter tires are better to choose in 2018 - 2017, it's up to you.
In the studded tire rating, Nokian, Continental and Goodyear took the first places with slight differences in ratings, while Continental was recognized as the best among friction tires. At the same time, experts remind that the choice of tires must be made on the basis of how and where the tires will be used. If you're going to be driving on wet asphalt most of the time in winter, you shouldn't choose tires with maximum grip on ice.
Tests have shown that although spike tires are still more effective than friction tires on icy surfaces, the differences between them in the SUV tire segment were slightly smaller. In fact, one friction tire model has been found to perform better on ice than two studded tires.
The experts also noted that ice grip tends to increase based on the number of studs, but it depends on the specific tire model. The test compared tires with between 115 and 222 studs, while tires with more studs are fitted with lightweight studs that meet road wear requirements. At the same time, numerous spikes usually increase the noise level, but this rule was also not without exception.
The tires were tested both outdoors and in the large TW indoor complex, and all tires were purchased from regular stores to avoid the risk that the manufacturer might send specially prepared tires with improved performance. In the event that the tire model is still too new and has not appeared on sale, the tires are supplied from the factory, but then control tests are carried out. It was decided not to indicate the cost, as price fluctuations may be too great.
In addition to measuring the stopping distance, etc., the experts gave subjective assessments of the tires for the safety of behavior in various situations - for example, with a sharp drift. Noise was assessed by several people on uneven surfaces in both the front and rear seats. Rolling resistance was measured on a flat surface where the car was rolling freely, decelerating from 80 to 40 km / h.
TEST RESULTS
(Braking distance from 50 km / h, m)
(Acceleration time from 5 to 20 km / h, s)
(Braking distance from 80 km / h, m)
(Acceleration time from 5 to 35 km / h, s)
(Braking distance from 80 km / h, m)
(Subjective assessment, points)
Experts' opinions on studded tires are presented below
| A place | Tire | Expert opinion | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
|
Number of spikes: 190
Nokian won the test, but by a very small margin from the competition. The tires have good longitudinal and lateral grip on snow and ice, and they also behave stably and safely in critical situations. On wet pavement Nokian also performed well, but on dry surfaces the tires are too slow and inaccurate to respond to steering turns. The noise is high, which is possibly due to the large number of spikes. |
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| 2 |
|
Number of spikes: 222
Continental provides good grip in winter conditions, short braking distances on both snow and ice, and reliable demeanor during emergency maneuvers. On wet surfaces, the Continental performed well with studded tires, and on dry tracks, although well controlled, the tires stopped the car for a long time. The rolling resistance is low and the noise level is relatively low with so many studs. |
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| 3 |
|
Number of spikes: 130
Goodyear will not present any unpleasant surprises when traveling on snow and ice, and especially the very short braking distances on icy surfaces are worth noting. On wet pavement, the tires also behave reliably and stably, even during sharp maneuvers. On dry surfaces, the Goodyears are somewhat slow in steering response, but the grip is good. The economy is average, the noise from the spikes is well discernible in the cabin. |
||
| 4 |
|
Number of spikes: 115
Toyo performed the best among inexpensive tires, and has good acceleration and braking performance on snow and ice, even though they only have 115 studs. At the same time, Toyo showed weak lateral grip on snow. On wet surfaces, tires lose traction too quickly during a sharp maneuver, and in addition to this, they stop the car for too long. At the same time Toyo is one of the quietest studded tires. |
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| 5 |
|
Number of spikes: 116
While the Michelin's acceleration and braking performance on snow and ice can be considered average, lateral grip was the worst among the tires tested, and the front wheels can skid when cornering. It can be considered a positive moment that the tires behave quite predictably, that is, there is no need to fear surprises. On dry asphalt Michelin were among the leaders and they also have good results on wet surfaces. The noise level is average. |
||
| 6 |
|
Number of spikes: 132
Cheap Maxxis accelerates and brakes reasonably on snow, but with a large steering angle, they can suddenly slip into a skid, and they showed the same disadvantage on icy surfaces. On wet surfaces, the Maxxis has good braking performance, and on dry tracks, they behaved logically and safely. The noise from the thorns is clearly audible. |
||
| 7 |
|
Number of spikes: 128
Kumho were able to demonstrate their best qualities on dry asphalt, but this is clearly not enough to recommend them for a northern winter. The Kumho has long stopping distances in both snow and ice, and weak lateral traction makes the car unstable, especially on ice. On wet surfaces, tires are slow to respond to steering turns and can lose traction during sudden maneuvers. Rolling resistance is high, noise level is average. |
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Experts' opinions on studless tires are presented below
| A place | Tire | Expert opinion | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
|
Load / Speed Index: 108T The Continental brakes effectively on snow, and although the braking on ice is a little worse, the tires are stable and safe. In fact, even on ice, the Continental was able to stop the car before a few studded tires. On dry and wet asphalt Continental performed well, plus they have low noise levels and high fuel efficiency. |
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| 2 |
|
Load / Speed Index: 108T Goodyears provide high traction in both snow and ice, where they are reliable in critical situations. Performance on wet pavement is also good, but on dry pavement tires can skid sharply during a sharp detour of an obstacle. The noise level and rolling resistance are low. |
||
| 3 |
|
Load / Speed Index: 108R On snow and ice, Nokians behave logically and without surprises. The tires respond precisely to steering movements, and even in the event of a loss of grip, it will be easy to regain it. The main drawback is too long braking distance on an icy surface. The Nokian performed well on wet surfaces, but on dry asphalt they felt unstable compared to most other studless tires tested. Low rolling resistance helps save fuel. |
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| 4 |
|
Load / Speed Index: 108T Michelin stops the car very quickly on ice, but on snow they have only average braking performance. Be that as it may, the tires are very reliable due to the high lateral grip. On wet surfaces, the braking distance could have been shorter, but the overall behavior of the tires is also stable. In terms of quietness and economy, the Michelin was one of the best tires in the test. |
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| 5 |
|
Load / Speed Index: 108S Bridgestone is nervous on snow and ice, and the traction limit is reached too abruptly on both the front and rear axles. The performance is better on snow, but poor lateral stability can also come as an unpleasant surprise. The main advantage of Bridgestone is very effective braking on wet asphalt, but even in these conditions they have too low lateral grip. Noise level - low, but high rolling resistance will degrade fuel efficiency. |
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| 6 |
|
Load / Speed Index: 108H Landsail has a low price tag, but this tire cannot be recommended for harsh winter conditions. Grip on snow is weak and is lost too easily, on snow everything is a little better, but tires do not cope with difficult situations. On wet surfaces, Landsail has a short braking distance, but even here the tires can skid quickly, and the car is difficult to control during an emergency maneuver. Rolling resistance is low. |
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SUV class cars are rapidly gaining popularity from year to year, both in the Russian market and in the global arena, and in preparation for the winter period, they require even more careful attention from car owners than ordinary cars. After all, they often have to deal with curbs and roadside ditches, and even overcome the light, but off-road. It is for this reason that crossover tires stand out against the background of lightweight "shoes" with reinforced sidewalls and a shoulder.
But how to decide on the choice of tires from the variety of options available on sale?
In order to answer this question, road tests were carried out on winter studded tires of the 235/65 R17 dimension, which are most in demand on mid-size crossovers (a representative of this category acted as a tire carrier), in harsh climatic conditions at one of the polygons located beyond the Arctic Circle.
The group of test subjects was very mismatched. There were also expensive Continental ContiIceContact 2 SUV and Nokian Hakkapeliitta 8 SUV, which "flaunt" all kinds of advanced technologies and cost more than ten thousand rubles apiece, and "modest" at the price Dunlop Grandtrek Ice 02 and Toyo Observe G3-Ice (they ask for less than 6.5 thousand rubles). Not without tires of the "mid-price range" - these are "cylinders" Michelin Latitude X-Ice North 2+ (they will have to pay over eight thousand), Pirelli Ice Zero and Goodyear UltraGrip Ice Arctic SUV 4 × 4 (the cost of those and those are about seven and a half thousand rubles).
It is worth noting that each of the sets of tires, before getting to the landfill, “ran” 500 km, required for running in.
The first exercises (only they were carried out on a straight line, covered with a canopy in order to keep the ice in perfect condition), to which all tires were subjected, were acceleration and braking on the ice surface, measured by equipment with an optical sensor. For better accuracy of the results, acceleration time was recorded from 5 km / h to 30 km / h (in order to prevent wheel slippage), and braking was recorded from 30 to 5 km / h (to eradicate ABS interference).
The best acceleration dynamics and braking distances were demonstrated by the crossover on Nokian tires - 2.9 seconds and 14.4 meters, respectively. But among the outsiders were Dunlop and Michelin tires: the former spent 4.2 seconds on the spurt, while the latter slowed down 20 meters.
All subsequent tests were organized in the open air, which made it possible to use the VBOX GPS device for measurements. On the ice circle, they were ahead of the rest of the Nokian tires - the car “shod” in them finished in 31.7 seconds. Just two tenths behind them were the “cylinders” of Continental, while the last position went to Dunlop - they were immediately behind the leader by 2.1 seconds.
The next exercise is to accelerate on snow from a standstill to 40 km / h in two modes: without slipping with the electronic "collar" on and with the TSC disabled, skidding with all wheels (this also allows you to determine what all-wheel drive is capable of).
The results are very interesting. In the races where the electronics were activated, the best results were shown by Pirelli and Continental, who coped with acceleration in 3.3 seconds, while Dunlop tires lost 0.2 seconds. The rest of the "cylinders" are located clearly in the middle - 3.4 seconds.
Acceleration in the style of "throttle to the floor" turned out a little faster, and the places here were distributed a little differently: the best times were distinguished by Nokian, Continental and Toyo, and the worst - by Pirelli (3.3 seconds). Dunlop and Goodyear became the "middlings", which did not go beyond 3.2 seconds.
Not all exercises are measurable - some of them can be assessed exclusively subjectively. Michelin, Continental and Nokian tires stood out for handling on ice, while Dunlop was the most unpredictable: they have noticeable delays in reactions, large steering angles, low information content and long side slides.
When assessing road holding on snow, Pirelli studded tires conquered everyone with their results - on them the crossover showed immediate reactions and a dense, highly informative steering wheel. The "cylinders" Nokian, Dunlop and Toyo proved to be a little worse, and the rest received only insignificant claims.
On a special snow track, Nokian and Dunlop tires were better than others, but there is nothing to blame the other participants for - they breathed in the backs of the leaders all the way.
But in the next discipline - passability assessment - the results turned out to be unsuited. The maximum points were awarded to the Goodyear spikes: they allowed the crossover to turn into a real all-terrain vehicle that effortlessly coped with any snowdrifts. Nokian and Michelin tires delighted with confident overcoming of virgin snow and predictable maneuvering in deep snowdrifts. Dunlop and Pirelli showed themselves well, while Toyo trudged in the rearguard: the car started on them reluctantly, and strove to bury itself with every wheel slip.
The cycle of tests carried out allowed us to preliminarily evaluate the smoothness and noise level, but the final results cannot be accurately summed up without asphalt exercises, which, most often, correct them for the worse.
After the "winter" tests, it was time to thoroughly inspect the tires, count the number of lost studs and check the amount of their protrusion. None of the tire sets had studs sticking out more than one and a half millimeters, while the Scandinavian restrictions allow them to protrude by 2 mm (all test subjects complied with the established standards with a good margin).
And the losses turned out to be small. For example, Nokian, Continental and Michelin did not lose a single stud, while Toyo and Pirelli were missing only one stud each (in both cases on the front left wheel). The rest also showed their good side: Goodyear's “cylinders” “parted” with two spikes, and Dunlop - with three (especially considering that each such wheel is “strewn” with 115 metal “teeth”).
Tests with asphalt were carried out under more gentle temperature conditions - at + 5… + 7ºC. It is these figures on the thermometer that indicate the need for a seasonal tire change, both in one direction and in the other direction. The most "painless" exercise for studded tires is an assessment of efficiency, which is accompanied by an expert assessment of directional stability and refinement of parameters for acoustic comfort and ride smoothness.
Unfortunately, the transmission of the crossover chosen for the tests is deprived of the drive mode exclusively on one axle, which is why all the work was carried out with four drive wheels. Of course, for measuring efficiency, such a "filling" cannot be attributed to the ideal option, but on the other hand, it makes it possible to record the results that are closest to the real ones in everyday use. And in this discipline there were no winners or outsiders, and the difference between the "cylinders" did not exceed one tenth of a liter.
As for the behavior of the car on the road, then in this discipline everyone was equipped with Michelin tires, on which the crossover was able to boast not only a clear adherence to a given direction, but also instant reactions to steering turns and its high information content. But in terms of comfort, they surpassed other Michelin - they demonstrated a quiet and soft ride. Only Continental "spikes" can compete with it, and even then - solely for the smoothness of movement.
Pirelli and Goodyear tires were clearly outsiders, while it was not possible to identify which of them was harder and louder. Both those and others "distinguished" by a high level of noise, excessive rigidity and tangible vibrations.
The final test was braking on dry and wet asphalt. In the discipline "deceleration from 80 to 5 km / h", Continental tires took the lead, but on wet surfaces (here the speed is lower - from 60 to 5 km / h), Nokian and Goodyear took the leading place on the podium.
Continental, Nokian and Goodyear studded tires have traditionally taken the lead in road tests. At the same time, the first line on the podium was "occupied" by Nokian Hakkapeliitta 8 SUVs - they are almost completely devoid of any shortcomings, and if there are any, then ordinary drivers will definitely not feel them during everyday use. Although, they still have a drawback - this is a high price tag.
Goodyear UltraGrip Ice Arctic SUV 4 × 4 tires, which distinguished themselves by excellent off-road properties, lost a little to the "gold medalist". And their price is not as high as that of Nokian, and the lack of comfort can be forgiven for them.
Continental ContiIceContact 2 SUVs were content with "bronze" - they did not receive significant remarks, and on snow and dry asphalt they demonstrated the best results at all. True, the ratio of price and quality is far from optimal, and all because of the decent cost.
One step away from the podium, Pirelli Ice Zero stopped, which "flaunt" a clear adherence to a given course on a snowy road, but slow down on the snow not in the best way.
The fifth place in the table of ranks went to Michelin Latitude X-Ice North 2+ tires - they could not please with longitudinal grip on ice, but they distinguished themselves with clear and predictable handling. In addition, the "spikes" have earned a "plus in their piggy bank" due to good directional stability (ideal for long trips), excellent cross-country ability (you can safely storm snowdrifts on them) and a high level of comfort.
Despite the sixth position, the Dunlop Grandtrek Ice 02 tires fell into the category of "very good tires" - on snowy roads and off-road they feel "at ease", but show not the best braking performance on asphalt and lateral grip on ice.
But the last place was staked out by Toyo Observe G3-Ice, but at the same time they were able to win the title of "good tires". These "cylinders" turned out to be the best in terms of price and quality ratio and showed themselves well on snowy roads, but on ice, asphalt and in deep snowdrifts they showed low results. In general, we can say the following about them - they do not lose so much to their closest rivals, how much cheaper they are.
Changing seasons is a process that cannot be avoided (unless you live at the equator, of course), and following the seasons, car owners are forced to think about changing the type of tires on their iron horse. And if 20 years ago the choice was small, but now there is a mind-boggling number of different brands on the market. The flour of choice is aggravated by the presence of a large number of models from each manufacturer, which are also divided into separate types (in accordance with the technology of the structure of the tire).
Of course, there is always an option to just “score” and drive as it is. However, as practice shows, the difference in the characteristics of winter and summer tires is really colossal.
And the laws regulating the seasonality of car tires are becoming more stringent from year to year both in Europe and in Russia. Therefore, you should not neglect the need to change tires.
Whatever one may say, but not a single ordinary driver can independently test all available tire models, and no one believes in advertising for a long time. That is why numerous publications annually conduct their own tests of tires of different manufacturers and models.
Until now, no one has invented any standards (for example, by analogy with EuroNCAP), so everyone does it as he sees fit. We will try to collect all the information together.
In general, the set of tests for different communities is often similar and includes testing for braking, handling and stability on different surfaces, as well as the level of rubber noise.
Expert publications
Teknikens Varld Is a Swedish magazine that has regularly tested tires for the past 15 years. In order to cover all possible winter road conditions (dry and wet asphalt, ice and snow), the Swedes compared all three types of tires (studded, non-studded Scandinian and studless European tires). Seat Leon was taken as a test bench for 205/55 R16 wheels.
Auto Zeitung, together with the German Technical Supervision Organization GTU, tested the non-studded winter tires 205/55 R16 installed on the Volkswagen Golf. Among other things, the experts took into account the fuel consumption for each model, which made its own adjustments to the final result.
Finnish Tuulilasi compared exclusively studded winter tires with dimensions 205/55 R16 (taking into account the peculiarities of the national climate). Separate points, "hot guys" were credited for overclocking on an icy surface, the time of entry to a snow-covered hill, etc. In general, the Finnish tests are oriented rather for “out of town” conditions, where roads are rarely dry and clean in winter.
All-German Automobile Club ADAC conducted several tests for different types of tires. First, they tested the increasingly popular all-season model of 16-inch tires (dimension 205/55). Given the high culture of road services, not every self-respecting European has to leave roads cleared of snow and ice in winter, and this option may well turn out to be a profitable acquisition within Europe.
Then the models of compact dimension 185/65 R15 for cars of the budget segment were tested. As expected. the smaller width (and as a result the contact patch) negatively affects the rubber tenacity, which is why even the top models showed not the most outstanding results in races on the Renault Clio.
At the same time, the severity of the tests of the German ADAC did not bring any special laurels to expensive tires of a higher segment with dimensions of 225/45 R17. Most of the subjects were able to achieve only the result "Satisfactory", and the owner of the first position received the mark "Good".
TestWorld is another Finnish edition that has tested a wide range of models, dividing them by type: studded and non-studded Scandinavian type tires. The Continental ContiWinterContact TS850 was tested to demonstrate the difference in behavior of the European-style suction cups. The main emphasis of the testers was made on ice tests, taking into account the specifics of the local climate.
In contrast to the European experts, the Korean experts, in collaboration with AutoView and JoongAng Libo... 17-inch 225/45 wheels have been tested in icy and snow conditions, on dry and wet roads. And all this despite the fact that even sub-zero temperatures are rare in Korea.
Of course, we could not ignore the results of Russian tests.
Edition AutoMail. ru set a task to test cheap models of non-studded winter tires with dimensions 205/55 R16. As a reference, the Nokian Hakkapeliitta R2 was used, the price of which is on average twice the price of the tested wheels. Testing included acceleration, braking and stability on packed snow and ice, flotation in loose snow, braking and stability on wet and dry asphalt. As a bonus, the ride was tested on chipped pavement as well as side cut resistance.
Behind the wheel, meanwhile, has tested the most popular segment of winter tires in our country: 15-inch spike tires with dimensions 195/65 of the lowest price segment. For clarity, both cheap and branded models were taken, and half of the tested tires are produced in our country. At the end of the tests, the testers also measured the residual number of spikes, making on the basis of this a conclusion about the survivability of a particular model.
What types of winter tires are there?
But let's get down to business. First you need to figure out what is the difference between Velcro and Spike and what they are.
At the moment, the most common are 3 types of winter rubber tread: studded, non-studded Scandinavian and non-studded Central European type.
Tires with metal spikes have long been known to all car owners. Since ancient times, such rubber was used in rally competitions, and then it got to civilian use. These tires are originally designed for driving on snow and ice. Due to the "gnawing" into the surface of the ice crust, studded tires cope better with braking on slippery surfaces, but this also has negative consequences. Firstly, such tires make a lot of noise, and secondly, on dry clean asphalt, steel needles turn into small "skates", which makes the rubber more "slippery". Although technology does not stand still, there is no escaping this fact. Yes, and the roadbed "spike" spoils much more, which is why in many countries driving in the summer on winter tires is subject to fines.
An alternative is to use frictionless studless tires. They are divided into two subtypes.
"Velcro" of the Scandinavian type, as well as "spikes" are focused on driving on snow and ice. They have very soft rubber and a developed tread (often with side sipes). This allows you to increase the contact patch and, as a result, adhesion to the surface. These tires can be recommended for the vastness of our vast country, where the roads are hidden most of the time in winter.
Well, for megalopolises, studless tires of the Central European type are more suitable. They are originally created for a milder climate and cleaner roads. They hold onto snow and ice worse, but feel great on the asphalt. They have fewer soft elements and better drain water from under the wheels.
Do not forget about the existence of "all-season" tires. These are still installed from the factory on domestic cars and assume year-round operation. However, universal in any situation are worse than specialized ones, especially in the conditions of the Russian climate with its large temperature difference and road conditions.
UNSIGNEDRUBBER
Continental WinterContact TS 860 -winternon-studdedtires, test
OFFICIAL INFORMATION
Tires Continental The WinterContact TS860 is the second generation of a directional tread pattern for mild European conditions (M + S), focused on ice traction. In the WinterContact TS860 tires, Continental specialists have applied a new principle of water drainage from the contact patch: not abduction with the help of grooves, but pushing from the contact patch, plus a larger number of sipes and, as a result, more free space (inner cavities of the sipes) for snow disposal. This allows the tire to effectively cope with the removal of moisture and slush.
Test results
Continental WinterContact TS 860 this season they replaced the 850th model, which in recent years held a leading position in the tests. The update also did not disappoint: in the Teknikens Varld tests, this tire took the third place in the rating, and Auto Zeitung ranked Continental in first place in terms of the aggregate characteristics.
The main positive qualities of the Continental WinterContact TS 860 are excellent grip on asphalt in winter conditions. The tire is not very susceptible to aquaplaning, keeps its course during sharp maneuvers, is quite quiet and has an average efficiency indicator. WinterContact has one of the best braking results on dry and wet asphalt, but relatively poorly copes with ice and loose snow. In general, the Continental WinterContact TS 860 is suitable for use in the city and on cleaned country roads
Goodyear UltraGrip 9
OFFICIAL INFORMATION
Goodyear UltraGrip 9- winter tire, has a directional V-shaped tread pattern with an aggressive appearance. Well suited for driving not only on wet roads, but also in fairly deep snow conditions. Thanks to the proprietary 3D-BIS technology, this model has a reduced braking distance, as well as a good response to all driver actions. To create a tire, a rubber compound with a special composition is used, which includes vegetable oils and special resins. The new rubber compound has a high degree of elasticity, making Goodyear UltraGrip 9 effective across a wide range of temperatures.
TEST RESULTS
Friction tires Goodyear UltraGrip 9 were tested in two dimensions at once: Auto Zeitung tested 16-inch tires 205/55, while ADAC tested the budget version 185/65 R15. In both cases, German experts praised the model's performance, in particular the braking performance and grip on loose snow and wet asphalt. In addition, the Goodyear UltraGrip 9 demonstrated high fuel efficiency and noise comfort, but it was not without its drawbacks. The soft non-studded tire on dry asphalt behaves rather "roll", reacting slowly to steering turns, and in the snow there is a tendency to understeer.
Michelin CrossClimate- winter studless tires, test
OFFICIAL INFORMATION
A summer tire that can be used in sudden snow conditions. Strong directional tread pattern with deep drainage channels reduces the risk of aquaplaning. A large number of Michelin CrossClimate tread sectors, complemented by sharp edges on one side, allow the tire to work efficiently on snow. And the smooth edges of the blocks on the other hand reduce deformation and increase the reliability of grip on dry surfaces
Compound rubber compound used in Michelin CrossClimate(silica, functional polymers, new plasticizers) improves traction on various surfaces (wet and dry roads, snow), increases wear resistance and fuel efficiency.
TEST RESULTS
Michelin CrossClimate- the only all-season tires in this rating. Despite its wide purpose, this model was able to compete with its highly specialized opponents, primarily due to its excellent performance in dry and wet conditions. Auto Zeitung put in its CrossClimate rating one step with the non-studded Goodyear UltraGrip 9 winter tires, which already shows a high indicator. However, on snow-covered areas, "all-season", as expected, proved to be worse than many. It should be noted that in none of the tests Michelin did not take the last place, thus surpassing even some winter models of competitors in handling and grip on the snow. If the operation of the car is limited to the snowless roads of the metropolis, the Michelin CrossClimate can be a good alternative to two sets of wheels.
Nokian WR D4- winter studless tires, test
OFFICIAL INFORMATION
The new winter tires Nokian WR D4 are specially designed for Central European countries. Unique innovations ensure safe and balanced driving in variable weather conditions, on wet or snowy roads. The Nokian WR D4 tire is specially designed for countries with mild winter climates and has excellent grip on wet surfaces. The Nokian WR D4 is the world's first winter passenger car tire with EU wet grip level A. Special innovations - Nokian Block Optimized Siping technology and Nokian Twin Trac Silica rubber compound - offer controlled handling and confident grip. In Russia, Nokian WR D4 tires are recommended for use only in the Southern Federal District.
TEST RESULTS
Studded winter tires Nokian WR D4 were able to participate in three tests of different standard sizes. Auto Zeitung gave second place to tires with dimensions 205/55 R16, ADAC gave an honorable third place to 15 wheels 185/65, but relative to 17-inch tires with a wide profile (225/45 R17) Nokian WR D4 turned out to be a complete average with 6 m place in the standings. Overall, the Nokian achieved good results in handling on snow and braking distances on dry surfaces, but the wet test turned out to be too tough for the WR D4, and tire wear is relatively high.
Dunlop Winter Sport 5- winter studless tires, test
OFFICIAL INFORMATION
The increased number of blocks has increased the number of sipes, improving handling and grip in winter conditions. The lamellas in the central part of the steel are parallel to the edges of the blocks, and the grooves of the steel are 6-10% deeper, which reduces the risk of aquaplaning. The frame structure has been optimized to keep weight down, resulting in lower fuel consumption.
TEST RESULTS
Dunlop Winter Sport 5- American friction tire tested by Auto Zeitung magazine. According to German experts, Dunlop, with all its advantages in the form of short braking distances on snow and dry surfaces, high resistance to lateral aquaplaning and high efficiency, took only 7th place in the rating. Such a low position was justified by the tendency to drift of the front axle in snowy conditions, low braking efficiency on wet surfaces, as well as the "roll" of the wheels during sharp maneuvering.
The performance of the 17-inch version of the Dunlop Winter Sport 5 (225 mm wide, profile height 45% of the width) turned out to be much better. Perhaps the larger contact patch contributed to all the flaws of the younger model, thanks to which the rubber acquired a more balanced performance. The 17-inch Winter Sport 5 earned first place in the ADAC rating due to its balance (good results on wet and snow, as well as on dry asphalt and icy conditions) and high fuel efficiency.
HankookWinteri* ceptevo2 W320 - winter studless tires, test
OFFICIAL INFORMATION
The Winter I’cept evo tire with its polar bear print provides excellent traction, which significantly improves the tire's performance on snowy, wet and dry roads. The use of an advanced silicon compound, three-dimensional sipes and an asymmetric tread pattern enhances the performance of this winter tire, suitable for sports sedans and premium sedans.
TEST RESULTS
Hankook Winter i * cept evo2 W320 replaced Hankook Winter i * cept evo W310 and are a fairly new model. Hankook was able to demonstrate better handling on dry asphalt, where, according to experts, it performed on the level of an all-season tire, however, in tests on snow and ice, the tires were not able to achieve good results. As a result: 5th place in the 17-inch rubber tests conducted by ADAC and Auto View.
Pirelli Cinturato Winter- winter studless tires, test
OFFICIAL INFORMATION
Pirelli Cinturato Winter is a winter touring tire for middle class city cars and compact SUVs. In the absence of studs, the anti-skid anti-skid provides a high level of reliability in all winter conditions. They are also characterized by a long service life and good resistance to aquaplaning and slash planning.
TEST RESULTS
The Pirelli have done well for non-studded winter tires. Germany's ADAC and AutoZeitung reported strong performance on snow and ice. The test cars retained their information content and grip even on wet surfaces, but the test results on dry asphalt were poor. This model definitely should not be considered as an option for operation in megacities.
MichelinAlpin 5 - winter studless tires, test
OFFICIAL INFORMATION
Redesigned tread pattern contributes to confident grip on snowy roads MichelinAlpin 5 with 17% increased negative profile, more sectors and directional pattern with high tread depth1. Thanks to the large number of grooves and the special configuration of the blocks, a "gear effect" is created and the traction force of the tire on the snow-covered surface is increased. And with the re-positioned lateral grooves, water dispersion has also been improved and the risk of aquaplaning has been reduced.
For the first time in a rubber compound MichelinAlpin 5 added functional elastomers. The purpose of these elastomers is to improve the homogeneity of the rubber compound while increasing the proportion of silica required to increase grip on cold wet roads. Thus, it was possible to improve safety in winter conditions, while maintaining a high level of energy efficiency.
TEST RESULTS
Non studded rubber MichelinAlpin 5 got on tests in a single dimension 205/55 R16. Experts from Teknikens Varls and Auto Zeitung noted the sufficiently high tractive effort that these tires are able to develop on a snowy road, and the handling on wet asphalt left positive reviews. However, the decisive factor for the Swedish edition was the inability to quickly brake the car on snow, hence the ninth line in the ranking.
HankookWinteri* ceptRs2 W452 - winter studless tires, test
OFFICIAL INFORMATION
The Hankook Winter i * Сept RS2 W452 tires have been developed using 3D Technology, which has been specially developed for this range, helping to provide them with the highest performance, safety and grip on snow.
The use of the most advanced technologies in their design has led to the fact that the Hong Kong Winter I Sept RS 2 B 452 tires have an increased surface of grooves and a large contact spot. This helps vehicles equipped with these tires to be stable on snow and successfully resist slipping that occurs on wet road surfaces.
The Hankook Winter i * Сept RS2 W452 rubber has a reinforced lower cord and side panels, resulting in efficient driving on all roads and adequate cornering control.
TEST RESULTS
Hankook Winter i * cept RS2 W452- friction model with a long name from a Korean manufacturer. Auto Zeitung tests have shown excellent aquaplaning resistance, low noise levels as well as high traction, predictable behavior and short braking distances. But the tires were let down by their overly “roll” behavior and the inability to brake the car quickly enough on a damp road. And in terms of noise, Hankook turned out to be not the best companion on a long journey.
MichelinX- iceXi3 - winter studless tires, test
OFFICIAL INFORMATION
Stable tire performance on all types of surfaces, improved grip and shorter braking distances on ice are achieved through the use of a unique combination of three structural elements in MICHELIN X-Ice 3: micro-pumps - sipes - sawtooth edges. Micropumps are small cylindrical holes located on the top edge of the outer tread block. They are designed to reduce the negative effect of the water film that forms on the ice surface and significantly impairs the tire's grip.
The highly silica-rich Flex-Ice compound ideally complements the new MICHELIN X-Ice 3 tread configuration. This compound retains high elasticity at low temperatures and sufficient stiffness at elevated temperatures, which improves traction on all types of winter roads. Flex-Ice offers high wear resistance and improved wet grip.
TEST RESULTS
Michelin can be said to be a really good tire that will perform well in all conditions. While they lack the grip to match the top-ranked tires, the Michelin was confident and logical on snow and ice. However, experts noted that there is a clear need to increase the number of spikes.
In AutoView tests, the X-ice Xi3 ranked first in overclocking performance, and performed well in most other tests, but poor results on dry pavement led to relatively none of the bottom line results.
BridgestoneBlizzakLM001 - winter studless tires, test
OFFICIAL INFORMATION
Bridgestone Bridgestone Blizzak LM001 - friction winter tires for passenger cars, which, according to the manufacturer, are designed to provide safety in absolutely any winter conditions. Designed for winter operation in Central European countries.
Element Bridgestone Blizzak LM001 - snowy roads. The tread, due to its tenacity even in the absence of anti-skid studs, reliably bites into the snow. Good tractive effort and effective braking on packed and loose snow provides a directional multi-block design with multiple sipes. It will also help you easily enter a snow slide, provided your car has an engine with sufficient traction to overcome the hill with acceleration.
TEST RESULTS
BridgestoneBlizzakLM001 , like many of the tested tires, showed a fairly high result on the snow, which at first would not be expected from friction rubber. However, the fact remains, and this can be confirmed by both the Swedish Tekniken Varld and the German association ADAC. However, most often the winter turns out to be not so monotonous, and sooner or later the snow is replaced by rain, and frosts dry up the track to the state of "clean asphalt". This is why Bridgestone's poor performance in all conditions other than snow was a decisive factor in Bridgestone's assessment. Such an imbalance in performance can mislead any car owner and lead to tragic consequences.
Goodyear ultragrip ice 2 - winter studless tires, test
OFFICIAL INFORMATION
Optimized road contact: ActiveGrip technology maintains optimal contact with extremely slippery road surfaces. Combined with cryo-adaptive materials, ActiveGrip technology provides excellent performance on ice.
Goodyear UltraGrip Ice 2 achieves confidence in deep snow due to: Open side grooves in combination with flanged sawtooth blocks improve the drainage of melted snow and water and improve tire performance in deep snow.
Excellent braking on ice in Goodyear UltraGrip Ice 2 is achieved by: active notches on the blocks that increase lateral force transfer during maneuvers, providing excellent braking distance on ice and improving performance.
Test results.
Goodyear UltraGrip Ice 2 took the lead in its class (Scandinavian type friction tires) in the Teknikens Varld and TestWorld tests. This model was able to achieve relatively high results thanks to good longitudinal and lateral grip on ice. Although the tires generally behave in a predictable manner on ice, including during high-speed maneuvers, sometimes grip is lost too abruptly. This was the reason for the low position in the overall standings compared to other types of rubber. In the rain, UltraGrip Ice 2 was the best according to TestWorld magazine.
Nokian Hakkapeliitta R2- winter studless tires, test
OFFICIAL INFORMATION
Modern friction winter tire Nokian Hakkapeliitta R2 Suitable for drivers looking for absolute driving comfort, markedly reduced fuel consumption and technology for producing studless winter tires with the best safety characteristics.
Added to the rubber compound, the smallest particles, shaped like polyhedral crystals, gnaw into the road surface, provide grip while driving and improve longitudinal and lateral grip on ice.
TEST RESULTS
Velcro Nokian Hakkapeliitta R2 has been rated as effective in winter by Teknikens Varld and TestWorld magazines. And although on the ice they were not among the absolute leaders, they had good handling and control even after the start of the skid. On the snow, the Nokian received high marks for both braking performance and behavior during emergency maneuvers.
The Nokian has serious problems with grip on wet asphalt, and on dry surfaces it can also be difficult, as during a sharp maneuver, traction on the rear axle can be lost. At the same time, acoustic comfort and efficiency are at an acceptable level.
FirestoneWinterhawk 3 - winter studless tires, test
OFFICIAL INFORMATION
The optimized design of the Firestone Winterhawk 3 features an increased number of tread blocks and thicker sipes, which have increased the overall number of grip edges for better grip on snow and ice. The tread depth, constant from shoulder to shoulder, in combination with zigzag lateral and longitudinal grooves, contributes to the Winterhawk 3's resistance to aqua and slash planning.
The specially engineered groove shape allows the tire to provide first-class grip throughout its entire operating life.
TEST RESULTS
Rubber FirestoneWinterhawk 3 during testing by the German community, ADAC has shown an amazing set of characteristics. On the one hand, these tires showed good handling qualities both on dry asphalt and on snowy and icy areas. The results of the experiment on fuel efficiency and wheel noise turned out to be high, however, the tires did not manage to win high positions. And the reason for this was the frankly disastrous results of testing on a wet track. It turned out to be especially difficult to keep the car on the trajectory, since the handling suffered seriously when the car drove out into damp areas.
UniroyalMSplus 77 - winter studless tires, test
OFFICIAL INFORMATION
The volumetric, multi-level tread pattern allows Uniroyal MS plus 77 tires to easily dump water and adhere perfectly on slippery, wet surfaces, and adhere well to asphalt. The special composition of the thermoplastic resin (compound) allows the tires to easily cope with any road surface, even an unpleasant, rough road surface. The special tread pattern on the tire edges reduces tire deformation, extending the life of the rubber.
The increased number and width of the sipes also allows water to be removed from the road surface and ensures that the Uniroyal MS plus 77 tires adhere directly to the road surface, or snow, rather than a water film. This is a guarantee of reliability and safety of driving in any weather and at any time of the year.
TEST RESULTS
UniroyalMSplus 77 - this is another “snow” non-studded tire. ADAC tested two tire sizes, 185/65 R15 and 225/45 R17, but in both cases the results were similar to each other. "Juniroyal" successfully copes with snow obstacles, and wet asphalt does not cause any difficulties in controlling the car. But the ability to stay on the road quickly passes as soon as the wheels of the car hit dry, even asphalt or ice. As for the durability and economy of Uniroyal MS plus 77, the result here was no worse than most competitors.
VredesteinWintracXtremeS- winter studless tires, test
OFFICIAL INFORMATION
The next step in the development of the Wintrac xtreme series, the new Wintrac xtreme S tires are designed to withstand tough operating conditions at the lowest temperatures. With superior traction and precision control, Wintrac xtreme S tires offer exceptional safety when driving on snow, ice or slush, and on wet or dry cold surfaces. Internal Groove Locking Technology (ISLT) provides exceptional performance for the Wintrac xtreme S, which improves stability at top speeds, and thanks to the Y speed index, these tires can be used on the world's fastest cars (up to 300 km / h). In addition to excellent snow and slush performance and high speed capability, these winter tires, developed in collaboration with Giugiaro, are characterized by superb styling.
TEST RESULTS
Tire characteristics VredesteinWintracXtremeS according to the test results, they are out of the picture. These wheels turned out to be very stable on dry and wet asphalt, and ice, in fact, turned out to be not terrible for them. Although Auto Zeitung noted that braking distances were too long on wet asphalt, the biggest problems for the tires appeared on snow tests. Moreover, the wide profile of the tires (225/45 R17) tested by ADAC did not have a positive effect on the performance, and the result completely repeated the tests of 16 wheels by the Temets Auto Zeitung.
In addition, the Germans noted a strong susceptibility to rubber wear, and high rolling resistance, which negatively affects fuel consumption.
VikingSnowTechII- winter studless tires, test
OFFICIAL INFORMATION
Viking SnowTech II - non-studded winter tire designed for use in difficult winter conditions in Europe and North America. To achieve high safety and directional stability, engineers have designed an original directional tread pattern, which has a large number of engagement edges, which are formed due to abundant siping of the tread blocks. This design guarantees excellent self-cleaning properties of the tread, which allows you to move confidently in deep snow.
TEST RESULTS
VikingSnowTechII belong to the budget category of studless winter tires. Despite this, “Vikings” demonstrated high performance in handling and braking on the snow. Unfortunately, in all other characteristics, these wheels turned out to be not so good at all, and this is especially true for wet asphalt conditions. And the noise of the rubber leaves much to be desired.
Sava Eskimo Ice- winter studless tires, test
OFFICIAL INFORMATION
Small radius multi-radius recess in Sava Eskimo Ice Provides ideal contact patch on icy roads for improved handling. Creates a long and wide contact patch with an even pressure distribution between the tire and the road. Reinforced lower tread layer improves dry handling. A harder, special polymer bottom tread layer delivers more power while riding.
Increased mileage potential - longer service life - saving money over the entire life cycle. Extra rubber tread for extended tire life.
TEST RESULTS
For its price category Sava Eskimo Ice Accelerate and brake fairly well on ice. However, according to TestWorld experts, these tires have poor lateral stability, which makes it difficult to control the car. The front wheels can easily lose traction on the asphalt. On snow the situation is better and the Sava is able to provide good control and grip.
On wet pavement, the Sava has long stopping distances and erratic behavior, which is generally typical of this class of tires. Fortunately, traction is higher on the rear axle than on the front, so it is relatively easy to drive.
Among other things, Teknikens Varld appreciated the acceptable level of comfort and economy of this rubber.
Pirelli IceZero FR- winter studless tires, test
OFFICIAL INFORMATION
It is an excellent choice for those who value driving comfort, stability and control on the road in harsh winter conditions. Pirelli... ICE ZERO FR is the alternative to the studded tire in the Pirelli ICE ZERO collection: performance and control at a high level. The tire is specially designed for owners of city cars, premium sedans and crossovers.
TEST RESULTS
Studded Pirelli IceZero FR Predictably poorly accelerated and slowed down on icy conditions, which, according to TestWorld, may cause difficulties in entering and descending hills. The situation is aggravated by the extremely weak lateral stability, from which it can be concluded that driving the Pirelli on icy roads can be difficult. On snow, things are much better and controllability is good enough, although there is a danger of a sudden loss of traction on the rear axle.
On asphalt, the Pirelli IceZero FRs react slowly to steering turns, and during a dry maneuver, the rear wheels can slip. The negative picture is complemented by the result of the Teknikens Varls tests, which noted the poor resistance of the tires to aquaplaning.
Bridgestone Blizzak WS80- winter studless tires, test
OFFICIAL INFORMATION
Tires Bridgestone Blizzak WS80 are manufactured using the latest technology, using an improved rubber compound, and have a modern tread pattern. Manufactured using electronic quality control of finished products. Provide optimal vehicle behavior on the road.
TEST RESULTS
Despite very good grip on ice and confident handling on snow, Teknikens Varld and TestWorld delivered Bridgestone Blizzak WS80 to very low positions. This is due to poor tire balance and difficult handling on dry and wet asphalt. Blizzak is poorly resistant to aquaplaning, and in general, damp conditions can cause a lot of inconvenience to the car owner. Collectively, the Bridgestone Blizzak WS80 is no match for other premium tires.
Yokohama iceGUARD iG50 plus - winter studless tires, test
OFFICIAL INFORMATION
Inner part of the protector Yokohama iceGUARD iG50 plus has a larger contact patch and more sipes, which improves grip and edge effect on ice surfaces. The outer tread has more grooves for superior edging and snow traction. Three-dimensional sipes in the center of the tire allow for a larger contact patch, thereby contributing to stable handling on any winter surface.
TEST RESULTS
As shown by tests TestWorld and Teknikes Varld, Japanese winter tires Yokohama iceGUARD iG50 plus poorly suited for Russian conditions. Perhaps the main problem Yokohama had was the weak grip on the ice. Tires are generally predictable, but the lack of grip makes them difficult to ride. Poor lateral stability impairs handling and prevents traction from being restored after skidding both on ice and in snow. Longitudinal grip is slightly higher, which allows more confident acceleration and braking, but only in a straight line.
In wet weather and wet asphalt Yokohama iceGUARD iG50 plus easily lose traction on the rear axle when turning the steering wheel quickly. On a dry surface, the characteristics of the tires are slightly better, and although the rubber has a rather "roll" temperament, the wheels still behave logically and do not present unpleasant surprises. In addition, Yokohama has a fairly short braking distance on dry surfaces.
conclusions
There is simply no unequivocal conclusion about which tires are better and which ones are worse. Each tire type and model is better suited for some conditions and worse for others. Famous NokianHakkapeliitta 8 , and Continental IceContact 2 showed outstanding qualities on snowy and icy roads, taking first places in many tests. However, when it comes to dry and wet conditions, soft tires with a lot of metal studs fall short of even significantly cheaper competitors. And this is not surprising, because these tires are designed for the northern climatic zones with their frosty snowy winters and icy tracks.
Meanwhile, most of the domestic vehicle fleet spends the winter in more "civilized conditions" of cleaned city roads and winter thaws, and here friction tires come to the rescue. Continental WinterContact or Goodyear UltraGrip 9. Of course, they are inferior to "spikes" in cross-country ability in snow and "tenacity" on ice, but they hold dry or wet asphalt much better.
Well, in the southern regions with their near-zero or even above-zero temperatures, too harsh winter tires can generally be dangerous, given its "roll" at high temperatures and poor behavior in the rain.
How to improve headlights in 5 minutes?
When driving on dark winter roads, I really want the headlights to be brighter and illuminate as much of the road as possible. But, unfortunately, from year to year, the glow of the headlights is getting dimmer. We will tell you how to fix it quickly and on a budget.
Preparing a car for the winter season is a responsible business, and you need to approach it as seriously as possible, especially if there is a question about buying tires for operation in conditions with a predominance of snow and ice cover. In this case, only studded tires will help, and so that buyers do not make a mistake with their choice, road tests organized in a "combat" situation are necessary.
For the cold season of 2016-2017, we tested winter studded tires at one of the proving grounds in the northern hemisphere, where real winter reigned. For the tests, a typical mid-size car (D-segment according to the European classification) was selected, for which twelve relatively affordable sets of tires with the dimension 195/65 R15 were selected (it is this that is most often found on inexpensive foreign cars and domestically produced cars).
Eight participants in the tests fit into the pricing policy from two to three thousand rubles, but among them a very variegated company was selected:
- The most affordable were the Chinese tires Triangle IceLink and the updated Cordiant Snow Cross, and the most expensive were the Hankook Winter i * Pike RS +, which “prescribed” 170 studs, and the new product for the winter of 2016-2017 in the person of Dunlop SP Winter Ice 02.
- Matador Sibir Ice 2, Toyo Observe G3-Ice, Pirelli Formula Ice and Nordman 5 became the "middle" ones.
- In addition, the test included four sets of tires that are not so affordable, but no less successful in Russia - Michelin X-Ice North 3, Goodyear UltraGrip Ice Arctic, Nokian Hakkapeliitta 8 and Continental ContiIceContact 2.
It is also worth noting that half of the "test subjects" are produced on the territory of our country, due to which acceptable price tags are hung on them.
At the training ground, studded tires went through the whole range of snow and ice exercises at air temperatures from –20 to –2 ºC. True, due to the lack of dense, rolled snow, it was not possible to perform the rearrangement, but the controllability was assessed on two tracks at once - both snow and ice.
The tests started with methodical measurements, and on each set of tires there were six to eight races, and in some cases all ten because of the "jumping" results. At the same time, checking the condition of the coating using basic tires was carried out after every two or three sets of "studs".
The first disciplines that all test participants faced were acceleration and braking on snow surfaces with traction control and anti-lock braking systems engaged, which prevent the wheels from slipping when accelerating and locking when decelerating.
When accelerating from 0 to 40 km / h, the championship was taken by Cordiant, Formula and Nokian, who managed to keep within 6 seconds, while Toyo became outsiders, losing half a second to the leaders. It was this high-speed interval that was used to measure the time for the following reasons: from scratch - to prevent the tires from "hanging" when starting off, and up to 40 km / h - because you can accelerate to this figure in first gear.
When braking from 40 to 5 km / h (not to a full stop in order to exclude interference in ABS), the situation changed somewhat, and Michelin tires performed the best here (with them the car needed a distance of 16.2 m), and the Chinese Triangle became the worst (20.7 m).
The same procedures were carried out on ice, but only with a different end point of acceleration and initial deceleration (30 km / h). And the acceleration time began to be recorded not from zero, but from 5 km / h due to the use of equipment with an optical sensor instead of a device with a GPS module. After each measurement, the car had to be slightly shifted onto clean ice, since the small ice crumbs carved with spikes reduced friction, thereby preventing accurate numbers from being shown.
The best time when accelerating on ice was shown by Nokian, whose time did not exceed 4.5 seconds, the second place was awarded to Continental with a lag of 0.3 seconds, and Matador trailed "in the tail" (as much as 7 seconds). The braking did not make any changes to the list of leaders and outsiders.
The final exercise in measurements is the determination of the time to overcome the ice circle, where a large number of repetitions were required on each set of tires. And here the top positions on the “podium” were taken by Continental and Dunlop, ahead of all competitors.
The next test cycle began with an assessment of the behavior of a car moving on a snowy road at high speed, for which a site about 15 meters wide and about half a kilometer long was involved. Such a route not only made it possible to check the clarity of straight-line movement at a speed of 90-100 km / h, but also to make soft rearrangements from one lane to another and simulate obstacle avoidance.
The test car showed the most confident behavior on Goodyear, Cordiant and Nokian spikes, while Matador tires showed a wide and uninformative “zero”, solid steering angle when adjusting the course and delays in steering responses. The Chinese Triangle, despite the low information content of the steering wheel, pleased with their clarity, for which they received a plus in the piggy bank.
The next exercise became much more interesting - driving on a closed track with snow cover, turns of various steepness and small descents and ascents, perfectly imitating Russian roads.
But if the outsider remained the same in comparison with the previous discipline, the leaders changed - the car, shod with Cordiant, Nokian, Hankook and Toyo tires, distinguished itself with clear reactions and predictable behavior even during a skid.
No less important for winter tires is handling on a very low surface, so this particular test turned out to be the next in line, and for its implementation, a track with high-speed and slow turns, as well as short and long straight sections was used.
When taxiing on ice, everyone was left behind by the spikes Cordiant, Hankook, Nokian (they were the most successful in handling on the snow) and Nordman, who demonstrated clear behavior and quick reactions, while in the rear guard due to poor steering information and an unexpected break in a skid trudged Goodyear.
But to check the cross-country ability, the snow with a depth of a little more than the ground clearance was perfect, which made it possible to establish how much a car, shod with certain tires, simply and clearly starts from a place, is controlled and gets out in its own footsteps if it gets stuck.
And here the Goodyear tires completely played out for the previous fiasco, on which the car more than confidently moved in deep snow, while the Chinese Triangle tires did not work at all.
After testing with snow and ice, it is time to find out if all the thorns are still in place. And the highest reliability was shown by Continental and Formula, which managed not to lose a single "stud", but the outsiders were Cordiant, Dunlop and Hankook, who lost ten, thirteen and fifteen studs, respectively. Michelin, Nordman and Nokian were rated good for two claws, while Goodyear, Triangle and Matador were forced to part with three or four studs. As for Toyo, their losses amounted to seven "studs" - not the best result.
The matter was not limited to snow and ice exercises, because any car shoes (even studded ones) from time to time have to be operated on the asphalt. Moreover, such tests were carried out under more favorable weather conditions, when the asphalt had already dried up, and the air temperature was from 4 to 7 ºC. And after all, these are the conditions that prevail at the turn of the seasonal change of "shoes".
First of all, all subjects underwent measurement of fuel consumption, and immediately before the measurements on the warm-up circle, directional stability and the level of comfort (noise and smoothness) were assessed along the way on roads with different surfaces.
The least "voracious" at city and suburban speeds were Nokian, Formula and Nordman, but the worst figures showed Cordiant, albeit with a very small difference (only 200 ml of gasoline per "hundred"). With directional stability at a speed of 110-130 km / h, the Michelin tires were in the best position - the car shod in them distinguished itself by clear keeping of the given trajectory and soft rearrangements. But in the “catching up” we found the Triangle: here there is no information content on the steering wheel, and the “zero” is wide and smeared, and to maintain the direction it is necessary to work with the steering wheel at solid angles.
In terms of noise level, all subjects are approximately at the same level - each of them rustles with pinches on the asphalt. And if we take into account the smoothness of the ride, then here Continental, Hankook and Michelin have proven themselves better than others.
The final exercise for all sets of tires was braking on wet and dry asphalt, which was performed from speeds of 60 and 80 km / h to 5 km / h (in order to exclude ABS interference).
The shortest distance to slow down on wet surfaces was needed by the Continental spikes (19.8 m), while the Dunlop and Cordiant rolled the farthest (22.4 and 22.5 m, respectively).
On a dry road, the Triangle tires (31.6 m) felt more confident than others, and the Cordiant (35 m) showed the worst results.
The first place in the tests went to the Nokian Hakkapeliitta 8 tires, which distinguished themselves with good performance in all exercises, followed by the Continental ContiIceContact 2. By and large, both tires have only one drawback - high cost. "Bronze" went to Goodyear UltraGrip Ice Arctic tires.
