Winter in Russia and Ukraine, as a rule, despite all the available weather forecasts, comes suddenly and unexpectedly for both motorists and public utilities. Surely, almost everyone is familiar with the phenomenon when, after the first snow, it is almost impossible to sign up for a tire fitting. Fortunately, we are starting to sell winter tires in advance. So, the 2014-2015 winter tire season actually started in the summer at the end of July 2014. In stores and on the websites of electronic trading platforms began to appear latest news"winter shoes" for the car.
Every year, manufacturers try to come up with something new, both in terms of improving the composition of the rubber itself, tire design, and in terms of marketing and product promotion. What new did the 2014-2015 season bring to us? Of course, it would be simply unrealistic to evaluate the entire range of products from all manufacturers, so let's stop together only on the main, best winter tires.
Nokian tires
The Finns did a great job and seriously updated their line of winter tires for cars(including SUVs). Models appeared Nokian Nordman 5 and 5 SUV with modified studs various shapes(round for cars and square for SUVs). The price goes from 2135 rubles. In series friction tires the Hakkapeliitta CR3 model for difficult climatic conditions was launched with an optimized steel breaker for even greater strength. Separately, we highlight the new studded Hakkapeliitta 8 model. The number of studs here has been increased by almost one and a half times. The cost of new items varies from 3,650 rubles for 175/65 R14 to 13,200 rubles for 245/45 R18.
Bridgestone Tires
The Japanese have updated the line of tires Blizzak. In the friction rubber series, we highlight the Blizzak VRX model. Thanks to the improved rubber compound, grip on ice is enhanced and service life is significantly extended. The cost varies from 2900 rubles for 185/65 R14 to 5900 rubles for 215/50 R17. For SUVs, the Blizzak DMV-2 model appeared (price from 3650 rubles for R15 to 6250 rubles for R18). There is a new microporous tread structure, an updated pattern. Proprietary ECO-Products technology reduces rolling resistance.
Continental tires
The Germans have updated the ContiVikingContact line (Velcro). The sixth generation has already come out. Here is a completely new tread pattern, improved grip, innovative sipe structure. The cost varies from 3350 rubles for 175/65 R14 to 8450 rubles for 225/55 R17. The tires are designed with Scandinavian and Russian winters in mind and are especially reliable on ice.
Video about the new tires ContiVikingContact 6:
Dunlop tires
On the picture Dunlop Ice Touch
The photo shows Dunlop Winter Maxx WM01 friction tires
In Russia, two last year's well-proven tire models deserve attention: the studded Ice Touch (price from 2900 rubles for 185/65 R14 to 6950 rubles for R17) and friction Dunlop Winter Maxx WM01 (price from 2650 rubles for 185/65 R14 to 7100 rubles for 215/55 R17). There are no new releases for 2015 yet.
Good Year Tires
Tires for SUVs Ultra Grip Ice Arctic SUV are presented for the new season (on the left in the photo), as well as on the right in the photo - Ultra Grip Ice 2 (from 2850 rubles for R14 to 9000 rubles for R18). The latter deserve attention, because. are the next generation of the popular Ultra Grip Ice in Russia. They are made from a special cryoadaptive rubber compound that is flexible even at low temperatures. Also on the shelves are very reliable Ultra Grip Ice Arctic (from 2900 rubles for R14 to 5700 rubles for R16). They are specially designed for cold arctic regions. In addition, they have improved capabilities for driving in wet snow and slush.
A video about an ice test of winter tires, though for 2013, but nothing, you will learn something for yourself when choosing new tires for a car this year:
Winter tires of the new season 2014-2015 are designed to provide ever greater reliability and increased comfort when driving in difficult climatic conditions. For the territory of Russia, this is especially true, therefore, when choosing winter tires for your car, show special scrupulousness and thoughtfulness. Fortunately, the number of manufacturers and the range of their tires on the market is rather big.
Also included in the test were:- Avatyre Freeze - domestic development
- Gislaved Nord Frost 100
- Toyo Observe GSi-5
- Hankook Winter I*Pike RS+
On each set of tires 205/55 R16 before the tests, the pilots drove 500 km to break them in. After that, the organizers checked the protrusion of the spikes and the hardness of the rubber.
To assess the longitudinal and transverse grip on the ice, the organizers measured the acceleration time, the length stopping distance and lap times. Each set was tested at least 7-10 times to identify errors in the results. For a more accurate calculation of the transverse adhesion, a twelve-meter rearrangement was used. This maneuver is also called the "elk test" - a quick detour of a sudden obstacle (moose on the road).
To avoid the subjectivity of the pilot's assessment, several people tested the same tires. They rated for directional stability and handling. exchange rate stability tested at a speed of 90-110 km / h. The pilot rotated the steering wheel at small angles and observed the behavior of the car on the test tires.
In another test, patency in the snow was checked, the ability to overcome snowdrifts, maneuver, start off and move in reverse. The organizers of the test considered that this is as important for winter tires as all of the above. Goodyear UltraGrip Ice Arctic performed best in this test. According to the organizers, with these tires, a front-wheel drive car turned into a real all-terrain vehicle!
Ride and noise in the cabin were evaluated on different surfaces and at different speeds. After testing the tires on ice and snow, the experts assessed how protruding the studs were in the tires.
On asphalt, tires were tested for such an indicator as fuel consumption. All tires were tracked in both directions to compensate for the effects of road inclines or light breeze. The length of the braking distance on dry and wet pavement and directional stability were also evaluated.
And the very last test was to inspect the tires and count the spikes that had come out. Lost the most Bridgestone tires- 18 spikes. In second place were toyo tires who lost 7 spikes.
As a result, Nokian Hakkapeliitta 8 became the winner of the test according to the results of all tests. In second place, with a margin of just half a percentage point, were Continental ContiIceContact 2 tires.
The test results for winter studded tires 205/55 R16 are shown in the tables below.
The ADAC club offered the audience the results of measurements of friction (non-studded) tires for European-type winters, which are poorly suited to Russian conditions. However, to complete the picture, it would be useful to see their results.
A selection of Finns from Tuulilasi turned out to be much more relevant. They assembled eight sets of studded winter tires scandinavian type. That is, tires designed primarily for snow and ice, but at the same time appropriate on cold pavement. Snow and ice tests were carried out in Ivalo (Finland) in the first week of March. The temperature fluctuated around zero degrees. The carriers of winter tires are Volvo sedan S60 and station wagon volvo V70. Most of the measurements were carried out using V-Box equipment. Auxiliary ABS systems and ESC were turned on - in the latter case, the Sport mode was used, which allows for slight slippage. Races on dry and wet asphalt were carried out in the Finnish Tampere.
Tuulilasi experts accelerated and braked on ice, evaluated handling on slippery surfaces, tested the same parameters on snow, that is, they tested the tires in primordially winter conditions. At the same time, they did not forget about dry and wet asphalt, as well as about the resistance to slashplaning (a parameter showing the speed at which a car emerges on snow and water slush. An analogue of aquaplaning in summer). Finnish experts also evaluated the rolling resistance, and hence the fuel consumption.
Tire test club ADAC(non-studded winter tires of the Central European type. Designed exclusively for mild winters) -
Continental ContiWinterContact TS850
The leader of the German test was the German Continental tires ContiWinterContact TS850. After passing all the disciplines, the experts came to the conclusion that the main advantage of this model is a well-balanced balance. Continental ContiWinterContact TS850 behaves equally confidently in all cases, of course, adjusted for the class. Velcro of the Scandinavian type ContiVikingContact 5 feels much better on ice, not to mention the studded model Continental ContiIceContact. But for winter tires The performance of the ContiWinterContact TS850 on wet pavement and ice is unbeatable for the Central European type.
Bridgestone Blizzak LM001
Winter tires Japanese stamps usually do not shine with talents against the background of rivals. But this is only in the case when models for severe cold are compared with each other. But Japanese tires for mild winters feel much better in the circle of competitors. This was also confirmed by the test of the ADAC club. Bridgestone Blizzak LM001 passed all types of tests of the German Institute, keeping within each of them in a favorable green zone.
In mild winter conditions, the ADAC Dunlop Winter Response 2 performed well. The car feels especially good in these tires on snow and wet pavement. The experts also commended low resistance rolling, which affects fuel consumption, albeit not very significantly.
Dunlop's other Central European winter tires, the SP Winter Sport 4D, performed exactly as well as the Winter Response 2. ADAC praised them primarily for their balance, as did the top-ranked Continental ContiWinterContact TS850, which is quite revealing.
In the tire industry, Michelin is the name. From the French company definitely do not expect weak performance. Wherein Michelin tires rarely get to the very top of the pedestal tire tests different publications, from year to year ending up somewhere in the middle of the list. This year's ADAC test was no exception. Experts of the German Automobile Club praised them for their behavior on ice and snow, as well as work on wet pavement. But the results on dry surfaces are worse, and the Germans recorded this aspect as a disadvantage of the French tire, as well as increased noise.
Another model of the French tire giant, the Michelin Alpin A4, performed more confidently than its relative in the ADAC tests. German experts noted a good balance and focused on a huge resource. You're more likely to puncture this tire than wear out the tread pattern. At the same time, it behaves equally safely on dry or wet asphalt and ice.
The Central European "Velcro" of the Korean company Hankook performed satisfactorily in the ADAC measurements. If a summer tires Korean companies have already approached the level of world leaders, which is especially evident in the Ventus Prime 2 model, but in the case of winter tires, the level of Korean tires is still average. ADAC Hankook Winter i*cept RS W442 experts liked it on dry pavement, but disappointed on snow and wet pavement.
Pirelli SnowControl Serie 3
Within the segment, the Pirelli SnowControl Serie 3 proved to be surprisingly strong on ice and snow. They did not let us down on wet pavement, but did not please on dry. In addition, despite the lack of studs, the Pirelli SnowControl Serie 3 proved to be a noisy model. All in all, it only drew a satisfactory assessment of the ADAC club.
The family trait of Vredestein tires is the tread pattern. The company stubbornly uses the herringbone pattern. In part, this affects the properties of tires. In the ADAC test, they performed well on ice and snow, but were loud and relatively weak on wet pavement.
Tuulilasi magazine tire test(Scandinavian type studded winter tires. Good for Russian winters) – (http://www.tuulilasi.fi)
If in the German test the German tire won, then in the Finnish one - the Finnish one. New from last year - Nokian Hakkapeliitta 8 with a gigantic number of spikes (there are 190 of them in the dimension 205/55R16). On ice, this is truly a royal tire. On the snow, too, everything is extremely convincing and only on asphalt there are minor errors, which is quite normal for such a generous studding. However, despite this, Tuulilasi journalists noticed that the eighth "hakkapeliitta" steers well in the rain and brakes well on dry pavement. At the same time, it does not critically resist rolling and does not make too loud noise.
Unlike the Nokian Hakkapeliitta 8, German Continental ContiIceContact tires have been around for a long time. There are even rumors on the sidelines that this tire is about to be replaced by a successor, but so far it is still in service and shows great ability in winter conditions. These tires handle and brake well on ice, and they perform just as well on snow-packed roads. Performance on dry and wet pavement is not outstanding, but decent. The resistance to slushplaning (ascent on snow-water porridge) is not the best, but at the same time it is at a safe level.
Bronze in the Tuulilasi test was pulled out by studded Pirelli Ice zero. On the ice, they do not feel much worse than the leaders. Although breakdowns rear axle slips are more pronounced here, which makes the driver constantly be concentrated and tense. In addition, after the ice races, some of the spikes loosened up and began to protrude more strongly. In real life, this means that after a couple of seasons there will definitely be fewer spikes, which cannot be said, for example, about Continental ContiIceContact, where the “claws” are planted on a special glue. No misses in the snow. But the resistance to slushplaning is unimportant here. On the slush, Pirelli Ice Zeros pop up a bit early. Not everything is smooth on the pavement, both wet and dry. On wet pavement, the tire brakes well, but in corners it loses its tenacity. On dry pavement, braking is also unimportant. The rolling resistance is low, but the noise level is high. The third place was ensured by the priority of the ice, on which the studded Pirellis are fine.
The Goodyear UltraGrip Ice Arctic was outperformed by Pirelli in terms of points, but in terms of the totality of indicators, they are definitely no worse. Although the priorities here are somewhat shifted. Goodyear UltraGrip Ice Arctic grips the pavement brilliantly. On wet pavement and slush, they are favorites, which will be in place in Moscow, which is abundantly flooded with reagents. On a dry road, there are no misses either, although the reactions are somewhat smeared. At the same time, everything is also not bad on ice and snow, although it does not quite reach the level of leaders. Braking and accelerating on ice in the zone good result. On snow, the behavior is a little worse. Analyzing the above, it can be noted that Goodyear UltraGrip Ice Arctic are perfect for wintering in big cities, where under the wheels is mostly asphalt, but at the same time snow or ice is not excluded.
In the cold season, it is better to give preference to winter tires. With the help of new technologies in production car tires interesting characteristics are achieved, allowing car owners to drive no less confidently than in summer. Many believe that winter tires can be replaced with all-season options. But this is not so - demi-season tires are not a way out of the situation: they are uncomfortable to ride in either summer or winter.
The main feature of winter tires is softness and the ability to tenaciously hold on to the snowy road surface. We bring to your attention the rating of the best winter studded tires 2014-2015.
Nokian Hakkapeliitta 8 - the best offer among winter tires
The leader of most tests in Russia and in other countries was Finnish rubber, produced at one of the most technologically advanced world factories in the world. This Nokian Hakkapeliitta 8 is a great driver's assistant in difficult winter conditions.
Tires are able to perfectly deal with any cold surface, provide comfort and safety of the trip. It should also be noted the following unique properties Nokian winter tires:
- special technologies and tread pattern protect the driver in any weather;
- adhesion to any surface, even with ice, reaches maximum values;
- rubber is present in a large assortment of radii and sizes;
- this model also has spikes, which are applied according to a new pattern.
Rubber was introduced last year, but to this day it remains the leader in most ratings. If you want real comfort and complete safety in winter, be sure to pay attention to this offer of a Finnish corporation.
Goodyear UltraGrip Ice Arctic - a prototype from the legendary manufacturer
This proposal was one of the few representatives of the 2014-2015 season who managed to make their way to the top positions after three years of success. Goodyear has always been famous for producing premium tires that ensure the safety of winter and summer driving on any vehicle. With the help of new technologies, the corporation managed to create tires with the following advantages:
- excellent grip on snow and cold asphalt with the help of an unusual tread and spikes;
- nineteen sizes - a choice from 13 to 18 inches for any wheel width;
- The ultra-soft parts of the rather hard tread provide grip on any surface;
- sliding is minimized due to the special shape of the tread.
The Goodyear UltraGrip Ice Arctic also features stud integration technology developed in 2012. The features of this tire are different from most competitors and allow you to achieve incredible ride parameters. At the moment, the rubber is going through one of the last seasons, after which the manufacturer announced several important updates and a name change.
Michelin X-ICE North XIN3 - last year's leader model
This rubber was also on the list of the most successful purchases for motorists last season. If it's time to get some new winter tires this year, check out this one. Michelin always offers best technology, but X-ICE North really exceeded all customer expectations:
- the softness of the car increases significantly;
- traction with any soil is noticeably improved;
- increases the durability of the rims;
- the braking distance is almost halved.
Halving the stopping distance is a rough estimate, which is confirmed by many unofficial test drives. But even in this perspective, this rubber deserves a place in the ranking of the best winter tires in 2014-2015.
Bridgestone Blizzak Spike 01 - another successful series of the concern
The Blizzak series from Bridgestone Corporation is already known to many car owners. A fairly high cost does not stop potential buyers from purchasing this excellent option for winter tires. In the new generation, which will appear on the market at the end of summer 2014, the manufacturer has introduced the following innovations:
- the chemical composition of raw materials for the manufacture of rubber was completely changed;
- the protector is made of soft material that can withstand temperatures up to -50 degrees without physical changes;
- spikes are present, but they are not the main part of the tire;
- there is no need to break in the rubber before its full operation.
These characteristics make the Bridgestone Blizzak Spike 01 one of the most technologically advanced offerings in the 2014-2015 Best Winter Tire rankings. Nevertheless, a lot of money will have to be paid for the purchase, so it is too early to talk about the popularity of rubber.
Dunlop Ice Touch - winter tires closing the leaderboard
According to experts, Dunlop tires have every chance of becoming leaders this year. Their cost is perfectly combined with the quality characteristics, which makes the purchase of rubber much more profitable for the driver. Key features and technical advantages Dunlop Ice Touch manifests itself in the following characteristics:
- incredibly different tread pattern from competitors;
- the presence of spikes in disordered mode;
- high adhesion properties with an icy road surface;
- universal application for middle class cars and compact crossovers.
Excellent tires Dunlop Ice Touch offers high quality performance and interesting enough opportunities for owners of almost all cars. You can choose suitable size from a huge range and get good protection for your car from the surprises of an icy road.
Summing up
Among the winter tires described above, there are offers from previous years, but many experts believe that this particular rubber deserves to be on the list of the best winter tires in 2014-2015. When choosing tires for the winter, pay special attention to the specifications that are suitable for you.
Some of the current market offerings are great option for lovers of travel on uncharted routes, others offer optimal modes of urban movement. Also remember that tires differ in speed and load index, which is very important to consider when buying new winter tires.
Are there motorists among our readers who have already bought tires for the 2014-2015 season?
Frictional winter tires, or popularly Velcro, are inferior in popularity to studded wheels in Russia, but their market share is steadily growing, so the results of their tests are very useful for domestic motorists. So, who became the best in the 2014-2015 season?
- Our rating opens (from the last position in it) with Sunny SnowMaster SN3830 friction rubber, which came to us from China. 12th line, 6.1 points - excellent performance indicators only on wet and dry pavement - this is all that Chinese tires can boast of, which are clearly not suitable for Russian winter conditions.
- In 11th place are South Korean Kumho tires I*ZEN KW31, also not shiny on snow and ice. The final 6.6 points is too low for high-quality winter tires.
- The 10th line was taken by Vredestein Nord-Trac 2 tires produced in the Netherlands. They have 6.7 points, which is also very bad, especially considering the country of origin belongs to the EU with its strict requirements for product quality.
- 9th place given to friction Dunlop tires SP Ice Sport of German production, which earned 6.8 points. This result also cannot be called good, given the fact that these tires showed one of the worst performances on ice.
- The 8th and 7th lines of the rating of winter non-studded tires of the 2014-2015 season went to Chinese-made Pirelli Winter IceControl and Sailun Ice Blazer WSL2 tires. With a score of 7.2 each, both models performed roughly equal in all tests, but the Sailun tires performed worse on wet pavement and the Pirellis struggled with rolling resistance.
- Japan's Bridgestone Blizzak WS70 took 6th place in the rankings, scoring 7.3 points and showing average results in all tests.
- The list of five leaders of the season is opened by Velcros Maxxis SP02 ArcticTrekker released in China. Their result is 7.7 points, excellent behavior on snow, slightly worse performance on ice and mediocre braking on dry pavement.
- The 4th and 3rd places were shared by Michelin X-ice Xi3 wheels made in Spain and Continental ContiVikingContact 6 made in Germany. They have 7.8 points each and almost equal marks for all tests. True, we note that the Michelin X-ice Xi3 tires have poor rolling resistance, and the Continental ContiVikingContact 6 tires are not very good on wet pavement.
- There was no clear winner among friction tires this season. The first and second places were shared by Nokian Hakkapeliitta R2 from Finland and Goodyear UltraGrip Ice 2 from Poland. Both stickies earned 8.2 points each, but it is worth mentioning that good year tires UltraGrip Ice 2 are more efficient on dry and wet pavement, while Nokian Hakkapeliitta R2 feel great on snowy tracks.