In short - “what is good for a Russian is death for a German” :)

“Let’s change our shoes”?

Tire manufacturers spend huge amounts of money on numerous studies, conducting comprehensive tests, introducing new technologies, etc. This is only to the benefit of consumers, since this trend contributes to increased competition in the market and the appearance of increasingly high-quality and efficient “footwear.” Of course, because manufacturers need to somehow differentiate their products from the rest. Nowadays you can’t go far on a “big name” alone, so you have to constantly update and improve your tires.

Manufacturers of studded tires especially need to try in connection with the introduction of new Scandinavian rules for studding (no more than 50 studs per 1 meter of circumference).

However, friction rubber did not stand aside either. Tire companies are improving their technology, giving Velcro tires greater grip and stability on icy roads. The moment has come when the best non-studded tires perform better on ice than the mediocre studded tires.

In general, manufacturers have their own concerns, and our main task as buyers is to find the most suitable tires both for our car and for our wallet.

Winter tire classification

The focus of today's article is the choice of winter tires. It is worth noting that in addition to the standard classification of winter tires into studded and non-studded, the latter are divided into European and Scandinavian tires. Simply put, there are three main types of winter “shoes”.

Winter non-studded boots of the Scandinavian type

The client needs to remember that studded tires are most often unconvincing on asphalt (low dynamic performance) not because of the presence of studs, but because of the softness of the tread rubber. Also, for asphalt pavement, studless Scandinavian tires are not considered the best option.

It is distinguished by a very modest speed index. Most often these are Q (160 km/h) and R (170 km/h). An exception is Michelin X-ice Xi3 (index may be H).

Tires of this type feel good at very low temperatures due to soft rubber. They perform well on snow and ice and provide good acoustic comfort. However, these benefits will come at a price. In particular, the driver will need to forget his summer driving habits such as cornering at high speed and sudden braking and changing lanes.

This type of tire is strictly contraindicated for drivers who practice an aggressive driving style, but is perfect for leisurely and calm drivers. When choosing tires of this type, you should pay attention to the following models:

European style winter boots

Winter tires of the European type have four speed indexes - W (270 km/h), V (240 km/h), H (210 km/h) and T (190 km/h). A model with a higher score will demonstrate top scores on an asphalt road when braking from absolutely any speed.

Another interesting and useful fact. Products from the same manufacturer may have different speed ratings, but don’t be surprised if their tread patterns are identical. The tread pattern does not affect this parameter at all. He is responsible for moving through slush and loose snow. The speed index is assigned to the model based on its chemical composition and rubber hardness.

“Europeans” are the antipode of Scandinavian-type rubber. They are designed to ride at higher speeds. The tires cope well with dry and wet asphalt at low temperatures, but at the same time they openly suffer on ice and compacted snow. You need to drive very carefully on such surfaces and understand that emergency situation on really slippery surfaces this type tires will not live up to your expectations.

You should also drive carefully on asphalt. The high speed index should not deceive you. As with Velcro, on winter tires ah European type is not recommended to drive quickly on an asphalt road in warm weather, because heat negatively affects their braking performance.

In the family of European-type studless tires, the following can be noted:

Winter "spikes"

Winter tires of this type have always been distinguished by balanced characteristics and an average degree of rigidity. It demonstrates good results on almost every type of surface, except ice, where it is rightfully considered the undisputed leader. Most often, products of this class have the index T (190 km/h).

Among their disadvantages, only the high level of noise emitted can be considered pronounced. These tires are great for those drivers who often drive outside the city in winter. The cars of residents of megalopolises do not need such “shoes”.

True, an exception may be the case if there is a steep slope on the road to the house or garage. For those who travel outside the city a couple of times in winter, spikes will not be particularly useful. It is better to purchase special snow chains. They will significantly increase the vehicle’s maneuverability both on a mixture of snow with chemical reagents and on ice.

The family of “spikes” is represented by the following models of good quality:

Don't have any unnecessary illusions!

Unfortunately, you won’t be able to find universal tires on the market that feel great on both ice and asphalt. Still, you can’t argue with the laws of physics. That is why you will never get the only correct answer to the question of which type of tire is the best. The truth will always be somewhere nearby, but still, for each surface, certain driving style and operating conditions, certain tires are better suited.

However, regardless of the type of “footwear”, winter tires, forgive the tautology, require winter driving style. Don't flout the rules traffic, slow down on difficult sections, take your time on seemingly ideal straight lines for acceleration, and brake in advance.

Let's sum it up...

Studded winter tires

• If you have little experience, it is better to ride on studded winter tires; they are superior to non-studded ones in almost all winter disciplines.
• Studded tires perform much better on ice.
• Spikes and Velcro are comparable in behavior on snow.
• The spikes click on the asphalt - more noise from the wheels.
• Spikes greatly wear out the road surface (some European countries have banned spikes for this very reason).
• Spikes tend to fly out during sudden braking and acceleration on asphalt.

Studless winter tires

Choose Velcro if...

• If you have enough experience driving in winter conditions.
• If you have previously driven on non-studded winter tires.
• If you rarely drive on ice. For example, in Moscow there is rarely ice, because... Almost all roads are sprinkled with reagents all winter. In regions and on country roads, reagents are rare, so studded tires are preferable there.
• If they simply don’t make studded winter tires for your size :)
• It is highly desirable to have ABS and preferably ESP - these systems slightly compensate for the lower grip properties of friction tires.

For even more details, see winter tire tests and read reviews on the website.

Note 1: Velcro, studless tires, friction tires - these are the same thing.

Note 2: sometimes people ask the question “are there tires that combine the properties of studs and friction rubber?” Eat. These are studded tires. They are very similar in internal structure to friction ones. Studded ones are fundamentally distinguished by the presence of the studs themselves and solid dies without small lamellas for installing the studs. At the same time, the rest of the tire surface is almost the same as on friction ones.

To find the best winter tires for yourself, we recommend using the advanced search. Indicate your size, seasonality and then carefully study the reviews about the wheels.

Good grip on the road for your car!

We have prepared for you a review of the top 10 winter tires based on user reviews and their experiences and invite you to read this material to choose the best options for yourself. The rating includes both expensive and budget options, while taking quality into account first and foremost and describing the advantages and disadvantages for a more complete picture. The first places are the leaders of the list. Of course, rating 10 top winter tires will be useful to every owner, because the most important thing on the road is reliability in winter at low temperatures and all kinds of coatings formed from precipitation.

So, the top 10 winter tires:

Thanks to this tire model, the car has excellent handling, as well as acceleration and braking on winter roads. Although, if the road is covered with mushy snow, the brakes work worse. Please note that when maneuvering a car at a speed of 130 km/h, you may lose traction. But this is precisely an option for winter conditions, so you can “turn a blind eye” to this drawback. Tires are more expensive than other analogues, but they create safe driving conditions, which is an important advantage.
Reviews are divided on the level of noise on the road - for some it is acceptable, but for others it is loud, but everything is in moderation.

Here is a list of advantages:
– Strong grip on winter roads without mushy surfaces
– No slipping
– Doesn’t get stuck in the snow
– Good car handling
– Good acceleration and braking
– No lateral drift
– Easily gets out of a rut

Minuses:
– At slight positive temperatures of about 1-5 degrees, the car crawls along the asphalt, trying to adhere to the asphalt with its spikes
– At speeds over 80 km/h, a slight noise begins.

This model is famous for its excellent grip on ice. It is good in price and quality, and if you compare it with the one described above Nokian Hakkapeliitta 8, then their cost is almost the same. Based on the characteristics, these are the best winter tires with studs.

Let's start with the pros:
– From asphalt to ice winter road the car moves confidently
– Good braking – ABS, although necessary, did not need to be activated
– Easy to cope with drifts
– The car follows its trajectory
– On asphalt with snow, the hum of tires is almost inaudible

Minuses:
– Noise on clean asphalt, especially when the windows are open
– Price

Almost all users focused on the price of this tire model - it is low, but the purchase is worth it.
Pros:
– Doesn’t dull in cold weather
– The spikes hold tightly
– Soft rubber behaves well on all surfaces, even wet asphalt and porridge are well overcome
– Easy to balance
– The noise is barely audible
– Good cross-country ability on loose snow

Minuses:
– Soft sidewall can be easily cut
– When cornering at above-average speeds, the car pulls slightly to the side
– Be careful with ruts

These tires have good handling properties.

More details about the advantages:
– Comfortable firmness level
– Rubber does not harden in cold weather
– Well drawn tread
– Durability
– Side “hooks” confidently cope with snowdrifts and make it easy to get out of ruts
– Good braking even on heavily snowy roads

Minuses:
– you need to be careful on ice, as the car can skid
– at speeds over 100 km/h you can lose your studs

If you want to buy tires with low noise levels in mind, then this model will suit you.

Pros:
– Excellent grip on wet and dry roads
– Low cost
– As they said earlier – excellent acoustic comfort, almost all users noted low level noise
– Gently copes with road unevenness, confident movement in a straight line
– Acceleration and braking occur at altitude, ABS system doesn’t even “crunch”
– Easy to pass through puddles, no aquaplaning
– Ruts are not scary
– Wear resistance

Minuses:
– Poor control during extreme driving

Users note high quality at a low price.

Pros:
– The rubber does not harden in winter, and the tire has excellent grip on the surface, excellent driving on ice (within reason, of course)
– At low temperatures the car does not drag and braking is good due to the optimized lamella system
– High-quality cornering
– Good resistance to lateral slip
– Thanks to the special tread geometry, performance characteristics are improved and fuel is saved.
Minuses:
- Noise
– At more than 100 km/h, be careful on the roads, as here you may have to “catch” the car.

In most reviews, users highlighted the reliability in driving the car thanks to this tire model. The driver feels calm under any conditions, and this is very important in winter.
Pros:
– Good road holding, excellent handling, confident movement in any weather
– Excellent tires
– Moderately soft
– It was noticed that even when rubbing against a curb, the sidewall does not wear down to holes, which indicates its “strength.”
Minuses:
– At speeds above average, noise discomfort was noticed, but with normal sound insulation you can quickly get used to it

According to the owners, this is an excellent combination of quality and price.
Pros:
– Although the spikes are erased, almost everything is in place, the Velcro is excellent
– Good protector
– Tires hold the road well
– In slush, the car does not float through puddles
– No skidding when turning on slippery roads
– Brakes well in icy conditions, short braking distance

Minuses:
– Hard tires
– Increased noise
– Non-elastic rubber; a strong impact may cause the cord to break

Good road handling was noted.
Pros:
– first-class tires at a low price
– reliable grip on slippery and snowy roads
– low noise level, the spikes almost don’t knock – it’s not even noise, but a low, unobtrusive hum
– no getting stuck in snowdrifts
– one of the best lateral grip on ice
– excellent directional stability on any road
– comfort
Minuses:
– Sometimes excessive slipping occurs in porridge or icy conditions; be careful when driving on roads with melting snow or ice.
– On any surface, the average level of acceleration is noted
– Fuel consumption is above average, and this applies to any speed

Next in the top 10 best winter tires, we present you the Hankook Winter I*Pike RS W419. Users noted good handling and low noise levels.
Pros:
– excellent grip on icy roads, dry and wet asphalt
– confidently copes with winter porridge
– low noise even when driving on dry asphalt
– amazing braking in an emergency
– ascent and descent are carried out confidently even at a fairly good angle
– tires allow you to stay on track well
– tires are soft even at very low temperatures

Minuses:
– long braking distance
– it is recommended to be careful when traveling on roads with “porridge”

Summary of the top 10 winter tires

This is our top list of the best winter tires. Of course, you may have a different opinion, because each person prefers certain qualities winter tires. We wish you a choice of quality tires and good handling on any road!

In the next big test“studs” we collected six sets of 15-inch tires from Western and Eastern manufacturers. Some have experience and the latest technologies among their trump cards, others have the will to win and affordable prices. Whose will he take?

This time we chose one of the most popular sizes - 195/65 R15, which suits many small and inexpensive cars. Different markets, different understanding of the product, different design schools. What distinguishes tires from the East and West from each other, what are their strengths and weak sides and what should the Russian buyer pay attention to?

The latest model Bridgestone Blizzak Spike-02 is the most expensive in the eastern team (price 3,650 rubles), but cheaper than the European giants.

Another new product, Hankook Winter i*Pike RS 2, is a tire with an increased number of studs and an updated tread pattern. It replaces the Winter i*Pike RS model. This year it will appear in Russia in 57 sizes - from 155/65R 13 to 255/40 R19.

New tire Toyo Observe The Ice-Freezer replaces the Observe G3-Ice and will be available this fall in 16 sizes ranging from 14 to 19 inches. The rubber mixture includes silicon dioxide, which provides elasticity in cold weather, and microparticles of walnut shells for additional grip on ice.

Another model with Japanese roots, now produced in Russia, is Firestone Ice Cruiser 7. Previously, this tire bore the index 7000 and belonged to the Bridgestone brand line.

The next player from Japan is Nitto Therma Spike, a “relative” of the Touo brand. These tires take part in our tests for the second time and are characterized as inexpensive, with modest characteristics.

The new GT Radial IcePro 3, which replaces the GT Radial Champiro IcePro, was developed in its own research and development center in Hannover. And the GT Radial brand is owned by the growing international company Giti, based in Singapore. The new product is available in 22 sizes - from 175/65 R14 to 225/60 R17.

The tires participating in the test are made in China.

West

There are no new products in the Western team, but the players are incredibly strong, since the manufacturers update most of these tires annually.

Nokian Hakkapeliitta 9, the most expensive tire on the domestic market, is the only one in the world that has two different types of spikes.

Continental IceContact 2 is also one and only: its “studs” are glued into the tread, and therefore stay in it very firmly.

Cheaper tires - Goodyear UltraGrip Ice Arctic, which has repeatedly won prizes in our tests, and Pirelli Ice Zero.

The western team is completed by two direct competitors, representatives of the second echelon of the companies Continental and Nokian - the Gislaved Nord*Frost 200 and Nordman 7 models, respectively.

On the track for assessing handling on ice, after each set of tires, a “brush” cleans the surface of ice chips. The cleaner the ice, the more accurate the assessment results.

cat house

The tape measure that annually determines the location of our winter tire tests, this time pointed to the test site Continental. It is located in Sweden, next to a small town with the purring and purring name Arvidsjaur - just some kind of “cat house”.

Remembering last year's weather apocalypse in Sweden with the sudden warming in February, we decided to start tests earlier - in mid-January.

And the weather did not disappoint: during the tests there were frosts from -7 to -14 °C.

Two hatchbacks helped us in testing Volkswagen Golf. We entrusted the bulk of the routine work to the black one - it crawled on ice and snow, recording the acceleration time and braking distance with the built-in VBOX equipment. Red performed more creative tasks, participating in the assessment of handling and directional stability, since it was possible to completely disable the stabilization system using a special program.

Menial work for Behind the Wheel

The first to start working is the black Golf, which also has anti-lock braking system, and traction control. We start with accelerating and braking on ice on a small frozen lake, repeating the runs eight to ten times for each set of tires. After two or three test sets - measurements on basic (reference, as tire manufacturers say) tires: you can’t do without them.

Measurements on different surfaces differ in the “upper” speed limit, which serves as the maximum speed value during acceleration and the initial speed value during braking. On ice this value is 20 km/h, and on snow - 40 km/h, since a modest ice surface is much smaller than a snowy one. Having recalculated the results taking into account the corrections determined using reference tires, we get the leaders and outsiders in these exercises.

The real surprise came from Napkook, who tore apart the traditional leaders. Incredibly, on these tires the Golf accelerates and brakes on ice even better than on the Continental and Nokian. To accelerate from zero to 20 km/h, the Golf on Hankook tires needed only 4.1 seconds, and the braking distance from 20 to 5 km/h was 6.6 meters. The longest acceleration was achieved on Gislaved tires: 5.9 seconds. A close result, 5.8 seconds, was obtained on GT Radial and Firestone tires. The Golf slowed down worst of all on the GT Radial tires: the braking distance was 8.7 meters.

The fastest acceleration on snow to 40 km/h was provided by Continental tires with an indicator of 5.9 seconds, and Hankook was only one tenth behind them! The slowest tires are the GT Radial tires.

When braking on snow, Hankook took the lead. To slow the Golf from 40 to 5 km/h, these tires needed 16.9 meters. Second place goes to Gislaved: 17.2 meters. The Firestone and GT Radial were last in braking: 19.1 and 19.0 meters, respectively.

We complete the series of tests on ice by measuring the lap time, which characterizes lateral grip. The Continental maintained its lead, completing the lap in a record 15.6 seconds. The closest competitors - and these are Hankook, Nokian and Gislaved - needed half a second more. The car completed the slowest lap, in 18.0 seconds, on Bridgestone tires.

Rating of the best winter studded tires 2018

The tires released after the measurements take their place on the red Golf - we will evaluate the handling on snow and ice.

The test track is magnificent: turns of different radii, from running to plugging, straight lines that allow you to reach the speedometer needle to 80 km/h, ups and downs, sometimes unloading the wheels, sometimes pressing them to the “road”.

Due to the modest size of the frozen lake, we estimate acceleration on ice to a speed of 20 km/h, and braking from 20 to 5 km/h.

12 Firestone Ice Cruiser 7

Country of manufacture
Load and speed indices
Pattern depth across width, mm
Rubber hardness Shore, units.
Number of spikes, pcs.
Tire weight, kg
Quality/price, score/P

Level braking properties on dry asphalt average

11 GT Radial IcePro 3

Country of manufacture
Load and speed indices
Pattern depth across width, mm
Rubber hardness Shore, units.
Number of spikes, pcs.
Protrusion of spikes after tests, mm
Tire weight, kg
Average price in online stores, R*
Quality/price, score/P

Stable course tracking in snow;

Not noisy;

Satisfactory smoothness

Poor grip on ice and snow;

Difficult handling;

Limited cross-country ability

10 NittoTherma Spike

Country of manufacture
Load and speed indices
Pattern depth across width, mm
Rubber hardness Shore, units.
Number of spikes, pcs.
Protrusion of spikes after tests, mm
Tire weight, kg
Average price in online stores, R*
Quality/price, score/P

Satisfactory handling;

Good maneuverability;

Acceptable smoothness

Low braking properties on wet asphalt and ice;

Difficult handling when performing extreme maneuvers on snow and directional stability on asphalt;

9 Toyo Observe Ice-Freezer

Country of manufacture	Malaysia
Load and speed indices
Pattern depth across width, mm
Rubber hardness Shore, units.
Number of spikes, pcs.
Protrusion of spikes after tests, mm
Tire weight, kg
Average price in online stores, R*
Quality/price, score/P

Good directional stability on snow;

Stable handling on ice and snow

Weak braking properties on ice and dry asphalt;

High fuel consumption at 90 km/h

8 Bridgestone BLizzak Spike-02

Country of manufacture
Load and speed indices
Pattern depth across width, mm
Rubber hardness Shore, units.
Number of spikes, pcs.
Protrusion of spikes after tests, mm
Tire weight, kg
Average price in online stores, R*
Quality/price, score/P

Confident cross-country ability and satisfactory handling during normal driving on snow

Weak braking on dry asphalt and lateral grip on ice;

Low efficiency;

Difficult handling during active driving on snow;

Comments on directional stability on asphalt and comfort

7 Gislaved Nord*Frost 200

Country of manufacture	Germany
Load and speed indices
Pattern depth across width, mm
Rubber hardness Shore, units.
Number of spikes, pcs.
Protrusion of spikes after tests, mm
Tire weight, kg
Average price in online stores, R*
Quality/price, score/P	Best braking properties and excellent directional stability on asphalt; Confident lateral grip and clear handling on ice Weak longitudinal grip on ice; High fuel consumption at any speed; Difficult handling when performing extreme maneuvers on snow; Minor complaints about ride quality 6 Nokian Nordman 7 Country of manufacture Load and speed indices Pattern depth across width, mm Rubber hardness Shore, units. Number of spikes, pcs. Protrusion of spikes after tests, mm Tire weight, kg Average price in online stores, R* Quality/price, score/P Confident acceleration on ice; Good cross-country ability, directional stability on snow and asphalt 5 Goodyear UltraGrip Ice Arctic Country of manufacture Load and speed indices Pattern depth across width, mm Rubber hardness Shore, units. Number of spikes, pcs. Protrusion of spikes after tests, mm Tire weight, kg Average price in online stores, R* Quality/price, score/P Phenomenal cross-country ability in deep snow; High braking properties on both wet and dry asphalt Minor complaints about directional stability on asphalt and handling on ice, as well as during active driving and extreme maneuvering on snow; Not the best comfort. 4 Pirelli Ice Zero Country of manufacture Load and speed indices Pattern depth across width, mm Rubber hardness Shore, units. Number of spikes, pcs. Protrusion of spikes after tests, mm Tire weight, kg Average price in online stores, R* Quality/price, score/P Excellent directional stability; Reliable acceleration on ice and snow; Clear handling on snow during normal driving; Confident maneuverability Minor comments regarding handling on snow during active driving and during extreme maneuvering; Noisy; low ride smoothness 2/3 Hankook Winter i*Pike RS 2 Country of manufacture Load and speed indices Pattern depth across width, mm Rubber hardness Shore, units. Number of spikes, pcs. Protrusion of spikes after tests, mm Tire weight, kg Average price in online stores, R* Quality/price, score/P Better longitudinal and high lateral grip on ice; Better braking and confident acceleration on snow; Clear handling on ice and during normal driving in snow; Weak braking on asphalt; Claims regarding handling on snow during active driving and during extreme maneuvering, as well as directional stability on asphalt and comfort 2/3 Continental IceContact 2 Country of manufacture Germany Load and speed indices Pattern depth across width, mm Rubber hardness Shore, units. Number of spikes, pcs. Protrusion of spikes after tests, mm Tire weight, kg Average price in online stores, R* Quality/price, score/P The best lateral and high longitudinal 49 grip on ice; Better acceleration and confident braking on snow; Clear handling on ice and snow; Good cross-country ability and course following in the snow Minor complaints regarding handling on snow during active driving, as well as directional stability on asphalt; Comfort notes 1 Nokian Hakkapeliitta 9 Country of manufacture Load and speed indices Pattern depth across width, mm Rubber hardness Shore, units. Number of spikes, pcs. Protrusion of spikes after tests, mm Tire weight, kg Average price in online stores, R* Quality/price, score/P Outstanding fuel efficiency; Excellent handling on ice and snow; High grip properties on ice; Excellent cross-country ability in deep snow; Strict adherence to the course Minor comments on noise and ride quality The idea was born to evaluate tires in two different driving modes. The first is to go fast, but limit the speed in turns to the initial sliding phase. The results of driving in this style will certainly interest most drivers. The second mode is for those who like to slide: almost do not reduce speed before turns, tucking the car into a bend sideways. We have previously assessed the behavior of tires in both modes, but we gave an average rating. We turn off the electronics to catch the behavior of the car on different tires. In normal mode, testers were pleased with the handling of the Golf on Nokian and Pirelli tires. The experts, finding no reason to comment and noting clear reactions, gave them eight points each. Continental, Hankook, Nordman, taking into account minor remarks, received 7.5 points each. It is noteworthy that in the Golf, shod with Hankook and Nordman tires, slight delays in reactions and insufficient steering information occur when the steering wheel is turned at angles of up to 90 degrees, but with increasing angles the reactions and information improve, and with Continental tires - vice versa. On tire tests team spirit is important, almost like in competitions. That’s why we change wheels almost as quickly as mechanics in formula boxes. Firestone “spikes” received more complaints than others: significant delays in reactions, unstable behavior. The driver can only set the approximate direction of movement, but not the exact trajectory. Six points is the maximum. With an active driving style, almost half of the subjects noted a slight slowdown in reactions and a deterioration in the information content of the steering when switching to sliding, which reduced the score by half a point. Only Nokian tires received eight points, maintaining clear reactions even in deep slides. Acceptable stability of reactions was demonstrated by Gislaved, Nordman and Touo - it’s not scary to go a little too fast with them in a slippery turn. Firestone tires are the easiest to slip on. You literally have to throw the Golf into a turn, performing a series of “witchcraft” actions with the steering wheel and gas. It is extremely difficult to drive actively, since you need to constantly turn the steering wheel in different directions, since when sliding, reactions to steering wheel actions practically disappear. I also didn’t like driving actively on Bridgestone (reduced the rating by 1 point) and, oddly enough, on Pirelli (reduced by one and a half points). On both tires, the Golf demonstrated a deterioration in information content and reactions, forcing the steering wheel to be much more active, and on the Pirelli it also showed jagged, unstable behavior. It’s strange, because the early models of winter tires from this company have always served both us and many tire manufacturers as the standard for handling. I liked the ice track no less than the snow one. It is not horizontal, but located at an angle, since it is poured on a slope. Therefore, on one half you move with unloaded rear wheels, provoking a skid, and on the other - with underloaded front ones, initiating a drift. This helps to better understand the behavior of certain tires. Nokian earned the highest score on ice: the car steers without problems in any mode. Small blemishes were noted on Continental, Gislaved, Hankook and Nordman tires, which is why their ratings were reduced to 7.5 points. When fitted with GR Radial tires, the Golf moves as if in zero gravity - as if there were no horizontal forces at work. It slips very early, although it slides to the side smoothly (this is the only plus), and floats for a very long time, not reacting to steering inputs. Firestone keeps the driver even more tense: maximum adrenaline is produced even with the stabilization system on. Slip breakdowns occur unexpectedly, the car slides for an extremely long time... There is a feeling that the clutch has disappeared altogether. Watch out for the Yeti! The snow plateau is a huge rectangle, about four hundred by one hundred meters, divided by a snow parapet into two independent narrow and long straight lines. They are enough to accelerate to 100 km/h and evaluate directional stability and the behavior of the car during soft lane changes. And the width is enough to test controllability when performing a rearrangement. From the first day, we fenced off a strip about three meters wide with cones along the central barrier, prohibiting anyone from cleaning it. A week later, a layer of snow about 20 centimeters deep had accumulated on it - what is needed to assess cross-country ability. A couple of hours after the red Golf with the stabilization system turned off drove onto the test track, Frank Degonier (Continental engineer in charge of measurements and measuring equipment) suddenly approached us and asked with a completely serious face: “Do you know that a yeti appeared here? Jumped out right in front of the red Golf! But Anton managed to dodge him, only the snow remained on the hood. Come take a look!” It turns out that the Golf, while assessing directional stability on Firestone tires, spun so that it broke through the snow parapet and flew into the adjacent lane. And Continental testers call any incident during testing that ends in contact with snow a “Yeti.” In general, the Firestone earned the lowest score for directional stability on snow: when trying to smoothly change lanes or go around an obstacle, a sharp skid occurs and a dangerously long slide to the side without the ability to correct the trajectory. The Yeti was not tempted by other tires. And better than others, the Golf held a straight line in the snow at high speed on Nokian and Pirelli tires. Rearranging, or abruptly changing lanes, is a maneuver traditional for Russian drivers. When performing a changeover, we evaluate how the Golf reacts to sharp turns of the steering wheel and how predictably it behaves. The experts gave Nokian tires the maximum rating in this exercise: small, well-understood, soft skidding at maximum speed, requiring minor adjustments to keep the car on the desired trajectory. Firestone tires turned out to be the worst here: they are unsuitable for dangerous maneuvers. If you use the steering wheel sharply, it ends in drift, straightening the trajectory. With more smooth operation With the steering wheel, the front wheels manage to catch on the snow, but the rear wheels abruptly fall into a long sideways slide, spinning the car. Patency The cross-country ability test is relevant both for the Russian outback and for big cities. We evaluate not only the ability of tires to paddle through snow, but also how easily a driver without special off-road driving skills can overcome a snow obstacle. In deep snow, Goodyear tires are unrivaled: they row either forward or backward, you just need to press the gas pedal. The Nokians are half a point behind: they don’t row like a tractor, but they still do well. Continental and Nordman earn eight points each. The worst tires for deep snow are the GT Radial. In them, the Golf starts hesitantly, scours from side to side, reluctantly maneuvers and reluctantly moves in reverse. Hero of Winter 2018 The leader of the snow and ice tests is a tire from the East - Hankook Winter i*Pike RS 2. It not only outpaced all its fellow countrymen in the winter disciplines, but also pushed ahead of the “Westerners” - even such giants as Continental and Nokian, which took first place in the “white” tests only second and third places respectively. Pirelli is in fourth place, followed by Nordman and Goodyear, and Gislaved in seventh position. They are followed by other tires from the East: Bridgestone, Toyo, Nitto, as well as Firestone and GT Radial, which showed the weakest results. Postponement until spring In mid-April, the snow completely cleared from the asphalt of the highway at the VAZ test site near Tolyatti. Having chosen calm weather, we continued testing the “spikes” - now on asphalt. First of all, we assessed the impact of tires on the Golf's efficiency, combining these measurements with an assessment of directional stability and comfort. We started with a ten-kilometer warm-up lap around expressway at a speed of 130 km/h (the maximum allowed on our roads). The measurements were carried out on a two-kilometer horizontal straight section of the highway. In calm weather, the measurement results are almost identical - with no more than 0.1%, which is twenty times less than the two percent generally accepted in tire tests. But after every three tested sets, you have to repeat the races on the base tire. Rolling resistance is significantly affected by the temperature of the asphalt. The results obtained on the reference bus help to determine the “reference points”, and from them we clarify the data obtained and, if necessary, recalculate them. On asphalt, the Golf holds its course best on Gislaved and Pirelli tires: the reactions are clear, almost like summer tires. The worst performers are the “eastern guests” Bridgestone, Nitto and Firestone. At the “bridge” of the Golf, the steering wheel became heavy, sticky and uninformative. The behavior of the car on Nitto and Firestone is similar: low information content appears in the near-zero zone, and when adjusting the course, the steering wheel has to be turned at significant angles. When leaving the left zone, the reactions become unpleasantly sharp - with low information content, this can lead to twisting of the steering wheel, which can cause a skid. Nokian tires won the title of the most economical: the Golf shod in them showed the best results at city and suburban speeds. Better braking and comfort on asphalt We continue to evaluate comfort on the secondary roads of the test site, which are practically no different from many Russian highways: potholes, swollen cracks, seams. The quietest tires were GT Radial, Hankook and Nokian, and the noisiest were Firestone, which hummed like a gear rolling on asphalt. In terms of smoothness, the same GT Radial and Hankook are ahead, with Nitto keeping them company. The toughest is again Firestone, which transmits vibrations from road irregularities in detail to the floor of the body and even to the driver's seat. The final exercise is to evaluate braking properties on dry and wet asphalt. We pre-clear the tracks with a dozen braking sessions on non-qualifying tires. We brake on each set of qualifying tires four to six times: on dry asphalt - from 80 km/h, on wet asphalt - from 60 km/h, in order to protect the tread from damage. The reference speed, up to which the VBOX measuring complex measures the braking distance, is 5 km/h - at a lower ABS it allows short-term wheel locking, which negatively affects the accuracy of the results. On dry asphalt, the shortest braking distance, 30.3 meters, was obtained on Gislaved tires, the longest - on the “bridge”: 33.5 meters. The difference is 10.5%. In the wet, Gislaved is again ahead of everyone with a score of 17.8 meters, and Nitto is behind with a score of 21.7 meters, which is almost 20% weaker. "Black" tests On the asphalt, the Gislaved Nord*Frost 200 confidently won. European tires Pirelli, Nokian and Goodyear were behind it. Eastern made it only to fifth position, and it was taken by the GT Radial IcePro 3. Next comes the last pair from the European team: Continental took sixth place in the “asphalt” list, just ahead of the middle peasant Nordman. The leader of the “white” list Hankook on asphalt, unfortunately, could not rise above tenth place. Bridgestone and Nitto round out the “black” rating. Final points TOP-13 So, the victory with a result of 915 points was won by Nokian Hakkapeliitta 9 tires. They are the most balanced - they will appeal to all drivers in any conditions, regardless of training and driving style. Second and third places were shared by Hankook Winter i*Pike RS 2 and Continental IceContact 2, which scored 905 points each. Well, what can we say about Korean tires? The best results on both snow and ice, the most comfortable, economical, but they lose ground on the asphalt. We recommend them to those who mainly use “white” roads. Continental showed the second result in the “white” tests, but was average in other categories. Their best qualities will show up on snowy and icy roads. The fourth place in our rating is occupied by Pirelli Ice Zero - 888 final points mean that it is very good tires. They are strong on asphalt, will not let you down on snow and ice, and will help save fuel. The ride comfort leaves much to be desired. Goodyear UltraGrip Ice Arctic (877 points) performed more successfully on asphalt than in ice and snow disciplines. These tires still have the right to be called very good, but they are slowly losing ground - they dropped to fifth place, and for several years they occupied third. But if you need all-terrain tires, these are the best choice. For a second-tier brand, sixth place (874 points) for Nordman 7 tires and the title of very good tires can be considered excellent result. Versatile mid-range tires for all conditions, and even drifters can be happy on snow. Gislaved Nord*Frost 200 lost only four points to its direct competitor Nordman. Performance on “white” roads is average, but on asphalt Gislaved is in the lead. This is the best choice for city roads cleared of snow and ice. True, they do not shine with efficiency and comfort. From the eighth place the eastern territory begins entirely. Bridgestone Blizzak Spike-02 scored 847 points in the test - according to our classification, these are good tires. On snow and ice they look average, but they won’t let you get mischievous. In terms of comfort and fuel efficiency comparable to its “little brother” Firestone Ice Cruiser 7, and even slightly weaker on asphalt. In ninth position are new Toyo tires Observe Ice-Freezer with 840 points. The undoubted advantages are the stability of results on different surfaces and a decent level of comfort. Nitto Therma Spike closes the top ten with a final score of 821 points. The same modest place is in the “white” rating. These tires are economical, provide average comfort... and last on the pavement. GT Radial tires scored 811 points. And they ended up on the last line of the rating compiled on “white” roads. It is permissible to drive on them on snow and ice without haste, and only in vehicles equipped with electronic assistants. But on asphalt roads, these tires will allow you to drive confidently and provide a high level of comfort. Twelfth place and only 788 points goes to Firestone Ice Cruiser 7 tires. By modern standards, these are very weak tires for winter roads and are not recommended for cars without ABS and stabilization systems. You should ride them very carefully, without trying to slip even a little. But on dry asphalt they brake better than the related Bridgestone Blizzak Spike-02, and can compete with it in comfort and efficiency. With an eye on your wallet Good tires cost a lot of money. How to find the optimal balance between the most important properties and price? You can focus on the “cost” of each point scored by a particular tire. The GT Radial IcePro 3 is the leader in this parameter: every thousand rubles spent on this tire will result in 312 total points. Slightly less profitable buys are the Nitto Therma Spike and the Toyo Observe Ice-Freezer. In the middle of the list are the Nordman 7 and Gislaved Nord*Frost 200 tires. And the bottom of the “price of quality” rating are Bridgestone Blizzak Spike-02, Continental IceContact 2 and Nokian Hakkapeliitta 9. Good doesn’t come cheap. IS THE WEST INVINCIBLE? In our test, European tires turned out to be stronger than Eastern ones. Apart from Hankuk, none of the eastern tires made it into the top half of the white results. Why? In Eastern countries, the use of studded tires is prohibited - manufacturers create them for foreign markets. I don’t have a lot of personal experience in operating such tires. Hankook took an unconventional path - it attracted experienced specialists from successful Western tire companies to create new products. After all, winter tires are an extremely complex product, balanced for completely different surfaces (ice, snow, dry and wet asphalt), which require technical solutions that conflict with each other. Eastern tire manufacturers will be able to compete with Western ones only when they understand this and put this understanding into practice. Hankook is a prime example of this. In the meantime, the “East” can attract buyers only with sweet prices.

Bearing in mind the crisis, we chose the most popular and most affordable studded tires, not forgetting the Chinese ones. Seven out of eleven such tires turned out to be cheaper than 2,500 rubles. There are few new products in the VAZ standard size, but we had it with us - the Continental ContiIceContact 2 tires are just entering the market. For the first time, perhaps the most affordable domestic studded Avatyre Freeze (1,770 rubles), Polish tires Sava Eskimo Stud (2,135 rubles), Chinese Aeolus Ice Challenger (2,140 rubles) and Japanese Yokohama iceGUARD iG55 (2590 rubles). Among the “Scandinavians” the choice is noticeably more modest. According to manufacturers, the share of “spikes” is Russian market ranges from 65 to 80%, that is, there is very little space left for the “non-thorns”. We found only seven sets. The most inexpensive are Cordiant Winter Drive for 2050 rubles and Nordman RS for 2225 rubles. Average price category(2500-3000 rubles) are represented by the “Japanese” Bridgestone Blizzak VRX and Toyo Observe GSi‑5, as well as Polish-made Goodyear UltraGrip Ice 2. We didn’t even disdain a couple of top models Nokian and Continental, which cost more than 3,000 rubles apiece.

Tests were carried out in January - February at the AVTOVAZ test site, near Tolyatti. The winter turned out to be not very frosty: the temperature varied between -25...-5 ºС. The asphalt part was rolled out at the beginning of May, on dry roads. We worked at night, when the temperature did not rise above +5…+7 ºС. It is this temperature that tire manufacturers consider the transitional temperature from winter tires to summer tires and vice versa. The test car is a Lada Kalina equipped with ABS.

AS YOU GO, SO WILL YOU GO

The most important part of testing winter tires is running in. After all, it determines how well the tires will perform on snow and ice and how long they will last. If you run in the studs incorrectly, you can easily ruin them: if you drive aggressively on unrolled tires, the studs will simply start to fly out. We ran each set of studded tires for 500 km. Without sudden accelerations and braking, so that each spike falls into place and the rubber tightly grips its base. To do this, we divide the entire run into three or four parts, taking a break in movement for an hour or two after each. To break in studless soft “Scandinavians”, popularly often called “Velcro”, 300 km is enough. And the driving style should be more aggressive, with slight slipping during acceleration. Here, the primary task of running in is different - to completely remove from the tread sipes the remaining lubricant that was applied to the mold (lubricant is needed in order to prevent damage to the tread with 3D cuts when removing the newly welded tire from the mold). In addition, these tires need to remove a thin surface layer of rubber, which after baking turns out to be slightly harder than the core. You don’t have to worry about wear on the sharp edges of the slats: modern models They are designed so that with mutual friction they sharpen themselves. This ensures the stability of the characteristics of studless tires throughout their service life.

HOW MUCH TO STICK?

On run-in tires, we measure 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 the rubber usually changes by several units in one direction or another. The spikes may also come out a little or go deeper as they fall into place. In Russia, the amount of protrusion of spikes is not regulated. But in European Union countries where the use of studded tires is allowed, it is limited - no more than 1.2 mm on new tires. Life has determined this compromise value: a smaller protrusion will not allow achieving effective traction on ice, a larger protrusion will worsen traction on asphalt and lead to a rapid loss of “studs” during operation. In our long-term tests, the average stud protrusion after running in is from 1.3 to 1.6 mm. And now almost all tires fall into this range with a deviation of one tenth of a millimeter. The exception was four models. Firstly, this is the Chinese Aeolus: its spines protrude only 0.5-0.8 mm. It’s immediately clear that on the ice he won’t be missing the stars from the sky. Secondly, Cordiant: the protrusion of the studs reaches 2.0 mm - the maximum permissible value in Europe (although no one checks this parameter on cars). But Bridgestone and Sava are alarming: after running in, some of their studs stuck out by 2.3 mm! Moreover, not only the carbide insert of the stud rises above the tread (it, as a rule, protrudes above the body by 1.2 mm), but also almost a millimeter of its cylindrical body. It is clear that on ice these tires will have an advantage over “legal” tires. At one time, we checked how the protrusion of studs affects the grip properties of tires on ice. Every tenth of a millimeter reduces the braking distance by 2.5–3%. Spikes with a protrusion of 2.3 mm will outperform those that protrude only 1.3 mm by at least 25–30%!

I repeat that in our country the protrusion of spikes is not limited by any laws. But according to Technical regulations The Customs Union, which unites Russia, Belarus, Armenia, Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan, for tires manufactured since January 1, 2016, sets the protrusion of studs on new tires to 1.2 ± 0.3 mm. That is, the stud will have to protrude above the tread by no less than 0.9 mm and no more than 1.5 mm. It will be interesting to see Bridgestone and Sava tires next year.

To get acquainted with the test results (they are summarized in tables), follow the links: table No. 1 and table No. 2.

WHAT ARE WE TESTING?

In the sequence of test exercises, we first measure acceleration and braking on snow and ice. Why? During testing, increased loads are applied to the studs, under the influence of which the studs can slowly move outward, and if these measurements are taken last, the studs will protrude more. After measuring the longitudinal grip, we check the tires on an ice circle and test them on a rearrangement. And after that we evaluate handling, directional stability, cross-country ability and comfort. After completing all tests on “white” roads, we again check the protrusion of the studs. If it has not changed during testing, then the studs are held securely in the rubber, and this is a guarantee that they will last a long time. The most stable were Continental, Nordman, Yokohama and Bridgestone: for these tires, the amount of stud protrusion remained unchanged during all tests. Nokian's spikes have crept out by one "ten", and we also consider this result to be excellent. Toyo and Aeolus look quite passable: their spikes have been increased from zero to 0.2–0.3 mm. But Avatyre, Cordiant, Formula and Sava tires have an alarming increase - up to 0.4–0.5 mm. There is a suspicion that at this rate of growth the studs will not stay in the tires for long. The absolute record holder for the largest stud protrusion is Sava: after tests, some “studs” stuck out by 2.7 mm!

We also carry out asphalt tests taking into account the intensity of tire wear. We start with assessing and measuring rolling resistance and only in the end we carry out braking on asphalt. Can you guess why? If not, we will answer in the words of Continental specialists, who call emergency braking on asphalt is stressful for winter tires - even with ABS. And they believe that after a dozen or one and a half such braking events, the tires become unusable. But we just brake six to eight times on dry roads and the same amount on wet roads. After the tests, we carefully inspect the studs and treads of the “stressed” tires. Three models in which the studs protruded more than 2 mm (Bridgestone, Cordiant and Sava) differ from the rest by the pits in the rubber near the studs. When braking, the tall studs bend strongly and tear out pieces of the tread. And the housings of the spikes themselves are ground off and lost cylindrical shape and now look like cones. It's amazing that none of these tires lost any studs. Trouble came from an unexpected direction - the well-behaved Toyo lost 14 studs on four wheels. It is noteworthy that last year, when the spikes at the end of the tests stuck out a little more (up to 2.3 mm) than now (up to 1.9 mm), there were no losses.

SPIKES OR VELCRO: AFTERWORD

So what should you prefer - “spikes” or “Scandinavians”? When choosing, remember the main advantages and disadvantages of both. “Spikes” have more stable grip properties on any surface, but they are less comfortable. Softer and quieter Velcro are more demanding on the level of driving skill on ice. In addition, I would not risk recommending “Scandinavian” tires for cars without ABS: when the wheels lock on ice, their grip drops significantly, and this is extremely dangerous. The undisputed winner of our test was Nokian tires, which last years are the trendsetter of winter fashion: in the class of studded tires, the Nokian Hakkapeliitta 8 model took the lead, and among the “Scandinavians” the Hakkapeliitta R2 took precedence. But they are also the most expensive. So the choice is not easy - and our tables with recommendations for each tire will help you make it.

We warn those who are particularly picky: you should not compare the results of “spikes” and “Scandinavians”; it is not for nothing that they are shown in different tables. From our own experience we know that the difference depends on the temperature. In severe frost (-20 ºС and below) soft “Scandinavians” will win on ice; in “greenhouse” (above -10 ºС) “spikes” will have the best results. Perhaps we can only compare behavior on asphalt. But it should be remembered that tire manufacturers do not compare the data obtained in different days. After all, the measurement result is influenced not only by the temperature of the air and asphalt, but also by humidity, wind strength, the amount of ultraviolet radiation and much more. Together with the author, Anton Ananyev, Vladimir Kolesov, Yuri Kurochkin, Evgeniy Larin, Anton Mishin, Andrey Obramov, Valery Pavlov and Dmitry Testov took part in the tire testing. 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 company Volgashintorg for technical support.

The approaching winter is making significant adjustments to the family budgets of car enthusiasts. To feel confident on a snowy, icy road you have to change your shoes. iron horses in winter tires. And the legislation clearly requires that you travel in the cold season exclusively on wheels that correspond to the season. The cost of new tires sometimes goes through the roof, but you want to spend your hard-earned money and get a quality product in return. Before contacting a dealer or auto shop, it is worth studying the rating of winter tires 2017.

Winter tires

What kind of winter tires are there?

The range of wheels offered by manufacturers for use in winter is quite wide. They differ in cost, presence of spikes, technical characteristics and consumer reviews. It is not easy for an unprepared car enthusiast to navigate this abundance.

Basically, the entire range of winter tires can be divided into three groups:

• Scandinavian studded wheels– they are designed for operation in the harsh conditions of the northern winter with heavy snowfalls and constant icing;
• Scandinavian-type studless tires– better suited for traveling in northern cities, where you can often find areas of dry asphalt;
• winter tires without studs of the Central European type– ideal for traveling in moderate conditions mild winter with frequent thaws and low frosts.

Which winter tires are best suited for your climate is, of course, up to you to decide.

The difference between summer and winter tires

Who tests

Many respected European car enthusiast clubs and specialized automobile magazines have been testing winter tires for many years and regularly publish the results of their research. These data often play a decisive role for the average consumer when choosing tires for the winter. Severe legislation, backed by hefty fines, forces Europeans to take seriously seasonal change rubber. There are also domestic wheel research and testing. All of them allow you to confidently make a real rating of winter tires.

Winter tires on a car

Among the European organizations involved in professional examination, it is worth highlighting the following structures:

• ADAC– this respected German auto club has existed for more than a century, its testing is carried out with the utmost care;
• Auto Bild– the magazine is published in almost forty countries of the world, the expert judgment of the famous publication does not raise any doubts;
• Tuulilasi– a specialized Finnish magazine is considered a recognized professional evaluator of the quality of automotive products;
• Teknikens Varld– the Swedish publication has rightfully earned the status of a respected European expert.

The domestic list is not so wide, but no less professional:

• "Behind the wheel"– one of the most famous Russian magazines for car enthusiasts;
• "Autoreview"– the most popular domestic publication constantly conducts independent tests, attracting the most professional experts for evaluation.

Based on the findings of these researchers, we can make a brief overview of winter tires 2017.

How to choose winter tires. Instructions for motorists

Rating of winter studded tires

The following criteria are mainly used to evaluate these tires:

• acceleration and braking dynamics in different road conditions - ice, snow, wet asphalt, dry highway;
• degree of controllability;
• noisiness.

The best winter studded tires of 2017, according to international experts, are ranked as follows:

This popular model This is not the first year that the Italian manufacturer has been awarded the palm. Among its undoubted advantages are excellent performance on all types of coatings. Researchers consider the high noise level to be the main disadvantage. Experts believe that such results are achieved due to the original carbide double stud insert.

Winter Pirelli tire Ice Zero

Some experts give gold to this particular product of the famous Finnish brand. The new representative of the Hakkapeliitta line was refined for four years in the company’s production laboratories. A special feature of the model is two types of spikes. This allows you to better hold the road and improves handling.

Winter Nokian tire Hakkapeliitta 9

Agree, the manufacturer from the northern country knows the secrets of driving on ice and snow. The seventh model from this model range For several years it has confidently occupied a place in the top five of the best studded wheels. “Bear claw” is the name given to the spikes used in this product. They are not prone to tilting and provide reliable traction in difficult road conditions.

Winter tire Nokian Hakkapeliitta 7

This is already a serious claim to the title the best manufacturer studded rubber. Three models at once that made it to the top of the rating – such success requires no comment. The “eight” uses thirty percent more studs than the previous model. As a negative side, experts note the soft sidewall, which can cause damage to the slope when trying to leave the rut.

Winter tire Nokian Hakkapeliitta 8

This is not a new product on the tire market, but it seems the German manufacturer is not going to leave the top lists. Experts note good handling and predictability on all types of road surfaces. The disadvantages include an increased ability to hydroplane. The rubber has 196 studs, but at the same time it is quiet.

Winter tire Continental Ice Contact 2

Rating of Scandinavian-type studless winter tires

It is generally accepted that studless tires perform better on asphalt than studded tires. It is more suitable for constant city driving, if in your metropolis, of course, it is customary to remove snow rather than wait for it to melt.

The German development is truly worthy of all praise - excellent dynamic qualities, short braking distance, good handling, low noise level. The examination showed only one negative point - the tendency of the wheel to hydroplane.

Winter tire Continental ContiVikingContact 6

These ramps will provide you with confident movement on icy, snowy winter roads. On dry asphalt their performance will be slightly worse than that of competing German leaders. In general, expert feedback is very positive.

Winter tire Nokian Hakkapeliitta R

The renowned model of a respected manufacturer has been at the top of the ratings for several years. Excellent performance on ice and snow is somewhat blurred by uncertain driving on wet asphalt. On a dry track the tires perform exceptionally – experts give the highest ratings.

Winter Goodyear tire UltraGrip Ice 2

Regarding these wheels, the opinions of expert commissions differ somewhat. However, this does not prevent them from taking an honorable place among the leaders. The discrepancies relate to recommendations on where tires perform better – on snow or on asphalt. It is clear that Sava Eskimo Ice provides comfortable movement on winter roads.

Winter Sava tire Eskimo Ice

The Italian leader of the previous ranking ended up in fifth place due to poor results on the ice surface. However, braking performance on snow and wet asphalt allows the driver to feel confident behind the wheel of the car.

Pirelli Ice Zero tire

The best winter tires of the Central European type

For mild winters, which are typical for the southern part of the Russian Federation, you need just such seasonal tires.

All tests in which this German product participated proved its unconditional leadership. The experts did not make any comments on the performance of the wheel - all ratings were given at the highest level.

Winter tire Continental WinterContact TS 860

A very good option for a mild winter. All experts agree on only one disadvantage - behavior on wet asphalt. The rubber is prone to early aquaplaning, but this is more than compensated for by its confident behavior on ice and complete predictability.

Winter tire Nokian WR D4

The Italian manufacturer once again confirms the high quality of its products, getting to the top of the rating. The tire works confidently on wet asphalt and feels good on ice and in snowy conditions. The experts' comments concerned behavior on dry roads.

Pirelli Cinturato Winter tire

Goodyear EagleUltraGrip. One of the most the best tires for winters with little snow. For their balanced properties and characteristics, these tires were especially noted by the German automobile club ADAC. Its experts say confident behavior wheels on all types of road surfaces.

Goodyear Eagle UltraGrip winter tire

These tires are less susceptible to aquaplaning, handle well on snow, and behave confidently on dry asphalt. The disadvantages include the long braking distance on wet roads. Despite the overall good results, the tires did not score the highest marks in any of the tests.

Winter Bridgestone tire Blizzak LM001

Safety first

Many car enthusiasts approach the question of which winter tires are best to choose from the purse side. When making a purchase, they select tires based on planned and available funds. This approach is due to the high prices for quality products. It is worth noting that purchasing inexpensive models from little-known manufacturers results in the following problems:

• unpredictable behavior on slippery snowy roads;
• poor handling;
• high noise level;
• aquaplaning;
• reduced service life.

Creating an emergency situation on the road can not only cause an accident, but also harm the health of road users. The choice of winter tires must be made taking into account operating conditions, the nature of the climate and expert recommendations. Remember that imaginary savings can affect your safety.