The change of seasons is a process that cannot be avoided (unless you live on 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, now there is simply a mind-boggling number of different brands on the market. The choice aggravates 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 tire structure).
Of course, there is always the option to just "score" and ride as is. However, as practice shows, the difference in the characteristics of winter and summer tires is really colossal.
Yes, and the laws governing the seasonality of car tires are becoming tougher from year to year both in Europe and in Russia. Therefore, do not neglect the need to change tires.
Like it or not, no 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 from different manufacturers and models.
No one has yet come up with any standards (for example, by analogy with EuroNCAP), so everyone does it the way they see fit. We will try to collect all the information together.
In general, the set of tests of different communities is most often similar and includes a test for braking, handling and stability on various surfaces, as well as the level of rubber noise.
Expert publications
Teknikens Warld is a Swedish magazine that has been testing tires regularly 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 Scandinavian and non-studded European tires). Seat Leon was taken as a test bench for "wheels" with a dimension of 205/55 R16.
Auto Zeitung, together with the German Technical Inspection Organization GTU, tested 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 a dimension of 205/55 R16 (taking into account the peculiarities of the national climate). Separate points, "hot guys" were credited for acceleration on an icy surface, the time of entry to a snowy hill, etc. In general, the Finnish tests are geared more towards "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, the increasingly popular all-season 16-inch tires (205/55) were tested. Given the high culture of road services, not every self-respecting European has to leave the roads cleared of snow and ice in winter, and this option may well turn out to be a profitable acquisition within Europe.
Further, models of compact dimension 185/65 R15 for cars were tested budget segment. As expected. the smaller width (and, as a result, the contact patch), negatively affects the tenacity of the rubber, which is why even the top models showed not the most outstanding results in Renault Clio races.
At the same time, the severity of the tests of the German ADAC did not bring special laurels to expensive tires of a higher segment with a dimension of 225/45 R17. Most of the subjects were able to achieve only the result "Satisfactory", and the owner of the first position received a rating of "Good".
testWorld- another Finnish publication that has tested a large range of models divided into types: studded and non-studded tires scandinavian type. The Continental ContiWinterContact TS850 model was tested to demonstrate the differences in the behavior of European style suction cups. The testers focused on ice tests, taking into account the specifics of the local climate.
In contrast to the European experts, Korean experts acted, in collaboration with auto view and JoongAng Libo. The 17-inch 225/45 wheels were tested in icy and snowy conditions, on dry and wet roads. And all this despite the fact that in Korea there is rarely even sub-zero temperatures.
Of course, we could not ignore the results of Russian tests.
Edition AutoMail. en set itself the task of testing cheap models of non-studded winter tires with a dimension of 205/55 R16. Nokian Hakkapeliitta R2 was used as a reference, the price of which is on average twice as high as 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 pavement. As a bonus, smoothness on rough pavement was tested as well as side cut resistance.
Behind the wheel, meanwhile, tested the most popular segment of winter tires in our country: 15-inch studded tires with a dimension of 195/65 of the lowest price segment. For clarity, both cheap models and branded ones were taken, and half of the tested tires are produced in our country. At the end of the tests, the testers also measured the remaining number of spikes, making a conclusion about the survivability of a particular model based on this.
What types of winter tires are there?
But let's get down to business. First you need to figure out how the “Velcro” differs from the “spike” and what they are.
At the moment, 3 types of winter tire tread are considered the most common: 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 has been used in rally competitions, and then it got to civilian use. These tires are originally designed for driving on snow and ice. By “biting” into the surface of the ice crust, studded tires are better at 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, this fact cannot be avoided. And the “spike” spoils the roadway much more, which is why in many countries driving in the summer on winter tires is subject to fines.
An alternative is to use friction studless tires. They are divided into two subtypes.
Velcros of the Scandinavian type, like 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. Such tires can be recommended for the expanses of our vast country, where roads remain hidden most of the time in winter.
Well, for megacities, non-studded tires of the Central European type are more suitable. They are originally created for a milder climate and clean roads. They hold on to snow and ice worse, but they feel great on asphalt. They have fewer soft elements and better remove water from under the wheels.
Do not forget about the existence of "all-weather" tires. These are still installed on domestic cars from the factory and require year-round operation. However, universal ones are worse than specialized ones in any situation, especially in the Russian climate with its large temperature difference and road conditions.
NON-STUDDEDRUBBER
Continental Winter Contact TS 860 -winternon-studdedtires, test
OFFICIAL INFORMATION
Tires Continental WinterContact TS860 is the second generation directional tread pattern for mild European conditions (M+S) focused on ice grip. In the WinterContact TS860 tires, Continental specialists applied a new principle of water removal from the contact patch: not removal with the help of grooves, but pushing out of the contact patch, plus more sipes and, as a result, more free space (internal sipe cavities) for snow disposal. This allows the tire to effectively cope with the removal of moisture and snow porridge.
Test results
Continental Winter Contact TS 860 this season they came to replace the 850th model, which has occupied a leading position in tests in recent years. The update did not disappoint: in the tests of Teknikens Varld, this tire took third place in the rating, and Auto Zeitung ranked Continental in first place in terms of aggregate characteristics.
The main positive qualities of Continental WinterContact TS 860 is its excellent grip on asphalt in winter conditions. The tire is not very susceptible to aquaplaning, holds its course during sharp maneuvers, is quite quiet and has an average efficiency indicator. WinterContact showed one of the best results in braking on dry and wet pavement, but they do relatively poorly on icy and loose snow. In general, the Continental WinterContact TS 860 is suitable for use in the city and on cleared country roads.
Goodyear Ultra Grip 9
OFFICIAL INFORMATION
Goodyear Ultra Grip 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 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, which makes Goodyear UltraGrip 9 tires effective in a wide range of temperatures.
TEST RESULTS
friction tires Goodyear Ultra Grip 9 were tested in two dimensions at once: Auto Zeitung magazine tested 16-inch 205/55 tires, while ADAC tested the budget version 185/65 R15. In both cases, the German experts praised the performance of the model, especially the braking performance and "tenacity" on loose snow and wet pavement. In addition, Goodyear UltraGrip 9 demonstrated high fuel efficiency and noise comfort, but not without drawbacks. The soft non-studded tire on dry pavement behaves rather “roll”, reacting slowly to steering turns, and on snow there is a noticeable tendency to understeer.
Michelin CrossClimate- winter non-studded tires, test
OFFICIAL INFORMATION
A summer tire that can be used in sudden snow conditions. The pronounced directional tread pattern with deep water 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 effectively on snow. And the smooth edges of the blocks on the other hand, reduce deformation and increase the reliability of traction on dry surfaces.
Composite rubber compound used in Michelin CrossClimate(silica, functional polymers, new plasticizers) improves grip on different surfaces (wet and dry road, snow cover), improves wear resistance and fuel efficiency.
TEST RESULTS
Michelin CrossClimate- the only all season tires in this ranking. Despite its wide purpose, this model was able to compete with its highly specialized opponents, primarily due to excellent performance in dry and wet road conditions. Auto Zeitung put the Goodyear UltraGrip 9 non-studded winter tire in its CrossClimate rating on the same level as the Goodyear UltraGrip 9 winter tire, which already shows a high figure. However, on snow-covered areas, the “all-weather season” expectedly proved to be worse than many. At the same time, it is worth noting that Michelin did not take the last place in any of the tests, thus surpassing even some winter models of competitors in terms of handling and tenacity on snow. If the operation of the car is limited to snowless roads of the metropolis, Michelin CrossClimate can be a good alternative to two sets of wheels.
Nokian WR D4- winter non-studded tires, test
OFFICIAL INFORMATION
New winter Nokian tires WR D4 are designed specifically for the countries of Central Europe. Unique innovations guarantee safe and balanced driving in changing weather conditions, on wet or snowy roads. The Nokian WR D4 tire is designed specifically for countries with mild winter climates and has excellent grip on wet surfaces. The Nokian WR D4 is the world's first passenger car winter tire to achieve EU wet grip A level. 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
Non-studded winter tires Nokian WR D4 were able to participate in three tests of different standard sizes. Auto Zeitung gave second place to 205/55 R16 tires, ADAC gave honorable third place to 15th 185/65 wheels, but regarding 17-inch wide profile tires (225/45 R17) Nokian WR D4 was a complete average with 6- m place in the standings. In general, Nokian achieved good results in snow handling and dry stopping distance, but the WR D4 turned out to be too tough in the wet test, and rubber wear is relatively high.
Dunlop Winter Sport 5- winter non-studded tires, test
OFFICIAL INFORMATION
The increased number of blocks increased the number of sipes, improving handling and traction in winter conditions. The sipes in the central part have become parallel to the edges of the blocks, and the grooves have become 6-10% deeper, which reduces the risk of aquaplaning. The carcass design has been optimized to reduce weight, resulting in reduced 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 a short braking distance on snow and dry surfaces, high resistance to transverse aquaplaning and high efficiency, took only 7th place in the rating. Such a low position was justified by the tendency to drift 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 turned out to be much better (width 225 mm, profile height - 45% of the width). Perhaps a larger contact patch affected all the flaws of the younger model, due to which the rubber acquired more balanced characteristics. The 17-inch Winter Sport 5 won first place in the ADAC rating due to its balance (good results both on wet surfaces and snow, and on dry pavement and ice) and high fuel efficiency.
HankookWinteri* ceptevo2 W320 - winter non-studded tires, test
OFFICIAL INFORMATION
The Winter I'cept evo tire, with a polar bear pattern, provides excellent traction, which greatly improves the tire's performance on snowy, wet and dry roads. The use of an advanced silicon compound, 3D sipes and an asymmetric tread pattern enhance the performance of this winter tire suitable for sports sedans and premium sedans.
TEST RESULTS
Hankook Winter i*cept evo2 W320 came to replace Hankook Winter i*cept evo W310 and are fairly new models. Hankook were able to demonstrate better handling on dry pavement, where, according to experts, they performed at the level of all-season tires, but in tests on snow and ice, the tires did not perform well. As a result: 5th place in the tests of 17-inch tires conducted by ADAC and Auto View.
Pirelli Cinturato Winter- winter non-studded tires, test
OFFICIAL INFORMATION
Pirelli Cinturato Winter is a touring winter tire for middle class city cars and compact SUVs. In the absence of anti-skid studs, they provide a high level of reliability in all winter conditions. They are also characterized by a long service life and good resistance to aquaplaning and slashplaning.
TEST RESULTS
Pirelli performed definitely well for winter non-studded tires. The German ADAC and AutoZeitung noted the tire's high performance on snow and ice surfaces. The test cars retained information and grip even on wet surfaces, but the test results on dry pavement were poor. This model definitely should not be considered as an option for operation in megacities.
MichelinAlpine 5 - winter non-studded tires, test
OFFICIAL INFORMATION
Confident traction on snowy roads is facilitated by a modified tread pattern MichelinAlpine 5 with a 17% larger negative profile, more sectors and a directional pattern with a high tread depth1. Due to the large number of grooves and the special configuration of the blocks, a "gear effect" is created and the tire's traction on snowy surfaces is increased. And with the help of a modified arrangement of the transverse grooves, water dispersion was also improved and the risk of aquaplaning was reduced.
For the first time in the rubber compound MichelinAlpine 5 added functional elastomers. The purpose of these elastomers is to improve the uniformity of the rubber compound while increasing the proportion of silica needed to improve traction on cold, wet roads. Thus, it was possible to improve safety in winter conditions while maintaining a high level of energy efficiency.
TEST RESULTS
Studless tires MichelinAlpine 5 got to the tests in the only dimension 205/55 R16. Experts from Teknikens Varls and Auto Zeitung noted a fairly high traction force that these tires are able to develop on a snowy road, and the handling on wet pavement left positive reviews. However, the decisive factor for the Swedish edition was the inability to quickly slow down the car in the snow, hence the ninth line in the ranking.
HankookWinteri* ceptRS2 W452 - winter non-studded tires, test
OFFICIAL INFORMATION
The Hankook Winter i*Сept RS2 W452 has been developed with 3D Technology, which has been specifically developed for this line, helping to give it the highest performance, safety and traction on snow.
The use of the most advanced technologies in their design has led to the fact that Hong Kong Winter Eye Sept RS 2 B 452 tires have an increased groove surface and a large contact patch. This helps vehicles equipped with these tires to be stable on snow and successfully resist the slip that forms on wet road surfaces.
Hankook Winter i*Сept RS2 W452 tires have 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 hydroplaning resistance, low noise levels, as well as high traction, predictable behavior and short braking distances. But the tire was let down by overly “rolling” behavior and the inability to slow down 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 non-studded tires, test
OFFICIAL INFORMATION
Stable operation of the tire on all types of surfaces, improved grip and reduced braking distance on ice are achieved through the use of a unique combination of three structural elements in MICHELIN X-Ice 3: micropumps - sipes - sawtooth edges. Micropumps are small cylindrical holes located on the upper edge of the outer block of the tread. They are designed to reduce the negative impact of the water film that forms on the surface of the ice and significantly impairs tire grip.
The silica-rich Flex-Ice compound perfectly complements the new MICHELIN X-Ice 3 tread configuration. This rubber compound retains high flexibility at low temperatures and sufficient stiffness at elevated temperatures, which improves traction on all types of winter roads. Flex-Ice has high wear resistance as well as improved grip on wet roads.
TEST RESULTS
Michelin can be said to be a really good tire that performs well in all conditions. Although they lack grip to match top-ranked tires, on snow and ice michelin behave confidently and logically. However, experts noted that there is a clear need to increase the number of spikes.
In AutoView's X-ice tests, the Xi3 came out on top in overclocking efficiency, and performed well in most other tests as well, but poor results on dry pavement led to a relatively poor overall score.
BridgestoneBlizzakLM001 - winter non-studded tires, test
OFFICIAL INFORMATION
Bridgestone Bridgestone Blizzak LM001 - friction winter tires for passenger vehicles, which, according to the manufacturer, are designed to ensure safety in absolutely any winter conditions. Are intended for operation during the winter period in the Central European countries.
Element Bridgestone Blizzak LM001 - snowy roads. The tread, thanks to its tenacity, even in the absence of anti-skid spikes, reliably bites into the snow. Good traction and effective braking on packed and loose snow is ensured by a directional multi-block design with many sipes. It will also help you to easily drive up a snow hill, provided that your car has an engine with enough traction necessary to overcome the slope with acceleration.
TEST RESULTS
BridgestoneBlizzakLM001 , like many of the tested tires, showed a fairly high result on the snow, which at first you would not expect from friction rubber. However, the fact remains, and both the Swedish Tekniken Varld and the German association ADAC can confirm this. However, more often than not, winter is not so monotonous, and sooner or later the snow gives way to rain, and frosts dry the track to the state of “pure asphalt”. That is why the decisive factor in Bridgestone's assessment was poor results in all conditions except snow. Such an imbalance of characteristics can mislead any car owner and lead to tragic consequences.
Goodyear Ultra Grip Ice 2 - winter non-studded tires, test
OFFICIAL INFORMATION
Optimized road contact: ActiveGrip technology maintains optimal contact with exceptionally slippery road surfaces. Combined with cryo-adaptive materials, ActiveGrip technology provides excellent performance on ice.
The Goodyear UltraGrip Ice 2's deep snow performance is achieved by: Side-open grooves combined with beaded sawtooth blocks improve snow and water evacuation and enhance deep snow performance.
The excellent ice braking performance of the Goodyear UltraGrip Ice 2 is achieved through: active serrations on the blocks that increase the transfer of lateral forces during maneuvers, providing excellent stopping distance on ice and increasing performance.
Test results.
The Goodyear UltraGrip Ice 2 achieved class-leading (Nordic-style friction tires) in Teknikens Varld and TestWorld. This model was able to achieve relatively high results due to good longitudinal and lateral grip on ice. Although the tires generally behave quite predictably on ice, including during high-speed maneuvers, sometimes traction 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, the UltraGrip Ice 2 proved to be the best, according to TestWorld magazine.
Nokian Hakkapeliitta R2- winter non-studded tires, test
OFFICIAL INFORMATION
Modern friction winter tire Nokian Hakkapeliitta R2 suitable for drivers who value absolute driving comfort, markedly reduced fuel consumption and non-studded winter tire technology with the best safety features.
The smallest particles added to the rubber compound, shaped like polyhedral crystals, bite into the road surface, provide grip while driving and improve longitudinal and lateral grip on ice.
TEST RESULTS
Velcro Nokian The Hakkapeliitta R2 has been rated as efficient in winter conditions by Teknikens Varld and TestWorld magazines. And although they were not among the absolute leaders on the ice, they had good handling and controllability even after the start of the skid. On the snow, Nokian received high marks for both braking performance and behavior during emergency maneuvers.
Nokian has enough serious problems with grip on wet pavement, and on dry pavement, there can also be difficulties, since during a sharp maneuver the grip on the rear axle may be lost. At the same time, acoustic comfort and efficiency are at an acceptable level.
FirestoneWinterhawk 3 - winter non-studded tires, test
OFFICIAL INFORMATION
The optimized design of the Firestone Winterhawk 3 features more tread blocks and denser siping, which has increased the total number of lugs to provide reliable grip on snow and ice. The consistent tread depth from shoulder to shoulder, combined with zigzag lateral and longitudinal grooves, contributes to the Winterhawk 3's aqua and slash planing resistance.
The specially designed shape of the grooves allows the tire to provide first-class grip throughout the entire operating period.
TEST RESULTS
Rubber FirestoneWinterhawk 3 in testing by the German community, ADAC showed an amazing set of characteristics. On the one hand, these tires demonstrated good handling qualities both on dry pavement and on snowy and icy areas. The results of the experiment on fuel efficiency and noise of the wheels turned out to be high, but the tires failed to win high positions. And the reason for this was the frankly disastrous results of testing on wet track. It turned out to be especially difficult to keep the car on the trajectory, as the handling suffered seriously when the car left for damp areas.
UniroyalMSplus 77 - winter non-studded tires, test
OFFICIAL INFORMATION
The voluminous, multi-level tread pattern allows the Uniroyal MS plus 77 tires to easily shed water and keep perfectly on slippery, wet surfaces, and grip asphalt well. 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 edges of the tires 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 Uniroyal MS plus 77 tires grip directly on the road surface, or snow, and not on the 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. "Uniroyal" 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 wears off as soon as the wheels of the car hit dry, smooth asphalt or ice. As for the wear resistance and economy of the Uniroyal MS plus 77, the result turned out to be no worse than most of the competitors.
VredesteinWintracXtremeS- winter non-studded tires, test
OFFICIAL INFORMATION
As the next step in the development of the Wintrac xtreme series, the new Wintrac xtreme S tires are designed for tough operating conditions at the lowest temperatures. With excellent grip and precise handling, Wintrac xtreme S tires provide exceptional safety on snow, ice or slush, as well as on wet or dry cold surfaces. Internal Lug Locking Technology (ISLT) delivers exceptional performance Wintrac tires xtreme S, which contributes to improved stability at maximum speeds, and thanks to the Y speed index, these tires can be used on the fastest cars in the world (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 style.
TEST RESULTS
Tire characteristics VredesteinWintracXtremeS test results are out of the picture. These wheels turned out to be very stable on dry and wet pavement, and ice turned out to be not terrible for them. Although Auto Zeitung noted that the braking distance was too long on wet pavement, the tires had their biggest problems in snow tests. Moreover, the wide profile of 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 Temetsky Auto Zeitung.
In addition, the Germans noted a strong susceptibility to rubber wear, and high rolling resistance, which negatively affects fuel consumption.
VikingsnowtechII- winter non-studded tires, test
OFFICIAL INFORMATION
Viking SnowTech II - winter non-studded tire designed for use in difficult winter conditions in Europe and North America. To achieve high levels of safety and exchange rate stability, engineers designed an original directional tread pattern with a large number of engagement edges, which are formed due to the abundant siping of the tread blocks. This design guarantees excellent self-cleaning properties of the tread, which allows you to confidently move in deep snow.
TEST RESULTS
VikingsnowtechII belong to the budget category of non-studded winter tires. Despite this, the Vikings showed high performance in handling and braking on snow. Unfortunately, in all other respects, these wheels turned out to be not so good at all, and this is especially true for wet asphalt conditions. Yes, and the noise of rubber leaves much to be desired.
Sava Eskimo Ice- winter non-studded tires, test
OFFICIAL INFORMATION
Multi-radius recess with a small shoulder radius in Sava Eskimo Ice provides an ideal contact patch on icy roads for improved handling. Creates a long and wide contact patch with an even distribution of pressure between the tire and the road. Reinforced bottom tread layer improves handling on dry roads. Harder bottom tread made from a special polymer delivers more power while riding.
Increased mileage potential - longer service life - saving money over the entire life cycle. Increased tread rubber for extended tire life.
TEST RESULTS
For your price range Sava Eskimo Ice Accelerate and brake well enough 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 snow the situation is better and Sava is able to provide good control and "tenacity".
On wet pavement, the Sava has a long braking distance and unstable behavior, which is generally typical for tires in this class. Luckily, the rear has more grip than the front, so driving is relatively easy.
Among other things, Teknikens Varld appreciated the acceptable level of comfort and economy of this rubber.
Pirelli IceZero FR- winter non-studded tires, test
OFFICIAL INFORMATION
It is an excellent choice for those who appreciate driving comfort, a high level of stability and control on the road in harsh winter conditions. Pirelli. The 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 designed specifically for owners of city cars, premium sedans and crossovers.
TEST RESULTS
Non-studded Pirelli IceZero FR predictably poor acceleration and braking on icy conditions, which TestWorld says can be difficult to get into and out of hills. The situation is aggravated by the extremely weak lateral stability, from which we can conclude that driving a Pirelli on icy roads can be difficult. On snow, things are much better and the controllability is quite good, although there is a danger of a sudden loss of traction on the rear axle.
On pavement, the Pirelli IceZero FR responds slowly to steering inputs, and during maneuvers on dry pavement, the rear wheels can skid. Complementing the negative picture is the result of tests by Teknikens Varls, which noted the poor resistance of tires to hydroplaning.
Bridgestone Blizzak WS80- winter non-studded tires, test
OFFICIAL INFORMATION
Tires Bridgestone Blizzak WS80 are produced 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 behavior of the car on the road.
TEST RESULTS
Despite very good grip on ice and confident behavior on snow, Teknikens Varld and TestWorld delivered Bridgestone Blizzak WS80 on a very low position. This is due to the poor balance of the tire and the difficulties in driving on dry and wet pavement. Blizzaks are not very resistant to hydroplaning, and in general, wet conditions can cause a lot of inconvenience to the car owner. On a cumulative basis, the Bridgestone Blizzak WS80 cannot be compared to other premium tires.
Yokohama iceGUARD iG50 plus - winter non-studded tires, test
OFFICIAL INFORMATION
Inner tread Yokohama iceGUARD iG50 plus It has a larger contact patch and more sipes for better grip and edge effect on icy surfaces. The outer part of the tread has a larger number of grooves, due to which excellent edge effect and grip on snowy surfaces are achieved. Three-dimensional sipes in the center of the tire increase the contact patch, thereby contributing to stable handling on any winter surface.
TEST RESULTS
As tested by TestWorld and Teknikes Varld, Japanese winter tires Yokohama iceGUARD iG50 plus poorly suited for Russian conditions. Perhaps the main problem of Yokohama was the weak grip on ice. In general, the tires are predictable, but due to the lack of grip, riding them is problematic. Weak lateral stability impairs handling and prevents recovery of traction after skidding both on ice and in snow. Longitudinal grip is slightly higher, which allows you to accelerate and brake more confidently, 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 dry surfaces, the performance of the tires is somewhat better, and although the rubber has a fairly “rolling” 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 are worse. Each type and model of tires is better for some conditions, and worse for others. eminent NokianHakkapeliitta 8 , as well as Continental Ice Contact 2 showed outstanding qualities on snowy and icy roads, taking first place in many tests. However, when it comes to dry and wet conditions, soft tires with a lot of metal studs give in to even much cheaper competitors. And this is not surprising, because these tires are designed for northern climatic zones with their frosty snowy winters and icy roads.
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 Ultra Grip 9. Of course, they are inferior to “studs” in terms of patency in the 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 positive temperatures, too harsh winter tires can be dangerous in general, given its “rolling” at high temperatures and poor behavior in the rain.
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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, year by year the glow of the headlights is getting dimmer. We will tell you how to fix it quickly and on a budget.
In the next comparative test of winter tires of the popular "crossover" dimension 215/65 R16, 23 models converged - an absolute record for the mass character in the entire history of Autoreview tests! Not only did we manage to embrace the immensity, but along the way, we also stopped the shipment of one of the consignments of Nokian tires ...
Owners of crossovers, especially all-wheel drive, often refer to the seasonal change of staff summer tires for winter without enthusiasm. After all, almost all native tires are marked with the M + S index, which de jure allows you to drive them in winter. The main thing is that the residual tread depth should be at least 4 mm (otherwise - 500 rubles fine). But you need to understand that the M + S marking absolutely does not oblige the manufacturer to anything! For marking, no tests or certificates are required confirming the suitability of tires for winter, and therefore, more and more often it can be seen on frankly summer, moreover, “asphalt” tires, which incidentally indicates the devaluation of not only the letter S (snow, “snow”), but also M (mud, "mud"). So we don’t look at the letters, but at the tread, and if we don’t see a lot of small slots-lamellas, then we conclude: it’s dangerous to ride on such in winter. And even better, when there is a “Snowflake” stamp on the sidewall in the form of three mountain peaks with a snowflake, these models really passed the test on a snowy track. The participants in our test are all with this marking: these are 14 sets with spikes and nine without.
Test methodology Autoreview
The test program is standard, all the tracks of the White Hell test site near the Finnish town of Ivalo are well known to us - and most importantly, to be lucky with the weather. Almost lucky: there was no snowfall, although the temperature danced from 5 to 23 degrees of frost, so its influence had to be taken into account by conducting additional races on the "reference" tires. But the measurements of the longitudinal dynamics took place in a closed hangar with a more stable temperature.
This is where the embarrassment happened with Nokian tires, and with a model that has been produced for more than a year. Both in acceleration and in braking, the studless Nokian Hakkapeliitta R2 SUV lost not only to its principal competitors, but even to the tires of its own "second line" - Nordman RS2 SUV tires! The testers of the Nokian company working in the neighborhood were alarmed, they repeated the measurements themselves ... An official investigation showed that the failed tires were produced at a plant near St. Petersburg at the end of 2016, more precisely on the 48th week. Then there was a failure in the technological cycle. They did not share the details with us (apparently, there were deviations either in the duration or in the temperature of vulcanization), but they assured that the defective batch did not go on sale. Although on the outside everything is in order, and even the hardness of the tread rubber is the same as on the tires released in the 41st week of 2016 (their results were taken into account), but the difference in traction on ice reaches eight percent.
After measurements in the hangar, we get out into the freezing cold - and once again we notice that as the temperature drops, the friction tires begin to catch up and even overtake the spikes. At minus twenty, the ice becomes so hard that the studs cannot scratch it, and the tread rubber of most studded tires is harder - in the cold, friction tires are more elastic, they have a longer total length of slots-lamellae.
We, again, take into account changing conditions and adjust the results, but if all tests were carried out in light frost, friction tires would roll back to the bottom lines of the protocols.
Handling tests were carried out on the ice of the polar lake Tammijärvi
And in the snow, frost plays into the hands of friction models: while maintaining the elasticity of the tread, they better cling to the snow shagreen.
Rating of winter tires
This time it was possible to support the cross-country ability assessments with instrumental measurements - acceleration time in deep snow with the traction control system turned off. It is curious that they topped and closed the rating Russian tires: the best - Cordiant, and the most helpless in the virgin lands - Viatti tires manufactured by the Nizhnekamsk Tire Plant.
The asphalt part of the tests is especially relevant for residents of large cities, where the streets are cleared of snow and ice for most of the winter.
The final part of the tests is already in April, on "summer" surfaces. And in passing, we note that this time there were no tires littered with spikes.
At the top of the final ranking are the Nokian Hakkapeliitta 9 SUV tires. Expected result: if the model of the previous generation regularly won in our tests, then the new one, and even with two types of studs, easily outperformed the competitors.
Expensive? Then we carefully look at the points, at the main advantages and disadvantages of other tires - and choose best option affordable. And yet we avoid buying outsider tires - such savings threaten incomparably large costs.
Rating of studded winter tires 2017
| Dimension | 215/65 R16 |
|---|---|
| (55 sizes available from 215/65 R16 to 315/40 R21) | |
| Speed index | T (190 km/h) |
| Load index | 102 (850 kg) |
| Weight, kg | 11,9 |
| 9,8 | |
| 49 | |
| Number of spikes | 172 |
| 1,05/1,54 | |
| Producing country | Finland |
Hakkapeliitta with index 9 is the novelty of the season: two types of spikes are used here for the first time. Those in the middle part of the tread have transversely oriented carbide inserts: they are responsible for the longitudinal grip, and at the edges of the tread rise some sort of trefoils that work effectively in corners. And this is not a marketing trick: a clear superiority over competitors both on the handling track and in braking on ice. And in other types of winter tests, the tires are on top. On asphalt, grip is moderate, and the main problem is noise at speeds from 70 to 90 km / h.
The best tires for harsh winter conditions!
| Dimension | 215/65 R16 |
|---|---|
| (2 sizes available 205/55 R16 and 215/65 R16) | |
| Speed index | T (190 km/h) |
| Load index | 98 (750 kg) |
| Weight, kg | 11,2 |
| Tread depth, mm | 9,5 |
| Shore hardness of tread rubber, units | 56 |
| Number of spikes | 170 |
| Protrusion of spikes before/after testing, mm | 1,52/1,47 |
| Producing country | South Korea |
This year, Hankook officially opened its polar test site in Ivalo, Finland: the routes and test approaches are in many ways similar to those used by Nokian Tires. This also applies to the features of the tires themselves: the number of star spikes was increased, which ensured decent test results on ice. But in deep snow, tires do not shine, as well as on asphalt, and besides, they make a lot of noise. But it’s easy for them to forgive: Hankook Winter i * Pike RS + tires are one and a half times cheaper than the Finnish novelty.
| Dimension | 215/65 R16 |
|---|---|
| (91 sizes available from 175/70 R14 to 275/40 R22) | |
| Speed index | T (190 km/h) |
| Load index | 102 (850 kg) |
| Weight, kg | 11,4 |
| Tread depth, mm | 9,5 |
| Shore hardness of tread rubber, units | 54 |
| Number of spikes | 130 |
| Protrusion of spikes before/after testing, mm | 1,03/1,25 |
| Producing country | Russia |
Tires made in Voronezh are flavored with powerful studs-brackets - and work smartly on ice during acceleration and braking. But in corners - sharp breakdowns in sliding, so without a stabilization system you have to be on the alert. But - a good balance of grip on slippery roads and on asphalt, and therefore they can be safely recommended for winter operation in big cities. If you do not make high demands on acoustic comfort.
| Dimension | 215/65 R16 |
|---|---|
| (75 sizes available from 155/70 R13 to 275/40 R20) | |
| Speed index | T (190 km/h) |
| Load index | 102 (850 kg) |
| Weight, kg | 11,6 |
| Tread depth, mm | 9,2 |
| Shore hardness of tread rubber, units | 54 |
| Number of spikes | 130 |
| Protrusion of spikes before/after testing, mm | 1,37/1,41 |
| Producing country | Russia |
Tires are produced at the Russian plant Continental near Kaluga. The Gislaved brand belongs to Continental- and the Nord*Frost 200 model copies the asymmetric tread pattern of the first generation ContiIceContact tires, but the studs are simpler in shape and without thermochemical fixation. However, they also work well - especially in the transverse direction.
In general, these are well-balanced tires for use both in large cities and beyond.
| Dimension | 215/65 R16 |
|---|---|
| (37 sizes available from 155/70 R13 to 225/55 R18) | |
| Speed index | T (190 km/h) |
| Load index | 102 (850 kg) |
| Weight, kg | 11,9 |
| Tread depth, mm | 9,6 |
| Shore hardness of tread rubber, units | 54 |
| Number of spikes | 130 |
| Protrusion of spikes before/after testing, mm | 1,63/1,62 |
| Producing country | Russia |
The tires were produced at the Yaroslavl Tire Plant and the tread pattern suspiciously resembles the Finnish Nokian Hakkapeliitta 7 tires, which even became a reason for a lawsuit. But Cordiant managed to justify itself - and increase production volumes, including by expanding the range of dimensions. Decent tires for the money, but they don’t like asphalt roads: they don’t hold very well, and rolling is accompanied by a loud and unpleasant rumble of the tread. Tires are not for the city.
| Dimension | 215/65 R16 |
|---|---|
| (42 sizes available from 205/70 R15 to 275/50 R22) | |
| Speed index | T (190 km/h) |
| Load index | 102 (850 kg) |
| Weight, kg | 12,2 |
| Tread depth, mm | 9,2 |
| Shore hardness of tread rubber, units | 57 |
| Number of spikes | 130 |
| Protrusion of spikes before/after testing, mm | 1,08/1,16 |
| Producing country | Finland |
Nordman tires are the "second line" of Nokian Tires, and for production, molds of obsolete Nokian tire models are used. The novelty of the Nordman 7 SUV season is the reincarnation of the Hakkapeliitta 7 SUV, produced from 2010 to 2017. Good grip on ice and snow, and on asphalt even better than the current "mother" model. Including acoustic comfort: there are fewer spikes.
| Dimension | 215/65 R16 |
|---|---|
| (38 sizes available from 175/65 R15 to 245/45 R19) | |
| Speed index | T (190 km/h) |
| Load index | 98 (750 kg) |
| Weight, kg | 10,2 |
| Tread depth, mm | 10,5 |
| Shore hardness of tread rubber, units | 56 |
| Number of spikes | 130 |
| Protrusion of spikes before/after testing, mm | 1,26/1,39 |
| Producing country | Germany |
The model was introduced in 2012 and has not yet received a replacement. On ice, the tires work well in the longitudinal direction, but in corners they sharply break into slips. On the snow, including virgin lands, everything is much better. But on the pavement, the aggressive pattern generates an obsessive low-frequency rumble from 30 km / h.
| Dimension | 215/65 R16 |
|---|---|
| (58 sizes available from 175/65 R14 to 265/40 R20) | |
| Speed index | T (190 km/h) |
| Load index | 102 (850 kg) |
| Weight, kg | 11,3 |
| Tread depth, mm | 9,3 |
| Shore hardness of tread rubber, units | 56 |
| Number of spikes | 104 |
| Protrusion of spikes before/after testing, mm | 1,05/1,09 |
| Producing country | Russia |
Michelin continues to bend the line to comply with European studding regulations: no more than 50 studs per linear meter of tread. And the spikes themselves are simple, round in section. This led to an unimportant hold on the ice. On packed snow, the picture is better, but getting out of a snowdrift is a problem: the tread is to blame.
| Dimension | 215/65 R16 |
|---|---|
| (23 sizes available from 175/70 R13 to 245/45 R17) | |
| Speed index | Q (160 km/h) |
| Load index | 102 (850 kg) |
| Weight, kg | 11 |
| Tread depth, mm | 9,2 |
| Shore hardness of tread rubber, units | 51 |
| Number of spikes | 100 |
| Protrusion of spikes before/after testing, mm | 0,87/1,06 |
| Producing country | Russia |
BFGoodrich tires are Michelin's "second line", they are produced at the same plant in Davydovo near Moscow as Michelin X-Ice North 3 tires. But the tread is its own, original. It is a pity that there are also few spikes, they are round, excessively recessed, and as a result, mediocre behavior on ice.
On snow, including on virgin soil, the situation is better. And even better - on asphalt, although you need to remember that the permissible speed is 160 km / h, although studded competitors have 190.
| Dimension | 215/65 R16 |
|---|---|
| (35 sizes available from 175/70 R13 to 265/60 R18) | |
| Speed index | T (190 km/h) |
| Load index | 98 (750 kg) |
| Weight, kg | 10,9 |
| Tread depth, mm | 9,6 |
| Shore hardness of tread rubber, units | 56 |
| Number of spikes | 130 |
| Protrusion of spikes before/after testing, mm | 0,85/0,94 |
| Producing country | Russia |
Formula is the "second line" of Pirelli. In last year's tests at Lada Vesta, tires took fifth place, but now the figures are more modest. Especially on ice. Even after break-in, the protrusion of the studs above the tread surface is less than a millimeter (last year we recorded 1.1 mm on new tires). On packed snow, the results are better, although we do not recommend climbing into snowdrifts. They hold up well on asphalt.
A good budget tire option for urban use.
| Dimension | 215/65 R16 |
|---|---|
| (122 sizes available from 175/70 R13 to 285/45 R22) | |
| Speed index | T (190 km/h) |
| Load index | 98 (750 kg) |
| Weight, kg | 12,2 |
| Tread depth, mm | 9,5 |
| Shore hardness of tread rubber, units | 55 |
| Number of spikes | 125 |
| Protrusion of spikes before/after testing, mm | 1,18/1,37 |
| Producing country | Japan |
For many, the Made in Japan brand is a sign of quality. But something went wrong with Toyo winter tires. It seems that the spikes are not simple - with cruciform inserts, and the studding is of high quality, but on ice the grip properties are moderate, as well as on snow. However, the response of the car to control is well balanced.
On asphalt - far from best comfort and grip properties.
Joy - a low price, which is consistent with the quality of tires.
| Dimension | 215/65 R16 |
|---|---|
| (19 sizes available from 205/70 R15 to 265/60 R18) | |
| Speed index | T (190 km/h) |
| Load index | 98 (750 kg) |
| Weight, kg | 11,5 |
| Tread depth, mm | 9,3 |
| Shore hardness of tread rubber, units | 59 |
| Number of spikes | 120 |
| Protrusion of spikes before/after testing, mm | 0,93/1,03 |
| Producing country | Russia |
Under the "Italian" name - tires produced in Nizhnekamsk using off-take technology. The design and manufacturing process is the product of an engineering firm run by a former Continental executive. However, the grip on ice and snow is mediocre, and most of all, it was frustrating that winter tires, “developed by European specialists specifically for Russian roads,” turned out to be helpless in deep snow. Also, they are noisy and harsh. Not an option - even considering the low price.
| Dimension | 215/65 R16 |
|---|---|
| (96 sizes available from 175/70 R13 to 275/50 R22) | |
| Speed index | T (190 km/h) |
| Load index | 102 (850 kg) |
| Weight, kg | 12,1 |
| Tread depth, mm | 9 |
| Shore hardness of tread rubber, units | 53 |
| Number of spikes | 128 |
| Protrusion of spikes before/after testing, mm | 0,57/0,73 |
| Producing country | Russia |
One could immediately assume that these tires would fail the tests on ice. Instead of the prescribed 1.2 mm, the spikes protrude an average of 0.57 mm - and do not work. And the buyer expects Japanese quality- even though the tires are made in Lipetsk.
There are also complaints about the tread: on rolled snow - the maximum braking distance, and on virgin soil - the worst traction abilities. For Russian conditions, other tires are needed, and they already exist: sales of the new Yokohama IG65 model with an increased number of “curly” spikes begin this season. More details about new tires - in one of the next issues of Autoreview.
| Dimension | 215/65 R16 |
|---|---|
| (38 sizes available from 175/70 R13 to 235/60 R18) | |
| Speed index | T (190 km/h) |
| Load index | 102 (850 kg) |
| Weight, kg | 11,7 |
| Tread depth, mm | 9,4 |
| Shore hardness of tread rubber, units | 61 |
| Number of spikes | 128 |
| Protrusion of spikes before/after testing, mm | 0,79/1,0 |
| Producing country | South Korea |
Interestingly, duplicated in the name win - is it from the word "win" or from the word "winter"? Better fit, for example, wintry ("cold", "unfriendly") or winch ("winch"). What kind of winter or victory can we talk about if studded tires are inferior on ice to most friction tires, and on the handling track Nexen is the slowest in the overall standings? Tread rubber is clearly not designed to work at low temperatures, as evidenced by its increased hardness.
Of the positive emotions, only relatively quiet (for tires with spikes) rolling remains.
Click on the picture to open it in a larger resolution
Rating of non-studded winter tires 2017
| Dimension | 215/65 R16 |
|---|---|
| (61 sizes available from 205/70 R15 to 295/40 R21) | |
| Speed index | R (170 km/h) |
| Load index | 102 (850 kg) |
| Weight, kg | 11,4 |
| Tread depth, mm | 8,9 |
| Shore hardness of tread rubber, units | 53 |
| Producing country | Russia |
Off-road tires, with the SUV index, have sidewalls reinforced with aramid fiber, which is reminiscent of the Aramid Sidewalls brand. So with impact resistance, unlike the "passenger" tires of the same name, there should be no problems.
In severe frost, Nokian friction tires provide excellent grip on ice, behave well on snow, and small complaints appear only on asphalt.
Excellent winter tires for use in the city and beyond.
| Dimension | 215/65 R16 |
|---|---|
| (97 sizes available from 175/70 R13 to 275/45 R20) | |
| Speed index | T (190 km/h) |
| Load index | 102 (850 kg) |
| Weight, kg | 11,9 |
| Tread depth, mm | 8 |
| Shore hardness of tread rubber, units | 52 |
| Producing country | Germany |
Leapfrog. The year before last, we liked the ContiVikingContact 6 tires on asphalt, but they didn’t work well on ice, last year the situation was reversed, this year it’s better on asphalt again ... Of course, the dimensions are different, but the reason must be sought in the composition of the rubber compound : Last year the tread rubber on the ContiVikingContact 6 tires was noticeably softer.
Now we are taking into account the latest version of these tires manufactured at the end of 2016. Not ideal on ice and snow (especially deep), but they work perfectly on asphalt.
Good winter tires for urban use. And the most comfortable!
| Dimension | 215/65 R16 |
|---|---|
| (57 sizes available from 175/70 R13 to 255/45 R19) | |
| Speed index | S (180 km/h) |
| Load index | 98 (750 kg) |
| Weight, kg | 10,7 |
| Tread depth, mm | 8,6 |
| Shore hardness of tread rubber, units | 46 |
| Producing country | Japan |
Since studs are banned in Japan, local manufacturers are focusing on friction winter tires. So we will consider it natural that Bridgestone Blizzak VRX entered the top three. And they were prevented from rising higher by insufficient patency and grip on wet asphalt.
Lightweight tires with soft, quiet rolling. But at the same time, there is an imbalance of “winter” grip properties in the longitudinal and transverse directions, and sharp breakdowns in sliding seem to be provoked by sidewalls that are soft for a heavy crossover. Indeed, in the range of Goodyear winter tires there is a model specifically for crossovers and SUVs - UltraGrip Ice SUV, but these tires are not available in size 215/65 R16. However, if the car is equipped with a stabilization system, then Goodyear UltraGrip Ice 2 tires are a good choice.
102 (850 kg)
The tread pattern is exactly like the Nokian Hakkapeliitta R tires, but the materials are simpler. Another option to extend the life cycle of molds. And - given the price - a very good option. Moreover, in certain disciplines Nordman tires The RS2 SUV is even better: braking distances on ice are shorter!
So why pay more for a Nokian? Apparently realizing that many consumers want to save money, marketers limit the range of Nordman RS2 SUV tires - only 16 sizes, while Nokian Hakkapeliitta RS2 SUV tires have 61 of them.
| Dimension | 215/65 R16 |
|---|---|
| (45 sizes available from 175/65 R14 to 285/50 R20) | |
| Speed index | T (190 km/h) |
| Load index | 102 (850 kg) |
| Weight, kg | 11,4 |
| Tread depth, mm | 8,7 |
| Shore hardness of tread rubber, units | 50 |
| Producing country | Russia |
Quality tires for a reasonable price. On ice, they are almost as good as the leaders among tires without studs, and on snow they have even better grip in the longitudinal direction. Although the handling is harsh on the track and rowing is mediocre in deep snow.
Grip properties on asphalt are above average, there are no problems with comfort either, which means that these tires are relevant for large cities.
The Gislaved brand continues to lose authenticity. So the “new” Gislaved Soft*Frost 200 is nothing more than ContiVikingContact tires of the year before last, the third generation. Fortunately, these are balanced tires - safe, comfortable, not very expensive - and therefore we safely recommend them for urban use, although an accidental drive into a snowdrift may delay the planned trip.
| Dimension | 215/65 R16 |
|---|---|
| (49 sizes available from 155/70 R13 to 235/35 R19) | |
| Speed index | R (170 km/h) |
| Load index | 102 (750 kg) |
| Weight, kg | 12,1 |
| Tread depth, mm | 8,6 |
| Shore hardness of tread rubber, units | 54 |
| Producing country | China |
The Marshal brand belongs to the Korean Kumho Tire, however, according to the tread pattern and even the rare R speed index, these tires copy the Finnish Nokian Hakkapeliitta R tires - and some sellers play on this similarity. By the way, on snow and asphalt friction tires Marshal and Nokian are close, but on ice the loss of the copy is already obvious. It is also one of the noisiest and toughest friction tires available.
Winter tires Nitto (brand owned by Toyo Tires) appeared in Russia recently. Model Therma Spike managed to please us with traction on ice, but lost the most spikes on asphalt. And the Nitto Winter SN2 friction tires immediately showed their helplessness on ice and in snowdrifts. And the more surprising is the failure of these tires even on asphalt.
Something is wrong with these Nittos...
Test car: Ford Focus.
Currently, the number of studs in a tire is not legally limited. More precisely, there are no restrictions if the product is tested by an independent testing organization, which confirmed that the damage caused by the tire to the roadway does not exceed the permissible limit. If the test is passed successfully, then the manufacturer has the right to determine the type of spikes and their number.
Another option is to refuse to conduct the test and use the maximum allowable number of spikes, that is, 50 pieces per 1 meter of circumference; for the size used in this test, the number of spikes is just under a hundred. Only three of the twelve manufacturers whose products participated in the test chose this option.
Increasing the number of studs improves traction on ice. This is a logical conclusion, which is confirmed by the test results almost without exception. However, a lot of studs does not guarantee success in the test, it only creates additional grip on the ice.
More studs usually means more noise, and this is one of the most annoying features of a tire. When driving on asphalt, studs can impair handling, stability and braking.
Traction on ice is created by the fact that the tire pierces the surface of the ice. This requires a certain amount of pressure on the ice. More spikes create less pressure on each spike individually. In cold weather, when the ice gets harder, a tire with fewer studs creates better traction.
Studded tires.
A few years ago, Nokian Tires amazed everyone by introducing a tire with 190 studs, which was 50-100% more than what the then tire market was used to. Since then Nokian has won one ice test after another; be that as it may, its gap from competitors is gradually shrinking.
This year, Continental also introduced a tire with the maximum number of studs - 190. It's not hard to guess where the German tire manufacturers turned to for inspiration when it came to the number of studs, but the result was excellent.
Hankook ranks third in the number of studs with 170. The South Korean manufacturer has spent years on research and development, and it's nice to see the result of his work - good winter tires from Asia. 10 years ago, Korean tires only received a sympathetic smile, but now Hankook has wiped the smirk off even the biggest European competitors.
A large group of manufacturers chose to use around 130 studs. Goodyear, Bridgestone and Pirelli are well-known manufacturers and it is obvious that their tires will be selected for the test. As an alternative to flagship products, smaller brands Sava and Dunlop were included in the test, as well as the old Nokian brand, which has always been a great success, Nordman.
Michelin, Gislaved and China's Lin¬glong decided to use less than 100 studs, meaning they didn't have to take a road test. The first two are premium tyres, but other features don't seem to make up for the poor grip on ice caused by the low number of studs.
Linglong has tested the Tekniikan Maailma before, it is one of the most successful winter models made in China.
Non-studded tires take on the challenge.
Non-studded tires don't need to worry about the number of studs, but the lack of studs has to be compensated for in some other way. Which creates a whole host of other problems. The set of tools for creating reliable grip on ice is very limited. In most cases it involves developing new materials to make the rubber compound as soft as possible and improving the tread pattern.
But if the rubber compound is too soft, it will lead to new problems, the most serious of which are poor grip on wet roads, unstable handling and low wear resistance.
In recent years, Nokian and Continental have taken the lead in non-studded tire tests. Even without studs, their tires have amazing traction on ice, but the downside is that buyers have to put up with sluggish handling on pavement or choose tires from other manufacturers.
Goodyear's non-studded tires have focused on handling on pavement, making minimal compromises to improve performance on snow and ice. Michelin, on the other hand, always chooses balanced characteristics, without outstanding sides, but also without obvious problems. Pirelli and Bridgestone are old brands that have long been known to consumers, but the properties of their models vary from test to test.
We included two lower-priced products in this test: Nokian's junior brand, Nordman, and tires from Nankang, a Taiwanese manufacturer known for producing good summer tires. Let's see if the winter tires of this brand can compare with their European competitors.
In this year's test twelve models of different price categories participated, and some of them showed certain flaws in some areas. Some tires were obviously designed for harsh winters, which forced manufacturers to sacrifice handling on asphalt. Others have chosen to create a product that is equally good under all conditions, but not perfect under any. Of course, a tire that can't handle at least one test is a bad choice, especially if you can find something better for the same price.
Do winter tires wear out?
The tire community is filled with a wide variety of information about how quickly different types of winter tires wear out and how this affects their grip. Some say that non-studded tires wear twice as fast as studded ones. Others claim that due to the wear of the studs, after a couple of years, studded tires lose grip much faster than non-studded ones.
For the endurance test, we chose six different brands from the last four years, four studded and two non-studded. During this test, the tires had to travel 15,000 kilometers on clean asphalt in cold weather. This is roughly equivalent to two winter seasons. Most of the route was on public roads, and the test included hundreds of controlled stops, braking and accelerating at city speeds to replicate driving conditions in an urban environment.
For the test, three cars were used, which moved in a column along the same route, under the same conditions, with a constant change of drivers. Two tires of each model were taken, the front and rear wheels were rotated every day. Thus, by the end of the test, each model had covered an equal distance on the front and rear axles, and was driven by each of the three drivers. In this way, the same conditions were ensured for all tires, and differences between cars, driving conditions and the characters of the drivers did not affect the result.
In addition, the tires were tested for braking on ice at the very beginning of the test and every 5,000 kilometers. These tests were carried out on indoor ice rinks under the same conditions. An interesting result - for both studded and non-studded tires, the grip decreased evenly throughout the test, and after 15,000 kilometers it was 80% of the original. Grip decreased about the same for all brands, and according to this indicator, the tires retained their original positions relative to each other.
This is good news because it confirms that the results tire tests applicable not only to new tires, but also to worn tires.
Of course, all test participants had some differences in wear resistance. The table below shows the tread depth and estimated tire life, up to a tread depth of 3mm.
Michelin has historically had a reputation for being the most durable tyre, and that reputation seems to have lived up to this test. It should be noted that the tire life given in this test is an estimate; that is, it may differ from the real one, taking into account the difference in cars, road and driving style.
It should also be noted that all tires, with the exception of Michelin and Goodyear, both studded and non-studded, wore about the same, about 2 mm each. Only the non-studded Continental wore 1.5mm of tread like the Michelin, but given the lower initial tread depth, this model reached the minimum 3mm depth faster.
The reverse side of wear resistance is grip, or rather, its lack. And the choice in this case remains with the buyer: whether he wants to buy the best clutch more often or the worst clutch less often.
Results on snow and ice.
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Behavior on asphalt, economy, comfort.
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Wear of winter tires (according to test results,published in 2014) |
Tread depth in mm after mileage |
Total wear (mm) |
Estimated service lifeup to a depth of 3 mm |
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| 0 km | 5,000 km | 10,000 km | 15,000 km | |||
Studded tires |
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| 9,29 | 8,86 | 8,33 | 7,82 | 1,47 | 64,184 km | |
| 9,56 | 8,95 | 8,18 | 7,56 | 2,00 | 49 200 | |
| 8,89 | 8,29 | 7,38 | 6,70 | 2,19 | 40 342 | |
| 9,49 | 8,81 | 7,96 | 7,23 | 2,26 | 43 075 | |
Non-studded tires |
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| 7,80 | 7,43 | 6,84 | 6,27 | 1,53 | 47 059 | |
| Goodyear Ultra Grip Ice 2 | 7,84 | 7,30 | 6,29 | 5,52 | 2,32 | 31 293 |
Information on the sticker
| Model | the size | number of spikes | load index | speed index | direction of rotation | external/internal side |
date of manufacture | Manufacturer country |
| Studded tires | ||||||||
| 205/55R16 | 130 | 94 | T (190 km/h) | Yes | No | 2014 week 12 | Japan | |
| 205/55R16 | 190 | 94 | T (190 km/h) | No | Yes | 2015 week 4 | Germany | |
| 205/55R16 | 130 | 94 | T (190 km/h) | Yes | No | 2014 week 43 | Poland | |
| 205/55R16 | 96 | 94 | T (190 km/h) | Yes | No | 2015 week 6 | Germany | |
| 205/55R16 | 130 | 94 | T (190 km/h) | Yes | No | 2014 week 43 | Poland | |
| 205/55R16 | 170 | 94 | T (190 km/h) | Yes | No | 2015 week 2 | South Korea | |
| 205/55R16 | 98 | 94 | T (190 km/h) | Yes | No | 2014 week 41 | China | |
| 205/55R16 | 96 | 94 | T (190 km/h) | Yes | No | 2014 week 37 | Russia | |
| 205/55R16 | 190 | 94 | T (190 km/h) | Yes | No | 2015 week 3 | Finland | |
| 205/55R16 | 128 | 94 | T (190 km/h) | Yes | No | 2014 week 48 | Russia | |
| 205/55R16 | 130 | 91 | T (190 km/h) | Yes | No | 2014 week 48 | Germany | |
| 205/55R16 | 130 | 91 | T (190 km/h) | Yes | No | 2015 week 4 | Poland | |
| Non-studded tires | ||||||||
| 205/55R16 | 94 | T (190 km/h) | Yes | No | 2015 week 45 | Japan | ||
| 205/55R16 | 94 | T (190 km/h) | No | Yes | 2015 week 5 | Germany | ||
| 205/55R16 | 94 | T (190 km/h) | Yes | No | 2014 week 31 | Poland | ||
| 205/55R16 | 94 | T (190 km/h) | Yes | No | 2014 week 29 | Spain | ||
| 205/55R16 | 94 | Q (160 km/h) | Yes | No | 2014 week 51 | China | ||
| 205/55R16 | 94 | R (170 km/h) | Yes | No | 2015 week 8 | Finland | ||
| 205/55R16 | 94 | R (170 km/h) | Yes | No | 2014 week 51 | Russia | ||
| 205/55R16 | 94 | T (190 km/h) | Yes | No | 2015 week 2 | Russia | ||
Test results.
Studded tires
Driving on ice and snow: this Nokian model is the best ice tire currently on the market. Grip during acceleration and braking is excellent, the tires do not get out of control even in extreme conditions. Among other things, this model offers reliable grip and handling on snow. Driving on asphalt: on a clean road, it becomes noticeable that this tire is designed for winter. It lacks traction when braking and maneuvering, but by its very nature, this tire has a calm character, so it will not give you an unpleasant surprise in the form of a sudden loss of traction. Economy and comfort: this model is no more noisy than any average studded tire, although you will have to hear the sound of the studs. Rolling resistance is good for a studded tire. Per:
Against :
Grade: ★★★★★ 8.8 points |
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Driving on ice and snow: Continental has balanced driving performance. It has good grip on ice and good lateral grip makes it easy to handle. It works just as well in the snow and responds quickly to steering inputs. Driving on asphalt: the developers have not forgotten about the driving performance for warm weather. This tire has above average wet grip and good handling. On dry roads, steering is a little slow, like most winter tires, but this model will not give the driver an unpleasant surprise by going into a sharp skid. Economy and comfort: noise level and rolling resistance are average for a studded tire of this class. Per:
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Driving on ice and snow: Hankook has good grip on ice, these tires feel safe driving even under the most difficult conditions and extreme situations. On snow, the tire behaves logically, providing a smooth transfer of steering effort. Although this model has not previously held high positions in the tests, it pleases with a balanced behavior on the winter road. Driving on asphalt: good braking on wet roads, but nevertheless, the tire feels too soft, it reacts slowly to course changes. Luckily, the rear tires always retain traction, so there are no surprises with this model. Economy and comfort: tread and stud noise is average for a tire of this class. Hankook earned special praise for having the lowest rolling resistance of any studded tire tested. Per:
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Driving on ice and snow: Goodyear makes quality tires, although they don't always come out on top in tests. This model has good braking on ice and especially on snow, but lateral grip is not quite optimal. However, the tires always remain in control, even under extreme conditions. On the snow, this model behaves very calmly. Driving on asphalt: On pavement the Goodyear performs better than most studded winter tires. Good braking and precise handling allow you to feel confident when maneuvering. Economy and comfort : both noise level and rolling resistance on par with most studded tires. Per:
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Driving on ice and snow: Pirelli has excellent grip on ice, light and precise steering power transmission. The rear tires sometimes lose traction quite easily, but then regain control of the road just as quickly and easily. The Pirelli also performs well in the snow, although here its traction is slightly worse than most studded tires. Driving on asphalt: in the wet, Pirelli is one of the best studded tires on the market. When maneuvering, it maintains reliable grip and responds quickly to steering turns. On dry roads, it also demonstrates excellent handling, but the braking distance becomes too long. Economy and comfort : The rolling resistance is average, but the noise from the studs is quite noticeable. Per:
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Driving on ice and snow: short braking distance on ice, fairly good traction. This model has sufficient lateral grip, although the handling is not too confident, especially in extreme conditions. Sometimes the rear tires lose traction in the snow too easily. However, they regain control of the road fairly quickly. Driving on asphalt: on pavement, this tire proved to be one of the best. It demonstrates stable and easy handling and a clear transfer of steering effort. Economy and comfort: rolling resistance on good level and besides, for a studded model, this tire is very quiet. Per:
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Driving on ice and snow: this tire has amazing snow grip and good steering feel. It behaves calmly and provides confident handling even in extreme conditions. On ice, this tire lacks traction and has a long braking distance. When maneuvering, the grip limit is also quickly reached. Driving on asphalt: good grip when braking on wet roads. When manoeuvring, the tire feels a little soft, yet the handling remains logical and predictable thanks to the firm grip. On dry roads, the Gislaved is your typical slow winter tire, but the grip is still solid. Economy and comfort: the small number of studs makes the Gislaved a fairly quiet tire. But the rolling resistance is one of the highest in this test. Per:
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Driving on ice and snow: This Michelin model behaves exceptionally calmly on the winter road. Unfortunately, the front tires don't have enough grip on ice, which makes the braking distance quite long. In addition, when maneuvering, the tire often lacks lateral grip. Snow grip is slightly better, but still not up to par with the best tyres. Driving on asphalt: braking distance on clean asphalt is short. This model demonstrates confident maneuvering on asphalt, while its rear tires maintain grip even in the most difficult conditions. However, the steering power transmission is too slow. Economy and comfort: the rolling resistance is about the highest in the test, but thanks to the small number of studs, the noise level is quite low. Per:
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Driving on ice and snow: when accelerating and braking on ice, grip is good, the tire behaves calmly in extreme conditions, although at times it lacks longitudinal grip. Grip on snow is mediocre, but the quiet nature of the tire does not allow the driver to lose control of the road. Driving on asphalt: grip on dry and wet roads is rather mediocre. Good braking grip. When maneuvering quickly, the tire behaves rather sluggishly, the reaction to steering turns is slow. Economy and comfort: average noise levels that do not cause any particular complaints. This tire has the highest rolling resistance of any tire tested. Per: Good grip on ice. Against: Mediocre grip on dry and wet roads; rolling resistance. Grade:★★★ 7.8 points. |
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Driving on ice and snow:
traction on ice is at an acceptable level, the tire has a fairly short braking distance and good lap times. In extreme conditions, a lack of grip can suddenly show up, especially on the rear wheels. On snow, the tire behaves quite unpredictably, sometimes it is difficult to control it.
Against:
Grade:★★★ 7.8 points. |
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Driving on ice and snow:
previous successful model Nokian demonstrates how much technology has advanced. The Nordman is still a roadworthy winter tire, although it can't keep up with the new releases in terms of grip. On slippery roads, the tire behaves calmly, although you should not expect too much from it.
Against:
Grade:★★ 7.7 points. |
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Driving on ice and snow
A: This model didn't do well in the test. Grip on snow and ice was the weakest of all studded tires, the tire was quite difficult to manage. Weak grip resulted in slower steering power, with the rear wheels losing contact with the road quickly in extreme conditions. The behavior of this tire was full of unpleasant surprises.
Against:
Grade:★ 7.2 points. |
Non-studded tires
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Driving on ice and snow:
the best non-studded tire on snowy and icy roads. Good grip during acceleration and braking, but the best thing about this tire is that it maintains control of the road even in extreme conditions when the grip limit is reached. She behaves logically and predictably under any circumstances.
Against:
Grade: ★★★ 7.7 points. |
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Against:
Grade:★★ 7.6 points. |
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Driving on ice and snow:
The Michelin is calm on snow and ice and has good braking grip. However, on slippery roads, the grip limit of the front tires is very limited, and the vehicle may skid if the steering wheel is turned hard. The rear wheels have excellent grip, and there are no problems with them even in the most difficult situations.
Against:
Grade:★★ 7.6 points. |
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Driving on ice and snow:
good grip on ice, although not the best. This tire is easy to steer, but when maneuvering very quickly, the rear wheels lose traction. Clear handling on snow, balanced, reliable behavior.
Against:
Grade:★★ 7.6 points. |
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Driving on ice and snow:
good grip on ice, short braking distances and precise handling. On snow, the traction limit is low, especially when cornering. But the tire easily and quickly regains control of the road.
Against:
Grade:★★ 7.5 points. |
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Against:
Grade:★ 7.0 points. |
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Driving on ice and snow:
grip on ice is quite modest, at least compared to best models. The front wheels lose traction quite easily. Thanks to good lateral grip, handling on snow is very good. Grip during acceleration and braking on snow is also at a high level.
Against:
Grade:★ 6.9 points. |
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Driving on ice and snow:
Nankang did very poorly on the test. Her biggest problem was the lack of grip on ice during acceleration and braking. Good lateral grip improved her position a little, but, nevertheless, the overall impression was extremely unfavorable. On snow, this tire skids too easily.
Against:
Grade: 6.7 points. |
How the test was done.
Braking test: was carried out on ice, snow, dry and wet asphalt. The tests were carried out at various temperatures. In this case, the ABS system was used. On ice, the speed at the time of the start of braking was 50 km/h, on snow and asphalt - 80 km/h. Snow and ice braking tests are usually carried out on an open track, under the same conditions (particularly at the same temperature).
Overclocking test: was carried out to measure the traction of tires on snow, ice and wet pavement. In this test, acceleration was measured on ice (5-20 km/h), on snow and asphalt (5-35 km/h). As with other stages of the test, it was carried out at different temperatures, its results may differ from the results of other tests. This test was conducted both outdoors and on indoor tracks.
Handling test: in this part of the test, the speed of the track was taken into account. The result could vary depending on which driver was driving. The tests were carried out on ice, on snow and on wet roads. Dry lap times are usually not measured in tire testing.
Subjective assessment of controllability: in this part of the test, the handling of the tires on ice, snow, dry and wet roads was evaluated according to the impressions of the drivers and complemented the main stage of the handling test. The final score is the arithmetic average of the scores of all drivers. The main criterion for high marks was safe and predictable handling.
Noise level : evaluated subjectively from inside the machine. During this part of the test, the driver listened to the noise while the car was coasting from 100 to 40 km/h. No measuring instruments were used in this part of the test.
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Although non-studded tires are not considered the best-selling tires in Russia, they are also in great demand. It is especially popular in regions where mild winters and snow are often replaced by rain and slush. When buying non-studded winter tires, every driver dreams of choosing the best ones. To do this, you need to know what specifications tires are suitable in any climate.
Velcro is divided into 2 types: Scandinavian and Central European:
- Central European tires are not adapted to harsh winters and negative thermometer readings. They are designed for a warm European climate with a predominance of zero temperatures. Rubber is more rigid and is designed for wet and dry asphalt.
- Scandinavian tires are the best non-studded winter tires for Russian realities. They are made specifically for snow covered roads and negative temperatures. Rubber with dignity is able to pass the test and ice, and snow, and asphalt, but the lack of studs still does not give it an advantage on country uncleaned roads. You also need to be careful with tight turns, and the soft compound of the tire can reduce its wear resistance.
When should you buy studless tires?
There is an opinion that it is better for a novice driver to use - they behave more predictably on the road, do not go into a skid when cornering and provide a shorter braking distance on ice and snow.
If you are a confident driver and know how a car behaves in winter, you can safely put on Velcro. When testing the best non-studded winter tires, the tire rating clearly showed that these tires can handle all weather conditions. With skillful driving, such tires will show even higher handling, especially on slush and asphalt.
Top 10 best winter non-studded tires
For the 2017 season, the leading tire representatives were tested. The German automotive community ADAC has identified winter non-studded tires, which ones are better to choose, we will analyze the rating of ten of them below:
- In tenth place was Apollo Apterra Winter with rather mediocre results. She coped worse than her rivals with a snowy and dry surface, and also showed poor grip on wet pavement and caused discomfort with increased noise;
- Wear resistant Fulda Crystal Control HP2 lacked confidence on the snow cover. Other than that, she performed very well. In particular, the tire coped well with dry and wet asphalt;
- Pirelli Scorpion Winter I also overcame the asphalt surface quite well, but I couldn’t cope with snow and ice. In addition, upset by the high fuel consumption;
- Showed up very well Continental Winter Contact TS 850 P. Problems arose only with the ice cover, while the rest of the surfaces were completed professionally;
- Sixth place in the ranking goes to Sava Eskimo HP2. She easily conquered ice and dry asphalt and pleased with increased wear resistance. It did not work out only with wet asphalt;
- The most wear-resistant of the list - Michelin Alpin 5, will ensure safety both on dry and wet roads. The only drawbacks are insufficient grip on a snowy surface and a high level of noise when driving;
- "Damaged" the reputation Nokian WR D4 only raw asphalt. The rest of the indicators came out quite worthy of the final. So, for example, the tire showed the best results when driving on snow and dry surfaces;
- In third place is Goodyear UltraGrip Performance Gen-1. If not for the slack in the test with snow, she could be in the place of the leader of the list. She coped with the tasks very well and showed the best gasoline economy;
- BF Goodrich g-Force Winter 2 did not have enough points on dry and wet pavement to become the test winner. High marks in the snow make the tire a good option for winter;
- - the only rubber that coped with absolutely all the tests. It will withstand ice, snow, and thawed asphalt with firmness. These are the best winter non-studded tires for crossovers.
What is presented on the Russian market in the season 2017-2018
Let's imagine winter non-studded tires, which are better to buy in our stores:
- Handles ice and snow with ease Bridgestone Blizzak VRX. It will provide good contact with the winter coating;
- Designed for crossovers, it performs well in frosty conditions. The developers promise good braking performance and traction;
- Three-zone asymmetric tread ContiVicingContact 6 allows rubber to adapt to any surface. Also thanks special composition reduced noise during movement;
- Dunlop Winter Maxx 02 with the help of a two-zone pattern, it copes well with ice and snow;
- Maneuverability Goodyear UltraGrip Ice SUV significantly increased due to the special tread. Rubber designed for SUVs;
- Even at negative temperatures GT Radial WinterPro2 will retain its properties due to its composition. She calmly copes with the conditions of our winters;
- Designed specifically for extreme conditions, Hankook i*cept iZ2 able to overcome any snow massifs. Excellent handling, traction and grip will give the driver a sense of confidence on the road;
- Michelin X Ice 3 improved its characteristics and became even more maneuverable on the snow and ice track;
- Nitto Winter SN2 Works best in slushy and icy areas.
- SUV tire Nitto NT90W feels great even with extreme minus. Special composition of rubber with walnut crumb helps on ice surfaces;
- Good handling and stability Pirelli Winter Sottozero 3 provide comfort on all surfaces;
- Designed for any thermometer reading Pirelli Ice Zero FR will withstand the most severe frosts and is adapted for Russian winters;
- Virtually silent Pirelli Cinturato Winter easily conquer snow and ice obstacles;
- Designed for operation with crossovers Pirelli Scorpion Winter with dignity will pass on all roads, even with a serious minus on the thermometer;
- Premitra Ice/Arctictrekker SP 3 will perfectly cope with both snowy and frozen tracks;
- Remarkable braking performance Toyo Observe Garit GIZ and adaptability to any weather provide excellent vehicle handling;
- Toyo Observe GSI-5– wear-resistant, differs in worthy indicators of coupling;
- elastic Winguard Ice SUV it will easily master the snow porridge, but it will not get cold in the cold and will perfectly establish contact with the icing;
- More designed for wet asphalt or snow Winguard SNOW'G WH2. In such weather conditions, she best performance clutch;
- Tire Yokohama Iceguard G075 has soft properties, which significantly increases its adhesion to the surface in sub-zero temperatures;
- Yokohama Blueeart V905 due to its technical properties, it can significantly reduce fuel consumption.
The choice of tires is large and varied. To choose the right tires, you need to accurately represent the weather conditions in which it will be operated. And then the tires will serve you for a long time and with high quality.
Comfortable and soft friction tires do not annoy with the crunch and rumble of spikes on the pavement, on which you sometimes drive more often in winter than on ice or snow. And in order to choose the best of them in terms of performance, we tested tires with a dimension of 205/55 R16, which fit almost all golf-class cars.
Friction tires are a complex product, not every manufacturer manages to provide a balance of grip on snow, ice and asphalt, which, in addition, can be dry and wet. No "nails" - everything is only due to the composition of the rubber compound and the tread pattern. Here you can not do without advanced technologies and experience in manufacturing complex molds for 3D lamellas. Therefore, we decided not to take tires cheaper than four thousand rubles: they always slip on at least one of the above-mentioned surfaces. Swimming - we know.
The cheapest in our test (4130 rubles) is the Winter i * cept iZ2 model of the rapidly progressing Korean company Hankook. One and a half hundred more expensive is the Japanese Nitto SN2, which has just appeared on our market. Next comes the Nordman RS2 “Finn” of Russian origin, which is very popular with our motorists, and close to four and a half thousand there is another purebred “Japanese” that is in steady demand, the Touo Observe GSi-5.
About five thousand cost the eminent Goodyear UltraGrip Ice 2 and Blizzak Revo GZ from Bridgestone, famous for its durable, indestructible sidewall.
Pirelli Ice Zero FR are even more expensive (5245 rubles). And of course, the leaders of our previous tests, the Continental ContiVikingContact 6 tires, were supposed to take part in the tests. German quality, the price of which is close to six thousand, and expensive Finnish tires Nokian Hakkapeliitta R2 (6435 rubles). They have been “butting” with each other for leadership for several years and will not let other rivals relax.
Spring again?
This time, for the snow-ice “battle”, we gathered rivals in Sweden, at the Pirelli training ground. The ring was a small frozen lake near the northern town of Elvsbyn and its banks, covered with a blanket of snow. We gathered there in a completely winter month - February. However, a warm front that came from nowhere warmed the air to a positive temperature and melted all the snow and ice in the area. And when the heat receded, the lake quickly returned to the state of the ice rink. On it, we started the tests, somewhat violating our traditional order of exercises due to force majeure.
During the tests, the air temperature dropped to -1.. -15 °C.
The seventh generation Volkswagen Golf, used by almost all tire manufacturers in internal testing, acted as a tire carrier - a car with classic front-wheel drive handling and transparent behavior.
Battle on the Ice
The first track for the "battle" was ready to assess the handling on ice. Turns of different radii and a straight line that allows you to accelerate to about 80 km / h - this is quite enough to evaluate how flexible the Volkswagen Golf is on slippery surfaces, shod with the tested tires. The assessment is carried out by two experts, replacing each other. Together with the behavior of the machine, they evaluate how easy and reliable it is to operate. Moreover, from the position of an ordinary driver who does not have special training. Therefore, in addition to the “professional” driving, they imitate the typical mistakes of beginners: during acceleration and braking, in corners they act sharply, as if on asphalt.
In order to increase the accuracy of estimates, we decided to use halves when scoring - to separate the results of rivals. The highest rating (nine
points) Nokian tires earned in the first discipline: clear reactions, understandable, predictable behavior even in slips. No difficulties in driving, with a complete understanding of what is happening under the "legs". This test did not reveal weaklings: the minimum score is seven points for three participants, the rest are higher.
Handling track on the ice of a frozen lake. It's hard to believe, but just a couple of days ago there was "spring" here - the water surface was surrounded by people freed from snowcoast.
The next exercise: we measure the acceleration and braking distance on the ice plateau. We do not disable the ASR and ABS anti-slip system. Start from a place. The measuring complex VBOX fixes the time taken to reach a speed of 30 km/h, then the braking distance from 30 to 5 km/h. Good thing the sky is overcast. The bright sun melts the ice, and the results begin to float away. But even in cloudy weather, friction tires on open ice less stable than spikes, so we repeat measurements with each set of tires 10-12 times. Moreover, every two test sets we change the shoes of the Golf to the base tires in order to assess how the condition of the coating has changed. After recalculating the results, taking into account the behavior of the car on the base tires, it turned out that on ice it accelerates the fastest on Goodyear and Nokian tires. Nordman and Tooo worsen the record result by one tenth of a second. The longest acceleration is on Pirelli tires, the difference with the leader is almost 20%. 
The shortest stopping distance is on Nokian and Touo tires (15.5 m), Goodyear and Hankook lose ten centimeters to them, and Bridgestone and Pirelli (17.3 m) lose to them.
We estimate the time for passing the ice circle - the shorter it is, the higher the transverse (lateral) adhesion. The driver tries to complete the lap as fast as possible, making 20 to 35 "revolutions" per friction tires it is not easy to find the edge of maximum grip on the ice. The scheme for changing wheels is the same as when measuring the longitudinal grip: after every two test sets, changing shoes to the base one. After the exercise, we figured out how many circles our tester had wound, and were horrified - more than four hundred! Anyone who thinks that tire testing is a romantic job is deeply mistaken. This is hellish work.
In this test, the Continental bypassed everyone: the circle was completed in 15.9 seconds. Nokian, the closest competitor, was three tenths behind. Closes the list Bridgestone - on these tires it was not possible to show time less than 18 seconds.
Snow battles behind the wheel
At the beginning of the second week, snow fell, and we got the opportunity to evaluate the "snow" characteristics. The first test is the controllability assessment. We used not only a set of “flat” turns of different radii, including running ones, where the speedometer needle sometimes reached the “100” mark, but also an interesting hairpin on the hillside, the entrance of which is on the rise, and the exit is on the descent. In some turns, the snow due to the side slides of the Golf was “rubbed” to the icy base of the track. We dubbed it the “Russian road”: snow interspersed with ice is a picture characteristic of our conditions.
Here, we liked Nokian and Touo tires the most. 
Impressions from them are similar: good reactions and informativeness, understandable and predictable behavior. The speed on the turning arc is limited by a soft skid, as if driving the car into a turn, which does not require adjustment by the steering wheel or releasing the gas. After conferring, they decided not to put the nine (thrown off half a point) because of small flaws in taxiing - the required steering angles seemed a little more than we would like. The leaders in the number of complaints were Bridgestone and Nitto. The Golf, shod in the Blizzak Revo GZ, significantly increases the steering angles, there is a skid on the arc that requires compensation, and grip decreases in slips. On Nitto SN2, the car behaves unstably, the turning arc passes jerkily, as if along the perimeter of a polyhedron, rather sharply breaks into a skid and recovers just as sharply after sliding.
Course stability was evaluated on a long rectangular plateau, accelerating to 90-100 km/h. We checked how clearly the car keeps a given direction and how it responds to soft maneuvering with small steering angles, simulating rebuilding to overtake or avoid an obstacle.
Follow the driver's commands more clearly than others Pirelli tires: good reactions, dense, informative "steering wheel". Tires Nitto upset: when driving in a straight line, it feels wide, incomprehensible due to the low information content of the steering wheel at small turning angles “zero”. The car scours from side to side, the driver has a feeling of insecurity. Delays in reactions and delayed steering of the rear axle were noted, requiring additional adjustment.
On the same site, controllability was evaluated during extreme maneuvering - during a rearrangement, that is, a sharp lane change, and due to an insufficiently rigid track, they did not measure the maximum speed. Nokian tires provide the clearest behavior for the car: when the speed limit is reached, the rear axle gently steers, smoothly turning into a skid that does not require compensation. Nitto tires earned the lowest score: delays in the first reactions and increased steering angles are complemented by a sharp skid when leveling the car in the second corridor, and with a shooting effect.
We finish the "snow" tests by checking the patency. Experts estimate in deep snow (the thickness of the snow cover is slightly more ground clearance) the ability of tires to "carry" the car in motion, move off, turn, "back away". Particular attention is paid to how slippage affects grip. If the tires are ready to perform all the maneuvers only in tightness (the ASR traction control is disabled), and the traction drops when slipping, we lower the rating. If at the same time the wheels burrow, we reduce it further.
In the snowdrifts best impression produced Nokian tires: confident forward and backward movement with any degree of slip, ease of maneuvering. In the laggards - Touo. On these tires, you can only start and move under tension, at the slightest slip, the traction disappears, and the tires are buried. The vehicle maneuvers and moves in reverse uncertainly and reluctantly.
I go to the instruments
It remains to measure the longitudinal grip on the snow. Fortunately, the snow plateau for measurements was well trampled down so that the snow would not move from the ice.
The work is practically the same as on the ice straight - acceleration and deceleration, but with minor adjustments. Since the coefficient of adhesion on snow is higher than on ice, the speed of the end of acceleration and the beginning of braking is increased here to 40 km/h. Especially for creative drivers, we measure acceleration in two modes - regular, with traction control, and "creative", turning it off. We brake, of course, with ABS, we measure the braking distance from 40 to 5 km / h. Do not forget about the measurements on the base tires every three sets of tested ones.
The best acceleration under the supervision of Golf electronics is provided by Continental: 6.1 seconds. Two tenths are inferior to Bridgestone, Goodyear and Nokian. The weakest in overclocking are Nitto and Touo.
The acceleration time on snow was measured in two modes: with the traction control system on and off. Experienced testerl maintains the optimal degree of slip more precisely electronics.
With traction control disabled, the car accelerates faster. For example, on tires Continental - in 5.6 seconds, and they are again in the lead. The closest rivals are Goodyear, Hankook, Nokian, which are only one tenth behind. And in the last, having spent 6.2 seconds on acceleration, there was Bridgestone - the difference with the leader is almost 11%. It is noteworthy that on these tires, acceleration with the electronic limiter turned off improved by only one tenth of a second, which means that grip on snow is practically independent of the degree of slipping. While the rest of the test participants, without the intervention of electronics, accelerate faster by 0.5-1.0 seconds (by 8-14%).
The results of tests of braking properties on snow were a pleasant surprise. Of course, there are leaders in this exercise - these are Goodyear, Nokian and Pirelli with the same result of 14.7 meters. But all the rest are no more than half a meter behind - there were no wimps in this discipline!
Final on home asphalt
Tests on asphalt according to the already worked out scheme were carried out in May in Togliatti, at the AvtoVAZ test site, a territory neutral for tire manufacturers.
We start by evaluating rolling resistance. One full circle (10 kilometers) on the high-speed ring at a speed of 120-130 km / h is enough for the temperature of the tires and the oil in the gearbox to stabilize. During this time, the expert manages to evaluate the vehicle's directional stability on a straight line, as well as its reactions and behavior during soft lane changes from one lane to another.
The most important thing during measurements is the movement back and forth along the same lane, without maneuvering, with the steering wheel fixed in the “straight” position in order to exclude the possibility of lateral forces that could adversely affect the results. By the way, “there” and “back” are one measurement, not two. This eliminates measurement errors due to deviations in the horizontal of the road surface and wind direction. Three or four measurements, and the result is ready. However, it is not yet final: after two or three sets of tested tires, you have to repeat the “stove” - measurements on the base set, taking into account which the final results are recalculated.
At a speed of 90 km / h (suburban limit), the top three are Continental, Nokian and Nordman. The Golf rolls most reluctantly on Bridgestone, Goodyear and Pirelli tires. Although the difference between them and the "green" leaders is small - 0.3 l / 100 km. At the "city" speed (60 km / h), the "green" three retained their positions, but Hankook infiltrated their company. On Bridgestone tires, the performance in this driving mode is the worst: 0.4 l / 100 km more than the leaders.
Hankook and Pirelli received the highest marks for directional stability. The responses of a Golf wearing these tires are close to those demonstrated on summer tires. Bridgestone and Touo deserved the least flattering words. At Golf on the "bridge" - a wide "zero" and insufficient information content of the steering wheel; Touo tires also have a fuzzy, wide “zero” and also rubber, that is, delayed reactions to steering actions. When trying to correct the course, the car begins to yaw from side to side.
Previously obtained impressions of noise and smoothness remain to be clarified by additional travel on service roads with traditional irregularities - pits, potholes, crevices and cracks. The results were somewhat surprising. The quietest of all are Bridgestone tires, although they are also the hardest: itching and shaking the Golf on small and medium bumps, as if inflated to three atmospheres.
Goodyear tires surprisingly turned out to be the loudest and most resonant, despite the fact that tires of this brand are usually quiet. And experts recognized Touo tires as the softest.
Final exercises - assessment of braking properties on dry and wet pavement. We brake in the corridor clamped by cones so that the tires roll along the same trajectory “cleaned” before measurements - track to track. After each braking, cool the brakes. The speed of the start of braking is lower than in the summer tests - this way we will protect the soft tread of the friction clutches from destruction.
On wet pavement we brake from 60 km/h, and on dry pavement - from 80 km/h.
On average, on one set we brake six times in each case. In these exercises, the “basic tire” does not need to be repeated, since changing the tread temperature by several degrees during the braking properties measurements does not affect the traction in any way.
properties - tested by many years of experience.
The shortest braking distance on dry pavement is provided by Bridgestone (28.6 m). Then, in the interval of 29.0-29.2 m, five tires follow with a difference of less than one percent. And only two tires "left" for thirty meters - these are Nitto and Touo with results 7% worse than the leader.
On wet pavement, the spread is greater: here Continental leads with a score of 17.4 meters, while Nitto and Touo unanimously show the last result - 21.6 meters, which is a quarter more than the leader.
Final parade
As he writes in 2017, the Nokian Hakkapeliitta R2, which scored 939 points, takes the first place with a decent margin from the rest. These are excellent clutches for any winter roads - everyone will like them. They are especially good on ice, and they will also delight in handling, cross-country ability and economy. The only drawback is the high price.
On the second line of our rating are tires Continental ContiVikingContact 6, earning 912 points. A worthy choice for drivers of any level - from advanced to beginners. We were pleased with excellent lateral grip on ice, grip on snow, braking on wet pavement and economy. When checking the patency and directional stability on the pavement, they gave a little slack.
The third step of our podium went to Hankook Winter i*cept iZ2 tires with very smooth properties: 909 points - an excellent result. And these are the most inexpensive tires in the test! The only comment - hard.
The category of excellent tires includes the Goodyear UltraGrip Ice 2 and Nordman RS2 models, which scored 907 points each and tied for fourth and fifth positions. Both are equally strong, therefore we recommend them without restrictions. They differ in nuances
which only advanced drivers will catch. Goodyear has several extremes: very good in longitudinal grip on snow and ice, but let us down in comfort and economy. Nordman is close to Hankuk in character - it is also well balanced in all properties.
The sixth and seventh lines are occupied by Pirelli Ice Zero FR and Toyo Observe GSi-5, which received no 888 points. As part of our grading, these are very good tires, since their final results fall into the fork from 870 to 899 points. Each has small weaknesses. Pirelli does not favor ice (weak longitudinal grip), preferring snow and asphalt. Touo, on the contrary, shows good longitudinal grip on ice surfaces and handling on snow, but is weak in deep snow, as well as on asphalt - both in traction and in directional stability.
The eighth-ninth steps were occupied by another couple - Bridgestone and Nitto. In the test they
scored 860 points, confirming the right to be called good tires(this rank corresponds to the range from 840 to 869 total points). The level is the same, both are full-blooded "Japanese", but their characters are different: Nitto clings to the ice more confidently, Bridgestone - to the asphalt.
And on the snow - parity. According to the results of an expert assessment, there is no fundamental difference between them. Except in comfort. Bridgestone is the quietest, but also the most rigid.
Now let's compare the results with prices. The undisputed leader in this coordinate system is Hankook: third place in the overall standings at the most modest price. In second place is Nordman, followed by Nitto and Touo. Eminent products in this list took a modest position. And two leaders close it. So choose - wisely, but also taking into account the thickness of the wallet.
8th and 9th place (840 points): Nitto SN2
Pros: Good flotation in deep snow. v Satisfactory handling on ice. Moderate noise level Minuses: Weak braking properties on asphalt and acceleration on snow. Difficult handling during extreme maneuvering on snow. Small remarks about handling on the Russian road "and exchange rate stability. Low level of smoothness.
8th and 9th place (840 points): Bridgestone Blizzak Revo GZ
Pros: Best braking on dry pavement. v Satisfactory handling on ice and directional stability on snow. The quietest.
Minuses: Weak traction on ice and on snow. Average permeability. Fuzzy following the course on asphalt. Small complaints about handling on the "Russian road" and during extreme maneuvering on snow. Worst efficiency and smoothness.
7th and 6th place (888 points): Toyo Observe GSi-5
Pros: Outstanding longitudinal traction v on ice. Reliable handling on ice and the "Russian road". The best running smoothness. Low noise level.
Minuses: Worst braking and difficult course w stability on asphalt. Limited flotation in deep snow.
7th and 6th place (888 points): Pirelli Ice Zero FR
Pros: Excellent braking properties on v snow. Excellent course stability. Clear handling when performing extreme maneuvers on snow
Minuses: Poor longitudinal grip on ice. w Poor fuel economy at 90 km/h. Notes on smoothness
5th and 4th place (907 points): Nordman RS2
Pros: They allow you to confidently accelerate and brake on ice. High efficiency, stable handling on ice and directional stability on asphalt.
Minuses: Minor remarks on the handling w on the "Russian road" and during extreme maneuvering on snow, on cross-country ability, as well as directional stability on snow. Harsh and noisy.
5th and 4th place (907 points): Goodyear UltraGrip Ice 2 
Pros: Outstanding longitudinal traction v on ice and snow. Understandable handling on ice and the "Russian road".
Minuses: Low permeability. Small remarks on directional stability and handling during extreme maneuvering on snow. High fuel consumption at a speed of 90 km/h. Noisy and hard.
3rd place (909 points): Hankook Winter i*cept iZ2
Pros: High braking properties on ice. v Robust manageability. Good course stability. Attractive price. High economy.
Minuses: Notes on smoothness. w Minor remarks about cross-country ability. Increased noise level in the cabin.
2nd place (912 points): Continental ContiVikingContact 6
Pros: Best lateral grip on ice, acceleration on snow and braking on wet pavement. Stable handling on ice and directional stability on snow. Low fuel consumption.
Minuses: Average permeability. Minor complaints about handling on the "Russian road" and during extreme maneuvering on snow, as well as directional stability on asphalt and comfort.
1st place (912 points): Continental ContiVikingContact 6 
Pros: Excellent traction on ice and snow. Excellent handling. Strict adherence to the course. Excellent flotation in deep snow. High economy.
Minuses: Minor remarks on the smoothness of the ride. Increased noise level. High price.