With autumn finally here, now is a good time to take a look at the best solutions for keeping mobile regardless of the weather in 2016.
Winter tire interest spiked after the heavy snow in 2010 and 2011, but after a number of mild and wet winters the benefits of winter tires have been largely forgotten. As such, the focus of both the consumer and tire manufacturer has now switched to all season tires.
All season tires still offer improved grip compared to summer tires when the temperatures are freezing, and offer a vastly improved performance on snow and ice when compared to a summer tire, but their less extreme nature than a full winter tire means there are less penalties during wet, and particularly dry braking where a full winter tire can give up 20% of a summer tires performance even in colder conditions.
Types of All Season
With the launch of the Michelin CrossClimate in 2016, there are now two categories of all season tire - the summer-bias all season, and the winter-bias all season.
The Michelin CrossClimate is currently the only summer-bias all season tire on the market, and while it gives up a little snow and ice performance when compared to the best winter-bias all season tires on the market, it will still outperform a summer tire by an order of magnitude, without giving up 15% dry and wet braking, as other all season tires can so is our recommendation for ensuring winter mobility.
If you spend your time in the more northern parts of the UK and are more worried about snow and ice performance, Goodyear and Nokian are currently making the best winter-bias all season tires on the market.
The Goodyear Vector 4Seasons Gen-2 builds on the near flawless performance of the first generation tire, has a wet performance to match any tire on the market, and balances dry and snow and ice performance well.
The Nokian WeatherProof is a little more extreme again, having the performance of a full winter tire on snow and ice, excellent wet grip, but as a result of the snow performance behaves more like a winter tire in the dry, where it can give up almost 20% under dry braking.
One other tire definitely worth considering as a winter-bias all season tire is the Continental WinterContact TS860. While this is sold as a full winter tire, it proves how the line can be blurred between winter-bias all season tires and full winter, as it often out performs all season tires in the dry and wet, and dominates them on snow and ice.
To highlight the difference in summer, all season and winter tires, we took four identical Skodas to an indoor ski slope, and this was the result. The tires, from left car to right car were Michelin Primacy 3 (summer), Michelin CrossClimate (summar-bias all season), Goodyear Vector 4 Seasons Gen-2 (winter-bias all season) and Continental WinterContact TS850 (european winter).
Winter Tire Options
While we've be more than happy running to the alps on any of the tires mentioned above, sometimes a full winter tire is the best option for more performance bias cars where all season tires aren't available, or if you plan extreme snow and ice driving in Europe.
Other than the new Continental WinterContact TS860, 2016 has been a slow year with very few new winter patterns announced. Luckily, the winter tires launched at the end of 2015 are still excellent options, with the Michelin Alpin 5, Dunlop WinterSport 5, Goodyear UltraGrip Performance Gen-1, and Nokian WR D4 all worth considering, depending on your personal requirements.
This Years Tests
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NEW - 2016 ACE All Season Tire Test Winner: Nokian WeatherProof (Size: 205/55 R16 / Tire: Premium Touring) |
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NEW - 2016 ADAC All Season Tire Test Winner: Michelin CrossClimate (Size: 205/55 R16 / Tire: Premium Touring) |
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NEW - 2016 AutoBild All Season Tire Test Winner: Michelin CrossClimate (Size: 205/55 R16 / Tire: Premium Touring) |
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NEW - 2016 GF All Season Tire Test Winner: Goodyear Vector 4 Seasons Gen 2 (Size: 205/55 R16 / Tire: Premium Touring) |
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NEW - 2016 ADAC Winter Tire Test - 225/45 R17 Winner: Dunlop Winter Sport 5 (Size: 225/45 R17 / Tire: Ultra High Performance) |
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NEW - 2016 AutoBild Winter UHP Tire Test Winner: Goodyear UltraGrip Performance Gen 1 (Size: 245/40 R18 / Tire: Ultra High Performance) |
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NEW - 2016 ADAC Winter Tire Test - 185/65 R15 Winner: Goodyear UltraGrip 9 (Size: 185/65 R15 / Tire: Premium Touring) |
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NEW - 2016 AZ Winter Tire Test - 205/55 R16 Winner: Continental WinterContact TS 860 (Size: 205/55 R16 / Tire: Premium Touring) |
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NEW - 2016 Winter Tire Market Overview Winner: Continental WinterContact TS 860 (Size: 205/55 R16 / Tire: Premium Touring) |
Questions / comments? Feel free to ask anything in the comment section below!
For our volvo '09 v70 2.0d i'm looking for new winter tires.
I currently have 225/55/R16 on 7J rims with conti ts830.
Unfortunately the new continental TS860 does not exist in this dimension. I like the new tire for it's more year round capabilities which is useful for the dutch winters
so i'm left with the choice:
205/60/R16 but this is only a 91 T tire (too low top speed, less wide and lowish load)
215/55/R16 slightly smaller circumference
225/55R16 TS850p (the old tire)
any recommendation?
Technically the 850P is still the current tire (they've not released the larger version of the 860 yet) so that would be our choice in your size.
thanks for the reply; Do you know when the bigger sizes or "860p" is planned to be released by continetal
I've not been given any information regarding the 860P, but that doesn't mean it won't be launched this year :) Keep an eye on the site, I'll publish news the second I hear it!
Hello I am a student last year in the fifth year studying specialized engineering, mechanical engineering ....... I have a patent in improving the tires and make it safer than current tires now I'm in Sudan if I want to become acquainted with the idea of possible sent you
How about the run flat flavors. The patterns there are quite old and I struggle to choose the best for a run flat only BMW. The premium options are only old or 'never that good' like Dunlop Sport 4D, Pirelli Sottozero3, Continental TS830p, Michelin Alpin 5, Bridgestone Driveguard Winter.
And the too new for a review Nokian WR A4 + I don't like the quality control on Nokian from my own experience with the WR D4 last year. And those are the best options from two different sizes 225/45/17 and 225/50/17... Why are runflats so behind the curve?
And what about just newly introduced Hankook i*cept evo with Sealguard technology?
(I have driven in total 183 000 km till now without flat tire, just with a glue kit, not used either..., so a lot of fuel saved...).
Hi. Are you having tramlining or twitchy back end with the fun flats on the beemer? Shocking lack of choice for winter run flats. I am looking into replacing them with standard tires and going for michelin alpin pa4. Michelin alpins on my other cars and no issues
It wasn't a slow year.
Why don't you write anything about the middle/budget class tires?
This year were launched at least 5 new models:
Fulda Kristall Control HP2,
BfGoodrich Winter 2,
Kleber Krisalp HP3
Sava Eskimo HP2,
Debica HP2.
Although they are not premium brands, they all have B ratings for braking (not in all sizes, of course).
Sava, for example, also has B for fuel economy.
They do get written about, but there are a few things to consider.
The manufacturer may not have a press release. They may not have featured in any tests. There may be no useful or any user reviews. Some of them arent considered safe enough in one area or another, maybe multiple.
So, if Tirereviews were to write an article saying 'We've heard manufacturer x has released a new tire, but know nothing about it, based on the past reputation of said manufacturer, its going to be awful' that would cause a whole lot of trouble!
Not that im saying your examples are rubbish, some will be fair enough, but if the criteria above apply its better to say nothing at all than invent something or say something negative.
If you look back through the articles from this year you will find articles on tires from hankook, firestone, gt radial, falken, uniroyal etc.
It may be considered worth noting however that these on the whole make good tires that are recommendable to use... ;-)
As Andy correctly points out, it's down to manufacturer communication and budget to launch these tires.
All the brands you've listed are premium manufacturers second tier brands. In the UK, where we are based, they don't have the market share to warrant a lot of communication or spend from the manufacturers, nor is there's the interest from the consumer.
We cover them by adding them to the site for user reviews, European tire tests, and where possible publishing press releases.
As much as we'd love to cover them more, it will require a push from the manufacturers!
I live in Prague, and my wife's family is in a small town on the edge of the mountains. Although there are winter conditions, sometimes severe, in Prague, we only use our car for occasional long-distance driving, so I was thinking to buy the Michelin Cross Climate. However, the fact is that we do occasionally visit her family, and last year I watched a guy lose control trying to reach his driveway and actually fall/skid/coast OFF the road sideways on an incline. Is the Cross Climate good enough, or should I suck it up and go for a winter model? I'm from Florida, so this is a bit of a mystery for me. Recommendation for a solid winter model?
We recently drove the CrossClimates to the Swiss Alps to see if they were "good enough".
For our usage pattern, they were.
https://www.youtube.com/wat...
I have just moved to Northumberland from Norfolk and am facing winter weather in the North Pennines. I need to be able to get out and about in all weathers except the most extreme. At the moment I am driving a Hyundai i10 - not the most suitable car for the area, but is it possible to get winter tires for it?
It will be yes. What size are they? On the side it will say something like; 185 60 r15 88T or 205 55 r16 91H, etc.
I'm looking to replace the tires on my Mum's '12 plate Honda Jazz as they're about 2.5mm and one has a puncture (185/55 r15), she's out in all weathers as she's really active but in her 70's doesn't really "push the car's limits", so I'm thinking the all rounder summer biased Conti would be best for her. I've had Goodyear UltraGrips on my VAG cars for winter, but I'm more of a Lewis Hamilton and will nail a set of summer fronts in 6 months and be swapping front to back in that period, so I'm not used to buying "all rounders" ...
what would you recommend for her?
If she's out in all weathers, the Michelin CrossClimate or Goodyear Vector 4Seasons Gen-2 would be the logical choice, both available in her size -
http://www.tirereviews.co.u...
cheers, much appreciated! looking at the all rounder tests I think it will be the Michelins, she won't be going out if everywhere is covered in snow but I love the video showing that they can get up that hill just in case I have to borrow it again! lol
Just use Winter tires all year in U.K. 50% of year temp is below 7 degrees anyway. And commutes are usually done in coldest part of day, early morning. Most accidents happen in cold and dark so cover that risk. My Conti WinterContact TS830's have done 40,000 miles and only half worn. So quick wearing is a myth.
That's some excellent wear!
While we're happy you're happy using winter tires year round, we still feel the 20% dry braking penalty is too much to recommend a winter tire as the only tire. It might be the rainy UK, but we only average 134 days with any rainfall a year which leaves 231 days of dry running.
Where did 20% come from? Conti summer vs Conti winter?
It's a repeatable figure across a number of premium summer vs premium winter tires (16-22%).
We tested at 18% (Michelin Primacy 3 vs Continental WinterContact TS850) http://www.tirereviews.co.u...
Impressive testing and analysis but IMO 1. Accidents due to handling more likely than ever needing 40 metres of straight line stopping. 2. Wet handling more dangerous than dry handling. 3. Winter tire beats Summer for wet handling.
Since when the TS860 is an all seasons tire?
The TS860 isn't an all season tire, it's a winter.
It also nicely proves the line between a "winter-bias all season tire" and a full european winter tire is very blurred. If you look at the TS860 compared to a tire such as the Nokian WeatherProof, which is sold as an all season tire, the Conti has better dry and wet performance overall, and slightly worse snow. (Auto Express 2016 winter tire test)
Regarding the video. Did all three cars make it to the top ? If I recall correctly the slope at Tamworth steepens slightly just around the corner.
You are correct about the slope getting steeper around the corner, and yes all three tires made it to the top across many runs.
Following the currrent success of the Michelin CrossClimate, which will have surprisingly quick & even better successor soon (CrossClimate + already from Feb. 2017), there will be launched yet another brand of new winter tire based on a summer tire with winter capabilities, also in 2017...and with a lower price tag to be expected...Innovation never stops :-)
Kolemjdouci, we've yet heard which manufacturer will be first to follow Michelins lead, do you have further information?
Nokian zLine A/S (first in the US only...), see
http://www.moderntiredealer...
Sadly this won't be a direct competitor for the CrossClimate in Europe. The American "all season" market, and tire market in general is very different from ours, where tread wear is a huge factor.
The Nokian zLine AS will be a competitor to tires like the Continental ExtremeContact DWS, which is a multiple test winning American summer-bias all season tire, but wouldn't perform well in Europe due to wet performance being traded for tread life.
http://www.tirereviews.co.u...
The Nokian WR A4 might worth considering also, and is a new design for 2016. Hopefully it will be included in upcoming tests.
Generally Nokian put forward the D range rather than the A range (where both tires are made in the test size) due to the better snow performance the D*.
The A* can be considered a little more all season.
Sadly Nokian were missing from the Auto Bild Sports car winter tire test (245/40 R18, live tomorrow)
Ok, so this "all seasonness" might be the reason why they released an asymmetric winter tire 1 year after this:
"Years of work by Nokian Tires and thousands of kilometres of winter testing all tell the same story: a directional tread pattern is the ideal choice for varying winter conditions." - D4 press release
But since they claim the A4 is a winter tire, maybe in some sizes it works better generally. However a back to back test in a size in which both are available would be quite interesting (for me at least :).
It's sadly been a while since we dealt with Nokian. Back at the launch of the D3/A3 we think the A3 was sold as an all season in parts of Europe, and had the better dry / wet grip, but the worse snow performance. The A3 also enjoyed the better steering response and dynamic behaviour.
This might or might not have been carried across to the A4 / D4 combination.
Are you sure of that?
Nokian itself markets the A3/A4 as sporty winter tires and not "all season" at all. The A3 seemed to have traded a bit of snow performance for better wet handling, but was still impressive in winter tests.
Sorry, we were thinking of the previous generation WR G2, which was sold as a winter tire into the UK and parts of Europe, but also referenced as an all season tire in other parts.
https://www.nokiantires.com...
What if you are looking for more sporty feeling in a winter tire, because sizes > 225 don't really have the same choices. I am considering Continental WinterContact TS850p, Pirelli Winter Sottozero 3 or the much older Michelin Pilot Alpin 4. I guess the Cross Climate would still feel the best on dry but most of my drives in the winter are to ski resorts so sipes are important.
The Goodyear UltraGrip Performance Gen-1 is currently the best tested of the "sportier" winter tires (there's a few tests we're yet to publish), however the other tires you list will also be excellent choices. We ran the Pilot Alpin 4 on a previous M3 as it seemed to have the best sidewall support.
I also prefer stiffer sidewall and was wondering if the XL flavors improves on that, or it is more of a general carcass reinforcement that does not register there?
While it varies from brand to brand, any increase in stiffness would be marginal. Sadly there's no measure of sidewall stiffness available, and while we've considered generating one, we can't think of a reliable way of measuring the sidewall strength repeatedly. Also worth considering, especially with winter tires, a stiffer sidewall doesn't always mean more feel / more direct steering, a lot comes down to the siping.
So I was right! ;-)
I recently changed the car (Opel Corsa ) and tire size (215/45R17 87V), I ordered the Goodyear Ultragrip Performance Gen-1 for the upcoming winter season. I live in Italy, in Tuscany to be exact, I commute between Lucca and Florence, I have no obligation to use winter tires for my route but I prefer to be quiet. So from the fall of 2011 I always have mounted winter tires. I had the Ultragrip 8 195/55R16 87H with which I found myself wonderfully, but now I can no longer fit for them both because I changed the car, both because, clearly, now they are consumed...