By tradition, every few years I do a review on winter tires. www.drive2.ru/b/487460784666837672/ www.drive2.ru/b/8388/
I am a supporter of studded tires, because... They are more versatile, made of harder rubber and actually have an advantage on almost any surface compared to friction ones for safe civilian driving. The reverse is noise discomfort on asphalt surfaces. That's why we're talking about them. Here are some videos on this topic from authoritative people.
As a rule, we all get information about tires from authoritative magazines and reviews, but reviews are obscurantism. This year, 2 reputable publishing houses tested winter tires. As always, everything is predictable with them. Here are their summary tables.
As a result, what we have according to the tests:
1st Place Haka
of the latest model (this year it is No. 9) and Continental.
2nd Place
should obviously be behind Michelin.
But for unknown reasons, Michelin was gradually lowered a couple of years ago. This year it was not included at all again for unknown reasons, although it clearly has something to show. But its place was gradually taken by Hankuk,
it all started with model 409, then 419, and this year 429. But more on that later.
3rd places. This is Pirelli and Goodyear. 4 places
.
These are 2nd echelon tires: Nodman and Gisloved. 5th place
.
This is the so-called Asian sector.
Yakogamma, Nitto, Toyo led by
Bridgestone. 6th place
.
That's all that's left
.
As a rule, Kumho and all possible Chinese. This year Firestone got there too. In general, everything is as obvious as always, as obvious as it is obvious who became our President.
And now I want to present my Tire Rating.
2nd place
– this is
Haka and specifically No. 9 and Continental
. The reason is the same: a large number of studs (about 200 pcs/1 tire).
At the Continental
standard -
a tenon is glued in
. This is perhaps a very significant advantage.
Otherwise, these are very delicate, very thin and shock-unresistant European tires with insufficient durability.
Because
There are a lot of thorns, which means a lot of noise
, and no matter what anyone says, these tires cannot be quiet.
As for Khaki 9
, the idea of using different studs in the pad is borrowed from motorsport, as long as the stud is not rounded it will all work.
But for the price for which it is sold, it is a very thin tire, it does not have studs glued in
.
The problem of studding of Russian-made Nokian tires has not gone away. The spikes begin to loosen very early and stop working fully. The Finns claim that thin sidewalls are the key to new technologies, low fuel consumption and better handling (smooth changes in the character of the tire as it moves), the noise of the tires is the sound of the hook, and in order for a stud to be glued in, there must be a stud problem, which they do not have. But in reality, these are all excuses.
But in fact, the Finns again saved a lot of money on rubber production. Regarding Continental
, then after
BD sports studs
, these
tires lost a lot
.
But the number of spikes decides a lot
.
the Bridgestone Spike 01 tires in this category.
with a cross-shaped spike. As long as the cross on the spike is not erased, they work very effectively. But this tire has a problem with the studs and is no longer produced.
3rd places. These are Pirelli, Goodyear and Bridgestone Spike 02.
These are truly premium tires; this is immediately felt on any surface, even during civilian driving.
Goodyear Ice Artic
today it still remains a complex innovative tire, with multi-layer tread and advanced studs. The only thing that lets this tire down is the pattern; it is of an off-road type. Accordingly, this tire has high cross-country ability to the detriment of other properties.
Bridgestone
, no matter how much he is lowered in Russian tests,
he is always among the top three all over the world
.
One of the most shock-resistant
tires.
If you look at the test results , the gap from the leader in points is 7-8%, which will be absolutely imperceptible in civilian driving
. This tire no longer uses simple studs and advanced compounds.
I wrote a review about the Bridgestone Spike 02 tire, but I admit that it was not entirely correct, because... The tire has not been properly broken in. This year I will update my review. But for now we have what we have. For me, this tire showed acceleration dynamics that were much better than braking properties. For now, my opinion remains the same. The Spike 01 model is better than the Spike 02 model (but the Spike 01 has a serious problem in the tucking), and the Bridgestone Ice Cruiser 7000 is better than more than 2 new models (Spike 01 and 02).
www.drive2.ru/b/517605270331851692/ As for
Pirelli
, this tire was really very seriously developed and improved to a high standard. Shows very good results on snow. But despite the fact that it uses a sports spike (with a very high-quality fit), it shows average results on ice (the theory about the number of spikes is still unchanged).
4th place. These are Goodyear Ultra Grip 600, Yacogamma and Hankuk
.
These are ordinary modern tires without obvious disadvantages or advantages. I can’t help but explain such zealous results of the Hankook Tests (I can only assume and guess). Models 409 and 419 were the most common tires, with simple studs (not even factory ones) and thin rubber. Model 429 certainly began to look more respectable. I drove Hankuk Tires a long time ago (2010) and not long ago (2017). I didn’t notice any difference, I couldn’t identify any advantages, and I can’t say anything bad either. Previously, the problem was that these tires quickly lost their properties.
5th place (can be shared with 4th and possibly 3rd). These are 2nd tier tires: Gisloved and Nordman
. Yes, these are tires with a polished and perfected tread, but with very budget compounds and studs. These tires a priori cannot enter the top three. At the same time, they have some advantages regarding their versatility and already some accessibility.
How are winter tires tested?
The testing procedure has a large number of nuances on which the reliability of the result depends.
- For comparison, several tire models of the same price category are taken.
- Tire quality testing is carried out on one car.
- Tests are carried out in certain weather conditions and types of coverage. Usually it is a dry and wet road, snow, ice.
- The results are determined by objective data (time to gain and decrease speed, passing the route) and subjective data (ease of control, convenience), which are determined by the pilot.
- Behind the wheel is a driver who professionally tests cars.
Based on the testing results, a summary is made and a rating is compiled for all indicators. Such comparisons allow car owners to choose the tire option that suits all their characteristics.
Handling on ice
Handling was tested on a closed icy track with ESP disabled. The participants were treated to many straights, sharp and smooth turns, a high-speed “esque”, and, finally, half a circle of constant radius, which allows you to evaluate the behavior of the car on a long arc.
Conti pulled ahead, delighting the experts with a soft and clear steering response and predictable behavior. You gave him the highest score of eight points.
DoubleStar is trailing behind again. A car on these tires literally leads the driver by the nose, trying to send him into a skid every second. At first it seems that the car can go faster, but then the car seems to break loose and begins a very long slide, which unexpectedly ends with a sharp contact. The cabin shakes if the wheels are turned out beforehand, and the car spins into a tailspin. The turns are such that no electronics can cope with them.
Tests of winter studded tires for SUVs 2017-2018
Tires equipped with anti-skid studs are most popular in countries with long and cold winters. They significantly affect the car’s braking distance and its stability on slippery roads, especially during icy conditions.
To test studded winter tires, experts selected several models:
Pirelli Winter Ice Zero
Studded tires from the Italian manufacturer Pirelli have a large selection of sizes. Studs with a double core and thickening in the seat ensure high-quality passage of icy sections of the road. The original rubber compound allows the tires to maintain elasticity in cold weather (up to - 45°C) and sufficient rigidity at positive temperatures (up to + 10°C).
Nokian Hakkapeliitta 9
It features a reinforced sidewall that is resistant to punctures and cuts. It has 2 types of studs for effective traction on various types of road surfaces. Compared to previous models from the Finnish manufacturer, it has fewer studs, which reduces the acoustic effect produced by the tires.
Мі chelin Latitude X-Ice North 3
Michelin developers have created tires specifically for aggressive driving style in winter. The enlarged spikes have a diameter of 9 mm. They fit securely into their sockets thanks to the latest smart thorn technology.
Bridgestone Blizzak Spike-02
The model is available in a wide range of sizes (from 15 to 21 inches) and is popular in the CIS countries. The peculiarity of this tire is the directional stud and the rigidity of the central segment, which is responsible for the handling and directional stability of the car.
Continental Ice Contact 2
Premium segment tires are produced at the Kaluga plant. They have lightweight and ultra-light studs, which make the tire very quiet. Double vulcanization literally “solders” the stud deep into the tread and holds it securely even during sharp maneuvers.
Counting the thorns
Price is not the only thing that differentiates the rivals from each other.
You can also tell a lot about a tire by its studs. The BFGoodrich tire has the fewest teeth – 100, as well as the DoubleStar – 110. They are the only ones that meet the requirements of the Technical Regulations of the Customs Union, which limit the number of studs to sixty per m2 of working surface. In other words, for our size there should not be more than 130 “spines”. There is a loophole for manufacturers to get around this rule - they will have to prove through additional tests that their tire with increased studding does not significantly damage the surface. Obviously, Sailun (138 spikes), Yokohama (160), Nokian (172), Conti (188) and the most spiked Hankook, which we counted 205 teeth, took this more expensive route! The protrusion of the studs meets the requirements of the Technical Regulations for almost all: a value of 0.9-1.5 mm is considered the norm. Only two stand out from the general series - these are Viatti and DoubleStar, whose studs protrude to a minimum of 0.6 mm.
Six competitors represent the SUV category for crossovers and SUVs. Especially for these vehicles, the carcass, shoulder areas, sidewalls and tire tread compound are strengthened for more severe road conditions. This subspecies can be purchased for all price categories. The other eight competitors are simple tires for passenger cars, but with SUV dimensions. According to manufacturers, most modern SUVs have front-wheel drive and rarely leave city asphalt roads.
Test results:
| pros | Minuses |
| Pirelli Winter Ice Zero | · High level of comfort |
Handling on ice and dry roads
· Directional stability regardless of the type of road
Smooth running, low noise level
Long braking distance in icy conditions
· Durable stud fastening
Comfort in the cabin, soft ride
Effective braking even when pressing the pedal in an emergency
· Doesn't get off track
Average stability on wet asphalt and snow
Poor handling on ice
Taking into account all the indicators, we can formulate a rating of winter studded tires for crossovers.
The places were distributed as follows:
- Nokian Hakkapeliitta 9.
- Michelіn Latitude X-Ice North 3.
- Continental Ice Contact 2.
- Pirelli Winter Ice Zero.
- Brigestone Blizzak Spike-02.
Competitors in order
Up to 4,000 rub.
per tire The list of the cheapest models opens with the Russian Viatti Bosco Nordico and the Chinese Sailun Ice Blazer WST 3 and DoubleStar WinterKing DW07. The rest are a little more expensive: two domestic Pirelli Formula Ice and Cordiant SnowCross 2 SUV, as well as the Chinese Triangle Icelink Sport Utility.
Up to 6,000 rub. per tire
There are only six tires in the mid-price range. Nordman 7 SUV and Yokohama IceGuard IG65 assembled in Russia. Gislaved Nord Frost 200 SUV and BFGoodrich g‑Force Stud are Russian-assembled, they will charge a little more. Hankook Winter i*Pike RS2 from Korea, and Toyo Observe Ice-Freezer SUV from Malaysia.
More than 6,000 rub. per tire
These two from the premium group are bitter rivals: the Russian-made Nokian HKPL 9 SUV, the German Continental IceContact 3.
The test results showed:
| Excessive softness in warm weather | |
| Continental Winter Contact TS 850P | · Excellent performance on all types of surfaces |
| · Not always stable control on ice | |
| Goodyear Ultra GripIce 2 | Easy to overcome snow cover |
| Slow steering response on dry pavement | |
| Dunlop Winter Sport 5 | · Balanced characteristics |
| · Increased fuel consumption | |
| Michelin Pilot Alpine 4 | Best traction among all tested |
| Relatively long braking distance on dry asphalt | |
| Discipline | Place |
| Braking on dry asphalt | 9 |
| Braking on wet asphalt | 5 |
| Handling on dry asphalt | 8 |
| Driving on wet asphalt | 8 |
| Braking on snow | 8 |
| Snow control | 5 |
| Hydroplaning | 9 |
| Economical | 11 |
| Noisiness | 8 |
As the 2022 r17 winter tire test for a crossover shows, this model is distinguished by consistently good performance in almost all disciplines. The exception is the economy, which is below average due to the strong rolling resistance of the tires.
Snow traction
On a snowy track, we made five or six combined measurements (acceleration and deceleration) in one direction.
The speed was made a little higher - up to 40 km/h. Accelerate from a standstill from 0 km/h, and leave the braking distance at 5 km/h. In this test the variation is minimal. The braking distance of ten participants is almost the same, the spread is only 20 cm. Continental was the best, DoubleStar was the worst.
The Gislaved with an asymmetric tread and the Nordman with a directional tread accelerate faster. However, both of them stay on the snow more thoroughly than the others. DoubleStar performed worst of all again.
Test of winter tires for crossovers in size 18 inches
Tires in size R18 were also tested by the Germans from Auto Bild magazine. This time the test subject was Nokian WR A4225/40 R18.
Among 9 studless winter tires with similar parameters, A4 took the following positions:
| Discipline | Place |
| Braking on dry asphalt | 1 |
| Braking on wet asphalt | 9 |
| Handling on dry asphalt | 1 |
| Driving on wet asphalt | 10 |
| Braking on snow | 10 |
| Snow control | 9 |
| Hydroplaning | 10 |
| Economical | 1 |
| Noisiness | 3 |
As we can see, the test of 2017-2018 r18 winter tires for a crossover showed the strengths and weaknesses of this model. Based on the results, we can say that Nokian WR A4 are suitable for snowless and dry winters and do not perform well on snow and wet asphalt.
At the same time, the tires are soft, almost silent and very economical.
Handling on snow
We will consider maneuvering and directional stability on a straight road at a speed of 100 km/h.
And we immediately have two winners: Nokian and Formula. They can be praised for their clear course when driving straight, firm steering response, and clear and soft reactions to steering wheel rotation when the driver corrects direction. DoubleStar once again demonstrates that driving it is a lost cause. The car begins to scour the straight road, even if no one touched the steering wheel. Very weak reaction when adjusting direction, large and sudden drifts that provoke the driver to take emergency action.
Next we went to the highway, where the Tiguan will suddenly change lanes at speeds from 40 to 60 km/h, typical for urban conditions. The highest score - eight points - goes to Formula and Yokohama tires. Any driver of average skill can handle the turns.
DoubleStar again performed the worst: weak reactions, huge steering angles and drifts when entering a turn. If you increase the speed, the skidding only increases. The driver will have to quickly adjust the movement and act proactively. One mistake and you are guaranteed to fly into oncoming traffic.
Conclusion
This review of winter tires 2017-2018 for crossovers allows us to draw the following conclusions:
- There is no universal rubber that is best for any weather and road conditions. Each model has positive and negative sides.
- Tires from leading manufacturers are usually distinguished by high quality and performance characteristics, but any company may have unsuccessful models.
- By studying the 2017-2018 winter tire ratings and comparing test results, the driver will be able to choose the best tire option for his vehicle, road conditions and weather.
Handling track
In this test, participants will stay close to the extreme riding conditions, but resist going into extreme slides. Four models received the highest eight points: Continental, Formula, Cordiant and Toyo. Shina Cordiant was a pleasant surprise, as previously she had shown rather average results.
DoubleStar failed the test - the car's steering wheel has no control over the track. Very long reactions, wide arc of rotation, skidding and loss of stability. It doesn’t get any easier as the car constantly slips. One disappointment follows another!
The next race is active driving with a reaction test in sliding. Here again we are pleased with the Cordiant, which copes even with aggressive driving. Nokian and Toyo are breathing down his neck. All three received their eight.
Does anyone else doubt which participant turned out to be the weakest here? That's right: DoubleStar. Constant long slides, excessively sharp grip with “shooting” of the stern. The traction is so weak that even adding gas does not solve the yaw problem. Driving turns into a constant battle with your own car, so as not to lose control and end up in a skid. After the trip there is more than enough adrenaline.
Winter tire tests 2017-2018 (Behind the Wheel, Autoreview, ADAC, Auto Bild)
Tests of winter and summer tires, which are carried out every year by a number of qualified organizations, will help you avoid getting lost in the abundance of names, marks and brands. This includes:
ADAC Club
ADAC is a serious organization that has represented the interests of German motorists for more than a century. The largest car club in Europe checks car brands for quality and safety, and also regularly tests tires. It is difficult for tire manufacturers to achieve high ratings from ADAC - their severe tests, carried out with true German thoroughness, can leave neither the bottom nor the tire of the tire. The usual results are “satisfactory”, and rarely does a tire receive a “good” verdict.
Magazine "Behind the Wheel"
The oldest Russian magazine dedicated to car enthusiasts and their iron horses. He regularly tests popular and not so popular tires on the post-Soviet market in hot and cold weather, and also conducts interesting studies such as “How temperature affects the length of a car’s braking distance.”
Auto Bild
Car enthusiasts from more than 35 countries around the world read licensed editions of the German magazine Auto Bild. The magazine presents not only motor sports and industry news, but also comparative tests, test drives and, of course, tire testing in various interesting places - for example, AT tires for SUVs in a small Finnish village beyond the Arctic Circle.
Autoreview
The popular Russian (and formerly Soviet) publication "Autoreview" regularly conducts comparative tests of cars at the test site, crash tests using European methods with its own independent rating, and also tests automotive products, ranging from fuel to child car seats. Of course, tires are also on the list.
Ice contact
First, let's evaluate longitudinal grip at speeds from 5 to 30 km/h. Nokian has the best acceleration, DoubleStar tires are slower. And the difference is almost double! However, this is not surprising, given that DoubleStar has nothing to really cling to the track with and the protrusion of their spikes is minimal.
Braking from 30 to 5 km/h again remains with Nokian - 13.5 m. Outsiders DoubleStar and Viatti - 21 meters for both at a speed of 30 km/h. It’s better not to even think about what will happen if they have to brake at a speed of 60 or 90 km/h.
Next, we go out onto the ice circle and evaluate the speed of its passage. Conti performed best of all, leaving behind Gislaved and Nokian, who came only third. It was let down by a rather specific behavior, when the front wheels cling perfectly to the ice, and the rear wheels, when rolling freely, slide and take the car to the side.
The Seilun tires had the worst lap. But their longitudinal grip is quite good - fifth place. The most unusual thing is that they were ahead of the “toothless” Goodrich by almost 10%.
deep snow
Survival in snowdrifts is an extremely important topic for owners of SUVs and crossovers.
For some motorists, even a one-wheel drive car is not a reason not to park in snowdrifts. Nokian and Nordman showed everyone their class in deep snow. With full throttle and tension, the car confidently maneuvers in knee-deep snow. The car even drives in reverse when a huge pile of snow rises in front of the bumper.
DoubleStar drove into a snowdrift and stayed there. It’s as if the Tiguan was put on summer tires and for some reason thrown into the snow.
Best choice price/quality 2022
For those who consider money when choosing tires, our “price/quality” rating is important. The most profitable tires in this regard are Triangle Snowlink PL01 tires. Every thousand rubles of the price brings 244 final points.
For those who trust Russian-Finnish products more, we advise you to take a closer look at Nordman RS2 tires - this is 202 points per thousand rubles. For lovers of Japanese goods - Nitto SN2: 194 points per thousand rubles.
In the middle of the list is the trio that is the most balanced in terms of price and quality: Goodyear UltraGrip Ice 2, Dunlop Winter Maxx WM02 and Pirelli Ice Zero FR.
And those who prefer only the best tires in all respects should not save money - you are overpaying not only for the name.
Cordiant Winter Drive – budget studless winter tires (Velcro)
Among studless tires, the so-called Velcro tires, in the budget category, according to reviews from car owners, Cordiant Winter Drive took pride of place. Almost silent, it moves and brakes well in slush, loose and compacted snow. On ice it behaves somewhat weaker, however, in city conditions good handling is maintained.
Completely predictable behavior of a car with Cordiant Winter Drive tires, abrasion-resistant, soft, with good tread, but at temperatures from 5 degrees above zero it begins to “float”. An excellent option for a quiet winter ride; it handles well in the snowdrifts.
- predictable behavior on various surfaces; does not wash off; soft; good tread; acceptable cost.
- braking on ice is worse; somewhat noisy for a non-studded shoe; floats at temperatures above +5.
Nokian Tires Hakkapeliitta R2 SUV - studless tires: review "Autoreview"
Nokian Tires Hakkapeliitta R2 SUV tires drive along a snowy road at speeds above 100 km. They also perform well on the road with freshly fallen snow, in slush, on clean asphalt and even in puddles. Very quiet and soft tires, grips the road with any asphalt surface.
The car has good directional stability and a short braking distance. Nokian Tires Hakkapeliitta R2 SUV tires are suitable for the middle zone with mild winters, because the quality of handling decreases on purely winter surfaces and conditions. At the same time, with such tires the car goes through deep snow.
- quiet; cross-country ability in snowdrifts; confidently keeps track; cross-country ability on ice, slush, and puddles.
- price; increased fuel consumption.
Bottom line
All the world's car tire manufacturers are now almost in step. Of course, there are differences between specific models, but they are more likely due to their purpose (for mild winters, for severe conditions, etc.) and positioning on the market. Frankly cheap, rootless products (for example, Chinese) are hardly worth considering - saving a few hundred rubles can easily end a person’s life when, precisely because of low-quality tires, several meters of braking distance are not enough.
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Continental Conti lce Contact 2
Unlike the previous participant in the rating, this is a tire for really harsh winters.
Photo: sti-club.su Engineers used several innovative solutions in this model:
- firstly, the mass of new spikes has been reduced by 25%. This made it possible to increase their number per unit area of the tire by 50%, that is, by half . The fact that the road surface will not wear out more is proven by special tests carried out jointly with specialists from the University of Karlsruhe. At the same time, the noise level, which is often presented as one of the most serious disadvantages of studded tires, is also significantly reduced.
- secondly, the location of the spikes has been changed. Now they are installed so that they only come into contact with the ice that has not been crushed by other “nails”.
- thirdly, there are special cavities around the spikes - “pockets”. Crushed ice falls into them before being pushed out by centrifugal force.
Last but not least, it was these innovations that ensured that Continental Conti lce Contact 2 tires became one of the confident leaders in their class. For the Russian market, the model is produced at a plant near Kaluga.
Standard sizes and prices
The price list starts at approximately 3,500 rubles per piece. The upper limit is about 15 thousand.
The choice is very wide. From 175/65/R14 to 275/50R20. That is, these tires are suitable for both modest VAZ vehicles and the latest and very expensive premium foreign cars. There are also separate “modifications” with the SUV index - for crossovers.
Safety first
Many car enthusiasts approach the question of which winter tires are best to choose from the purse side. When making a purchase, they select tires based on planned and available funds. This approach is due to the high prices for quality products.
It is worth noting that purchasing inexpensive models from little-known manufacturers results in the following problems:
- unpredictable behavior on slippery snowy roads;
- poor handling;
- high noise level;
- aquaplaning;
- reduced service life.
Creating an emergency situation on the road can not only cause an accident, but also harm the health of road users. The choice of winter tires must be made taking into account operating conditions, the nature of the climate and expert recommendations. Remember that imaginary savings can affect your safety.
“>
Pirelli Winter Ice Zero
These studded tires have excellent performance on snow and ice.
Photo: photos-mt.kcdn.kz Italian engineers also decided to “play” with the shape of the studs - they made them double (Dual Stud). The density of small lamella grooves has also been increased. True, experts note that the tires were clearly tested only on cars with an installed stability control system. In its absence, the indicators are much more modest. Well, things are not the best with comfort, but this is the price to pay for cross-country ability and stability.
Sizes and prices
Price – approximately from 3900 to 18000 rubles per piece.
For “regular” passenger cars - from 185/60R14 to 275/35R20. For crossovers, the model range just starts at 215/70R16 and ends at an impressive 275/40R22. There are also “modifications” with run flat technology, which allows you to drive without a spare tire at all.
Choose by cost
As the economic crisis flares up, manufacturing companies cannot help but change their pricing policies, and no one can predict how much tires will cost next month. However, we will try to categorize the participants depending on their “fair” value and the real price tag on the market.
For budget purchases, Formula Ice tires (15%) are suitable. Slightly more expensive are the Viatti Bosco Nordico (11%), Sailun Ice Blazer WST 3 (8%) and Cordiant SnowCross 2 SUV (4%). When buying the Triangle Icelink Sport Utility kit, you will have to pay an extra 3%, and for the DoubleStar WinterKing DW07 you will pay 13%.
Tires with an average price tag are not so profitable. You will be able to profit the most by purchasing the Gislaved Nord Frost 200 SUV (11%). Slightly less profit with Yokohama IceGuard IG65 (9%), Nordman 7 SUV (8%) and Hankook Winter i*Pike RS2 (6%). For a set of BFGoodrich g‑Force Stud and Toyo Observe IceFreezer SUV tires, the overpayment will be 11% and 16%, respectively.
Everyone understands that top-end tires are not a category on which you need to save. The actual price tag of Continental IceContact 3 is 9% higher than the “fair” cost. Nokian HKPL 9 SUV is the most expensive with its 21% overpayment.
