SUV class cars from year to year are rapidly gaining popularity both in the Russian market and in the global arena, and when preparing for the winter period, they require even more careful attention from car owners than ordinary cars. After all, they often have to deal with curbs and roadside ditches, and even overcome off-road, albeit easy. It is for this reason that crossover tires stand out against the background of passenger “shoes” with reinforced sidewalls and a shoulder part.

But how to decide on the choice of tires from the variety of options that are on sale?

In order to answer this question, road tests of winter studded tires of dimension 235/65 R17, which are most in demand on mid-size crossovers (the representative of this category acted as a tire carrier), were carried out in harsh climatic conditions at one of the test sites, which is located beyond the Arctic Circle.

The company of experimental subjects crept up very variegated. The expensive Continental ContiIceContact 2 SUV and Nokian Hakkapeliitta 8 SUVs that "flaunt" all sorts of advanced technologies and cost more than ten thousand rubles apiece, and "modest" at the price of Dunlop Grandtrek Ice 02 and Toyo Observe G3-Ice (they ask for less than 6.5 thousand rubles). Not without tires of the “middle price range” - these are the “cylinders” of Michelin Latitude X Ice North 2+ (you will have to pay over eight thousand for them), Pirelli Ice Zero and Goodyear Ultra Grip Ice Arctic SUV 4 × 4 (the cost of both of them is about seven and a half thousand rubles).

It should be noted that each of the sets of tires, before getting to the landfill, "ran" 500 km, necessary for running.

The first exercises (only they were carried out on a straight line, covered with a canopy in order to keep the ice in perfect condition), to which all tires were subjected, were acceleration and braking on ice, measured by equipment with an optical sensor. For better accuracy of the results, acceleration time was measured from 5 km/h to 30 km/h (to prevent wheel slip), and braking was recorded from 30 to 5 km/h (to eradicate ABS interference).
Best acceleration dynamics and the stopping distance was demonstrated by the crossover on Nokian tires - 2.9 seconds and 14.4 meters, respectively. But Dunlop and Michelin tires were among the outsiders: the first spent 4.2 seconds on the spurt, and the second slowed down 20 meters.

All subsequent tests were organized in the open air, which made it possible to use the VBOX GPS device for measurements. On the ice lap, Nokian tires were ahead of the rest - the car “shod” in them kept within 31.7 seconds. Only two-tenths behind them were the "cylinders" Continental, while the last position went to Dunlop - they lost the leader immediately by 2.1 seconds.

The next exercise is acceleration on snow from standstill to 40 km / h in two modes: without slipping with the electronic “collar” on and with the TSC system turned off, slipping all wheels (this also allows you to determine what all-wheel drive is capable of).
The results are very interesting. In races when the electronics were activated, top scores demonstrated by Pirelli and Continental, which managed to accelerate in 3.3 seconds, and Dunlop tires lost 0.2 seconds to them. The rest of the "cylinders" were placed clearly in the middle - 3.4 seconds.

Acceleration in the style of "gas to the floor" turned out to be a little faster, and the places here were distributed a little differently: best time Nokian, Continental and Toyo excelled, and the worst - Pirelli (3.3 seconds). Dunlop and Goodyear became the "average" ones, which did not go beyond 3.2 seconds.

Not all exercises are measurable - some of them can only be evaluated subjectively. In terms of handling on ice, Michelin, Continental and Nokian tires stood out, while Dunlop tires turned out to be the most unpredictable: they have noticeable delays in reactions, large steering angles, low control information and long side slips.

When assessing directional stability on snow, Pirelli studded tires conquered everyone with their results - the crossover showed immediate reactions and a tight, highly informative steering wheel on them. Nokian, Dunlop and Toyo "cylinders" proved to be a little worse, and the rest received only minor complaints.

On a special snow track, they managed better than others Nokian tires and Dunlop, but there is nothing to reproach the other test participants for - they were breathing in the back of the leaders all the way.

But in the next discipline - the assessment of patency - the results turned out to be different. The Goodyear spikes were awarded the maximum points: they allowed the crossover to turn into a real all-terrain vehicle that effortlessly coped with any snowdrifts. Nokian and Michelin tires pleased with confident overcoming of virgin snow and predictable maneuvering in deep snowdrifts. Dunlop and Pirelli proved themselves not bad, while Toyo trailed behind: the car started reluctantly on them, and strove to dig in with every slip of the wheels.

The completed test cycle made it possible to preliminarily evaluate the smoothness of the ride and the noise level, however, the final results cannot be accurately summed up without asphalt exercises, which, most often, correct them for the worse.

After the "winter" tests, it was time to carefully inspect the tires, count the number of lost studs and check the amount of their protrusion. None of the sets of tires had studs sticking out more than 1.5 millimeters, while Scandinavian restrictions allow them to stick out by 2 mm (all test subjects met the established standards by a good margin).
And the losses were small. For example, Nokian, Continental and Michelin did not lose a single stud, and Toyo and Pirelli were missing only one carnation (and in both cases on the front left wheel). The rest also showed their good side: Goodyear "cylinders" "parted" with two spikes, and Dunlop - with three (especially considering that each such wheel is "studded" with 115 metal "teeth").

Tests with asphalt were already carried out under more gentle temperature conditions - at +5 ... + 7ºC. It is these numbers on the thermometer that indicate the need for a seasonal tire change, both in one direction and in the other. The most "painless" exercise for studded tires is the assessment of efficiency, which is accompanied by an expert assessment of directional stability and refinement of parameters for acoustic comfort and smoothness.
Unfortunately, the transmission of the crossover chosen for the tests is deprived of the drive mode exclusively on one axle, which is why all the work was carried out with four driving wheels. Of course, for measuring efficiency, such a “stuffing” cannot be attributed to an ideal option, but on the other hand, it makes it possible to record results that are closest to real ones in everyday operation. And in this discipline there were neither winners nor outsiders, and the difference between the "cylinders" did not exceed one tenth of a liter.

As for the behavior of the car on the road, in this discipline everyone was surrounded by Michelin tires, on which the crossover could boast not only a clear following of a given direction, but also instant reactions to steering turns and its high information content. But in terms of comfort, they surpassed other Michelins - they demonstrated a quiet and smooth ride. Only Continental spikes can compete with him, and even then only in terms of smoothness of movement.
Pirelli and Goodyear tires turned out to be obvious outsiders, while it was not possible to identify exactly which of them is tougher and louder. Both those and others “distinguished themselves” by high noise levels, excessive rigidity and tangible vibrations.

The final test was dry braking and wet pavement. In the discipline "slowing down from 80 to 5 km/h" Continental tires excelled, but on wet surfaces (here the speed is lower - from 60 to 5 km/h) Nokian and Goodyear took the leading place on the podium.

Traditionally, studded tires from Continental, Nokian and Goodyear took the lead in road tests. At the same time, the first line on the podium was "occupied" by Nokian Hakkapeliitta 8 SUV - they are almost completely devoid of any shortcomings, and if there are any, then ordinary drivers will definitely not feel them during everyday use. Although, they still have a drawback - this is a high price tag.
The Goodyear UltraGrip Ice Arctic SUV 4×4 tires, which distinguished themselves by excellent off-road properties, were a little behind the “gold medalist”. And their price is not as high as that of Nokian, and they can be forgiven for the lack of comfort.
The Continental ContiIceContact 2 SUV was content with the "bronze" - they did not receive significant comments, and on snow and dry pavement they even showed the best results. True, their price-quality ratio is far from optimal, but all because of the decent cost.
Pirelli stopped one step away from the podium Ice Zero, which "flaunt" a clear adherence to a given course on a snowy road, but do not slow down on snow in the best way.
Fifth place in the rankings went to tires Michelin Latitude X-Ice North 2+ - they could not please the longitudinal grip on ice, but distinguished themselves by clear and predictable handling. In addition, the spikes deserve a “plus in their piggy bank” due to good directional stability (ideal for long trips), excellent cross-country ability (you can safely storm snowdrifts on them) and a high level of comfort.
Despite the sixth position, the Dunlop Grandtrek Ice 02 tires fell into the category of “very good tires” - on snowy and off-road they feel “at ease”, but show not the best braking performance on asphalt and lateral grip on ice.
Well, the Toyo Observe G3-Ice staked out the last place, but at the same time they managed to win the title of “good tires”. These "cylinders" turned out to be the best in terms of price-quality ratio and have proven themselves well on snowy roads, but on ice, asphalt and in deep snowdrifts they showed poor results. In general, the following can be said about them - they do not lose so much to their closest rivals as they are cheaper.

In the studded tire rankings, Nokian, Continental and Goodyear took first place with slight differences in ratings, while Continental was recognized as the best among friction tires. At the same time, experts remind that the choice of tires must be made based on how and where the tires will be used. If in winter you will drive on wet pavement most often, it is hardly worth choosing tires with maximum grip on ice.

Tests have shown that although studded tires are still more effective than friction tires on icy surfaces, the differences between them in the SUV tire segment turned out to be slightly less. In fact, one model of friction tires, as it turned out, brakes on ice better than two studded tires.

The experts also noted that grip on ice tends to increase with the number of studs, but it all depends on the specific tire model. The test compared tires with 115 to 222 studs, and tires with more studs are fitted with lightweight studs to meet road wear requirements. At the same time, numerous spikes usually increase the noise level, but this rule is also not without exceptions.

The tires were tested both outdoors and in the large TW indoor facility, and all tires were purchased from brick-and-mortar stores to avoid the risk that the manufacturer might send specially prepared tires with improved performance. In the event that the tire model is still too new and has not appeared on sale, the tires are delivered from the factory, but then control tests are carried out. It was decided not to indicate the cost, since price fluctuations may be too large.

In addition to measuring braking distances, etc., experts gave subjective ratings to tires for safe behavior in different situations- for example, with a sharp departure into a skid. The noise was evaluated by several people on uneven ground in both the front and rear seats. Rolling resistance was measured on level ground with the vehicle rolling freely, decelerating from 80 to 40 km/h.

TEST RESULTS

(Braking distance from 50 km/h, m)

(Acceleration time from 5 to 20 km/h, s)

(Braking distance from 80 km/h, m)

(Acceleration time from 5 to 35 km/h, s)

(Braking distance from 80 km/h, m)

(Subjective assessment, points)

Expert opinions on studded tires are presented below

Place	Tire	Expert opinion
1	Score: 8.6	Number of spikes: 190 Load/Speed ​​Index: 108T Yes Outer/inner side: No Date of manufacture: 46/2015 Manufacturer country: Russia Nokian won the test, but with a very small margin from the competition. The tires have good longitudinal and lateral grip on snow and ice, and are stable and safe in critical situations. On wet pavement, Nokian also performed well, but on dry pavement, the tires are too slow and inaccurate in response to steering turns. The noise is high, which may be due to the large number of spikes.
2	Score: 8.5	Number of spikes: 222 Load/Speed ​​Index: 108T Tread Pattern Orientation: No Outer/inner side: Yes Date of manufacture: 46/2015 Manufacturer country: Germany Continentals provide good grip in winter conditions, and they have short braking distances on snow and ice, and reliable behavior when making emergency maneuvers. On the wet surface of the Continental showed nice results for studded tires, and on a dry track, the tires, although well controlled, stopped the car for a long time. The rolling resistance is low and the noise level is relatively low given the large number of studs.
3	Score: 8.4	Number of spikes: 130 Load/Speed ​​Index: 108T Tread Pattern Orientation: Yes Outer/inner side: No Date of manufacture: 48/2015 Manufacturer country: Germany Goodyear will not throw any unpleasant surprises when driving on snow and ice, and especially it is worth noting the very short braking distance on icy surfaces. On wet pavement, the tires also behave reliably and stably, including during sharp maneuvers. On dry pavement, the Goodyear is somewhat slow to respond to steering, but the grip is good. Profitability is average, the noise from the spikes is clearly distinguishable in the cabin.
4	Score: 7.8	Number of spikes: 115 Load/Speed ​​Index: 108T Tread Pattern Orientation: Yes Outer/inner side: No Date of manufacture: 7/2016 Manufacturer country: Malaysia Toyo showed the best results among inexpensive tires, and they have good acceleration and braking performance on snow and ice, even though they only have 115 studs. At the same time, Toyo showed poor lateral grip on the snow. On wet surfaces, the tires lose traction too quickly during a sharp maneuver, and in addition to this, they stop the car for too long. At the same time, Toyo is one of the quietest studded tires.
5	Score: 7.7	Number of spikes: 116 Load/Speed ​​Index: 108T Tread Pattern Orientation: Yes Outer/inner side: No Date of manufacture: 14/2015 Manufacturer country: France While the Michelin's acceleration and braking performance on snow and ice is average, lateral grip was the worst of the tires tested, and the front wheels can skid in corners. On the positive side, the tires behave quite predictably, that is, you should not be afraid of surprises. On dry pavement, the Michelins are among the leaders, and they also perform well in the wet. Noise level - average.
6	Score: 7.4	Number of spikes: 132 Load/Speed ​​Index: 108T Tread Pattern Orientation: Yes Outer/inner side: No Date of manufacture: 5/2016 Manufacturer country: China Cheap Maxxis accelerate and brake tolerably on snow, but at high steering angles they can skid hard, and they have shown the same disadvantage on icy surfaces. On wet pavement, the Maxxis had good braking performance, and on a dry track they behaved logically and safely. The noise from the spikes is clearly audible.
7	Score: 7.0	Number of spikes: 128 Load/Speed ​​Index: 108T Tread Pattern Orientation: Yes Outer/inner side: No Date of manufacture: 8/2016 Manufacturer country: South Korea Their best qualities Kumho were able to demonstrate on dry pavement, but this is clearly not enough to recommend them for the northern winter. The Kumho has long stopping distances on both snow and ice, and poor lateral grip makes the car unstable, especially on ice. On wet surfaces, the tires respond slowly to steering inputs and may lose traction during sudden maneuvers. Rolling resistance is high, noise level is medium.

Expert opinions on non-studded tires are presented below

Place	Tire	Expert opinion
1	Score: 8.0	Load/Speed ​​Index: 108T Tread Pattern Orientation: No Outer/inner side: Yes Date of manufacture: 3/2016 Manufacturer country: Germany The Continental brakes effectively on snow, and although braking on ice is a bit worse, the tires are stable and safe. In fact, even on Ice Continental were able to stop the car before a few studded tires. On dry and wet pavement, the Continental performed well, plus they have a low noise level and high fuel efficiency.
2	Score: 7.5	Load/Speed ​​Index: 108T Tread Pattern Orientation: Yes Outer/inner side: No Date of manufacture: 5/2016 Manufacturer country: Germany Goodyear provide high traction on both snow and ice, where they are reliable in critical situations. Performance on wet pavement is also good, but on dry pavement, the tires can suddenly go into a skid during a sharp detour of an obstacle. Noise level and rolling resistance are low.
3	Score: 7.4	Load/Speed ​​Index: 108R Tread Pattern Orientation: Yes Outer/inner side: No Date of manufacture: 4/2016 Manufacturer country: Russia in the snow and Ice Nokian behave logically and without surprises. The tires respond precisely to the steering, and even in the event of a loss of traction, it will be quite easy to return it. The main drawback is too long a braking distance on an icy surface. On wet surfaces, the Nokian performed well, but on dry pavement they felt unstable compared to most of the other non-studded tires we tested. Low rolling resistance will help save fuel.
4	Score: 7.0	Load/Speed ​​Index: 108T Tread Pattern Orientation: Yes Outer/inner side: No Date of manufacture: 14/2015 Manufacturer country: Canada Michelins stop the car very quickly on ice, but on snow they have only average braking performance. Be that as it may, the tires behave very reliably due to the high lateral grip. On wet surfaces, the braking distance could be shorter, but in general, the behavior of the tires is also stable. In terms of quietness and efficiency, Michelins were one of the best tires in the test.
5	Score: 6.5	Load/Speed ​​Index: 108S Tread Pattern Orientation: Yes Outer/inner side: No Date of manufacture: 33/2015 Manufacturer country: Japan Bridgestones are nervous on snow and ice, and the traction limit is reached too abruptly, both on the front and on rear axle. On snow, performance is better, but weak lateral stability can also bring an unpleasant surprise. The main advantage of the Bridgestone is very effective braking on wet pavement, but even in these conditions they have too little lateral grip. Noise levels are low, but high rolling resistance will degrade fuel efficiency.
6	Score: 6.2	Load/Speed ​​Index: 108H Tread Pattern Orientation: Yes Outer/inner side: No Date of manufacture: 9/2016 Manufacturer country: China Landsail is attractive for its low price, but these tires are not recommended for harsh winter conditions. Grip on snow is weak and too easy to lose, on snow it's a bit better, but the tires don't handle tough situations. On wet surfaces, the Landsail has a short braking distance, but even here the tires can skid sharply and the car is difficult to control during an emergency maneuver. Rolling resistance is low.

Surely every modern motorist has a question: what winter tires are better? When you think about how to choose a good tire, you need to rely on such factors in order for it to be. You must feel confident on the road in all weather conditions and road conditions.

The winter tire rating 2017 indicates those rubber models that are high-tech and regularly elevated level driving. That is why it is better to focus on new models of automotive rubber. It often happens that experts advise buying car parts from not very well-known brands of machinery, but when this issue concerns tires, everything is different.

It is best to choose tires from world leaders, while they must have a good price and be in the ranking of the most top models of our time. Only in this way can you determine which tires are better in the winter season.

How to choose winter tires for a car?

The rating of machine tires will help you decide on the model that is ideal for your car. Today, virtually every manufacturer car tires provided their innovative model developments, so you can view in detail and decide what you need. The cost of rubber directly depends on the diameter of the wheel, and may vary depending on.

The main characteristics that any good brand and the tire model is:

• The composition must be unique and individual in its kind, the tread is made of expensive and durable rubber alloys;
• The tread shape is developed by world-class leaders in the automotive industry;
• Machine rubber provides decent grip on your favorite surfaces;
• It has the lowest possible rolling resistance, due to which the consumption of gasoline is dramatically reduced (you no longer have to overpay);
• The best preparation for a slippery road, which greatly complicates the car's patency.

Today we will talk about tires that are best suited for driving conditions in the city on wet asphalt, snowy areas and other external factors affecting the car. The features that the best car tires are equipped with create greater comfort and dramatically increase driving safety. winter period time.

Most people think that studded tires don't perform well on paved, clean pavement, but they're great for roads that are covered in snow or ice.

Which winter tires are better: spikes or Velcro?

Many people choose winter tires based on reviews and ratings, but this is not always correct. Let's talk about the hard facts.

Let's start with the fact that there are different types of winter tires. Such as the:

• Scandinavian;
• European;
• All season;
• Arctic.

All of these subsections apply to Velcro.

Despite the fact that the contact of Velcro and spikes is approximately the same, there is still a slight difference.

For winter roads, it will undoubtedly be better to purchase tires without studs. This is the best winter tire ever made. It will fit perfectly when you go through a winding track. Non-studded wheels show the best results of car run on winter roads.

Rating of winter non-studded tires 2016-2017

Seat #1 Goodyear UltraGrip Ice 2

The first place is taken by Goodyear UltraGrip Ice 2. This is the best winter tire of 2017.

The country in which the rubber was made is Poland.

With the help of excellent characteristics, which, in turn, are responsible for balancing the car, this rubber model showed excellent results in all senses.

It has a fairly high performance on ice and snow. There is also a wet asphalt option. Highly qualified specialists had to work hard to achieve such a result. In addition, this model has a low noise level.

Seat #2. Nokian Hakkapeliitta R2

In second place are Winter tires like Nokian Hakkapeliitta R2.

The country where the rubber was made is Finland.

The manufacturers of this excellent model have focused on the brand's coatings and turned out to be not only one of the best, but also outperformed some models of studded tires.

Seat #3. Continental ContiVikingContact 6

In third place is studded equipment such as the Continental ContiVikingContact 6.

These innovative tires are made in Germany.

Seat #4 Michelin X-ice Xi3

In fourth position is the Michelin X-ice Xi3.

The country in which the spikes were made is Spain.

This modern model provides excellent driving without excesses. They have excellent sound insulation, and are very popular among avid motorists.

Seat #5. Maxxis SP02 ArcticTrekker

Country of manufacture: China.

Specifically, this tire model proved for the first time that Chinese tires are no worse in quality than other similar analog tire models. They showed decent results during the test. There were no side effects or surprises. They are considered better than many non-studded tires on wet and snowy roads. Noise isolation is average. V total this rubber is considered to be profitable both in terms of quality and cost.

Seat #6. Bridgestone Blizzak WS70

The sixth place should be taken by the Japanese automobile Bridgestone tires Blizzak WS70.

Not so long ago, this model and brand occupied a leading position. They brake very effectively on slippery roads. They have a transverse grip, which in its quality meets all European standards.

Seat #7. Pirelli Winter IceControl

In seventh place is rubber such as Pirelli Winter IceControl.

Country in which this innovation was produced: .

On snow-covered surfaces, it surpassed many similar automotive devices. They have low rolling resistance and high noise levels.

Seat No. 8. Pirelli SCORPION WINTER

Country of manufacture: China.

On snowy surfaces, they turned out to be no worse than studded competitors. They accelerate quickly and effectively brake. The noise level is quite low.

Seat #9. Sailun Ice Blazer WSL2

Country where the rubber was made: China.

They have a more than democratic price, while they are considered a level higher than many similar analogues. They have low rolling resistance and high noise levels.

Seat #10 Dunlop SP Ice Sport

The tenth place was taken by such German winter tires as Dunlop SP Ice Sport. This tire model is considered the leader in sales. On the snow cover goes no worse than on wet pavement. Has an excellent exchange rate stability.

Non-studded (friction) tires motorists affectionately call "Velcro". It is widely believed that their element is city streets and European roads. “Friction”, that is, non-studded tires, is considered by many to be “all-weather”, trusting more studded tires in winter. But experienced drivers they are well aware that in some cases Velcro behaves much more adequately than rubber with claws.

Studded tires are banned in the US and many European countries. Not so much from the desire to save a well-cleaned roadbed from destruction, but for safety reasons ( mild winter spikes on wet pavement often glide like skates).

In northern countries, where snow is not removed to the asphalt surface, but is compacted and sprinkled with “sharp” crumbs, studded tires are used in accordance with well-defined standards.

In Russia, each car owner himself chooses between studded and friction (they are also Velcro) tires. The non-studded variant is quickly gaining popularity in the urban environment of the middle lane, where roads are flooded with reagents, and serious snowfalls and frosts occur infrequently. Friction tires hold the asphalt better, make less noise and wear out, but lose a lot to spikes on ice, lose their softness faster when low temperatures losing grip properties.

The quality of Velcro directly depends on the composition of the rubber (which determines elasticity and wear resistance) and the tread pattern, which is responsible for traction with the surface and removal of snow and moisture from the contact patch (significantly affecting the car's stability in corners and stopping distance).

Spikes are not always needed, especially when the car is used mostly on city streets. It is even more dangerous to drive on spiked asphalt on reagent-filled asphalt. In addition, often high-quality "friction" sometimes shows better results on a typical winter road outside the city than studded tires. Each type has its pros and cons. This rating is made up of the most popular models of friction tires for the 2015-2016 season, which are present on the domestic market.

Kumho Marshal I'Zen RV Stud KC16

Let's start with the last, tenth place: Kumho Marshal I'Zen RV Stud KC16. This is a Korean brand with subsidiaries located in the UK. Marshal Tires is a brand created specifically for the European market.

Despite the last place in our ranking, these tires are quite popular. They are affordable and confidently perform the basic tasks set for winter tires without studs. It must be said right away that these Velcro are recommended for urban roads with moderate snow cover. Here they will prove themselves in some cases even better than better (and more expensive) rubber.

The first thing that experts note in this rubber from positive qualities is wear resistance and quietness. Together with the low price, this makes them good choice for a limited budget. It is worth noting that some buyers purchase them not because of the low price, but because of their practicality: they are wear-resistant and impact-resistant.

Now for the negatives. Despite the manufacturer's claims that the composition includes silicone and other substances that reduce slip, the rubber is quite slippery. It still has some level of predictability, especially after rolling. Cars of the inexpensive segment of the Chevrolet brand come with it from the factory, so experts often recommend changing it immediately if you want better rubber.

With her in the turn there is a high probability of falling into a skid, but predictable. Rubber is very slippery on the primer, envelops the dirt and begins to scour. So, the main advantages: low price, soft, quiet, wear-resistant. Hydroplaning is not noticed up to 80 km/h.

Rubber is definitely for the city and the highway, in wet weather it is not particularly recommended for the village. The sharp edges of the sipes, located in the center of a wide longitudinal rib provide an average level of grip and stability on wet pavement and slush in urban conditions. The element of this rubber is hard surfaces, asphalt (including wet), ice. Here she demonstrates a decent level of stability and lack of yaw. She behaves worse on loose snow, slurry on swampy roads and a dirt road outside the city.

The tire can be studded (there are holes for studs).

Continental Conti 4×4 Winter Contact

Ninth place is occupied by Continental Conti 4×4 Winter Contact. These tires have asymmetrical pattern protector. The central part of it consists of three ribs, the other two are located on the shoulder zone, which has transverse grooves. Thanks to this, mud and snow do not stick to the tire, it is self-cleaning. Tests have shown that this is indeed the case.

Rubber shows decent directional stability. This is achieved through a relief tread. Its pattern consists of separate blocks of considerable height with narrow sharp edges, which to some extent replace the spikes. Wide spacing and multi-directional S-shaped sipes provide moderate yaw, handling and road holding.

Unlike the previous participant in our rating, this rubber can be used outside the city, but carefully. Here she showed herself, although not from the best side, but still for an average rating. These are tires for hard surfaces and slightly rugged terrain, that is, for use in urban areas with infrequent trips out of town.

Rubber has a moderate noise, softness is average. She has the worst performance in packed snow and ice. Still, a fairly embossed tread, grooves that drain dirt and water much better cope with wet loose snow, primer and slush. Despite the presence of silicon ingredients in the composition, which should provide wear resistance, it cannot boast of this quality. At speeds greater than 60 km/h, yaw is observed on slippery roads, but drifts at the entrance to the turn are moderate and predictable.

The increased resistance to aquaplaning declared by the manufacturer thanks to the cross-shaped sipes justifies itself in full. On wet roads, the tires feel, although not ideal, but confident and predictable, but slippery surfaces and ice are worse for her. The cost of this rubber is somewhat disappointing, but still Continental is a fairly well-known and high-quality brand.

Hankook DynaPro i*cept RW08

The next brand on the list is the Korean Hankook DynaPro i * cept RW08. Recently, more and more motorists have noted the rather decent quality of Korean manufacturers. About this model in reviews it is often written that it has good tenacity on ice. It would be desirable to believe in it, but it not absolutely so. This indicator deserves a solid average rating, and it is probably praised by those who drove worse on rubber and are not able to compare with the best brands.

The rubber is soft, and by the type of tread it should behave decently on all types of winter roads, it is especially great to paddle on loose snow - it is.

This is a good option for those who choose winter quiet Velcro tires. The Hankook DynaPro i*cept RW08 is a great mid-range choice if you're looking for a tire that won't go fast, especially on ice. These are tires for measured driving. It is in this mode that they show their best qualities. When there are snow drifts in the city and most drivers will skid in loose snow, the RW08 will do an excellent job even with a 20-centimeter snowdrift, the car will easily overcome the snow rut.

This is a good example of decent Velcro at an affordable price. They have the highest performance in the categories of braking and acceleration on snow. On ice, the behavior is worse (especially downhill): acceleration by a three, as well as braking, lateral stability - a four, but only because of the predictability and uniformity of drift.

Several Yet strengths. Motorists note first of all that it is soft, quiet and comfortable rubber. Recommended for urban conditions and SUVs with all-wheel drive. The main disadvantage is the very poor adaptability of driving on packed snow and ice downhill. But on the other hand, at speed on a snowy or icy track, it keeps the track confidently, is not capricious, and slows down to a solid average mark.

Yokohama Geolandar I/T-S G073

Seventh place - Yokohama Geolandar I / T-S G073. Motorists note excellent grip when climbing downhill. In particular, starting from a standstill on a rear-wheel drive uphill on a moderately slippery surface was carried out without problems. Also on hard icy roads. But with the simultaneous descent and ascent uphill, minor problems may arise: this operation, although with difficulty, is still performed, and much depends on the weight of the machine. Conclusion: these Velcro provide good grip on the road surface.

Entrance to turns on ice is confident, the car breaks into a skid, but controlled. Under the same conditions and a 90-degree turn, cars shod with quality rubber are worse (and even with spikes) turn around.

Ice braking is mediocre, but when the pedal is released, it quickly grabs the surface and allows you to maneuver, which in some cases is even better.

Tires have been produced for a long time - since 2009. The tread of the tire has a directional design with a strong cone-shaped rib in the center and spiral grooves on the shoulder areas. The sipes are three-dimensional with multifaceted surfaces, which should reduce the deformation of the rubber.

These tires feature groove-in-groove technology: diagonal grooves on the sidewall central rib that reduce wear. It should be noted that the design of the tread is thought out from a practical point of view: 4 main and 2 additional channels effectively drain water and snow sludge from the contact patch, transverse grooves between the lugs drain the remaining water.

For these tires, the Japanese came up with a special rubber compound. It has the ability to absorb moisture like a sponge, this increases grip and reduces slip: the water film is not only squeezed out, but also absorbed from the contact patch.

Weak spot - snow-powder. As tests show, rubber rows over it not very efficiently, it is buried in fresh snow. On the other hand, braking and stability are rated for a solid four, although small side skids are not ruled out in tight corners. Another disadvantage is low predictability.

The second part of the rating is opened by the fifth place - friction winter Pirelli Ice Zero FR. These are Italian tires, but they were created not for European, but for northern regions with a harsh climate (Scandinavia, Canada, Russia). The Ice Zero line also includes studded tires. Each has its own characteristics.

The Italians said that thanks to the "butterfly" tread pattern on Ice Zero FR, you can do without running. Quite a bold statement. The break-in period is reduced, but the tread is more effective in another way. Wave-shaped lamellas in the center capture snow and self-clean. This is especially felt when changing lanes - the car is controlled clearly. When braking, they "close", increasing stability. Melt water is pushed out through the drainage grooves coming from the center. Lateral shoulder pattern improves traction on ice.

The contact patch with the road is increased due to the soft and narrow side zones. Still, the tires slide on the ice, but they make it feel, that is, they are predictable, and because of this, a feeling of clarity and confidence in control appears. There is also a lot depends on the car, for example, in the corners of the BMW X5 wags its back a little, in the Mercedes-Benz C-Class it feels like the tires are barely holding back the skid, and Porsche Macan passes turns on them like on rails.

Stability is the main advantage of this rubber. Braking and acceleration on packed snow and ice deserves high marks. The same operations on fresh snow are much worse for her, she skids and digs in, but not critically. This is a soft, tenacious (especially in corners) rubber. In terms of noise level, it is close to the first class (out of three existing according to the European rating scale). Along with the excellent performance mentioned above, there are also some weak points: it is rather mediocre when it comes to hydroplaning.

Fourth place belongs to the respected brand Bridgestone, model Blizzak DM-V2. Tires, as discussed above, specially designed for SUVs and SUVs. Rubber entered the market in 2014 and is still relevant. Produced in Japan, and therefore, has some innovative technological properties.

The rubber is an improvement on the previous DM-V1 model, which has proven itself very well. Its potential is developed by this model.

The main qualities of winter tires for car owners: grip on all types of surfaces and resource (wear resistance). In short, for her behavior on ice, she can be given a five, behavior on a snowy road - a four with a plus, overall resource - a solid four. Along with this, it should be noted poor performance on dry roads, it feels better on wet pavement. The tires are noisy, and also not very comfortable - there are average marks.

Tires handle ice very well with a film of water on the surface that acts as a lubricant, penetrating between the sipes: the wheels cannot hook and slip, this is a very tricky coating. Here Birgestone has been perfecting his invention called Multicell for a whole decade: rubber of a spongy structure with micropores. The pores absorb water, the residue is pushed out by a special tread pattern, and the tire surface bites into the ice crust. The pores have uneven sharp edges, which additionally cling to the road.

The tread in this model has added width, which has a good effect on wet and dry handling, and it also increases tire life due to more even weight distribution. The micropores in the rubber structure are partially open, which greatly reduces the break-in time (100-200 km is enough), and after it the tire literally sticks to the road. Cross sipes improve traction on hard snow and evacuate slush. The slats are self-cleaning and quite rigid.

Yet weakness these tires have ice, yaws and skids are not ruled out when entering a turn, but we must not forget that the tires are not studded. Braking and turning radius are the best among the leaders in our rating. On fresh snow, as well as on asphalt, the tires ride without much pretension, providing complete control over the car. The peculiarity is that it is easy to feel. Big heavy cars perform much better in these tires. SUVs are characterized by light, powerful acceleration and braking. Rubber still slides a little on ice, but then quickly grabs the surface and stabilizes.

Finally, it should be said about the very interesting quality of tires. As they wear out, they do not lose their properties, thanks to micropores and their composition, even an almost bald tread is effective on ice and behaves like new. These are solid tires, they can be used in dry weather on clean asphalt at positive temperatures.

The top three is opened by Goodyear UltraGrip Ice WRT. The developers paid a lot of attention to the behavior of this tire model in sharp turns and braking. It is in these disciplines that they have the highest marks on all types of snow, ice, wet asphalt pavement.

In the manufacture of tires, the technology "Winter Reactive Technology" is used, which increases stability. The directional tread pattern has both two-dimensional and three-dimensional edges. On dry pavement, they behave much more adequately than studded tires, and they are also much quieter.

Tires keep the roads on a solid four with a plus, the same mark can be put for overcoming snowdrifts. The not very aggressive tread pattern is surprising to some motorists, they say, they are not for our winters. But this first erroneous impression is completely dispelled.

The car handles perfectly: snow and porridge for tires are not a problem. So, positive traits: powerful traction on snow, excellent braking on ice (in terms of clarity and lack of yaw), high level of comfort. There are no complaints about handling and braking on dry surfaces. Weaknesses: long braking distance on wet roads, too high rolling resistance.

In addition to the above disadvantages, tires have relatively poor lateral stability on snow. The noise level is above average as they are quite stiff, but this gives them excellent wear resistance.

The second place belongs to the Michelin Latitude X-Ice 2. Along with the Nokian Hakkapeliitta R2 SUV, they are the best on our list, winners of various contests and competitions. Automotive publications have repeatedly written about them.

In addition to the non-studded Michelin Latitude X-Ice 2, there is also the X-Ice North 2 with studs. The peculiarity is that the first in its category lags behind competitors, and the second, on the contrary, is the best among non-studded tires. What is interesting is that Ice Latitude without spikes turned out to be much better than "clawed" tires.

X-Ice North 2 is designed for pure winter conditions not only in the city, but also outside the city. This is confirmed by the test results: on icy and snowy tracks, they give better results than on dry pavement.

For handling and passing sharp turns on ice and dense snow, they can be put 4 plus. Braking, traction when accelerating on ice - deserve a rating of five. But the braking distance is longer than that of the leader of our rating. On loose snow they slip a little, but they show excellent handling. Hydroplaning and braking on wet pavement deserves only average marks, the same on dry pavement, although here you can put a four for handling. The positive point is quietness and comfort: the tires swallow bumps, the car drives smoothly.

These tires, like some of the ones discussed above, have micropores in their structure that take moisture away, their sharp edges also improve grip on ice. The rubber was created using the "Flex-Ice" technology, that is, "elasticity-ice". It changes its stiffness and adapts to changes in temperature.

This is a purely winter tire, it is the best on ice and snow in any condition: here it surpasses even its studded relative, but second in performance on dry roads.

First place: the well-known Nokian Hakkapeliitta R2 SUV. This brand is also the first among studded tires. Acceleration, braking on ice deserves the highest marks, but when passing the ice circle with lateral acceleration, it starts to creep a little. The reason for this may be the lamellas of the central zone, located strictly perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the tire, they work effectively precisely for braking and acceleration.

Acceleration, braking time on snow and ice puts these tires in the lead. They deserve the same high marks for handling on snow. Dry asphalt is traditionally given to these tires worse, but you need to remember that after all, this is winter friction rubber.

In terms of comfort, the R2 SUV deserves a satisfactory rating in its category, but at the same time it is quiet. The braking distance on wet pavement is the shortest in our ranking. Experts put the highest mark for the braking distance on dry pavement. Judging by the tests, this rubber has excellent performance, both on winter roads and on surfaces without snow and ice. It's more versatile.

The icy lap times and the icy winding track put her in the lead, and she excelled on the wet slush. Disciplines in which she has no equal: braking distance on any surface and handling.

Fuel economy is important. And in this discipline, the R2 SUV outperformed everyone. Rubber is also made using the technology of porosity and moisture absorption. Cons: mediocre impact resistance and not the best wear resistance. The only indicator by which it loses to everyone is the price.

So what non-studded tires to choose for winter 2015-1016?

The first three places in our ranking are occupied by friction tires, which are suitable for cars that spend 90% of their time on the streets of the city with a periodic trip to very moderate off-road out of town. Together with the affordable price, these tires are a practical choice for those on a tight budget, especially the Kumho Marshal I*Zen RV Stud KC16.

Places from fourth to seventh - solid rubber with average and above average performance. The best in the subjective opinions of many motorists in this category are the Bridgestone Blizzak DM-V2. Outside the city, they feel quite confident, and even more so in the city.

The first three places are best tires. Their overall quality score is almost the same, but each tire has a slight edge in its individual categories. They behave well not only on cleared city streets, but also on the primer, medium-rough terrain, on ice, fresh snow, etc.

The range of popular non-studded winter tires for Off-Road vehicles is mostly represented by models well-known manufacturers. Actively developing tires for racing series and special vehicles, and then transferring these technologies and materials with unique components highest quality for mass-produced products.

So far, no one has been able to create universal winter tires (tearing snow, “biting” tightly into the ice, while not making noise and predictably behaving on asphalt). But the samples presented this season have excellent performance for individual settings.
After studying the ratings of popular models compiled by sellers and comparing the results of test drives from leading experts with the tire characteristics declared by manufacturers, each motorist will be able to make right choice, picking up the winter “shoes” that were right for his car.

The range of winter friction (non-studded) tires is growing along with their popularity among motorists. Field tests of product models different brands help you make the best choice.

Michelin- French company, one of the world leaders in the production of car tires. It has about 70 enterprises worldwide, as well as 5 research technology centers (in France, the USA and Japan) and 5 test sites (in France, the USA and Spain).
In addition to the main brand of the same name, the Michelin group of companies owns other famous brands such as Kleber, Goodrich, Wolber, Riken, Tyremaster, Uniroyal, Taurus and others.
Site: www.michelin.ru

In Russia, Michelin also has its own tire manufacturing plant. It is located in the village of Davydovo, Orekhovo-Zuevsky district, Moscow region. The production capacity there is not the largest - about 2 million tires a year, but it is there that the only tire studding workshop in the company is located, in which all rubber produced by Michelin in Europe is studded.
In Russia, Michelin tires are sold either by our production, or by the company's European plants in Italy and Hungary.

“Michelin X-Ice North 3” is a new winter studded tire that incorporates a wide variety of innovative technologies developed by Michelin. Most of them are combined into one complex called “smart spike” (Smart Stud System) and includes:

• Thermoactive rubber compound, which is used as an inner tread layer and which is able to change its elasticity depending on the ambient temperature: at high temperatures it becomes soft and the studs seem to be pressed into the tread, significantly improving grip on asphalt; at low temperatures, it becomes stiff, making the very fixation of the spikes more rigid and thereby increasing grip on icy surfaces.
• The Ice Powder Remover technology is designed to remove ice chips and is a system of 6 wells that absorb this ice chips around each spike.
• The design of the stud itself, which has the form of a cylinder with a cone-shaped tip, which is installed on a wide base, which ensures reliable fixation of the stud.

The tread pattern of the “Michelin X-Ice North 3” tires received an increased number of gripping edges to improve grip on snowy roads. The angle of the drainage channels has also been changed, which increased the resistance to hydroplaning and slashplanning. These tires use new rubber mix Flex-Ice 3, containing proportionately natural and synthetic rubber, which results in improved grip on wet roads. In addition, it contains silicon additives that contribute to wear resistance.
To reinforce the carcass of the tires, IronFlex technology was used, which consists in the use of an additional layer of steel threads and provides additional impact resistance.