Overview of winter non-studded tires. Winter tire test for a crossover: choose the appropriate option. Vredestein Wintrac Xtreme S - winter studless tires, test

Preparing a car for the winter season is a responsible matter, and you need to approach it as seriously as possible, especially if there is a question about buying tires for operation in conditions with a predominance of snow and ice surfaces. In this case, only studded tires will help, and so that buyers do not make a mistake with their choice, road tests organized in a “combat” environment are needed.

By the cold season of 2016-2017, we tested winter studded tires at one of the test sites in the northern part of the earth's hemisphere, where real winter reigned. For testing, a typical mid-size car (D-segment according to the European classification) was selected, for which twelve relatively affordable sets of tires with a dimension of 195/65 R15 were selected (it is this that is most often found on inexpensive foreign cars and domestic cars).

Eight test participants fit into pricing policy from two to three thousand rubles, but among them a very motley company was selected:

• The most accessible were Chinese tires Triangle IceLink and updated Cordiant snow cross, and the most expensive are Hankook Winter i * Pike RS +, which “registered” 170 spikes on itself, and a novelty for the winter of 2016-2017 in the face of Dunlop SP Winter Ice 02.
• The “middle peasants” were Matador Sibir Ice 2, Toyo Observe G3-Ice, Pirelli Formula Ice and Nordman 5.
• In addition, four sets of tires that are not so affordable, but no less successful in Russia - Michelin X-Ice North 3, Goodyear Ultra Grip Ice Arctic, Nokian Hakkapeliitta 8 and Continental ContiIceContact 2.

It is also worth noting that half of the "test subjects" are produced in our country, due to which acceptable price tags are hung on them.

Studded tires passed the whole complex of snow and ice exercises at the air temperature from -20 to -2 ºC at the training ground. True, due to the lack of dense, rolled snow, it was not possible to perform a rearrangement, but it was possible to evaluate the handling on two tracks at once - both snow and ice.

The tests started with methodical measurements, with six to eight races on each set of tires, and in some cases all ten because of the “jumping” results. At the same time, a check of the condition of the coating using base tires was carried out after every two or three sets of spikes.

The first disciplines that all test participants faced were acceleration and braking on snowy surfaces with traction control and anti-lock systems turned on, preventing the wheels from slipping when accelerating and blocking when decelerating.
When accelerating from 0 to 40 km/h, the championship was taken by Cordiant, Formula and Nokian, who were able to keep within 6 seconds, and Toyo became outsiders, who immediately lost half a second to the leaders. It was this speed interval that was used to measure time for the following reasons: from zero - to prevent the tires from “hanging” when starting off, and up to 40 km / h - because you can accelerate to this figure in first gear.
When braking from 40 to 5 km / h (not to a complete stop in order to avoid interference with ABS), the situation changed somewhat, and Michelin tires performed the best here (the car needed a distance of 16.2 m with them), and the Chinese Triangle became the worst (20.7 m).

The same procedures were carried out on ice, but with a different end point of acceleration and initial deceleration (30 km/h). Yes, and the acceleration time began to be fixed not from zero, but from 5 km / h due to the use of equipment with an optical sensor instead of a device with a GPS module. After each measurement, it was necessary to slightly shift the car onto clean ice, since small ice chips carved with spikes reduced friction, thereby preventing accurate figures from being shown.
The best acceleration time on ice was shown by Nokian, whose time did not exceed 4.5 seconds, the second place was awarded to Continental with a lag of 0.3 seconds, and Matador trailed behind (as much as 7 seconds). Braking has not made any changes in the list of leaders and outsiders.

The final exercise in measurements is the determination of the time to overcome the ice circle, where it was required to do a large number of repetitions on each set of tires. And here the top positions on the “pedestal of honor” were taken by Continental and Dunlop, ahead of all competitors.

The next test cycle started with an assessment of the behavior of a car moving on a snowy road at high speed, for which a platform about 15 meters wide and about half a kilometer long was involved. Such a route not only made it possible to check the accuracy of straight-line movement at a speed of 90-100 km/h, but also to make soft changes from one lane to another and simulate a detour of an obstacle.
The test car showed the most confident behavior on Goodyear, Cordiant and Nokian spikes, while Matador tires showed a wide and uninformative zero, solid steering angles when correcting the course and delays in reactions to the steering wheel. The Chinese Triangle, despite the low information content of the steering wheel, pleased with its clarity, for which they received a plus in the piggy bank.

Much more interesting was the next exercise - driving on a closed track with snow cover, turns of various steepness and small descents and ascents, perfectly imitating Russian roads.
But if the outsider remained the same compared to the previous discipline, then the leaders changed - the car, shod with Cordiant, Nokian, Hankook and Toyo tires, distinguished itself with clear reactions and predictable behavior even during skidding.

No less important for winter tires and handling on a lot of surfaces, so this particular test was next in line, and for its implementation a track with high-speed and slow turns, as well as short and long straight sections was used.
When taxiing on ice, everyone was left behind by the spikes of Cordiant, Hankook, Nokian (they were the most successful in handling on snow) and Nordman, who demonstrated understandable behavior and quick reactions, while in the rearguard due to poor steering information and an unexpected stall in a skid trailed Goodyear.

But to check the patency, snow with a depth of a little more ground clearance, which made it possible to establish how the car, shod in certain tires, simply and clearly starts from a place, is controlled and selected in its own footsteps if it gets stuck.
And here, for the previous fiasco, Goodyear tires completely recouped, on which the car moved more than confidently in deep snow, while the Chinese Triangle tires did not work at all.

After testing with snow and ice, it was time to find out if all the spikes were still in place. And the highest reliability was shown by Continental and Formula, which managed not to lose a single “carnation”, but the outsiders were Cordiant, Dunlop and Hankook, which lost ten, thirteen and fifteen spikes, respectively. Michelin, Nordman and Nokian tires all scored good with two talons missing, while Goodyear, Triangle and Matador were forced to part with three or four studs. As for Toyo, their losses amounted to seven "carnations" - not the best result.

The matter was not limited to snow-ice exercises alone, because any car shoes (even studded ones) have to be used on asphalt from time to time. Moreover, such tests were carried out under more favorable weather conditions, when the asphalt had already dried up, and the air temperature ranged from 4 to 7 ºC. And after all, it is precisely these conditions that prevail at the turn for a seasonal change of “shoes”.
First of all, all the test subjects were subjected to measuring fuel consumption, and immediately before the measurements on the warm-up lap, directional stability and comfort level (noise and smoothness) on roads with different surfaces were evaluated along the way.
Nokian, Formula and Nordman became the least “gluttonous” at urban and suburban speeds, but Cordiant showed the worst numbers, albeit with a very small difference (only 200 ml of gasoline per “hundred”). With directional stability at a speed of 110-130 km / h, things were best with Michelin tires- the car shod in them distinguished itself by a clear holding of a given trajectory and soft rebuilding. But Triangle found itself in the “catching up”: here there is no information content on the steering wheel, and the “zero” is wide and smeared, and in order to maintain the direction it is necessary to work the “steering wheel” at solid angles.
In terms of noise, all the test subjects are approximately at the same level - each of them rustles the tweezers on the asphalt. And if we take into account the smoothness of the ride, then Continental, Hankook and Michelin have proven themselves better than others.

The final exercise for all sets of tires was braking on wet and dry pavement, which was carried out from speeds of 60 and 80 km / h to 5 km / h (in order to exclude ABS interference).
The Continental studs (19.8m) took the shortest distance to slow down in the wet, while the Dunlop and Cordiant rolled the farthest (22.4 and 22.5m respectively).
On a dry road, they felt more confident than others Triangle tires(31.6 m), while Cordiant (35 m) showed the worst results.

The first line according to the test results went to the Nokian Hakkapeliitta 8 tires, which excelled good performance in all exercises, followed by Continental ContiIceContact 2. By and large, both tires have only one drawback - high price. Bronze went to Goodyear UltraGrip Ice Arctic tires.

Spike-02 retained the V-shaped directional tread pattern, but changed the shape of the cross grooves, plus increased the number of sipes. All this allows you to more effectively remove the snow-water porridge from the contact patch, and this makes it possible to confidently drive the car on a snowy road. Improved and rubber compound. According to the Japanese, now the tire does not tan at low temperatures, its wear resistance is increased by 30%.

The tire is produced in 30 sizes. Landing diameter - from 13 to 18 inches.

Friction tires Goodyear and Fulda

In Europe, sales of the new Goodyear UltraGrip Performance SUV Gen-1 tires began in May of this year. Soon they will appear with us. The novelty, in fact, is a passenger car adapted for crossovers. Goodyear tire UltraGrip Performance Gen-1, which went into mass production last year.

The passenger tire received a lot of positive feedback, in particular, it was highly appreciated by experts from TÜV SÜD Product Service GmbH. It can be assumed that the tire for crossovers will also be successful.

By the way, this is not the only novelty of the manufacturer. Fulda, owned by GoodYear, showed off the Kristall Control HP2. Recall that under this brand, Americans sell more budget tires.

These tires have replaced the Kristall Control HP, which appeared in 2010. The tread pattern is tricky. In its central part, there is a kind of network consisting of many grooves. This "network" keeps the snow in the contact patch, thereby improving the traction of the tire.

The rubber compound has been improved. Now it is even more resistant to low temperatures and the tire does not tan in severe frost, thereby ensuring good handling. The composition also includes silica (silicon dioxide). It improves traction on wet roads.

Dunlop for crossovers

The tire has a new ultra-light stud with a triangular shaped carbide insert. However, it makes no sense to talk in detail about technology. Most of them are already known to us from Conti models. Since it is a premium brand, the latest developments are first used in Continental tires and only then are mastered by brands for more budget segments.

The line includes 64 sizes designed for cars and crossovers.

Continental

There is no news yet about the novelties of the eminent manufacturer. But the concern has already released some "new clothes" under its sub-brands, "playing" in more budget segments. We have already talked about Gislaved, and here is another one new model- budget novelty Matador MP 30 Sibir Ice 2.

Compared to its predecessor Matador Sibir Ice, the tire has a reinforced carcass, and rigid blocks in the shoulder areas of the tread provide good directional stability during maneuvers. Spikes - aluminum with a hard-alloy insert. The "nails" are arranged in such a way that the wear of the spikes and the tread is uniform. That is, the risk of spikes falling out is reduced. The resource of the tire has also increased.

In total, 21 sizes are available with a bore diameter from 13 to 17 inches.

All-season tires and Velcro from Yokohama

The company presents updated all season tires Geolandar G015 and Velcro IceGuard Studless G075.

Yokohama Geolandar G015 is designed for SUVs and pickups. The cover has been radically updated. A new tread pattern has appeared, the strength of the sidewalls has been strengthened, the composition has been redesigned rubber compound. An icon of a snowy three-mountain peak appeared on the sidewall. This suggests that now the tire can also be used in winter - the rubber does not tan, retaining elasticity even at low temperatures. According to the company representatives, these tires can be used all year round. Even when the temperature rises above 20 degrees Celsius. The novelty is presented in 64 standard sizes.

Tires IceGuard Studless G075 are designed for crossovers and SUVs.

The G075 has a directional tread pattern and the rubber compound absorbs water like a sponge. The original moisture-absorbing composition of the mixture removes the water film from the contact patch, improving the braking properties of the tire. In total, the G075 line has 18 sizes from 16 to 18 inches. Profile: 55–70.

Kumho

South Korean Kumho introduced studded Kumho tire WinterCraft SUV ice WS31 for crossovers. It was created on the basis of a purely passenger car tire Kumho Wi31. The tread patterns are almost identical, so the relationship is immediately visible.

Under the specifics of SUV cars, the novelty has increased the rigidity of the blocks in the tread pattern. Improved handling and braking on ice. Engineers have also worked on optimizing the shape of the drainage grooves. This, in turn, helped improve the tire's slush handling and increased hydroplaning resistance.

Another novelty of the manufacturer is Kumho WinterCraft WP71. These "Velcro" play in the premium segment. Koreans promise excellent grip and handling on wet and dry roads, as well as on snow. Due to the directional pattern and a large number of sipes, the tires “row” well in loose snow. Available in 42 sizes from 225/50 R16 to 245/45 R19.

Nokian

The majority equals the Finnish tire manufacturers. They are one of the recognized leaders, therefore there is always a special interest in their new products. So, for this winter, Nokian has prepared a non-studded model WR A4, which will replace the WR A3.

The tire has an asymmetric tread design, and a number of changes have been made to the design to improve performance. The rubber compound with silica is called Performance Traction Silica. In addition to natural rubber, it contains canola oil, which provides reliable grip in winter conditions. This compound also increases the wear resistance of the tire and improves stability when driving on snow.

The technology of the so-called "snow claws" was also applied: on the longitudinal ribs of the tread lamellas, the edges are made sharp. They also provide additional grip on a snowy road.

Michelin and Kleber

It is still unknown what the company will show under its main, premium brand. But for products aimed at the mid-price segment, there is clarity. The first is the BFGoodrich g-Force Winter 2, a directional tire designed for a wide range of passenger cars.

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 are well aware that in some cases, Velcro behave 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 preserve a well-cleaned roadbed from destruction, but for safety reasons (in mild winters, 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 at low temperatures, losing grip.

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 and removal of snow and moisture from the contact patch (significantly affecting the stability of the car 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 a high-quality "friction clutch" sometimes shows top scores 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 spikes. 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 a 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 lamellae, a wide longitudinal rib located in the center provide average level grip and stability on wet pavement and slush in urban environments. 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 an asymmetric tread pattern. 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 with herself. better side, but still on average. 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 side of the center rib to 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 ranking is opened by the fifth place - friction winter Pirelli Ice Zero F.R. 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. Here, too, much depends on the car, for example, in corners, the BMW X5 wags its back a little, in mercedes-benz c-class it feels like the tires barely hold back the skid, and the Porsche Macan takes corners on them like it's 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.

Main qualities winter tires for car owners: grip on all types of coverage 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 improves 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. Weak sides: long braking distances 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. Interestingly, on the ice, the studless Latitude proved to be much better than the “clawed” tires.

X-Ice North 2 are designed for purely 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 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, as in 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 an affordable price, these tires are practical choice for a limited 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 Bridgestone Blizzak DM-V2. Outside the city, they feel quite confident, and even more so in the city.

The first three places are occupied by the 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 class vehicles is mostly represented by models from 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 characteristics in terms of individual parameters.
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 products of models of different brands help to 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.
Website: 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:

• A thermoset rubber compound that is used as an inner tread layer and is able to change its elasticity depending on temperature environment: at high temperatures it becomes soft and the spikes 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 the new Flex-Ice 3 tread compound, which contains proportionate natural and synthetic rubber for 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.

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In the global car tire market, winter tires account for a modest 7-8%. And in Russia, the production of tires for the winter period is a profitable business, they account for up to 60% of the market. Winter tires are suitable for our country scandinavian type with a massive tread, well pushing snow and ice crust.

Top 10 best winter tires:

Tires #1: Nokian Hakkapeliitta

Nokian Hakkapeliitta - tires with 190 studs and light weight (with the help of special additives) do an excellent job on the track with any type of road surface.

Snow, snowy or frozen surface - it doesn't matter. Indeed, for Nokian Hakkapelitta, becoming the leader in the winter tire rating, there are no barriers. The car, "shod" in this model, shows a short braking distance on dry and wet pavement.

Tires #2: Continental ContilceContact

ContilceContact - universal tires suitable for both cars, and SUVs. The special rubber compound is made for cold and unpredictable climates. The car, “shod” in Continental, brakes well on ice and shows good handling, both on snow-covered roads and on dry pavement. Withstands rapid acceleration and deceleration. To be ContilceContact in the first place, if its slip resistance were perfect. But this is not the case, which is why the silver rating of winter tires in 2018.

Tires #3: Pirelli Winter Ice Zero

Pirelli tire manufacturers test their products under the most extreme conditions, as they operate on ice and snow. Therefore, it is expected that this model performed well on the surface with melted snow and ice. There are no questions about braking and handling under these conditions. So if you're going out of town and the weather is terrible, Pirelli tires - the best choice. Sometimes the car loses traction when cornering. Loud noise tires also do not add to the advantages of Winter Ice Zero. On dry pavement, the braking distance is not as short as we would like, so the bronze rating of winter tires 2018-2019.

Tire #4: Nokian Nordman

Good braking of the Nordman 5 is carried out with the help of a "bear claw" - a protrusion on the tread, which is held vertically when braking. The attractive price of this model, which occupies the 4th place in the ranking of winter tires 2018-2019, will please every motorist.

Thanks to Nokian Nordman 5 the car consumes fuel moderately, shows excellent stability on ice, snow and dry pavement. The only drawback: not very comfortable handling of the car, with heavy snowfall it does not show the best cross-country ability.

Tires #5: Nokian Nordman 4

Nordman 4 features reduced noise and spikes with great durability. Special pads soften contact with the road. On wet pavement and ice, the performance of this model, which occupies the middle of the 2018-2019 winter tire rating, leaves much to be desired. But otherwise, Nokian Nordman 4 is a strong middle peasant, sold at affordable price.

Tires #6: Goodyear UltraGripIce Arctic

With special V-shaped sipes, the tire guarantees perfect grip on snowy roads. The performance of this rubber also gives confidence to the motorist. On wet pavement, the “shod” car behaves confidently, although on dry pavement it turned out to be the slowest of all the presented models of the rating. winter tires this season.

Tire #7: Gislaved Nord*Frost 100

Gislaved Nord*Frost 100 tires with multi-faceted studs for perfect grip on ice. A wide area of ​​contact between the tire and the road surface is made possible by numerous lugs. The car, "shod" in the tires of this model, behaves flawlessly on a wet snowy and ice road. On dry pavement, the performance of rubber, which took 7th place in the ranking of winter tires, is not so joyful: the rolling resistance is high, and the braking distance leaves much to be desired.

Tires #8: Hankook Winter i*Pike RS W419

Hankook Winter i*Pike RS W419 winter tires from a Korean manufacturer have 180 studs and a siping system to reduce braking distances. The car goes perfectly in the snow on the slopes, tracks, forest trails. Dry or wet road in front of you, it does not matter, with Hankook tires Winter your car will be able to drive confidently even on a muddy road. True, on the snow, driving is uneven. This is the only negative of the model that occupies the 8th place in our top of the best winter tires 2018-2019.

No. 9: Formula Ice

Thanks to the hexagonal aluminum studs, the tires of this model are perfectly adapted for driving and braking on snow and ice. The car, "shod" in this rubber, will feel great on dry roads. Formula Ice, ranked 9th in the 2018 winter tire list, will provide the vehicle with a high level of smoothness. This model suitable for those who live in a big city, and rarely travel outside of it. Attractive price will be an additional plus in choosing this model.

#10: Michelin X-IceNorth 3

Thanks to the open tread pattern, the tires interact well with the road even with poor grip. With X-IceNorth vehicle will confidently pass through the slush. A car shod with tires of this model showed the shortest braking distance on a dry road. This rubber, which closes this rating, is most suitable in conditions where there is not much snow and ice. Because the car will be mediocre to accelerate and brake with the X-IceNorth 3. This winter tire model is sold at a reasonable price.

Video TOP 10 most popular winter tires in Russia