Friction tire rating. Winter tire test, choose the best studded tires

On the world market car tires 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.

In order to choose the most best winter tires 2015, 2016, tests of 4 leading foreign and domestic automotive publications were studied:

• test world

In addition, compiled the winter season.

Rating of winter tires of the season 2015-2016

Optimization of snow clearance comes from a more open tread pattern. The tires hold the road well even in poor grip conditions.

Pros: These are quiet tires that accelerate with no problem and hold traction on snowy roads, riding confidently in slush. They have the shortest braking distance from 100 km / h on dry pavement of the considered models.

Cons: Acceleration and braking on ice are mediocre. Worst time during lap tests. Testing the Michelin X-IceNorth 3 tires showed their suitability for terrain with little snow and ice.

The car, “shod” in Formula Ice, handles well on dry pavement, and the aluminum hex stud helps to go and brake well on snow and ice.

Pros: The tires have excellent braking on dry pavement and have shown a high ride smoothness.

Cons: failure during ice-snow tests. Suitable as a budget option for the metropolis, with rare trips out of town.

Korean-made low-noise rubber with 180 studs (depending on size) and a high-density siping system for reduction stopping distance.

Pros: best time in corners on an icy track, the test drivers had no complaints about the tires while driving the car on a slope in the snow, on a circular track and forest tracks. They confidently behave on a dirty track, on a dry and wet road surface.

Cons: on the snow, the behavior is somewhat uneven.

Tires are equipped with studs with optimized head geometry (edges in all directions). This helps secure grip on ice. Wide contact patch area with a large number of hooks.

Pros: The tire successfully passed the snow and ice test, earned good marks in the wet (overall score - 8.3 according to Test World).

Cons: High rolling resistance and long braking distance on dry pavement.

The grooves of this rubber are V-shaped. Their purpose is to provide confident grip in snowy areas.

Pros: Tuulilasi and TestWorld tests on ice and snow, this model withstood with dignity, did not disgrace itself even on wet pavement and water-snow "porridge" (overall score - 8.4 according to Test World).

Disadvantages: in emergency situations on dry pavement, they react more slowly than other models considered.

Under the tire studs are elastic pads that soften contact with the road, reduce noise and prolong the "life" of the studs.

Pros: Russian test teams of past years have rated Nokian Nordman 4 as a "strong average".

Cons: The Test World team did not like how the tires performed on wet pavement, and most of all on ice. They gave the test subjects an overall score of 7.1, only the studded Sunny SN3860 was worse (5.9).

To further improve traction, a protrusion (“bear claw”) is made on the tread block, which creates tension in it. When braking, the spike is held in a vertical position.

Of the benefits: "Behind the wheel" praised the tire for low price(from 1930 rubles), average consumption fuel, good stability on snow, lateral grip on ice, and the way the car moved on tarmac.

Cons: mediocre handling and comfort, satisfactory flotation in the snow.

Pirelli products are tested only in severe weather, as they have to "work" on uneven, icy and snowy surfaces.

Positive reviews: about acceleration, braking and handling on snow and ice. You can quickly slow down on asphalt with melted snow.

Weaknesses: Loss of traction in corners, strong tire noise, not short enough for an "excellent" braking distance on dry pavement.

In the manufacture of tires, a special composition of the mixture is used, taking into account the especially cold winter climate. ContiIceContact is a station wagon that is suitable for both "passenger cars" and off-road vehicles.

Positive sides: quick braking on ice, no complaints about handling, on a snowy road and a dry roadway, you can quickly accelerate and brake.

Cons: not a reference resistance to slushplaning.

1 Nokian Hakkapeliitta 8

Having passed the rigorous test of winter studded tires 2015-2016, this set of tires has earned the unanimous approval of both Russian and Finnish test teams. Car enthusiasts can choose any radius of this tire: R13, R14, R15, R16, R17, R18, R19 and R20.

Advantages: a huge number of spikes (190 pieces for 205/55 R16). The addition of special additives to the rubber made it possible to reduce the weight of the tire. There are no problems with handling on the track with melted snow, on frozen and snowy surfaces. Short braking distance on wet and dry asphalt.

Cons: noise.

Winter tire test method

Tested 8 studded models for acceleration and braking in snow and ice conditions. Also, races were made on wet and dry pavement, and tests were carried out on the resistance of slushplaning (spinning of the wheels of a car in a mess of water and snow).

Magazine "Behind the wheel" studied 10 sets of the most demanded by consumers winter tires(175/65 R14) at a price not exceeding 3700 rubles apiece. The main thing for the experts of the publication was the price-quality ratio.

With the help of the Mercedes-Benz S-class, I found out how they "behave" on the road: winter tires - "Scandinavians" with studs, non-studded "car shoes" for harsh winters of the Scandinavian type and non-studded tires of the European type. The most important accelerations and decelerations were carried out in a huge hangar. At the start, an anti-slip system was used, while braking - an anti-lock braking system, and on a winding track, the dynamic stabilization system supported the controllability.

Team Test World spent winter tire test 2015 outdoors and indoors. At first, the time for which the car will pass the circle was recorded. Quality tires (and 25 sets participated in the tests) were required to provide fast acceleration, high lateral grip and short braking distances. Then the test pilots expressed good and bad impressions about each model. Additionally, reviews were collected on how cars with different tires maintains the specified direction of movement.

Every year, the Russian market is replenished with everything supplied by completely different branded manufacturers. The material below discusses only the most popular models that any motorist can purchase in 2018. It is worth noting that the choice is made according to the ratio of price and quality, and not according to the popularity of the manufacturer or the price of the tire. It is important to take into account the fact that the rubber considered in the list was tested according to dozens of criteria, technical features absolutely each model was measured by special equipment. In addition, the personal feelings of motorists, who were able to test the properties and capabilities of the considered samples in practice, were taken into account. Of course, many motorists may be surprised by such a set of tires, since the presented tires have a lot of differences, first of all, in terms of cost. However, the options considered were deliberately chosen from different price categories, which will allow a car enthusiast with any budget to choose the most suitable for himself.

TOP winter non-studded tires.

Rules for choosing the best non-studded tires

It is quite difficult to choose the best non-studded winter tires, since the goods offered in a wide range belong completely. In addition, the optimal choice should take into account not only the region in which a particular motorist lives, but also weather conditions. Naturally, some regions can "please" the motorist with a harsh snowy winter, while in other regions rainy weather and slush prevail. If only Scandinavian-type tires are suitable for a harsh climate, then for slush - European ones. Of course, not all car markets can find these models, however, in more or less major cities buying any type of tires will not be a problem for the motorist.

Of course, every motorist should know how to choose winter studless tires. According to the advice of experts, you should choose only from well-known models that have been successfully operated by thousands of motorists for more than one year. Of course, among domestic manufacturers there are several relatively acceptable companies whose product can be considered as an alternative. True, the opinion has not yet been eradicated that it is better to abandon the purchase of Russian, as well as Chinese tires in favor of more reliable ones.

For the winter of 2018, the best non-studded tires are not budget tires that are inferior to more expensive models service life and wear. As practice shows, even some expensive models can put the car of their owner at risk of accidents.

Not all car owners have the opportunity to purchase tires of excellent quality, however, it is better to completely refuse to buy a used product. You should not make a purchase even if the tread is not worn out, it is likely that these tires have been idle for a long time, which has aged the rubber, led to a deterioration in its properties. Any tire is able to meet the characteristics declared by the manufacturer only for a certain period of time, until its critical wear occurs. The same rule should apply to retreaded tires that are considered dangerous and unreliable.

If a motorist is interested in which non-studded winter tires are better, the 2018 rating will help find the answer to this question. The list contains models that have different tread patterns. It should be noted that this indicator is extremely important when choosing the most optimal model. The tread will help determine the rubber that takes into account the weather conditions of the region. In particular, with heavy rains and constant slush, you should buy rubber with the ability to drain water. Aggressive patterns are designed to handle snowy, icy trails. The diamond-shaped tread that Scandinavian tires are equipped with easily copes with paving the way through the snow crust.

Tires must also take into account the temperature range. Some manufacturers produce tires that lose their properties over time, in winter such models become soft, and in summer, on the contrary, more rigid. In turn, on the market you can find options that are resistant to sudden changes in temperature. Whatever the reason for the choice of a motorist, he can get acquainted with the rating of the best winter non-studded tires, which for some reason bypassed other models, and also showed good qualities when used on domestic roads.

Rating of non-studded winter tires 2018

Motorists are accustomed to calling non-studded tires Velcro, while specialists call them friction tires. This type of rubber is not equipped with metal spikes. The tread pattern has a unique shape, it provides recesses that can get rid of excessive amounts of moisture and snow. Thanks to these properties, grip with the road surface is improved, while the tread is freed from snow without accumulating it. This type of tires is ideal for those regions where winter is moderate, and the thermometer rarely drops below -15 - -20 degrees. Friction tires, as a rule, are purchased by Europeans.

The Nokian Hakkapeliitta R2 SUV starts the ranking of Velcro tires. These tires can be purchased at any car market for 9 - 12 thousand rubles. The novelty that the Finnish company supplies to the Russians is familiar with harsh winters firsthand. The climate of Finland is similar to the weather in most domestic regions. The main advantage of the model is its highest quality. The Finnish R2 SUV tires, which are not equipped with spikes, as the name implies, are ideal for vehicles with increased cross-country ability.

An equally significant advantage of the product can be called a unique tread pattern, thanks to which the wheels cope with the removal of excess moisture and snow. The tread pattern is not able to accumulate precipitation, which has a positive effect on traction. The Nokian Hakkapeliitta R2 SUV tire model has an aggressive pattern, which speaks not only of their beauty, but also of safety. When a motorist examines non-studded tires from a Finnish company, he gets the feeling that the developers deliberately calculated and thought out the correct location of each rubber element. Experts assure that on such tires you can not be afraid of drifts, regardless of which route the motorist overcomes.

Non-studded tires from Nokian are created according to a special technology, according to which rubber is equipped with special crystals that prevent tanning in hard frost or heat. If we talk about the advantages, it is worth highlighting the excellent retention of any road, precise handling, quick finding of the track, quick braking of the car, European quality and increased wear resistance. Among the shortcomings of the Nokian Hakkapeliitta R2 SUV, experienced motorists note a slight yaw that appears when driving on a road with reagents. Of course, this product has a high price, with approximately the same characteristics, Russians can find more budget models in the car markets.

If, before buying new tires, a motorist decides to find out which non-studded tires are better for the winter, he can pay attention to Michelin model X-ICE XI3. This product is slightly cheaper than its rival, it can be bought for 8 - 13 thousand rubles. As practice shows, the products of the French company have been in the lead for several years. True, summer tires of this representative are in special demand. As for winter tires, Michelin X-ICE XI3 tires entered the top of the best.

The European tire manufacturer is "personally" not familiar with the harsh weather conditions in Russia, which is why he produces tires that cannot fully satisfy the inhabitants of the northern regions. It is worth noting that the disadvantage of such rubber can be called the loss of their properties on an icy road surface. True, all friction models have such a drawback, the lack of spikes does not allow them to adhere to ice. The unique tread pattern has been subjected to many tests, after which it has been modernized and changed. During its development, the creators were guided by physical laws and focus on the Russian consumer. Friction rubber Michelin X-ICE XI3 perfectly interacts with the road, reduces the risk of skidding.

Noting the merits of the Michelin X-ICE XI3, it is worth highlighting excellent grip, maximum water drainage, low noise, smooth running of the car, control of the car during cornering, high quality tires, excellent wear resistance, start-up, devoid of slippage, as well as good control. The disadvantages indicate the difficulty of moving in ice and the softness of the rubber, which prevents the rapid passage of a snowy path. The Michelin X-ICE XI3 is good value for money.

The top three is completed by another of the best Velcro tires - Goodyear Ultra Grip Ice 2, the cost of which ranges from 5 to 11 thousand rubles. The updated rubber is able to please its owner with improved characteristics that relate to high-speed braking. Of course, the developers achieved this property for a very long time, they had to work for about 3 years to create an improved model. Goodyear Ultra Grip Ice 2 "survived" more than a dozen serious tests and trials. Cryo-adaptive compound rubber allows tires to be used in harsh winters without freezing.

Studless winter tires Ultra Grip Ice 2 has excellent performance in terms of grip and handling. The advantage of the tire is the ability to use it at -25 degrees, when other models begin to tan. The company "marks" its product with a special sign - a V-shaped tread pattern. These tires push out water and snow, firmly clinging to the road surface. The advantages of such tires can be considered an ideal price-quality ratio, braking properties, good handling, stability on snow. The disadvantages relate, first of all, to the slight absorption of potholes and potholes, uncertain acceleration on an icy road.

The top non-studded winter tires of 2018 continue with Bridgestone Blizzak VRX tires, the price of which varies between 9,000 and 13,000 rubles. Tires from Japanese manufacturers have always been present in such ratings, this time the attention of specialists has focused on the Bridgestone Blizzak VRX model. This product has a unique composition, it was developed using a special technology, which made it possible to adapt the tires to the harsh Russian winter. The manufacturer has taken into account almost all the needs of Russian motorists, the peculiarities of the local climate, the presence of large accumulations of snow on the road, and also enough sharp drops temperature. As practice shows, tires from Bridgestone can be used in those regions where the climate is changeable.

This model is worthy of attention due to the peculiar tread pattern that can not accumulate moisture and quickly throw it out of its recesses. Among the main advantages of Bridgestone Blizzak VRX tires, it is worth noting the softness of the ride, comfortable movement, the ability to easily cross roads with high snow (especially outside the city), fast braking, and a peculiar pattern that helps to cope with snow. The disadvantages relate to unstable behavior on icy road surfaces, excessive rapid wear. Bridgestone tires Blizzak VRX are ideal for those who occasionally drive on country roads in winter, prefer quiet ride in the conditions of the city.

The rating of winter non-studded tires of 2018 was not complete without the Yokohama model Ice Guard IG50, the cost of which ranges from 7 to 10 thousand rubles. First of all, speaking about the Yokohama Ice Guard IG50, experts note an almost perfect ratio of price and quality. In addition, this model impresses motorists with its capabilities and ability to cope with frozen road surfaces. Some non-studded tires start to “drive” a car if there is water on an icy road, however, this aspect is not at all terrible for the rubber in question. The wheels have an unusual tread pattern that promotes moisture removal, traction and good handling.

The main advantages of the Yokohama Ice Guard IG50 model are full value for money, safety when cornering, the ability to use tires both in the city and beyond. The disadvantages of this model can be considered the inability to use tires during a sharp change in weather, when the thermometer crosses the mark of 0 degrees, as well as the need to check the pressure, which affects handling. Of course, buying Yokohama Ice Guard Ig50 is worth it only when you need a tire option with excellent quality for minimal money.

If a motorist wants to buy the best winter tires, he can consider such an option as the Continental ContiVikingContact 6, which cost up to 13 thousand rubles. This manufacturer supplies the Russian market with expensive, but high-quality German tires, which often occupy leading positions in branded car magazines. Continental ContiVikingContact 6 features a unique technology development that helps the motorist to confidently drive the vehicle on a snow-covered roadway.

Continental ContiVikingContact 6 tires are more suitable for those cars that have to cope with the harsh Russian climate in extreme conditions. Of course, the high cost of the product in question reduces the demand of middle-income motorists, which affected the location of the model almost at the end of the top. The advantages of the model are considered to be their excellent stability, softness and ease of movement, grip in snow and ice, no skidding, inability to zadubet, excellent characteristics of both handling and braking. The disadvantage can be considered an improvement in the properties of rubber in the city, where there are no snowdrifts, which increases grip with the road surface.

The non-studded tire rating is completed by the Nokian Nordman RS, which has the most low price(3 - 5 thousand rubles). This tire option is suitable for those who are very limited in budget. These inexpensive Velcro have good qualities, which allowed the rubber to break out among the first sold on Russian market models. Of course, you should not expect any unique features from these tires. Considering Nokian Nordman RS tires, it is worth noting their reasonable price, good grip with a road surface, decent quality, which allows you to operate them for more than one season. Of the minuses, it is worth noting domestic production, not the best directional stability and the ability to go into a skid with a sharp impact on the brake pedal.

Conclusion

The presented rating of winter non-studded tires includes those tire options that in 2018 any motorist can purchase on the Russian market. It is worth noting that any of the considered models is worthy of attention. The only thing that every motorist should think about is the parameters that the preferred model should have in the first place.

The best prices and conditions for the purchase of new cars

Loan 6.5% / Installment / Trade-in / 98% approval / Gifts in the salon

Mas Motors

From year to year, from season to season, disputes flare up on the Internet about the choice and purchase of tires for cars. Foaming at the mouth, there are active disputes in which the interlocutors prove to each other the viability or worthlessness of specific models, not understanding that it is sheer stupidity to draw conclusions about car tires based on subjective assessments only.

Tire testing is a science-intensive activity that requires an academic approach and serious resources! As you know, friendship is tested in trouble. So the driving properties of automobile rubber are estimated at the limit. But that's not the point. It is beyond the power of the average driver to create the ideal test environment to separate the role of the tire from the influence of a host of other factors. Professional tire tests are always a control kit, one car, the same wheel disks, verified pressure, technologically advanced test site and, of course, equipment. In tire research, details often elusive to the human senses play an important role.

In Russia, tire tests to assess their consumer characteristics are carried out by the Za Rulem magazine and the Avtorevyu newspaper. The first one tests tires at domestic test sites. The second, most recently, has been conducting tests at a foreign test base.

The tire industry is analyzed on a much larger scale by European experts. German expert club ADAC, Finnish research center Test World, autobuilding magazine- all these names are well known. Strict safety rules, meticulous consumers, developed infrastructure - all this has made professional tire tests the norm for the European market. In Asia and America, tires are also tested, but the results of their measurements rarely reach Russia. Fortunately, the loss is not great: tires, for example, from the USA rarely end up on another continent.

What are winter tires?

While seemingly similar tires can be very different. In our climate band, every kid in the sandbox knows that tires come in summer or winter. But in a deep context, not all adults understand the situation. Usually, the top of knowledge is that winter tires are divided into studded and not.

Non-studded tires are popularly referred to as "Velcro". Public opinion often considers them urban. In the language of professionals, such rubber is called friction rubber and is divided into models of the Scandinavian and Central European types. Tires from the first group are designed for low-temperature winters with an abundance of snow and ice on the roads. Rubber of the second type is designed exclusively for mild winters, with an average temperature just below zero and rare patches of slippery surfaces. In Russia, Central European winter tires will be helpless everywhere except the Black Sea coast, but good non-studded models of the Scandinavian type will cope with both ice and snow.

What does the AvtoDel tire review offer?

A publication specializing in the analysis of car accessories and accessories collects the results of expert tests of car tires, and then compares the performance of the same tire model in different expert hands. That is why the review considers only those models that have been tested in at least two tests.

Previously, the reader is invited to familiarize himself with the official promises of manufacturers and sellers of each of the considered tires.

List of tires included in the review

Studded, Scandinavian type	Test World, 205/55R16	Behind the wheel, 175/65R14	Vi Bilagare 205/55R16		Auto Motor & Sport 225/45R17
Bridgestone Blizzak Spike-01
Continental Ice Contact 2					Former Model
Dunlop ice touch
Gislaved Nord*Frost 100
Goodyear UltraGrip Ice Arctic
Hankook Winter i*Pike RS+W419D
Nokian Hakkapeliitta 8
Nokian Nordman 5
Sava Eskimo Stud
Michelin X-Ice North 3
Pirelli Ice Zero

Expert staff

This season, the first publicly available materials in our latitudes about Scandinavian-type studded winter tires, that is, models most suitable for use in most regions of Russia, were released by Finnish experts from the Test World research center (http://www.testworld.fi/) and Russian journalists "Behind the wheel" (http://www.zr.ru/). Somewhat later, material from the Swedish magazine Vi Bilagare (http://www.vibilagare.se/), the Russian newspaper Autoreview (http://autoreview.ru/) and the Swedish branch of the German authoritative publication Auto Motor & Sport (http: //www.auto-motor-und-sport.de/).

How did the experts test studded winter tires?

test world

Test World specialists evaluated the braking performance on snow, ice, wet and dry pavement. However, as always. The tests were carried out at various temperatures, after which the average result was calculated based on the results of 15-20 races on each set. Ice braking was evaluated by driving the vehicle from 50 km/h to zero, and snow and wet deceleration by braking from 80 km/h to a complete stop.

Tests on a snowy and icy road were carried out on the street and inside a covered range, which allows simulating any conditions necessary for measurements. Traction on snow and ice was measured by accelerating as fast as possible from 5 to 35 and from 5 to 20 km/h, respectively.

Handling points depended on the time it took the "third" Ford Focus to complete a circle in test tires. In addition, the subjective opinion of experts regarding acceleration, braking and cornering on various surfaces also had some influence on the estimates. However, the decisive influence on final results still provided objective readings of the measuring equipment. It is noteworthy that during the races, the pilots did not know the models of the tested tires, the organizers replaced them with numbers in order to exclude the influence of the brand on perception.

In the same way, directional stability was evaluated, that is, the stability of movement in a straight line. In the noise level test, the pilots also made subjective assessments by making several runs on uneven surfaces. And rolling resistance was measured by free rolling the car, on a flat surface without the influence of wind. The tests were carried out at two different temperatures, after which the percentage increase in consumption was calculated compared to the most economical tires.

Quite curious - a study by Test World experts about the resource winter tires. To understand this issue, Finnish specialists took out six sets of winter tires from the warehouse, which participated in tire tests last season. They were four studded models and two friction models. On each set, the testers ran over 15,000 km.

The route mainly ran along motorways. At the same time, 100 braking and accelerating at low speeds were carried out on each tire to simulate urban traffic conditions.

The durability tests used three vehicles that followed the same route under the same conditions. Two tires of each model were taken, which were rearranged from the front axle to the rear. Thus, at the end of the test, all tires covered the same distance on the front and rear axles, and in addition, the drivers also changed cars to avoid affecting their driving style.

Every 5,000 km, experts carried out control measurements of the car's behavior in test tires in all disciplines: braking / accelerating on ice, snow and asphalt ...

It is noteworthy that both types of tires lost grip about the same, and after 15,000 km, its level decreased by about 20%. In addition, grip deterioration was the same for tires of different brands, and the alignment of forces did not change during the entire test. This suggests that the results of tests of new tires allow us to judge how certain tires will behave in a worn condition.

Test World notes that on paper the differences between the tested tires may look minor, but in reality they can be more obvious, and this applies not only to braking performance, but also to grip in corners and steering responses. According to experts, the worst tires in the test practically do not allow you to control the car on slippery surfaces, so when choosing winter tires, you should not focus only on price and buy cheap tires. Tests by various organizations year after year show that budget Asian tires do not provide the optimum level of safety.

All tires for the Test World test were bought in regular stores and pre-run.

Behind the wheel

Experts from the Russian magazine "Behind the wheel" also ran each set. Without sharp accelerations and braking on studded models, they clocked up five hundred kilometers. And the test itself was carried out in Togliatti, at the test site of AvtoVAZ OJSC. The carrier vehicle in this test was the VAZ Kalina with ABS.

After the break-in, Russian experts measured the hardness of the rubber and the amount of protrusion of the studs, comparing the results with those obtained on virgin tires. After running in, the Shore hardness of rubber, as a rule, changes by several units in one direction or another. The spikes can also come out a little or go deep as they fall into place.

Following the run-in, the Za Rulem experts withstood the sequence of tests developed by them. It was as follows: acceleration and braking on snow and ice, measurements of longitudinal grip on the ice circle and a rearrangement test. Further - tests for handling, directional stability, cross-country ability and comfort. The sequence is not random: in the process of testing, the spikes are subjected to increased loads, under the influence of which they can be squeezed out, and if the sequence of measurements is violated, the spikes will protrude more.

Therefore, after winter disciplines on ice and snow, repeated control of the protrusion of the studs. If during testing it has not changed, it means that the “fangs” are firmly held in rubber.

Asphalt exercises magazine "Za Rulem" decided to start with the assessment and measurement of rolling resistance, and only in the final we do braking on asphalt. Quite logical! For example, representatives of the Continental concern believe that emergency braking on asphalt is stressful for winter tires, even with ABS, so after a dozen or one and a half such braking tires become unusable.

For running in non-studded tires, popularly referred to as "Velcro", 300 km is enough. And the driving style should be more aggressive than in the case of studded tires, since in this case the primary task of running in is different - to completely remove from the tread lamellae the remnants of the lubricant that was applied to the mold (lubrication is needed in order to prevent damage to the tread with 3D cuts when removing a freshly welded tire from a mold). In addition, on these tires, you need to remove a thin surface layer of rubber, which, after baking, is slightly harder than the core. You don’t have to worry about the wear of the sharp edges of the lamellas: on modern models, they are designed in such a way that they self-sharpen with mutual friction. This ensures the stability of the characteristics of non-studded tires throughout their service life.

Vi Bilagare

The test of studded winter tires was carried out by the Swedish magazine Vi Bilagare in Finland in the first week of March 2015. Experts noted that the conditions this time changed unusually strongly, and on some days it was warm and the temperature approached zero, while on others it was cold to -10 degrees. In all tests, several Volvo models (V40, S60, V60 and V70) were used as a carrier vehicle, which is quite unusual for tire tests. The ABS and ASR systems have been switched on, the latter in Sport mode, to increase slippage at the start and skid in corners.

Dry and wet tests were carried out at the test sites near Tampere, Finland in April, where slush grip and fuel consumption were also evaluated. Two Volvo V40 CCs were used. The tires were tested on the same stretch of asphalt at speeds up to 100 km/h. On dry pavement, the behavior during emergency detours of obstacles was also evaluated. However, the general approach to the test was similar, both with colleagues from Test World and with specialists from the Russian edition.

Arguably the country's most scrupulous automotive publication, it has covered the tire industry for many years. But if earlier in Autoreview this work was outsourced to European experts (mainly Test World), now, for several years now, the Russian media has been conducting tire research on its own, usually going to European test sites.

This year, Oleg Rastegaev, who is behind the scenes in charge of the tire theme, went to Sweden with his colleagues. First, in early February, and then again at the end of April, to test winter tires on wet and dry pavement.

The car was a new Peugeot 308 with 205/55R16 wheels. For better objectivity, the Autoreview experts turned off the stabilization system, and they were forced to do it in a barbaric way, by physically removing one of the system's sensors, since the 308th ESP is not completely turned off, and the activated system would have a bad effect on the objectivity of the study.

Eighteen sets of winter tires turned out to be in the hands of Russian experts. All are exclusively of the Scandinavian type, of which eleven are studded and seven are friction (non-studded). Of course, all sets of tires have passed the driving tests in the main disciplines (handling, acceleration, braking, comfort, rolling resistance). The snow that fell during the course also helped to test the patency by measuring the acceleration time through a snowdrift fifteen centimeters high.

Auto Motor & Sport

The Swedish division of the German automotive media leader Auto Motor & Sport magazine. The Swedes conducted the test together with the Norwegians in Finland.

Braking efficiency tests were carried out at temperatures from -30 to +10 degrees on various surfaces. Ice tests were carried out in a covered facility with temperature and humidity control. In the snow, the tires were tested outdoors on several tracks. The experts tried to conduct tests in a short period of time so that all tires were evaluated under the same conditions. Acceleration efficiency was determined in the same way, and tests on ice required a special surface.

To evaluate the lateral grip of the tires, the pilot made several runs on circular tracks covered with snow or ice. In the handling test, the driver monitored control, understeer, and tire behavior at the traction limit. A running drum was used to determine rolling resistance and all tires were tested at 80 km/h.

Scandinavian type studded tires, winter tire test 2015-2016

Bridgestone Blizzak Spike-01 – winter studded tires, test

OFFICIAL INFORMATION

The main indicator of studded tires is the effectiveness of their grip on ice. Tires Bridgestone BLIZZAK Spike-01 are equipped with a spike new form, named "Cross-Edge Pin" for the cross-shaped notch on the core of the spike. These cruciform notches allow for better ice contact and longer traction. As a result, these tires have more effective traction and more aggressive braking on ice, regardless of the direction of travel. The performance improvement is shown in the graph.

Using the latest modeling technology, the design of the Bridgestone BLIZZAK Spike-01 tread pattern has undergone significant changes. The new tyre's cross grooves have wider crossovers to grip the snow more effectively. The tread received self-cleaning sipes that allow snow and ice dust to be removed from the stud, thereby improving traction. At the same time, shoulder lugs that increase traction in deep snow.

Bridgestone has improved not only the studs, but also the stud hole. Thanks to computer simulation, a special hole shape was developed, which made it possible to optimize the holding force of the spike.

Although tires in Russia and the CIS countries are subjected to particularly harsh and difficult operating conditions, BLIZZAK Spike-01 is able to maintain high performance for 3-4 seasons.

TEST RESULTS

Studded winter tires of the Scandinavian type Bridgestone BLIZZAK Spike-01 were tested by Finnish experts from Test World, Russian experts from Za Rulem magazine, Swedish testers from Vi Bilagare, as well as the Swedish division of Auto Motor & Sport magazine. In the Finnish instance, these tires took the ninth place, sharing it with Sava Eskimo Stud. Only Nokian Nordman 5 and LingLong Green-Max Winter Grip turned out to be worse than Bridgestone in the Test World test. All the rest are better. And the test edition of Vi Bilagare "Bridgestone" was completely closed.

In the magazine "Behind the wheel" Japanese tires achieved the sixth line out of eleven. Driving and Test World agreed that the Bridgestone BLIZZAK Spike-01 performs well on icy surfaces. Although the journalists of "Behind the wheel" in this sense made a reservation: "only due to the strong protrusion of the spikes, which will surely fly out in the near future." In Vi Bilagare, only good resistance to ascent on snow-water porridge was singled out as a plus. In the final list of Auto Motor & Sport, by the way, also last place.

In all other disciplines, BLIZZAK Spike-01 proved to be rather weak. In the snow, Bridgestones don't inspire confidence. Braking on dry and wet pavement is confident, but in corners the car still breaks off the trajectory. In addition, studded Bridgestones have increased rolling resistance.

Continental IceContact 2 - winter studded tires, test

OFFICIAL INFORMATION

New IceContact 2 tire with superior performance on ice Continental's premium studded passenger car and SUV tire features the latest technology with a focus on providing the best performance on ice and asphalt Available in sizes from 14" to 20" (2015) )

TEST RESULTS

Studded winter tires Continental IceContact 2 are the novelty of the season. They replaced the old tire Continental IceContact, which consistently won prizes in each of last year's tests (where it participated, of course). The new generation of tires has seriously changed. There are significantly more spikes, but the spikes themselves are now smaller. Such a metamorphosis is caused by existing European regulations that do not limit the number of studs in tires if they (tires) have been tested by an independent organization that has confirmed the safety of studs for the roadway. Thus, if these tests are successfully passed, the manufacturer has the discretion to choose the type of studs and their number.

It is not surprising that the novelty showed itself equally well in Test World tests, and in the test of the magazine "Behind the wheel", and in the hands of Vi Bilagare, and in the results of the newspaper "Autoreview". All expert publications noted the ideal behavior of this tire on ice. Although Test World nevertheless noted that the main competitor, the Nokian Hakkapeliitta 8, accelerated and braked a little more confidently on ice.

In turn, the magazine "Behind the wheel" named Continental IceContact 2 the best tires in the field of lateral grip on ice, as well as overall behavior on snow. A significant plus of Continental against Nokian is its behavior on asphalt, especially wet. It is noteworthy that the same alignment was in the case of previous generations of tires: Nokian is better suitable for snowy and even more "ice" conditions. Continental, with a slightly weaker behavior on bare ice, feels more confident on asphalt. This was especially noted by the experts of Autoreview.

Dunlop Ice Touch - winter studded tires, test

OFFICIAL INFORMATION

Dunlop Ice Touch are winter studded tires for harsh European winters that provide excellent handling on difficult winter roads: on ice, slush and packed snow.

The DunlopIce Touch tire uses the same technology as the Goodyear Ultra Grip Ice Arctic.

The Dunlop Ice Touch features a directional tread pattern with wide sipes that taper from the center to the middle. Many sipes at different angles, sharp engagement edges and somewhat chaotic studs provide excellent grip and safe braking in the winter season.

The Dunlop Ice Touch tread's wide center rib increases contact patch area for efficient acceleration and braking. Special composition rubber compound increases traction and grip thanks to polymers that give the tire elasticity at low temperatures.

The weight of Dunlop Ice Touch winter tires is optimized to reduce rolling resistance, which reduces fuel consumption and carbon dioxide emissions. Optimal tread stiffness for maximum handling on dry roads.

TEST RESULTS

DunlopIce Touch winter tires this season were noted only in two tests - Test World and Autoreview - not a lot. The sixth line in the Finnish instance and the seventh - in the Russian. The main advantage noticed by Test World testers was the behavior on dry and wet pavement. On this road, Dunlop tires are extremely confident, even outperforming some non-studded models. In "Autoreview" they were in solidarity with their Finnish colleagues, calling these tires the choice of residents of megacities.

Gislaved Nord*Frost 100 - winter studded tires, test

OFFICIAL INFORMATION

Gislaved Nord Frost 100 winter studded tires feature an improved stud design that more effectively increases both longitudinal and lateral grip on icy surfaces. Thanks to this, the braking distance on ice is also reduced. Numerous engagement edges and wide grooves that grip the snow also create increased pulling force in winter conditions.

Thanks to the special design of the stud used in the Gislaved Nord Frost 100, improved ice traction is achieved, as well as increased wear resistance and reduced chance of losing it. The spike is made of aluminum, its length is 11 mm, its diameter is 8 mm, it is produced exclusively for Continental at the Tikka plant in Finland.

At the same time, during the development of the Gislaved Nord Frost 100, the arrangement of the studs was optimized, due to which excellent grip on an icy road is achieved both in the longitudinal and transverse directions. This guarantees high stability, excellent traction properties of the tire on ice, and also helps to reduce the braking distance.

Ice traction in the Gislaved Nord Frost 100 has been enhanced with a mid-center tread peripheral block with straight sipes and a large number of sharp engagement edges, resulting in a large contact patch with the road surface. The tread also manages to achieve excellent grip and braking on loose snow thanks to a two-pitch structure with a large number of sipes in the shoulder area and straight sipes.

The large cross-sectional area on snow is achieved thanks to the optimized angulation of the engagement lips in all directions, which improves lateral traction when cornering.

The Gislaved Nord Frost 100 provides a high level of handling on dry roads thanks to its unique tread pattern and internal sipes located in the contact shoulder area.

The use of computer simulation in the design allowed us to optimize the sequence of stud installation, due to which a wide frequency range of sound vibrations was achieved, and the noise level was reduced. It was also possible to achieve increased wear resistance and low resistance rolling due to the optimized contour. This achieves a balanced distribution of pressure in the area of ​​​​the contact patch of the tire with the road surface.

TEST RESULTS

The Gislaved Nord Frost 100 scored the best acceleration and braking on snow in the Vi Bilagare test. The same dignity was noted both in the Autoreview and in Test World. At the same time, Gislaved tires performed frankly depressingly on ice this season. But on wet and dry pavement, decent performance. Yes, a very controversial set of characteristics, and it is especially strange that last year the results of measurements were different.

Goodyear UltraGrip Ice Arctic - winter studded tires test

OFFICIAL INFORMATION

According to the manufacturer, Goodyear UltraGrip Ice Arctic studded winter tires provide excellent grip and handling on ice. Which the user gets thanks to the MultiControl technology Ice companies goodyear. This revolutionary stud technology increases the contact patch of the stud with the road surface for superior traction and handling on ice. Due to this, the shape of the spike makes it even more stable, which maximizes the braking power on ice and reduces the braking distance.

Specially designed Goodyear UltraGrip Ice Arctic studded winter tires with unique V-shaped treads and serrated grooves improve grip on snowy roads. Due to this, handling on snow is improved, and when moving in deep snow, specially designed shoulder blocks cling to the snow on the side of the tire.

Winter tires GoodyearUltraGrip Ice Arctic demonstrate high performance on wet and covered with melting snow or ice roads. Hydrodynamic grooves on the tread quickly remove water from the tire surface, reducing the risk of aquaplaning. Special silicon polymer improves grip and braking on wet roads.

TEST RESULTS

Goodyear has been brilliant this time around, outperforming all other studded tires in terms of performance balance on various surfaces. They fell just short of the best tires on snow and ice, where they have short braking distances and good handling. The only weakness is the relatively low grip on wet pavement, but the pilots noted that the tires behave consistently and safely.

Hankook Winter i*Pike RS – winter studded tires test

OFFICIAL INFORMATION

The Hankook Winter i*Pike RS W419 studded tire is one of the new products prepared for domestic motorists by the famous Korean tire manufacturer. This tire is a logical continuation of another W409 model popular in our country.

The new tire has a V-shaped directional symmetrical tread pattern. In the center of the tread, there is now a more massive longitudinal rib, the high rigidity of which provides excellent directional stability and high control efficiency when driving on winter surfaces. The two adjacent ribs are massive free-standing blocks that are located at a sharper angle relative to the direction of movement. Tread blocks became significantly larger, and the distance between them increased significantly.

Another notable innovation was a new rubber compound with greater elasticity, which was compensated for by increasing the number of sipes. In addition, the number of studs has increased significantly - now there are more than 120 of them, depending on the dimension, and their location has been optimized for better grip on ice.

TEST RESULTS

The studded novelty from Hankook in Russia is currently available for purchase only in two sizes - 205/55R16 and 215/65R16. Too bad, it's new korean tire with an increased number of spikes demonstrated good results in each of the tests in which I participated. And these are the materials of the newspaper "Autoreview" and the Finnish research center Test World.

When braking on ice - the second result! Only Nokian Hakkapeliitta 8 tires are better. Grip properties on snow are also good. It remains only to tighten the handling: both on ice and on snow, the reactions lack clarity, especially when entering a turn.

On asphalt Hankook tires they don’t shine: there are complaints about both noise and smoothness, but the main puncture is a weak deceleration during emergency braking on a dry surface.

For snow and ice - what you need, but for city driving - not the best option.

Nokian Hakkapeliitta 8 – winter studded tires, test

OFFICIAL INFORMATION

The manufacturer claims that the winter tire company's unique stud technology provides never-before-seen traction on ice and snow. Nokian Hakkapeliitta 8 performs well in extreme situations, is acoustically comfortable, easy to turn, saves fuel and reduces impact on the road surface.

The directional and symmetrical tread pattern of the Nokian Hakkapeliitta 8 with more tread blocks allows the studs to be widely spaced, which in turn provides excellent grip, wear resistance and low noise levels.

Thanks to the increased number of grooves in the tread, the edges of the Nokian Hakkapeliitta 8 sipes better cling to snow and ice when touching the road surface. The small size of the tread blocks reduces the heating of the tire, and this affects the increase in mileage and increase the wear resistance of the tire.

The blocks of the central part of the Nokian Hakkapeliitta 8 tread are firmly connected to each other, which improves the rigidity of the tire and increases the stability of behavior. The deep grooved tread and open shoulder areas are excellent self-cleaning from snow and slush.

The new Nokian Eco Stud 8 stud concept improves the safety and handling of winter tires in extreme situations. The Nokian Eco Stud 8 concept includes a new generation anchor stud, a flange shape that reduces stud deflection, and an Eco Stud softening pad under the stud, made from a special soft rubber compound. This layer improves stud performance and softens contact with the road. This innovation has already been used in other Nokian Hakkapeliitta winter tyres, but in the Nokian Hakkapeliitta 8 the thickness of the "cushion" is increased.

The Nokian Hakkapeliitta 8 studded tire offers unparalleled lateral and longitudinal grip on ice. The location of each spike is optimized using computer simulations. The spikes are evenly distributed over the entire tread surface.

The technology applied in the Nokian Hakkapeliitta 8 improves the grip quality when braking. A particularly strong rubber compound inside the tread securely blocks the stud in the block, stabilizes the tire's movement on dry roads and ensures uniform tire wear.

Hakkapeliitta Cryo-silane Gen 2 tread compound based on second generation cryosilane.

Excellent grip in winter at any temperature, wear resistance and more low consumption fuel. At low temperatures colza (a type of rapeseed) oil enhances the interaction of silica and natural rubber. The rubber compound of the tread retains elasticity under any conditions. The sipes of the tread blocks are active and maintain a good level of grip when the temperature changes. Rapeseed oil improves the tensile strength properties of the rubber compound and improves grip on icy and snowy surfaces.

The new Nokian Hakkapeliitta 8 has improved braking grip. Snow braking traction has been improved with brake boosters at the rear of the tread blocks. The serrated pattern of the brake boosters increases the grip area and improves traction, especially on snowy road surfaces.

Diagonal 3D support slats

In the central part of the Nokian Hakkapeliitta 8 tread, 3D sipes reinforce it. The tire responds quickly and responsively to steering maneuvers, improving driving confidence and responsiveness. Self-locking 3D sipes for more precise handling. 3D sipes located in the outer part of the shoulder zones, when touching the road, fix the checker blocks, connecting them into one whole, which improves the properties of movement and controllability when driving in an arc and maneuvers on the track. road bumps. More comfortable driving impact-absorbing sidewall components and a choice of materials that effectively reduce the noise level felt in the cabin.

Tread wear indicator and winter wear indicator

The tread wear indicator (DSI - Driving Safety Indicator) is located in the central part of the tread and shows the remaining depth of the tread groove in millimeters. As the tire is used, the numbers are erased in descending order. The winter wear indicator in the form of a snowflake remains as long as the tread groove has a depth of at least 4 mm. Once the snowflakes are gone, tires are considered unsafe for winter use and should be replaced. In addition, the info spot is located on the sidewall of the Nokian Hakkapeliitta 8. During the seasonal tire change, you can make notes about the recommended tire pressure and location, as well as enter the tightening torque of the bolts for fastening the rims.

TEST RESULTS

It is significant that Nokian Hakkapeliitta 8 became the leader in absolutely all tests. All experts admitted that in ice disciplines equal to the top Nokian tire no, at least not in the mass market, non-sport tire segment. The best braking distance and handling on frozen water are in her piggy bank. On snow, the tires were also among the best. They showed some weaknesses only in tests for braking efficiency and handling on wet pavement. However, experts noted that this is a normal situation if maximum grip on ice is the main priority when creating tires. And the magazine "Behind the Rulem" additionally awarded the Nokian studs with the title of the most economical in their test.

Nokian Nordman 5 - winter studded tires, test

OFFICIAL INFORMATION

About Nokian Nordman 5 it is written: "The new Nokian Nordman 5 studded tire is an accurate and balanced tire for difficult winter conditions." Although in reality it is not entirely new, because this is the already well-known Nokian Hakkapeliitta 5. The tread pattern and Constructive decisions solutions are similar to those used in it.

The round and light stud works well in combination with the new stiffer rubber compound, the stud is firmly fixed inside the tread. This has a positive effect on grip and reliability. The bear claw technology, which has proven itself in Nokian Hakkapeliitta tires, improves grip. The shoulder areas of the Nokian Nordman 5 have special grooves for lateral grip. Consolidated tread blocks in the center zone make steering transfer more precise. The tread pattern makes contact with the road smoother and allows the tire to spin more easily.

TEST RESULTS

Nokian Nordman 5 is a logical continuation of Nokian Nordman 4. The novelty of the year. And with regard to this model, the opinions of experts did not become unanimous. If in the Test World Nordman 5 rating it turned out to be an outsider, then the tire expert "Behind the wheel" - Sergey Mishin awarded these tires "bronze". Thus, in the report of the Russian auto magazine, Nordman 5 takes the next position, behind Continental tires, despite the fact that Nordman 5 turned out to be worse Formula tires Ice, Sava Eskimo Stud, Japanese Bridgestone, Yokohama and Toyo, and Cordiant snow cross, Avatyre Freeze and Aeolus Ice Challenger AW05. Why?

The assessment of Russian experts is influenced not only by the driving parameters of the tire, but also by their ratio to the price, while in Test World they start only from the behavior of the car in test tires. One way or another, both expert communities stated good behavior on snow, average on ice and weak on asphalt.

In the report of the newspaper "Autoreview" the new Norman 5 in some disciplines outstripped even the "eighth Hakapeliitta". Oleg Rastegaev wrote that it is easier to drive on a winding ice track with Nordman tires. And in deep snow they work better. But on the grip on ice and snow. At the same time, Autoreview noted that this is a very good choice for their money.

Sava Eskimo Stud – winter studded tires test

OFFICIAL INFORMATION

Sava Eskimo Stud is available tires for extreme winter conditions. Hexagonal studs, special lugs and a silicon-based polymer allow these tires to handle icy, snowy and wet roads with ease.

Here are the advantages of their rubber claims the manufacturer.

With the Sava Eskimo Stud winter tire, the driver will feel confident on unpredictable winter roads. Hexagonal studs provide good handling and traction on icy surfaces. Special slots improve handling on snow. In addition, the Sava Eskimo Stud performs well on wet roads thanks to the use of a special silica-based polymer in the directional tread compound.

Eskimo studded tires guarantee effective braking on slippery roads covered with ice or snow. The optimum shape of the tire allows you to increase the contact area with the road for better braking. The studs will help improve contact with the road when braking.

When using Sava Eskimo Stud, the driver will learn the pleasure of a quiet and comfortable ride. Blocks and studs are positioned to reduce tire noise and provide a smooth ride.

The economic feature of the Sava Eskimo Stud is the use of a wear-reducing polymer to extend the life of the tire.

TEST RESULTS

Each of the expert publications, in which the tire was tested, noted the confident behavior of Sava Eskimo Stud on asphalt. In all other respects opinions were no longer unanimous. In Test World, the Sava tires were praised for their handling on ice, but to complete the picture, the experts lacked confident braking. But the team of the magazine "Behind the Rulem" rated the ice character of Sava Eskimo Stud higher, but with the same caveat as in the case of the Bridgestone BLIZZAK Spike-01, that is, confident driving on ice was achieved only due to the strong protrusion of the spikes. The point of view of Vi Bilagare experts is that behavior on the ice is not good enough, otherwise it is acceptable.

Michelin X-Ice North 3 - winter studded tires, test

OFFICIAL INFORMATION

In 2013, Michelin presents the new MICHELIN X-ICE North 3 tires designed for the markets of Russia and the CIS, as well as the Scandinavian countries, where roads are covered with snow and ice almost all winter.

The weather conditions in these regions vary throughout the winter, resulting in bad grip road tires. In this regard, there is a need to develop tires that provide maximum grip on all types of winter roads - snowy, covered with ice or frozen snow, packed or melted snow.

Winters in Russia and the Scandinavian countries are severe, so the MICHELIN X-ICE North 3 tires are built on a research and development platform specifically created by the Michelin Group to ensure motorists have an unprecedented level of safety in the northernmost regions of the world. The MICHELIN Total Performance strategy is fully reflected in the new Michelin tires X-ICE North 3, which provide even more performance to their owners. It is expressed in maximum safety on icy and heavily snowy roads, with sub-zero temperatures or other extreme winter driving conditions. At the same time, the tire provides maximum mileage, which is achieved through a more reliable fastening of the spikes, compared to the previous generation.

As a result, the new MICHELIN X-ICE North3 is more than just safety for real winters. 10% shorter braking distance on ice, 25% better stud retention, and a stronger sidewall provide a high level of safety for a longer period.

Michelin engineers have combined a whole range of innovative technologies to ensure that the third generation of MICHELIN X-ICE North tires demonstrate efficiency in several areas at once: in the field of safety (even in the most extreme winter conditions), as well as in terms of wear resistance, thanks to the increased reliability of the studs. These innovations form the basis of the Smart Spike System, first introduced in the MICHELIN X-ICE North 3. This system includes a new thermoset rubber compound for the bottom tread, special IPRem ice evacuation technology, and new conical studs. .

To maximize the performance of the new MICHELINX-ICE North 3 tires, Michelin engineers have rethought every aspect of the tire that is responsible for driving safety on icy and other dangerous road surfaces, focusing on Special attention tread and studding. Emphasis was placed on the shape of the studs, their placement, tread pattern, as well as on the composition of the thermoset rubber compound. The process of creating these tires was considered as a whole and was aimed at achieving the highest possible grip on ice and snow, combined with a longer service life.

The latest generations of MICHELINX-ICE North tires featured a two-ply tread pattern, where the top rubber layer was responsible for traction and the bottom, inner layer, for fixing the studs. With the introduction of the new MICHELIN X-ICE North 3 studded tire, Michelin is pleased to showcase a technical and chemical masterpiece, a thermoset rubber compound. It has been developed exclusively for use in studded tires as a base, inner base protector.

It is she who is responsible for the reliable fixation of the base of the studs, as well as the puncture force of the studs in the MICHELIN X-ICE North 3 tire. The mixture can change its properties depending on temperature. So, in warm weather, the tire remains relatively soft, which allows the studs to be pressed into the tread when used on asphalt. At the same time, grip on dry and wet roads is improved by reducing the sliding effect “like on skates”. As the temperature drops, the stiffness of the thermosetting rubber compound increases, the studs get a very hard base, which increases the stud piercing power and allows you to effectively "bite" into the ice, providing required grip during acceleration or deceleration. All this makes it possible to demonstrate high grip characteristics on ice, regardless of its condition and temperature.

Particular attention in the development of the MICHELIN X-ICE North3 was given to the tread space around the stud. When driving on ice, ice crumbs form around the studs, which interfere with the operation of not only the studs, but also the rubber compound. This effect significantly impairs grip on ice, lengthening the braking distance and increasing the acceleration time.

To combat this problem, special wells were created to collect the ice chips formed during the operation of the spikes, which significantly improves grip on ice.

The new stud has a classic round section of both stud flanges and carbide insert. However, the shape of the spike has features that distinguish it from its predecessor. On a wider base of the spike (now it has become 9 mm in diameter instead of 8 mm), a cone-leg is installed, and then an upper flange with a carbide insert. A similar shape of the stud with elements expanding towards the bottom significantly improves the fixation of the stud in the tire tread, preventing premature loss. The new MICHELIN conical stud lasts 25% longer than the previous generation.

Compared to the previous generation, the new MICHELIN X-ICE North 3 tire tread has three unique features:

The number of tread sectors has been increased by more than 15%! And now the MICHELIN X-ICE North 3 tire in size 205/55 R16 has 70 massive edges located across the entire tread width (instead of 59 for its predecessor). Such a significant increase in the elements responsible for traction on snow made it possible to improve not only acceleration, but also cross-country ability.

The tread uses a special "Step In-Step Out" shape of the shoulder area. Paying attention to the structural features of the mud tire tread, the developers adopted the gear structure of the shoulder zone (when its blocks have a different protrusion). This structure allows you to significantly improve the tire's patency in deep snow and slush.

The tire's drainage channel system has been modified to improve slush handling. The grooves are now positioned towards the outer edge, making it easier to evacuate snow and reduce the risk of aquaplaning.

The MICHELIN X-ICE North3 tire features not only elevated level security on winter roads and wear resistance, but a strong sidewall that reduces the chance of tire damage or bursting. Durability is achieved through the use of MICHELIN IronFlex™ technology (a first in MICHELIN winter tires), which increases the sidewall's hardness and its ability to deform for optimal obstacle clearance. MICHELIN IronFlex technology features heavy-duty carcass yarns with exceptional flexibility, and a special sidewall design that quickly dissipates peak loads.

TEST RESULTS

From a bus with such a big name, you expect a place on the podium, or at least a position close to it. And Michelin X-Ice North 3 from year to year take place in the middle of the list, and even below. Three European tests and only one "silver". In the rest, the location is close to the closure. However, if you understand, the tire of the famous French brand has many advantages. They drive perfectly on wet and dry asphalt, they make little noise, and most importantly, they offer a decent resource. The only pity is that on ice and snow there is not enough stability. A justified choice for purely urban residents, where snow and ice are heated with reagents.

Pirelli Ice Zero - winter studded tires, test

OFFICIAL INFORMATION

The new Pirelli Winter Ice Zero is the first studded tire in the P Zero collection. A completely new generation of winter studded tires developed by Pirelli engineers using 40 years of rally experience.

Pirelli Winter Ice Zero provides the highest performance in the most severe winter conditions of the Nordic countries: dense snow cover and extremely low temperatures.

Pirelli Winter Ice Zero is manufactured using new technology tire studsPIRELLI DUAL STUD.

Tested in the harshest winter conditions. Pirelli tests its products where atmospheric conditions are extreme, because its goal is to always show the best results.

Developed based on 40 years of rally racing experience. A radical testing ground for tires designed for rough, uneven surfaces, ice and snow. A story that combines Pirelli and rally racing with over 200 victories.

TEST RESULTS

Usually winter Pirelli tires they perform well in tests, but they never arouse the enthusiasm of experts. This season, for the Italian tires, the stars were more successful, although they did not reach the ideal. In any case, in none of the tests the model did not fall below the fifth position.

The tire showed good results in all driving disciplines. And it would seem, even mutually exclusive. Equally good behavior on ice, snow and asphalt. Annoying minus - acoustic noise and sharp breakdowns in skids.

Text prepared by: Roman Kharitonov

Winter is coming, in anticipation of it, we conducted a test and made a rating of winter tires 2016-2017. We took 5 sets of well-known tire manufacturers. And tested in various weather conditions. The choice of tires was based on operation in the average Russian winter. With fluctuating temperatures and weather phenomena. From this calculation, all the tires presented in the test are studded.

According to 2016 data, one of the most common and sold tire sizes is 195/65 r15. It is tires of this size that will stand on our car.

List of tested tires for the season 2016-2017

• Continental Ice Contact 2;
• Goodyear UltraGrip Ice Arctic;
• Michelin X-Ice North 3;
• Nokian Hakkapeliitta 8;
• Pirelli Ice Zero.

And so, we have the latest developments of the best tire manufacturers. It is worth mentioning that a number of really noteworthy specimens were not included in our test. And then our rating increased by 3 times, but nothing can be done, by the next winter season we will try to catch up.

The tests were carried out under the following temperature conditions:

1. At an air temperature of +5 ˚С (slush).
2. At an air temperature of -10 ˚С (snow).
3. At an air temperature of -25 ˚С (ice).

The test included:

• acceleration;
• braking;
• controllability.

It remains to give a subjective assessment of controllability. The Nokian Hakkapeliitta 8 proved to be the best on ice and in corners. When accelerating and braking, 190 spikes do not have much advantage. But they hold the road and make maneuvers much safer on this model. Better Handling on an icy surface.

The Pirelli Ice Zero handles the snowy road best, whether it's snowy or porridge. But comfort suffers because of the hard rubber. But the Goodyear UltraGrip Ice Arctic proved to be the worst, you can fly off the road simply by changing lanes, in the absence of a track.

But on asphalt, the Goodyear UltraGrip Ice Arctic proved to be the best, removing water well from under the contact patches and showing good stability.

Top winter tires

1. Continental IceContact 2 – best performance acceleration and braking on ice, does not carry away in corners, they show themselves well both on snow and on asphalt. They have 186 spikes, the price is around 4800 rubles, which makes it the most expensive.
2. Pirelli Ice Zero golden mean between all weather conditions, only ride comfort and a more reliable material from which the spike is made were not enough to reach the first place. They have 130 spikes, the price is around 3200 rubles. The lowest price.
3. Nokian Hakkapeliitta 8 - made a compromise by increasing the number of studs, reducing the depth of their cutting into the surface. What affected the acceleration and braking on a snowy road. But they have the best performance on an icy road. They have 190 spikes, the price is around 4700 rubles.
4. Michelin X-Ice North 3 - good braking performance on asphalt, and good stability in all weather conditions. Not the best acceleration and braking performance in other weather conditions, as well as problems with breaking spikes, did not allow to rise above. They have 97 spikes, the price is around 3800 rubles.
5. Goodyear UltraGrip Ice Arctic - came in last place due to its snow stability and poor quality rubber manufacturing. They have 110 spikes, the price is around 4500 rubles.

The entire top showed decent and very close results in the test. And even the last place is a good tire for driving in harsh Russian winters. When testing, ABS and traction control systems were used, since all modern tires are made with them in mind.

We have collected 13 sets of the most popular spikes on our market in the most popular size for foreign cars, at prices ranging from 3,300 to 8,500 rubles. Two new products: Continental ContiIceContact 2 and Yokohama iceGUARD iG55. Separately, we mention one of the most inexpensive tires on the market - domestic development V Chinese version Avatyre Freeze (3300 rubles), as well as an updated Hankook i'Pike RS Plus with an increased number of spikes. Tires were tested at the AvtoVAZ test site. "White" tests (on snow and on ice) were carried out in January - February at a temperature of -25 ... -5 ºС. The "dirty" work was done on the May (winter tires are designed for operation up to +5 ... +7 ºС) asphalt, when the roads were completely dry and calm came - this is very important for determining fuel consumption. He helped us test the tires. By the way, almost all tire companies use this model during their internal tests.

WHERE DO WE START?

From a thorough inspection of tires, weighing them, measuring the depth of the grooves and the hardness of the rubber. And of course, with counting the number of spikes and measuring their performance. After mounting the tires on the disks, we proceed to the run-in - each set ran 500 km before the tests.

After running in, we check how much the hardness of the rubber and the protrusion of the spikes have changed. On the sidewall of each tire, be sure to put a mark on which wheel it was on, and keep this installation pattern during all tests.

WHITE MOVE

We start by evaluating the longitudinal grip of tires on snow and ice. To do this, we measure the acceleration time and the magnitude of the braking distance. The exercises are quite simple: repeat the measurements several times with the traction control on (ABS always works). On some tires, stable results are obtained in five or six repetitions, on others, if the indicators jump, you have to spend up to ten or more races. Measurement accuracy is guaranteed by the professional VBOX measuring complex, which fixes speed, time and distance and is guided by GPS satellites.

The next step is to evaluate the lateral grip on ice. To do this, all tire manufacturers traditionally use the passage in a circle. The shorter the time of its passage, the better the "hold". On compacted snow, we evaluate the transverse grip properties together with the behavior of the car on the rearrangement - a sharp change of lane (lane width 3.5 m) in a strictly fixed corridor. For we use the shortest, 12-meter offset, which gives the maximum side load on the tires. For reference: the behavior of cars is usually evaluated on 16 and 20 meters, and road trains are tested on the longest (24 m).

The ice has to be carefully swept every two or three races. Otherwise, on the small crumbs formed under the spikes, the tires slip and the results “float away”. On snow, you have to make sure that a shoulder does not form, which can serve as a side stop. And in any exercise, after a series of tests (two or three sets), we run a race on the base (control) tires - according to the obtained reference data, we recalculate the final result. Moreover, snow and ice significantly change properties during the test day.

HUMAN FACTOR

Let's move on to peer review. Two testers, replacing each other, determine how easy it is to drive a car on certain tires. Sometimes, for the correctness of the results, we involve a third expert.

The most important exercises are the assessment of the vehicle's directional stability and controllability on snow and ice surfaces, as well as in mixed races. We focus on two aspects.

The first is the behavior of the car. The ideal at maximum speed is considered to be a soft sliding of the car outward with all four wheels, without twisting the trajectory. The most undesirable car and tire experts unanimously consider a skid with a loss of direction. The sharper and deeper it is, the lower the score. The attitude towards the demolition of the front axle is more loyal. True, the “scale of the tragedy” is also important here. After all, a strong drift forces the driver to twist the steering wheel, which again can lead to.

The second aspect is the convenience of driving. We evaluate the speed of reactions to the actions of the steering wheel, the steering angles (the more you need to turn the steering wheel, the worse), as well as the information content of the steering gear.

Additionally, we fix how abruptly the slip begins, whether it is easy to drive the car in the slip, and how quickly the grip is restored after the slip.

We check the directional stability at a high (90–110 km/h) speed by turning the steering wheel at small angles sufficient for soft rebuilding, but when assessing controllability, the opposite is true: the speed is lower, we work more actively with the steering wheel.

An equally important test for our conditions is patency on freshly fallen snow. On virgin lands, we evaluate the ability to overcome snowdrifts on the move (we turn off the traction control system), maneuver, move off, get out in reverse. Do not forget to evaluate the simplicity and ease of management: experienced driver can drive almost everywhere, so we focus on the average, who does not own special techniques. Therefore, tires that can only be driven under tightness, without slipping, do not receive a high score from us. In this nomination, Goodyear UltraGrip Ice Arctic tires were unrivaled - they turn a front-wheel drive car into a full-fledged all-terrain vehicle.

The noise in the cabin and the smoothness of the ride are estimated at different speeds and coatings, up to the comb - the trace of the tractor tread. Experts are interested not only in the level, but also in the tone of the noise. The Ride Rating score measures how well the tires absorb shocks and vibrations from road bumps.

RELEASE THORNS

After the "white" tests, we examine the tires again - we check how the protrusion of the spikes has changed. The leaders are Avatyre, Continental, Cordiant and Nordman, who have this parameter unchanged. The studs on Gislaved, Michelin, Nokian, Pirelli, Toyo and Yokohama tires have grown by no more than one tenth of a millimeter - quite acceptable. Bridgestone released "claws" by 0.1-0.2 mm, which can be considered a satisfactory indicator. But with a caveat: several spikes crawled out of the tread by more than 2.5 mm. But for Goodyear and Hankook tires, the changes are more significant - their “nails” stretched up to 0.3 mm during the tests. So they don't hold as well in the rubber as the others. Let me remind you that from next year, the Technical Regulations of the Customs Union, which unites Russia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Armenia and Kyrgyzstan, introduces a limit for the protrusion of spikes on a new tire: 1.2 ± 0.3 mm.

IN BLACK

We begin our asphalt tests with free run-out measurements, which we recalculate into fuel consumption, based on the database we have collected over the years. We carry out measurements in both directions in order to level the influence of even a light breeze or a road slope. Although according to by and large this is reinsurance - the "laboratory" section of the high-speed road of the landfill is even, and we take readings only in calm weather, which usually happens at night in this region. Before measuring tires and transmission. At the same time, on this ten-kilometer section, we evaluate directional stability - now also on asphalt.

The final tests are the determination of the braking distance on dry and wet pavement. After each measurement, for correctness, we cool the pads and discs. To do this, on the way back, the testers brake only with the engine, switching to lower gears. We use the device to irrigate the road own design: water with a layer of up to 2 mm is supplied to the road by a motor pump through garden sprayers from a 500-liter barrel, which our trailer carries.

The results were surprising: on asphalt, the new ContiIceContact 2 tires are the fastest to stop the car. Although, theoretically, a tire with 190 spikes should lose to models with fewer “nails”.

The final stage: we inspect the protectors after braking and count the popped spikes. This time, the "Japanese" were embarrassed: Bridgestone lost 18 spikes, Toyo - seven, and one more had a hard insert broken out. We believe that in Bridgestone such massive losses are associated with excessive protrusion of the “nails” over the tread (1.7–2.6 mm after “white” tests). During emergency braking on asphalt, the protruding spikes tilt strongly, as evidenced by rubber breaks near many of the “claws” and their sharpened tops. At toyo tires the protrusion does not exceed the critical 2.0 mm, therefore the reason is either incorrect studding or deviations external dimensions"carnations".

In the final standings, the second generation ContiIceContact (927 points) and the test winner - Nokian Hakkapeliitta 8 (932 points) took the leading positions with a noticeable margin from the rest. The difference between their overall results in our ranking is only half a percent.

For the most meticulous

The tires collected in our test can be divided into three groups according to the number of studs.

The first, “classic”, is 127–130 pieces per tire (Avatyre with 120 spikes also belongs to it). This group includes rather old models that cannot now be sold in Scandinavia: there, since July 2013, more stringent standards have been introduced that limit the number of “nails” on the wheel (no more than 50 spikes per linear meter of circumference).

Therefore, a second, “law-abiding” group appeared - 96–97 spikes per tire. This includes three models - Michelin X-Ice North 3, Gislaved Nord Frost 100 and Toyo Observe G3‑Ice. However, as can be seen from the test results, the number of “claws” does not give clear advantages to either the “classics” or the “law-abiding” ones.

There is also a third group - "cunning", having up to 190 spikes, but not subject to the ban. These are models that exploited a loophole in the Scandinavian rules. The fact is that the limit on the number of spikes does not apply to tires that destroy the roadway no more actively than “law-abiding” ones. Such a wear test, which can only be carried out by certified laboratories, has been passed by Nokian, Continental, Hankook, Pirelli, Goodyear and Yokohama.

We express our gratitude to the tire manufacturing companies that provided their products for testing, as well as to the employees of the AVTOVAZ test site and the Togliatti companies Volgashintorg and Premiera for technical support.