30.06.2020

Test of budget winter tires. A pleasant surprise from Belshin. Test of winter tires R15, R16: among hummocks and icebergs Maximum tire speed indices

Summer, like last year, has come to its logical and rapid end. And along with the summer, we will soon only dream of clean and dry roads, into whose embrace the wheels of our cars would throw themselves with pleasure. It's time to think about winter car shoes.

This material, presenting the best winter tires of 2012, should not be taken as the ultimate truth, however, we tried to compile data from various test drives and ratings: here you will find surveys in which Russian car owners participated en masse, real tests winter tires 2012, conducted by reputable publications, reviews from users of specialized sites where tires are sold, as well as research data from specialists from the German publication Autobild.

PREMIUM CLASS

Nokian Hakkapeliitta 5

These car tires have been one of the most reliable and popular on the market for several years now winter tires. When developing this tire, the Finnish manufacturer was guided by the needs that drivers experience in winter, so a car equipped with these tires will never be unpredictable on snowy or icy roads.

At the tires Nokian Hakkapeliitta 5 features an exclusive knob on the tread that holds the Bear Claw stud in a position that provides the best traction during both braking and powerful acceleration. In addition, the tires use a unique technology that uses 4 rubber compounds. When driving on a hard surface, rubber seems to swallow the spikes, ensuring their durability. So if you are looking for the best winter tires for 2012, we recommend considering this tire as an option.

Advantages: the studs grip the road perfectly, good acceleration dynamics and handling, minimal braking mark on snow and ice, there is a snowflake indicator that indicates the degree of tire wear

Flaws: quite noisy when driving on an asphalt road, tires Russian production much worse than Finnish ones, relatively quick tread wear

Review of Nokian Hakkapeliitta 5 tires by Mikhail (Toyota Noah)

“Great tires, the noise compensates for the good grip!”

Michelin Latitude X-Ice North 2

When the French company's specialists developed the Michelin Latitude X-Ice North 2 tires, they used all the experience gained from participating in rally racing in the northern countries. The result is a tire that can withstand intense loads and provide excellent traction on snowy roads, even if the driver has a sporty driving style. For this purpose, technologies such as the “active” Full Active Tread tread, the placement of lamellas using the Stabiligrip system, jagged edges of the tread blocks, which improves traction with compacted snow, the center of the tread, made like a tank caterpillar, and special snow blades on shoulder areas of the tread, a super-hard alloy stud, as well as a reinforced tire sidewall. Answering the question “What are the best winter tires?”, 2012 does not forget about the Michelin Latitude X-Ice North 2, so don’t pass it by.

Advantages: stability when starting, accelerating and braking, entering turns without slipping, high-quality studs, high levels of maneuverability, wear resistance and cross-country ability

Flaws: too noisy when driving on asphalt, but not so much as to make a tragedy out of it

Review of Michelin tires Latitude X-Ice North 2 by Vladislav ( Skoda Yeti)

“I’ve ridden these tires for two winters already (about 20 thousand). Due to its softness, rubber is characterized by little noise. The pattern allows the tires to “drag” the car through the virgin snow. Paired with ABS, it is very easy to control the car when braking. They cope worse with dry asphalt. The tires are great!”

Continental ContilceContact

The rating of winter studded tires also includes Continental ContiIceContact rubber, specially designed for comfortable driving on snowy and icy surfaces. Its main advantages are sinusoidal stepped lamellas, technology that helps effectively remove ice crust, Brilliant Plus studs, as well as reinforced lateral surface and sub-groove layer.

It’s worth taking a closer look at the studs of this rubber. Brilliant Plus studs with slightly longer edges are securely fixed in the tread. This prevents them from falling out of the tire and can significantly reduce braking distance- by about 10% when compared with tires that use standard studs.

Advantages: high European quality, studs are fixed as firmly as possible, excellent handling on slush, ice, as well as wet and dry asphalt

Flaws: quite noisy

Review of Continental ContiIceContact tires by Boris (Peugeot 308)

“I drove around Moscow for two seasons; more than once, thanks to these tires, I climbed icy slopes, walked on porridge and dry asphalt - I always felt quite confident. It drove a little only on fresh coarse snow at minus thirty. In one season I lost only one thorn.”

Nokian Hakkapeliitta R

A review of winter tires 2012 would be incomplete if we did not mention the Nokian Hakkapeliitta R. These tires are primarily distinguished by the fact that they perform excellently on icy highways in real winter conditions, which with its severity can freeze the whole of Africa in the distance. Stable, precise and obedient control and confident behavior of the machine.

The high tread strength of the Nokian Hakkapeliitta R tires is due to the base, which includes rapeseed oil, silica and natural rubber. All this allows you to reduce rolling resistance and fuel consumption, and also (cheer up, “greenies”!) to minimize harmful emissions into the atmosphere.

Advantages: soft and very durable, holds the road perfectly on wet and dry asphalt, does not make much noise, when compared with studded tires, the balance of all characteristics and the predictability of the behavior of a car during dynamic driving around the city, “shod” in these tires, is an order of magnitude higher , noiselessness

Flaws: it slips a little on the porridge, if the temperature rises above five degrees Celsius, it becomes almost impossible to drive; on fresh snow, as well as porridge, there is lateral drift, a rather weak cord

Review of Nokian Hakkapeliitta R tires by Alexander (ACURA RDX)

“Excellent tires, excellent road holding. I used to ride on studs before, but I like these tires better, because the only disadvantage is braking, but everything else is even better. Anyone who becomes deaf from the noise created by studded tires will understand.”

Bridgestone Blizzak WS60

Not a single rating of studless winter tires is complete without the genius of the Japanese. The engineers themselves from the Land of the Rising Sun, working at Bridgestone, call tires Bridgestone Blizzak WS-60 with its next masterpiece. The properties of the rubber compound of these tires are used literally at the molecular level, which makes it possible to increase the level of grip on icy and snowy roads and reduce rolling resistance. The maximum efficiency of tires is ensured by the special rubber composition that is included in the rubber mixture. It contains silicon, which makes rubber resilient and elastic.

It is well known that sliding on ice is explained by the fact that a microscopic film of water forms between the sliding object and the icy road surface. Bridgestone Blizzak WS-60 tires use a tread that drains the bulk of water through special channels, and the rest rubber compound draws in with its pores. To put it simply, a car shod with these tires moves along slippery road as if on suction cups.

Advantages: durability, wear resistance, softness and noiselessness, high-quality micropores, excellent handling on packed snow

Flaws: insufficiently effective braking on ice; with a sharp start, quite predictable wheel slip

Review of Bridgestone tires Blizzak WS-60 by Arthur (Citroen Xsara)

“I bought these tires in Finland and now I am sure that these are the next generation of winter tires. Quiet and soft, overcomes porridge without any problems, even behaves tolerably on ice. I installed it in October last year, skated on both asphalt and ice, the difference is, in principle, small.”

Michelin Primacy Alpin PA3

The 2012 winter tire test showed that the Michelin Primacy Alpin PA3 tire model differs from its predecessors in improved handling on snowy and icy road surfaces, as well as reduced braking distance on wet roads.

Main distinctive features Michelin Primacy Alpin PA3 tires use Helio Compound technology (the rubber compound includes sunflower oil), which allows rubber to maintain its characteristics at low temperatures; directional tread pattern, which provides high handling when driving on wet roads; reduction in rolling resistance by 7% thanks to Stabiligrip technology (special arrangement of lamellas that have different thicknesses).

Advantages: excellent road holding both on asphalt and on ice, noise below average, great for driving in the city

Flaws: confidence in tires decreases when ice covers a layer of fresh snow, slipping when starting off

Review of Michelin Primacy Alpin PA3 tires by Valet (VW Passat)

“The tires are very quiet. There is not even a hint of instability in the skid. It doesn’t matter what is under the wheels - the driver always knows exactly where the car will stop. No surprises when driving in winter. You can safely drive over a hundred and not worry about moving your car.”

MIDDLE CLASS

Pirelli Winter Carving

The Italian manufacturer, in collaboration with the Volvo concern, produced tires Pirelli Winter Carving, which were created specifically for the conditions of the harsh Scandinavian winter and simply could not help but be included in the rating of winter tires in 2012.

The design features of the tires are: latest technology twelve-row studding, a new rubber compound of three polymers that can withstand heavy loads in the range from minus 40°C to plus 7°C, rubber elasticity achieved thanks to Adaptive Compound Technology. Many automakers today recommend Pirelli Winter Carving for driving in winter conditions and lightning-fast weather changes.

Advantages: excellent value for money, excellent behavior on snow, ice and slush, directional stability, high wear resistance

Flaws: low profile, which can make the tires feel harsh, high noise levels

Review of Pirelli tires Winter Carving by StReAm (Audi A6)

“The rubber is very soft and behaves well when active driving, while on dry asphalt it seems as if there are no thorns at all. If we take into account all the requirements that a car makes for handling, I can confidently say that I will buy these tires again if necessary, unless something better comes along.”

Goodyear Ultra Grip 500

Of the design features of these tires, special mention should be made of the unique arrangement of studs, calculated by a special computer program, V-TRED technology, which negated the effect of aquaplaning, 3D-BIS sipe technology, which promotes comfortable handling and high strength indicators, SATS stud anchoring technology, “sandwich protector”, consisting of two types of rubber mixture.

Advantages: excellent handling even on dry, clean asphalt, low noise, softness, high cross-country ability

Flaws: poor behavior on slushy snow, ABS kicks in often and quite early, rather weak sidewalls

Review of Goodyear tires Ultra Grip 500 by Mouse (Citroen C4)

“The rubber lasted 4 seasons, however, the studs were lost after two seasons. It makes a little noise and drives the car on asphalt. But when he goes out into the snow, he just flies.”

Bridgestone Ice Cruiser 7000

The Bridgestone Ice Cruiser 7000 tire was announced by the Japanese back in 2010 and was the result of the evolution of the Ice Cruiser 5000 tires, it has long been one of the best-selling products in markets with high demand for winter studded tires. The new “ice cruiser” also has new qualities: oblique sipes and reinforced tire sidewalls, large central tread blocks and new spike, which was developed by the Sitek bureau from Germany.

Advantages: good maneuverability, excellent handling on different surfaces, low noise, resistance to deformation, wear resistance, informative braking

Flaws: quite difficult stabilization after going into a skid

Review of Bridgestone Ice Cruiser 7000 tires by user Ekaterina (VAZ2112)

“I bought these tires at the end of winter and so far I’m very pleased. I decided to specifically test them, so I climbed everywhere: in the slush, buried myself in the snow, and even went out onto bare ice. Now I can say for sure that the tires are worth the money, because they have withstood all the tests.”

Continental ContiCrossContact Viking

The main distinctive characteristics of Continental CrossContactViking tires are an asymmetrical tread pattern equipped with longitudinal grooves, as well as an asymmetrical arrangement of lamellas, and additional adhesive edges on the shoulder blocks of the tread.

Advantages: good handling on different surfaces, low noise, wear resistance

Review of Continental CrossContactViking tires by user Alexey (Mazda CX5)

« Great tires. I installed these on all three cars in the family. Everyone is very happy!”

Goodyear Ultra Grip Ice+

The design features of Goodyear Ultra Grip Ice+ tires include: ActiveGrip tread technology and a specific directional V-shaped tread pattern.

Advantages: reduced braking distance, improved handling on wet and snowy roads, improved traction properties of tires, increased resistance to lateral loads, high resistance to aquaplaning

Flaws: insufficient directional stability, problematic braking on ice

Review of Goodyear Ultra Grip Ice+ tires by Roman (Chery M11)

“Personally, I am satisfied with absolutely everything about these tires. They work great on asphalt, but they also cope well with porridge. The tires already saved me from an accident once - if I had been on spikes, I would not have been able to brake 100% of the time.”

BUDGET CLASS

VredesteinQuatrac 3

Advantages: good value for money

Flaws: quite unstable on the highway, the inner and outer tread wear unevenly

Review of Vredestein tires Quatrac 3 by MadLite ( Ford Fusion)

“Naturally, it is better than the same Rosava, but I compare it with the Vredestein Quatrac 2, which for some reason was discontinued. That was a tire!”

Kama Euro 519

Advantages: good cross-country ability in deep snow, directional stability, regardless of the condition of the road surface

Flaws: poor road grip on snow and ice, low level comfort

Review of Kama Euro 519 tires by Danila ( Honda Civic)

“I’ve been driving these tires for the second winter now and I’m not planning on changing them yet. I will do this only if competitors offer an adequate price.”

What will we drive this winter? For those planning to buy winter tires, we offer test results for winter tires – studded and non-studded. Magazine experts "Behind the Wheel" Traditionally, we conducted test drives of tires that are sold in Russian stores before the 2011-2012 winter season.

Let's start with studded tires. Pirelli (Winter Carving Edge model) unexpectedly took first place, overtaking last season's leaders - Nokian, Michelin and Continental (it owns the Gislaved brand).

The best studded tires 2011

Place	Manufacturer and model
1.	Pirelli Winter Carving Edge
2.	Michelin X-Ice North 2
3.	Nokian Hakkapeliitta 7
4.	Continental ContiIce Contact
5.	Nord Frost 5
6.	GoodYear UltraGrip Extreme
7.	Cordiant Sno-Max
8.	Bridgestone Ice Cruiser 7000
9.	Kama Euro 519
10.	Contyre Arctic Ice II
11.	Amtel NordMaster ST310

Note: the test was carried out on tires with size 205/55R16

As for studless tires, also called “Scandinavians” or “Velcro”, there were no surprises. As last year, the leaders in the ranking were Nokian, Continental and Michelin.

Best studless tires 2011

Place	Manufacturer and model
1.	Nokian Hakkapeliitta R
2.	Continental ContiViking Contact 5
3.	Michelin X-Ice 2
4.	Bridgestone Blizzak Revo GZ
5.	Cordiant Polar SL
6.	Amtel NordMaster CL

Note: the test was carried out on tires with size 175/65R14

It is not worth comparing the results of studded and non-studded tires, since they were tested on different days, in different weather conditions, and the ratio of the grip properties of both tires depends very much on the weather. At one temperature there are “spikes” in front, at another - soft “Velcro”. We found this out a few years ago: ZR, 2009, No. 1

Now let's introduce the participants.

15 INCH, STUDLESS

The most expensive tires- Nokian for 4150 rubles, but they are also the best - Hakkapeliitta R (Russian production) together with Michelin X-Ice 2 shared first place. Price/quality ratio - 4.5.

A little cheaper, for 4100 rubles, you can buy ContiVikingContact 5. Our results suggest: these tires are in their place. True, in terms of price/quality ratio (4.6) this purchase is slightly less profitable.

But Michelin X-Ice 2 is in the best position in the price competition: 3,900 rubles. The price/quality ratio of 4.2 is the most attractive in the top three. We believe that the price of this tire is deliberately underestimated, since there are already new model- Michelin X-Ice third generation. It was officially presented last winter outside of Russia, postponing the official presentation of the new product here for almost a year.

In fourth place Goodyear UltraGrip Ice+ for 3560 rub. per piece (we believe the price is too high - payment for a high brand). Price/quality ratio - 4.1.

Fifth in the financial ranking is Bridgestone Blizzak Revo GZ - RUB 3,520. The tire is just a little cheaper. Earning 892 points in our tests, it came in fourth place with an even more attractive price/quality ratio of 4.0.

Very close in price (3500 rubles), but in sixth place is the next tire - Pirelli Winter IceControl. In the final table it also ranks sixth with 846 points. We believe that it should be sold a little cheaper: now the price/quality index is 4.1 - like the stronger Goodyear.

Yokohama iceGUARD iG35 for 3400 rub. in seventh place, although she showed the eighth result in the test, scoring only 820 points. If they buy it, it means there are those who are willing to pay for the Made in Japan inscription.

Nizhnekamsk Viatti Brina scored 816 points and took ninth place. A tire with a foreign name costs only 2,600 rubles. per piece should sell well, local marketers believe. Let's wish them good luck.

The cheapest tire is Cordiant Polar SL for RUR 2,500. And in the test it took seventh place, even ahead of the Japanese product. In our opinion, 826 points with a price/quality ratio of 3.0 is a result worthy of attention.

All tables open in full size at the click of a mouse.

16" SPIKES

Nokian Hakkapeliitta 7 for 6600 rub. ahead of the rest. Expensive, but deservedly so, since these are the best tires in our test: 929 points. The price/quality ratio is also “leading” - 7.1.

In second place is ContiIceContact. The difference with the winner is 200 rubles. (“Conti” costs 6,400 rubles) and 4 points reduce the price/quality index to 6.9.

Third place goes to the new Goodyear UltraGrip Ice Arctic, - fair, since the tire is clearly one of the leaders. You can buy it for 5,500 rubles.

Michelin X-Ice North 2 is sold a little cheaper - for 5,400 rubles. The cost is even slightly underestimated, because in our tests XIN 2 scored 923 points, the price/quality ratio is the most attractive in the leading three tests: 5.9.

Another 100 rubles. cheaper Gislaved Nord Frost 5 (5300 rub.). According to the test results, the tire scored 905 points, taking sixth place. The price/quality ratio of 5.9 is equivalent to Michelin. Our people love “Gislaved”, that’s why they don’t spare money.

In sixth place is Bridgestone Ice Cruiser 7000 for 5,250 rubles. In our tests, this model was only able to take eighth place, scoring 855 points. The price/quality ratio is 6.1 - more than Michelin and Gislaveda.

In seventh position is the Pirelli Winter Carving Edge, which can be purchased for RUB 5,200. We recommend these tires because they came in fourth place in the tests, scoring 918 points. And with such a cost, the price/quality ratio is the most attractive in the first six of the test: 5.7.

Next is the Yokohama iceGUARD iG35 - and, as usual, with a small gap in price with the “bridge”: it sells for 5,100 rubles. The place in the price list is close to that occupied in our test, but the price/quality ratio is too high: 6.1.

Completely different price category(4500 rub.) sell a new Hankook product - i-Pike RS. Decent tire, which took a big step forward from the previous model and scored 886 points. Almost very close to the 900 point mark, which distinguishes very good tires from others. The price/quality index is 5.1 - it's worth taking a closer look.

Nearby, the no less worthy Russian-made Nordman 4 is offered for only 4,400 rubles, that is, two-thirds the price of its leading older brother. Meanwhile, in our final list, “Nordman” occupies the fifth (!) position. The price/quality ratio is tempting - 4.8. Good offer.

For 4000 rubles. you will find Cordiant Polar 2. Location in price rating corresponds to the situation we received, although the price/quality ratio (5.0) is less attractive than that of Nordman.

Closing the parade of popular tires is the Kama-Euro 519: only 3,500 rubles - last place in our test. Buying a tire with a price/quality ratio of 4.3 will not be ruinous for the most modest budget.

FRICTION TIRE RATING 195/65R15

1–9_no_copyright

They were born in 2010 and are participating in our test for the first time.

Weak on ice in all areas - acceleration, cornering and braking. They are more flexible in the snow: they hold turns worse than others, accelerate weakly, but brake well - on a par with the Nokian! Directional stability on a snowy road leaves much to be desired: the car noticeably yaws, requiring steering. Low information content prevents you from maintaining the desired direction - the steering wheel is almost empty in terms of effort. In fast turns, the first reaction is good, although the steering angles are too large. The transition to sliding is soft, the specified trajectory is maintained, however, even here the driver will be disappointed by the excessively light, empty steering wheel.

They don’t like snowdrifts; if necessary, it is better to overcome them at speed, without turning or stopping. They refuse to change direction; starting is possible only under tension. When slipping, they try to dig in and get out reluctantly. On an asphalt straight line, the car goes straight only when accelerating. It floats at a constant speed, requiring tireless adjustments, to which it reacts with unpleasant steering rear axle.

They brake weakly on dry roads, and worst on wet roads. Uncomfortable: loud noise, getting louder as speed increases. They transmit shocks from medium and large road irregularities and vibrate on small ones. Fuel consumption is average at any speed.

2–9_no_copyright

3–8_no_copyright

Created in 2008, it appeared on our market in 2009, but it is taking part in the ZR test for the first time.

On ice, lateral grip and acceleration are weakest. Braking is average, which is good. But in the snow, both braking and acceleration are worse than all other test participants, although the grip on the road in corners is average. On a snow-covered straight line they yaw a little, take the car away from the given direction, pulling it into deeper snow. Handling is mediocre: the car does not listen well to the steering wheel and strives to straighten its trajectory, sliding out of the bend. Skidding occurs only if provoked, but is well compensated.

In deep snow it moves uncertainly, and only with a certain degree of slipping. Refuses to turn, slips into a rut or where there is less resistance. It goes smoothly on asphalt, but when adjusting the direction it gets annoying. At low angles the steering is very sluggish, but as the steering angle increases, the car suddenly changes direction to a greater angle than required.

Braking is stable both on dry and wet asphalt, braking distance is average. Quite comfortable: quiet on any road, only slightly itchy on the comb. They transmit shudders and small shocks from small irregularities. They don’t waste extra fuel, but they don’t save money either.

4–8_no_copyright

5–7_no_copyright

Production and sales began in 2009.

On ice, the behavior is unbalanced - acceleration is average, grip in corners is weak and braking is the weakest. But on snow everything is smooth, grip is average in all directions. On a snowy road, the car seems to be moving smoothly, and the steering wheel at “zero” is tight and understandable, but the rear moves from side to side, and this does not give confidence. The behavior is unstable when cornering. In the initial phase, an unpleasant skid often occurs, which can be compensated for by adding gas. When turning the steering wheel, its information content decreases sharply, literally drops. Nobody knows how things will end - we have to fight either demolition or skidding.

The same uncertainty exists in deep snow. They move well only on the verge of slipping. Slipping at the moment of starting is especially dangerous: it leads to digging. On the other hand, maneuvers are given without tension, in reverse the car is selected confidently. On the asphalt they go smoothly, the reactions when adjusting the direction are clear. But here, too, the rear axle does not allow the driver to relax, steering after steering input. This gives the car delayed oversteer.

Braking on both dry and wet roads is weak. The tires cannot be called quiet - they emit an increased noise. They transmit shocks to the body from medium and large irregularities, and vibrate on small ones. Fuel consumption is above average at any speed.

8–7_no_copyright

6–6_no_copyright

Created in 2009, it began selling in Russia at the same time, and was modernized in 2011.

On ice, braking and lateral grip are average, and acceleration is weak. On the contrary, on snow, acceleration is average, braking is weak, and lateral grip properties are the lowest, on par with the Viatti. They walk smoothly on a snow-covered road, without reacting to the different thickness of the snow blanket - Pirelli's directional stability is traditionally good. Handling is also without any comments: the steering wheel is tight, understandable, and the reactions are clear. The transition to sliding is soft, the trajectory can be set and adjusted using both the steering wheel and the gas. There is practically no skidding; at the limit, the whole car begins to slide outward.

They don’t want to overcome deep snow. They move forward reluctantly, even while moving they try to dig in. Well, at least they get out in reverse. On the asphalt they remind summer tires- tight steering in the near-zero zone, excellent information content and strict adherence to the given direction.

Braking is surprisingly weak on wet pavement and weakest on dry pavement. The noise is increased, the vibration load is high - the company pays little attention to comfort. They don't roll very willingly - fuel consumption is increased at any speed.

9–6_no_copyright

7–5_no_copyright

They were born in 2009 and have been on the market since 2010.

Deservedly included in the top five. They differ from those who were left behind by a good balance: all the characteristics, although not leading, are even on any of the surfaces that you will find in winter time on our roads. For example, on ice they showed average results in both longitudinal and transverse directions. Not so good on snow: acceleration and lateral grip are average, but weak braking lets us down a little. At high speeds they go smoothly in the snow, but there is not enough information on the steering wheel. There is also a lack of confidence when cornering. Upon entry, a noticeable delay in reactions forces you to turn the steering wheel unnecessarily. For this reason, in the initial phase of the turn, the car goes into drift, requiring you to release the gas. And on the arc of the turn it tries to slip into a skid, which, fortunately, is easily parried.

They overcome snowdrifts without strain, they move forward confidently, they don’t dig in when starting, but they don’t like to skid too much. They scour the asphalt slightly on transverse unevenness and respond to steering inputs with a slight delay. There are no complaints regarding noise; even on rough asphalt they roll quietly. But on convex bumps they shake the car quite a bit and transmit vibrations from seams, cracks and micro-irregularities in the road.

Braking is average, showing no preference for dry or wet surfaces. At a speed of 60 km/h they help save fuel; at 90 km/h they look average from this point of view.

10–5_no_copyright

11–4_no_copyright

The model is the same age as Goodyear, created in 2009, sold on our market since 2010.

Good acceleration on ice, braking properties and lateral grip are only average. On snow, acceleration and lateral grip are average, and braking is weak. Only Yokohama stops worse. They walk smoothly along the snowy road. Experts noted not only confident directional retention, but also informative steering, as well as immediate reactions to course adjustments. In fast turns, the speed is limited by a soft drift of the front axle, which is eliminated by turning the steering wheel or slightly reducing the speed. The information content of the steering wheel is high.

They overcome snowdrifts reluctantly, move forward uncertainly, and turn poorly. Reversing moves more confidently, allowing you to get out of the snow trap. They walk almost smoothly on asphalt, they yaw a little on transverse unevenness, and when adjusting the direction they are a little late.

They brake well on wet surfaces, and stop better than anyone else on dry surfaces. Quite comfortable - they walk smoothly and quietly on any surface, with the exception of a slight hiss on a snowy road. Fuel consumption is average at 60 km/h, and increased at 90 km/h.

13–4_no_copyright

12–3_no_copyright

Produced since 2008, at the same time they began to be sold on Russian market.

During this time, the mixture was modernized more than once. On ice they show average results in braking and lateral grip, but accelerate well. But they cling to the snow better than anyone else: they were in the lead in the corresponding exercises. But directional stability is a little let down: minor difficulties arise when trying to correct the direction of movement. With every slight turn of the steering wheel, the driver is a little annoyed by the slow reaction and a shallow but prolonged skid. In fast turns, delays in reactions and low information content of the steering wheel interfere, which leads to an increasing drift with prolonged stabilization.

In deep snow they turn a car into a tractor. They start, move and maneuver very confidently in any mode, without fear of slipping. On asphalt they float slightly, are subject to the influence of side winds, and are noticeably delayed in taking corrective actions with the steering wheel. They transmit vibrations from small irregularities and pass through road joints harshly, causing the car to shudder. They make noise, crunch unpleasantly and hum in slippery turns when they find something to grab onto.

They brake on wet asphalt better than anyone else. Yes, and they show it dry good results. At a speed of 60 km/h they are the most economical (on par with Goodyear, Michelin and Nokian), and at 90 km/h they also do not require too much.

14–3_no_copyright

15–2_no_copyright

Created in 2008 and sold since then.

A good balance of grip properties on all surfaces that can be found on a winter road. On ice, the grip properties are even, regardless of actions and modes - when turning, when accelerating, when braking. On snow, lateral grip and acceleration are good, but braking is average. They walk smoothly in a straight line, without a hint of a desire to deviate from the given direction, and accurately respond to the steering wheel when adjusting the course. In turns they behave clearly, without problems or surprises. Turns are clearly defined and allow you to adjust the radius using the steering wheel or by changing the fuel supply.

They feel at home in the snowdrifts. The sensations are similar to those you get from the Continental. They row confidently, start in any mode, and maneuver without difficulty. They ride smoothly on asphalt and impress with their clear reactions, comparable to the behavior of summer tires.

They brake well, regardless of whether the asphalt is dry or wet. Comfortable: only slightly noticeable about the tractor trail and rough ice. There are no comments about the smoothness of the ride either. Economical at city speeds, do not abuse fuel even at 90 km/h.

17–2_no_copyright

16–1_no_copyright

Created in 2008, since then they have been modernized almost every year.

On ice - grip properties unattainable for test competitors in all disciplines: braking, acceleration and cruising. The grip on snow is very good: during acceleration and cornering it is the best, on par with the Continental, but in braking efficiency it is slightly inferior - the second result. They walk smoothly along a straight “white” road, without requiring adjustments. In terms of handling, they are similar to the Bridgestone and Pirelli: the reactions are just as clear, the car just as obediently changes its trajectory when manipulating the steering wheel or gas. The same good stabilization after slips caused by the driver.

It is better to overcome deep snow by pressing the gas pedal to the floor. True, in this mode you risk getting into a snowdrift from which you cannot get out without a shovel or outside help. Although it was not needed during the tests - the car always drove in reverse. They walk smoothly on asphalt, but experts noted slight delays when adjusting the course.

Brakes are good on wet surfaces and average on dry surfaces. As for comfort, there are some minor comments - the noise level on uneven roads is slightly increased, vibrations from small irregularities are transmitted. At any speed, fuel consumption is the lowest in the test.

18–1_no_copyright

STUDY TIRE RATING 205/55R16

19–11_no_copyright

Created in 2008, since then it has been sold. In 2010, the composition of the rubber mixture was modernized.

Nevertheless, compared to other winter tires, the Kama-Euro 519 looks weak. On ice, the grip properties are very low, only the Cordiant is worse. On snow, grip is also more than modest. The only consolation is that the balance of grip properties is quite even in all directions: it brakes, accelerates and holds the road in corners weakly. It is better to drive slowly on a snowy road: the car scours from side to side. In a slippery turn, the behavior is jerky: the car either drifts or skids. More or less obeys the steering wheel only on packed snow. On ice, even at low speed it goes into a skid. Glides on any surface for a long time. Very large steering angles and significant delays in reactions make it difficult to keep the car under control.

In deep snow it does not move quite confidently. It is better not to skid when starting off. It starts better with the wheels turned to the side than straight ahead. Getting out in reverse is no problem. On the asphalt it wanders along the road a lot. Correcting the direction is hampered by very large steering angles, significant lag and low information content, as well as unpleasant steering of the rear axle.

Braking on wet asphalt is weak, on dry asphalt it is the weakest. On ice and asphalt the tread howls loudly. Very hard - they transmit shocks from medium-sized irregularities and vibrations from small ones.

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20–10_no_copyright

They were released in 2009, but appeared in our test for the first time.

Excessively recessed studs make the tire practically helpless on ice - it cannot accelerate, turn, or stop. It holds up a little better in the snow. Lateral grip is closer to average, although acceleration is weak and braking is the weakest. The course on snow is quite smooth, with only slight yaws and changes in depth. On ice, grip properties are subjectively assessed as very poor. Do not turn the steering wheel sharply, otherwise the car will refuse to turn. If you still managed to turn, a skid awaits you on the arc. On snow, speed is limited by a sharp slip into a skid. It is hampered by the lack of information content of the steering wheel and slight delays in reactions.

In deep snow they do not move very confidently. There are no pronounced preferences in driving modes; the car pulls well with slight slipping. They walk in reverse confidently. They walk smoothly on asphalt, but when adjusting the direction, slight steering of the rear axle and insufficient information content of the steering wheel interfere.

Braking is average on both dry and wet roads. They don’t indulge in comfort: they hum irritatingly loudly, shake the body on convex bumps, push on medium ones, and transmit vibrations on small ones. Fuel consumption at 60 km/h is increased, at 90 km/h it is above average. The studs are not held very securely: during the tests, the amount of protrusion changed by three “tens”.

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21–9_no_copyright

Quite new tires, created in 2010, since that time they have been sold in Russia.

But in our test they showed up for the first time. On ice, grip properties are average in all directions. On snow they behave less confidently: braking and lateral grip are weak, acceleration is the most sluggish, on par with the Bridgestone. There is a bit of scrambling on the snowy road. When cornering, the grip properties are not high enough - the car slides completely outward.

Snowdrifts are not for these tires: in deep snow they get stuck, as they say, out of the blue. When starting off, they fall through and try to bury themselves. They move in reverse uncertainly. They drive smoothly on ideal asphalt, but this is not common on our roads. Therefore, constant adjustment of direction is required, which is complicated by delays in reactions and unpleasant steering of the rear axle.

On a dry road the car stops reluctantly, and braking on a wet road is the weakest. Very hard: shocks from uneven surfaces are transmitted to the floor and seat, and vibrations occur in the steering wheel. They make loud noise and hum with their spikes. Fuel consumption is average at any speed. The spikes are held securely, there are no losses, but the size of the protrusion is more than modest: such spikes will not be able to reliably cling to ice and dense snow.

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25–8_no_copyright

They were created in 2009, but appeared on the Russian market belatedly, in 2010.

On ice, grip properties: average in braking, cornering, and acceleration. They drive on snow less confidently than on ice. Braking is weak, acceleration is the most sluggish, like Yokohama, lateral grip is also the lowest. On a snowy road they scour a little, but do not leave the trajectory. Slow reactions to steering inputs. In fast corners, speed is limited by long drifts. When sliding with the front axle, the car does not respond to additional turns of the steering wheel.

In deep snow it starts and moves confidently, but only with tension. As soon as the wheels turn a little, traction is lost and the car immediately stops. They walk smoothly on the asphalt and maintain the set course. But when it is necessary to correct the direction of movement, the driver is bothered by the steering of the rear axle and the insufficiently informative steering wheel.

When measuring the braking distance, the “Yokohama” whiff was again felt. Like her, braking is weak on both dry and wet surfaces. Not comfortable enough: they transmit shocks from uneven surfaces to the body, make loud noise from the tread and studs, even at high speed. Fuel consumption at 60 km/h is increased, at 90 km/h it is above average. The protrusion of the spines and the rate at which the protrusion increases are normal. There are no losses during the test.

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26–7_no_copyright

New on the Russian market. As they say, it's piping hot.

On ice, the grip properties are high, the balance is reasonable. Braking and lateral grip are good, acceleration is average. They are also quite strong in the snow. Longitudinal grip properties are good, transverse grip properties are average. On a snowy road they yaw slightly, but do not leave the trajectory. There was insufficient information content of the steering wheel and a slight delay when adjusting the direction of movement. Slips and slips in corners are harsh, the car slides longer than we would like, but traction recovery is soft and smooth.

In deep snow they do not move very confidently; if they slip at the moment of start, they tend to bury themselves. They walk in reverse confidently. On asphalt, they force the car to float along the strip. The wide “zero”, delays in reactions, steering of the rear axle and insufficient information content interfere.

The brakes are weak, both on dry asphalt and on wet ones. Comfort notes: slight vibrations from small bumps and increased general noise typical of studded tires. At a speed of 60 km/h, fuel consumption is below average, at 90 km/h - the most economical. The amount of protrusion of the spines and the rate at which the protrusion increases are normal. There was no loss of studs during the test.

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27–6_no_copyright

The oldest tires in our test.

Produced since 2006, since the same time they have been sold in Russia. On ice they boast good balance: they brake and turn well, and accelerate moderately. On snow, traction in any direction is average - also good. They go smoothly along a snow-covered straight line, without requiring steering. When turning on ice and packed snow, you are pleased with clear reactions and a very soft transition to sliding. However, on loose snow on an arc, a sharp skid occurs, requiring precise parrying actions from the driver.

They don’t like deep snow; they move confidently only on freshly fallen powder. If the snow is a little denser, compacted, you can only drive under tension, without slipping. The car runs smoothly along an asphalt straight line, reactions to changes in course are immediate, except that the information content on the steering wheel is slightly lacking.

Braking is simply brilliant: the tires stop perfectly on both wet and dry asphalt. The background noise is high, like most “spikes”, but there are no complaints about the smoothness of the ride - all road irregularities are smoothed out well. The most voracious at any speed. The amount of protrusion of the spikes and the rate of its growth during the tests are optimal. Lost a couple of studs from the front wheels.

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31–5_no_copyright

Produced since 2009, sold since the same time.

Tread Pattern - Heritage Nokian tires Hakkapeliitta 4. They differ from it in the composition of the mixture and spikes with a round core. This is the first time they are participating in our tests. On ice, braking and lateral grip are average, acceleration is good. On snow, the behavior is more confident: the longitudinal grip properties are good, and the lateral grip is the most reliable. Both the front and rear axles scour along a snow-covered straight line, reacting to the density of the snow. At small angles of rotation of the steering wheel, insufficient information content was noted. You can drive fast in corners - the reactions are clear, the behavior is understandable. Speed is limited by a slight skid, which can be easily compensated by steering or adding gas.

They are not afraid of snowdrifts: just add gas, and the car will go where the steering wheel is turned. Getting out in reverse is no problem. They drive smoothly on asphalt, but when adjusting the course, there is a noticeable delay in reactions and a somewhat empty steering wheel.

Braking on dry asphalt is average, on wet asphalt - good. They make loud noise from the tread and studs, especially from 40 to 60 km/h. The smoothness of the ride can be called good, without slight vibrations from minor irregularities. Fuel consumption is average at any speed. The amount of protrusion of the spikes and its increase during the tests are close to the optimum. There are no lost thorns.

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32–4_no_copyright

They were born in 2007. Since 2008 they have been sold in Russia.

Periodically, the design, spikes and mixture composition are updated, leaving the “face” unchanged. Recent innovations have allowed Carving to join the leading group. On ice, longitudinal grip is average, and lateral grip is the highest. On snow, traction is good in all directions. On a snowy road they hold their course perfectly. The car moves like an arrow and reacts sensitively even to small turns of the dense, highly informative steering wheel. Turns are prescribed with a twinkle. Clear, understandable controls, sensitive reactions to the slightest turn of the steering wheel. At the limit, the speed is limited by a soft and smooth skid, which can be extinguished by adding a little gas or turning the steering wheel. The glide is fast but stabilizes gently.

It overcomes snowdrifts easily, does not dig in when starting, drives both under tension and with slipping, and maneuvers easily. They walk smoothly on asphalt, and a clear “zero” helps to correct the direction.

Braking is average on wet surfaces, good on dry surfaces. Traditionally, they do not indulge in comfort: they make noise as if an airplane is flying by, shake on any uneven surfaces as if they were overinflated. Most likely, a low level of comfort is a kind of price to pay for the pleasure of driving a car on a winter road. Fuel consumption is average at any speed. The amount of protrusion of the spikes and the rate of their growth during the tests are optimal. There are no losses.

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33–3_no_copyright

Offered on the Russian market since 2009.

Today's leaders are the only ones using round core studs. On ice, longitudinal grip properties are average, transverse grip properties are good. On snow, the situation is slightly different: the longitudinal grip is good, and the transverse grip is average. The car is driven smoothly and stably along a snowy road. Reactions during course correction - no comments. When cornering, the behavior is clear and understandable. The speed is most often limited by a soft drift, but the car responds well to turning the steering wheel and tries to maintain the given trajectory.

Even when sliding, it does not leave the driver’s control. You can not only cut through snowdrifts, but also easily maneuver in them, stop and start again. If you stopped the car, you backed up a little and drove on. It is always possible to get out in reverse. On asphalt, directional stability is good, the “zero” is clear, the steering is tight - the tires are almost like summer ones.

They brake well on dry asphalt, but average on wet asphalt. The noise level is increased; on hard surfaces the hum of the studs is clearly audible, especially in the range of 60–90 km/h. Smooth running without any comments - any irregularities are well absorbed. Fuel is saved in all speed limits- both at 60 and 90 km/h. The protrusion of the spines and the rate of change in the size of the protrusion are normal. During the running-in and testing, not a single stud was lost.

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37–2_no_copyright

A relatively recent model, which appeared in 2010.

Since the same year it has been sold in Russia. It differs from other tires in the “diamond” shape of the studs. On ice, grip is good in all directions. On snow it’s the same - both longitudinal and lateral grip are on high level. They allow you to drive fast on a snowy road and keep your car level. But the information content on the steering wheel is not enough. When cornering, front axle drift prevails. A skid, if it occurs, manifests itself softly and smoothly and is eliminated without much difficulty.

In deep snow they perform well only with intense slipping, but this mode is not very informative. If you dig in, reverse will not help. They walk smoothly on the asphalt, the steering wheel is tight, the “zero” is clear, the reactions when adjusting the direction are immediate.

They brake on wet asphalt better than others, and on dry they show average results, on par with the Gislaved. The spikes make loud noise on hard surfaces - both on ice and asphalt, especially loudly from 70 to 90 km/h. Quite hard: they transmit vibrations from road irregularities to the body floor, seat and steering wheel. Fuel consumption is average at any speed. The protrusion of the spikes is within the optimal value. The studs are held in the rubber very securely.

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38–1_no_copyright

Introduced at the end of 2008, sold since 2009.

They are constantly being updated, which allows them to remain among the leaders. On ice they demonstrated the best longitudinal grip properties, and average transverse grip properties. In the snow - best overclocking, good braking and grip in corners. They walk smoothly along the snowy road, without any comments. The steering wheel is tight and the reactions are clear. In turns, the speed is limited by a soft, assisted skid, which is most easily eliminated by adding a little gas. Even when sliding, the car obeys the driver’s commands and restores its trajectory softly and smoothly.

In deep snow they move confidently, maneuver well, and start moving without the desire to dig in. Any mode: from professional pulling movement, without turning the wheels, to “blonde” “gas to the floor”. They get out very well in reverse. On asphalt the movement is smooth, but when making adjustments the rear axle steers unpleasantly.

Braking on dry asphalt is weak, on wet asphalt - average. Comfort is not ideal: there is a distinct noise of studs on the asphalt and smooth ice, shocks from road irregularities, primarily convex ones. Economical at any speed. The amount of protrusion of the spikes is close to the reasonable limit. However, the average protrusion changed by only 0.1 mm during testing, which means that the studs are held securely in the rubber.

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39–0_no_copyright

New product, preparing for sale this year.

We were unable to calculate the final points, because in braking on snow, Ice Arctic beat the best production tire, which we took as the “base” in our calculations. On ice, longitudinal grip properties are high, and transverse grip properties are average. On snow - super braking, very good acceleration and average lateral grip properties. On a snowy road they yaw slightly, reacting with a delay to direction adjustments. In fast turns the behavior is ambiguous. In the initial phase, at the stage of entering a turn, there is a noticeable delay in reactions, leading to the drift of the front axle. After the clutch is restored, already on the arc, there is a high probability of a skid, which has to be compensated by both the steering wheel and the addition of gas at the same time. After sliding, traction is restored quite abruptly, provoking a shooting skid in the other direction.

The concept of “deep snow” does not exist for these tires. The car never needed help to get out of snow captivity. On asphalt they float noticeably from side to side, requiring constant adjustment. Very wide “zero”, delays in steering inputs.

They brake well on wet asphalt, but average on dry asphalt. They push on medium uneven surfaces, making a loud noise from the tread and studs. The amount of protrusion of the spikes is at the limit. However, a change in the protrusion during the tests of only one “ten” indicates that the studs are firmly fixed.

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You can find out more about the designations and classification of tires

Vadim KORABLEV, Yuri KUROCHKIN, Evgeniy LARIN,

Anton MISHIN, Andrey OBRAZUMOV,

Valery PAVLOV and Dmitry TESTOV.

We thank the employees of the AVTOVAZ test site for the technical support,

Togliatti company "Volgashintorg",

as well as tire manufacturers,

submitted their products for testing.

The car market offers huge assortment tires, choosing the best ones is very difficult. Therefore, to simplify the choice of car enthusiasts, independent experts compile ratings of winter tires, indicating the advantages and disadvantages of tires from various brands.

During the winter season, drivers have a question: “should I stud or not stud my tires?” Studded products are designed for harsh winters and ensure normal vehicle stability when driving on ice or deep snow. Studless tires are not only suitable for driving on icy or snow-covered roads; they can be used on dry or wet road surfaces. Eat alternative option- these are the so-called “Velcro”, they have a large lamellaization of the tread blocks; this design, in the absence of spikes, ensures the stability of the car on snow or ice. Which of the following tires is better depends on the driver’s preferences and operating conditions vehicle.

When choosing tires for the winter yourself, use the ratings of winter tires; when compiled by independent experts, the following characteristics of tires from various brands are taken into account:

braking distance of a car on a dry, snowy, slushy, ice-covered road;
maximum vehicle acceleration;
fuel consumption;
tire noise;
driving comfort.

Comparison of the advantages and disadvantages of rubber of different brands allows us to determine the leaders in the manufacture quality tires.

Leaders and outsiders of budget classes of studded tires

First place

Sava tire Eskimo Stud

The tires are designed for extreme winter conditions and occupy a leading position among budget tire models. It contains a silicon-containing polymer, which ensures elastic properties of products at fairly low temperatures. environment.

Advantages:

low noise;
vehicle stability on ice, snow, dry and wet asphalt;
average directional stability.

Disadvantages: average handling and directional stability when tested on wet road surfaces.

Second place

Tire Matador MP30 Sibir Ice 2

The tires are developed in compliance with international standards and taking into account the peculiarities of the Russian climate. The rubber composition ensures elasticity and resistance of products to low-temperature operating conditions.

Advantages:

wear resistance;
low weight due to the use of aluminum studs;
good overclocking winter roads;
short braking distance on wet and dry road surfaces;
average results of grip on ice and snow.

Disadvantages:

average directional stability and controllability on roads covered with ice;
noisy.

Third place

Cordiant tires Snow Cross

These tires are designed for harsh Russian winters. The wear resistance of products is ensured by the presence of silicon in the rubber composition. These tires have proven themselves to be excellent when driving on packed snow, and in some respects they even surpass middle-class tires.

Advantages:

average braking on roads covered with ice;
good acceleration on packed snow and icy road surfaces;
average course stability among test participants.

Flaws:

not the shortest braking on dry and wet asphalt surfaces;
the spikes protrude strongly, creating additional noise while driving;
increased fuel consumption when moving the vehicle at high speeds;
There is a possibility of getting stuck when driving on loose snow.

Fourth place

Kama Euro 519 tires

Structurally, tires consist of two layers of rubber. One ensures the resistance of the studs to falling out, the second makes the tires elastic at very low temperatures.

Advantages:

fast braking on snow and dry asphalt;
average cross-country ability on winter roads;

Disadvantages:

increased braking on icy roads and wet asphalt;
tires respond slowly to steering commands;
low stability on snowy, icy roads.

Fifth place

Tire Viatti Brina Nordico V-522

The products have an asymmetrical tread pattern that provides traction on the road surface. The outer part of the tread ensures stability of the car when cornering.

Advantages:

good directional stability of the car on a snow-covered road;
elasticity.

Flaws:

for all types of testing, tires showed low results;
increased braking on any type of road surface;
a small spot of rubber contact with the surface when driving on ice.