Reason for this test was a request from one reader to pick up tires for his VW Touareg. And better than those that are worn out and outdated. In his mind, Michelin products were absolute authority. Therefore, we went to the online store and selected a tire according to the needs, or rather, the driving style and type of roads that the customer drives. The choice fell on the tire Michelin Latitude Sport 3, which is designed for asphalt and concrete surfaces and, judging by the name, will satisfy the needs of active drivers. In order not to arrange full test tires, after which the residual life of its tread is significantly less, we compared the new tire with the old one only in the test of control of braking properties on wet and dry pavement. The result exceeded all our expectations, especially when braking on dry surfaces.
Dry grip
From some motorsport fans, one can hear the statement that slicks are better for dry asphalt, i.e. tires with no tread pattern. However, motorsport and the actual operation of cars are two different things. If in motorsport slick means a new tire with a tread layer of a fresh rubber compound and with good elasticity to ensure excellent grip, then a worn civilian tire is complete opposite. The tread rubber of an old tire, under the influence of a number of operational factors, has already lost its original elasticity, so it has an increased hardness.
So, in our case, the hardness of the old VW Touareg tire was 90 Rockwell units (class A), at the same time, the new Michelin Latitude Sport 3 tire has 73 units. This, in fact, was one of the main reasons why braking properties The new tire is significantly better than the old one. The braking distance from 80 km/h is almost two meters shorter (respectively, 26.18 m and 28.03 m).
Braking distance on dry pavement from 80 to 5 km/h
Michelin Latitude Sport 3 - 26.18 m
Old tire - 28.03 m
Wet asphalt
In case of braking wet pavement
old tires are even more dangerous. So from 80 km/h stopping way on new tire The Michelin Latitude Sport 3 was over 5m shorter than the old 2.7mm tread, hard rubber and worn sipes (27.13m versus 32.36m). The reason for this difference is both in the hardness of the rubber and in the depth of the tread. In a non-worn tire in the tread pattern 
there are transverse, diagonal grooves and lamellas (thin transverse or diagonal slots). During braking, these elements “remove” a film of water from the surface of the asphalt, thus drying the contact patch. As a result, water can no longer act as a lubricant. In older tires, the above-mentioned tread elements are practically absent, which, together with hardened rubber, causes a dangerous increase in stopping distance on wet asphalt.
Braking distance on wet pavement from 80 to 5 km/h
Michelin Latitude Sport 3 - 27.13 m
Old tire - 32.38 m
Comfort
Subsequently, when leaving the roads common use, an advantage was revealed in two more parameters - noise and comfort. Latitude Sport 3 tread with softer rubber compound rolls on asphalt much quieter than old tire with hardened protector. This is comparable to the rolling of wooden cartwheels studded with iron rims. Despite their small width, the noise when the cart is driven on asphalt attracts the attention of every person. In the case of old tires, there is no such effect from the outside, but inside the car, the noise of “hardened” tires is heard very well.
When driving over bumps and broken roads Michelin tire The Latitude Sport 3 is significantly better protected from damage thanks to its double frame.
Dangers of old tires
Old tires are also dangerous because they can have hidden damage. This is especially true in our operating conditions, where driving on bumpy roads for several years is incomparable to any test by a tire manufacturer. For the same reason, many tires already have internal damage to the textile carcass and metal cord before the tread wear to a depth of 4 mm or less, which leads to a change in the geometry of the tire, and under extreme loads it can break. A change in tire geometry is accompanied by vibrations on the steering wheel and body, which cannot be eliminated by balancing the wheels.
Sport for SUV
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The desire to reduce the cost of "shoes" of his "iron horse" leads to the fact that a car enthusiast chooses cheaper car tires - from fakes of unknown brands to used tires. The main thing is that the state of the protector meets traffic rules. At the same time, car tires are clearly not something that should be saved on, because by reducing the cost of them, we seriously risk our own health and even life.
Before you decide to buy car tires "with age", used or even brand new, but kept in stock for ten years, think about what its role is in ensuring the reliability and safety of driving.
A “new old” tire is a dangerous purchase
It's not about worn tires, namely about old tires not being used for a long time . Unfortunately, car tires are often the subject of savings, and savings are unjustified and inappropriate. But old tires on a car are no less dangerous for the life of the driver and passengers than “bald” tires on ice.
As you know, car tires are made of rubber. Automobile rubber is a rather complex combination of chemical elements that are very stable, but by no means protected from exposure. external factors. The sun's rays, air, temperature changes slowly but surely decompose rubber into chemical elements, weakening the bonds between them.
Remember that rubber "dubs" over time, its consumer properties deteriorate. Moreover, this rule is equally true, even if the tires are stored in a warehouse and are not in use. Unworn, but with a long production time, car tires increase the risk of a motorist to fill up the sad statistics of accidents caused by a suddenly bursting tire.
Again, service life car tires calculated from the date of manufacture, and not from the date of commencement of operation.
If you buy new and acceptable quality car tires, then the speed and moment of the beginning of the active flow of these processes are significantly delayed in time.
Tires with mileage are aging by leaps and bounds
During the operation of the tire, its aging processes are accelerated many times over. The reason, again, is in temperature changes, humidity, chemicals that abound on our streets, as well as in driving style. By the way, driving style is not in vain named among the negative factors that cause rapid wear rubber. Car tires suffer from high speed movement, hard braking, overloading the vehicle, non-compliance with the recommended tire pressure, untimely use seasonal tires and other features that motorists sin.
Buying car tires with mileage, which has already begun to lose elasticity and elasticity, means getting less grip. pavement, increased stopping distance, worse handling and a tendency to skid with all the ensuing consequences. That is why used car tires are always of poor quality.
What is the lifespan of car tires
Tire life limits vary from country to country. For car tires Russian production — up to 5 years. In the developed countries of Asia and Europe, the limit is considered 3 years from the date of manufacture of the tire.
Note that we are talking again not about the service life, but about the "age" of the tire. According to experts from Germany, the tire is older than 3 years, even without mileage, i.e. just stored in a warehouse can no longer be considered new.
Where do you think "old" unsold tires usually go? That's right, they are fused by enterprising businessmen at reduced prices to the markets of third countries, where the quality of the products sold is overlooked. Why? Yes, because exporting tires is much cheaper and more profitable than recycling them. And in third countries there will always be those who want to buy these “new old” tires.
How to find out the age (date of manufacture) of a tire?
The date of manufacture of the tire is applied in relief.
The date of manufacture of the tire is shown 4 numbers circled in an oval. The first two digits are the week, the second two digits are the year of the "birth" of tires. For example, if the tire says "2501", then the date of manufacture of the tire is July (25th week) 2001.
So, now you know how to determine its age by marking a tire, as well as about the dangers that old tires are fraught with. To avoid trouble, usually beginning with the words “deployed”, “suffered”, etc. and ending with a mean line in the police report "lost control", do not save on automotive rubber. Buy for your "swallow" really NEW TIRES and … Good luck on the road!
Reading this article:
Winter tires - tread pattern and features of winter tires
"Spikes" or "Velcro" - which winter tires better?
In many countries of the world, low-quality rubber began to appear on the car market. But this has nothing to do with cheap Chinese tires. The fact is that scammers restore in an original way appearance and sell it in the future as new or supposedly, which was not long in use.
We have found for you on the net, where you can see how shady tire retreaders give old rubber completely different look.
We are sure that our readers do not need to be told that such a method for restoring rubber is actually a scam, since such a tire after repair does not become of high quality. It is very dangerous to use such rubber on cars.
Therefore, if the life of the rubber has ended (tread wear or use time), then new tires must be purchased.
Such a "restored" will not be reliable. It will be subject to frequent punctures, tears, etc. Don't try to repeat this. This is stupid and dangerous.
Buy tires only from missed and well-established companies. When buying used tires from your hands, if you do not understand it, it is advisable to show it to a specialist before transferring money to the seller.
“Prepare summer tires in winter, and winter tires in summer,” this simple rule regularly helps motorists save time, money and nerve cells. Therefore, it's time to take a look at our 2017 winter tire test and choose the tires that are ideal for both weather and temperature conditions, as well as lifestyle and driving style.
Winter tire tests 2017-2018 (Behind the wheel, Autoreview, ADAC, Auto Bild)
Do not get lost in the abundance of names, brands and brands will help tests of winter and summer tires which every year are held by a number of qualified organizations. This includes:
ADAC Club
ADAC is a serious organization and has been representing the interests of German car enthusiasts for more than a century. The largest car club in Europe checks car brands for quality and safety, and also regularly tests tires. It is difficult for tire manufacturers to achieve high ratings from ADAC - their harsh tests, carried out with true German thoroughness, can leave neither the bottom nor the tire from the tire. The usual results are “satisfactory”, and rarely is a tire awarded with a “good” verdict.
The oldest Russian magazine dedicated to motorists and their iron horses. He regularly tests tires that are popular and not so popular on the post-Soviet market in hot and cold weather, and also conducts interesting studies like "How temperature affects the braking distance of a car." 
Car enthusiasts from more than 35 countries of the world read licensed publications German magazine Auto Bild. The magazine contains not only motorsport and industry news, but also comparative tests, test drives and, of course, tire testing in different interesting places- for example, in a small Finnish village beyond the Arctic Circle.
The popular Russian (and earlier Soviet) publication Autoreview regularly conducts comparative tests of cars at the test site, crash tests according to the European methodology with its own independent rating, as well as testing automotive products ranging from fuel to child car seats. Of course, tires are on the list too.
Rating of winter studded tires 2017-2018
Since fresh tire testing is carried out during the peak season, as a basis for the rating, we took tests of tires R14, R15, R16, R17, carried out by last winter . When distributing places in the list, the following were also taken into account: the popularity of the model in Russia, ratings, reviews and the cost of tires on the Yandex Market service.
Despite the differences in conditions, testing the best winter studded tires 2017-2018. carried out in a similar way:
- acceleration and braking dynamics are tested on ice, snow, wet and dry asphalt;
- time taken to cover a certain distance different types coatings;
- an assessment is given of the level of controllability of the car, its smoothness and how noisy the tires are.
10. Gislaved Nord Frost 200
The average cost is 5,570 rubles.
Opens the rating of winter studded tires 2017-2018 new model from the Swedish company Gislaved. The main highlight of the 200 model is an asymmetric tread pattern and a new ultra-light (less than 1 gram) stud in the shape of a three-beam star. In general, the rubber is quiet, soft, with good directional stability, keeps well on any surface - however, on fresh snow and ice, it may require adjustments in driving style. On a lightly icy track on such tires, you should not accelerate more than 100 km, otherwise the car will drive.
The price, on average, is 5,982 rubles.
The very name of the tire says that its developers ( Russian company Cordiant) paid Special attention tire behavior on snow. The tread pattern is directional, the center of which is a closed rib, which in theory should significantly reduce the likelihood of hydroplaning in snow. (It is interesting, by the way, that this same pattern almost exactly copies the protector of the third place in the rating.) The result is good rubber By budget price, which rides really well in the snow. True, asphalt is not given to her as well as snow.
The average price is 8,600 rubles.
A clear improvement over the ICE 01 both in terms of directional stability and noise reduction on the pavement. From rubber middle price segment it's hard to expect the responsiveness of a more expensive rubber, but the Dunlop SP Winter ICE 02 works 100%. Advantages: high permeability, very strong sidewall, excellent spikes, rowing in slush. True, it doesn’t feel very good on asphalt, and it makes a noticeable noise, and at speeds above 90 km / h it causes increased consumption fuel.
The cost, on average, is 6,670 rubles.
Good city tires with the ability to feel comfortable in not too deep snow. Rides well both on asphalt and on dense snow noise is within normal limits. It is worth noting that it is best to use this rubber in central Russia, where temperatures rarely exceed -15 degrees. But Siberians with deep snow and prolonged frosts, it is better to think about a more hardy option.
The average cost is 2,410 rubles.
Nordman series by Nokian – more budget version the illustrious Hakkapeliitta. Soft, comfortable, low-noise tires at a reasonable price, which feels good both on dry pavement and on snow. On wet pavement, based on reviews, it is better not to accelerate over 100 km. A good option for urban residents in the "home - work - dacha" mode. Due to the softness of the rubber, it is difficult to get out of the rut, and you should be careful with curbs, branches and other sharp objects. But in general great option in terms of price / quality.
You can buy, on average, for 4,860 rubles.
If previous model top 10 was mainly intended for urban driving, then IceContact 2 from Continental is better just revealed off-road. Feels great at low temperatures both on snow and on crust or ice, it is able to take its owner out of anywhere. A big advantage is the many spikes (there are 196 of them). No noise from these tires.
But on wet, frozen or snowy pavement, special care must be taken. Also not the best best reviews deserved the "behavior" of rubber on snow porridge, where it begins to scour.
It is offered, on average, for 10,260 rubles.
Although the "eight" is a newer model in the line Tire Hakkapeliitta, it is slightly inferior in popularity to its predecessor. One of the main reasons is very soft sidewall, as a result of which you will have to carefully select the disks and, despite excellent cross, carefully choose places to ride. Otherwise, hernias and cuts. But this rubber is very predictable, has a large number of spikes (190 pieces) and goes well on ice and packed snow.
It is sold, on average, for 7,100 rubles.
It differs from the eighth model in a smaller number of spikes (by 30%), however, its six-sided anchor spikes are longer and heavier. They use a technology called "bear claw" that prevents the cleat from tilting, thereby improving traction. Silent, reliable, albeit expensive tires, which, despite the generation, enjoys a high reputation among motorists. It feels good both on snow and on ice and asphalt, while being hardy and strong. However, like the eighth version, the Hakkapeliitta 7 has a very soft sidewall and this is felt when turning the steering wheel sharply.
The average price is 9,080 rubles.
And here is the new generation of the famous line. The fruit of the four-year efforts of the developers of the Finnish company, as stated, exceeds the characteristics of the "eight" by 5-10%. The biggest highlight of the new model is the two types of studs (although overall there are slightly fewer of them than its predecessor), which should improve lateral grip on snowy or icy roads. And changes in the composition of the rubber will help the tire feel better at low temperatures. So far, according to preliminary tests, the tires promise to be excellent, but they count the chickens in the fall - when mass sales of the "nine" begin.
1. Pirelli Ice Zero
On average, it costs 15,550 rubles.
Paradoxically, it turned out that the Italians know better about the production of winter studded tires than the inhabitants of snowy Scandinavia. One of the "highlights" of the model is the original double carbide stud insert, which provides the tire with excellent behavior on ice.
Other advantages: high permeability, good performance acceleration and braking on snow and ice, high directional stability. And endurance - there are chances to bring the tires to retirement with a full set of spikes. Excellent, almost universal rubber for winter conditions, which feels good both on asphalt and outside the city. True, the noise level is quite high. Yes, and the price "bites".
Which winter tires are better to choose in the end
So what Winter tires better to choose? The 2017 ranking includes both "city" rubber types and tires designed for more severe weather conditions. For frequent driving great off-road Pirelli Ice Zero, Continental IceContact 2 or Dunlop SP Winter ICE 02. For a quiet city ride, choose the Bridgestone Ice Cruiser 7000, Nokian Nordman 5 or Nokian Hakkapeliitta 8. Otherwise, when choosing rubber, you should first of all take into account the temperature conditions, and the surface on which you have to ride.
As it turns out, not all. Here's a live example for you: the Nissan Frontier. We have long forgotten this old Navara, and today's eyes are riveted to a new generation that shared the platform with itself mercedes-benz x-class. But those who wrote off the pickup truck with the D40 index are severely mistaken. Today we are testing Frontier for American market in his "client home" in Chicago.
This series of utilitarian cargo-passenger cars from Nissan generally came out indecent, unacceptable, absurdly tenacious. Judge for yourself: an even older generation with the D22 index generally appeared when our fathers received salaries in the millions - in 1997. And it, under the name NP300, inhabits salons and plows the expanses of some countries like Egypt and Africa to this day! After that, is it any wonder that the next generation, which was released already in the “recent” 2004, still finds buyers not just anywhere, but in the USA?
Of course, years suit few people, and age is extremely rarely beneficial, especially for a car. However, Nissan figured out how to properly prepare the sauce, under which you can serve a product that has not yet been spoiled, but is pretty dried up.
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Horror…
Talking about the appearance of a fifteen-year-old car ... no, it's worth saying a few words. First, in the parking lot, the main thing is not to start throwing your work belongings into the back of a dusty gray pickup without making sure that this pickup is yours. Secondly, the fact that the years have brought a minimum of changes in appearance is terrible from the point of view of a militant aesthete, but allows you not to worry if you accidentally crashed while loading back light or tore off the bumper with a loader. Frontier scars to the face, and bandages and plaster for plastic surgery can be found at any disassembly.
Sitting inside, you are no longer surprised by anything: historical and external excursions help to calmly meet there even an ancient Nissan steering wheel with a thick vertical spoke, even mechanical box with a work-like shapeless knob of the lever, at least “meat grinders” of power windows. Stop ... all this is really there. But little things like hours, cabin filter and even heating rear window in the basic equipment - no.
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Everything is in place that is ready to return to you not only your 2007, but even 2004: orange backlight, rough scales dashboard, cheap gray plastic that collects all the cave paintings of scratches, large buttons ... But wait, many of these buttons are still in use with the Japanese.
However interior fittings, in contrast to the appearance, surprises interspersed with something modern. multimedia system, for example - it has a color screen, although it is smaller than a modern smartphone, and it can play music from your iPhone, and also shows a picture from the rear view camera already in basic configuration. Luxury?! No, it's just that the law in the United States required you to turn on the rear view camera in basic equipment- hence the screen, multimedia, and USB with Bluetooth, added to the slot for CDs, originally from 2004.
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And now, when the streams of sarcasm, surprise, bewilderment and slight aesthetic disgust have dried up, you either go out and go to the nearest salon for another car for other money, or you are absorbed by this old one ...
…Charm
Okay, this is a joke. Well, almost: Nissan does not know how to charm - you can either put up with the shortcomings or not, and only the most nostalgic adherents will find reasons to rejoice in it. Frontier captivates not with this - more precisely, not only with this.
It captivates with a combination of this undisguised simplicity with reliability, durability and cheapness. Nissan says so right on the main page of the model on the official website: “Frontier is the most affordable pickup America." And it's true: the car we see now costs $18,900. They ask for 20 thousand for the base Chevrolet Colorado, at least 21 thousand for the GMC Canyon, at least 24 thousand for the Toyota Tacoma, and the Honda Ridgeline starts at 30 thousand. However, all this is an order of magnitude newer cars. But as they say, a thousand dollars is a thousand dollars.
Engine
2.5 l., 152 hp
The Nissan buyer, however, has some choices. The basic version - such as ours - has a four-cylinder 2.5-liter engine under the hood, producing 152 hp. and, more importantly for a pickup truck, 232 Nm of torque. This is enough to pull 400 kg of weight in the back and a trailer weighing the same as the car itself - up to 1.6 tons. If the operating plans are more grandiose, you can pay extra and get a full-weight 4-liter engine that will offer you not only abstract 261 hp. and 381 Nm, but also quite a tangible opportunity to drag three tons of a trailer.
Of course, the motor is not the only thing you can get for money. So, for a thousand dollars, you can add a 5-speed automatic to the car (did you think that you would get more in a car that is most likely older than your son?), And from 24.5 thousand dollars, modifications start with a full-fledged two-row cab and four doors - such as they were in Russia. Here, by the way, a four-liter engine is set by default, and a six-speed manual is a pair of it in the basic version. And if you change seats after such a machine to the one that we are considering today, you may experience technical problems. The fact is that the manual gearbox of the 2.5-liter engine has five steps, the back has lurked in place of the sixth, and no “retaining ring” is provided here - only two thousandths, only hardcore.
But in general, Frontier is the case when decorating a car is only spoiling it. Yes, you can pay almost $34,000 and get a pickup truck in chrome, with cruise control, a Rockford Fosgate audio system, and an interior upholstered in “premium fabric” instead of regular, whatever that means. But unlike our version, it will be difficult to explain this purchase even to yourself.
But what is definitely worth paying extra for is the working options: in particular, body trim with durable non-slip plastic and five “rails” for securing cargo. Nissan boastfully notes that in their dinosaur there can be as many as five, and in all other pickups in this class - only zero. But they, unlike the optional audio system, seem like a good investment. And the branded tool box in the back seems like that too. And the grill on the body door opening, which allows you to carry long loads with the door open, too. And a stock hitch. In general, everything that makes this car more useful, but not cooler. After all, this is his essence: he is not cool. He's useful.
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Simplicity
And he is quite comfortable, even despite the simplicity, bordering on the simple. Independent front suspension double levers slightly compensates for the spring back, which clearly hints that it would be nice to throw something into the body. It is quite possible to drive this car every day and not feel squeezed out by the evening.
