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2017 Autocenter Studded Winter Tire Test

Compare each discipline in the tested size. See the measured result, position and gap to the best tire, then read the verdict for the trade-offs behind the finishing order.

Tested size
205/55 R16
Tires tested
10
Disciplines
5

Read the measurements, not just the rank

Lower is better for braking distances and lap times; higher is better for subjective scores and aquaplaning speed. Bars start at zero. Read the gap alongside the position: adjacent tires can be separated by very different margins.

Positions and gaps always refer to the full test field within each group. Selecting tires does not recalculate rankings or change the best-in-test benchmark.

Dry

1

Dry Braking

Dry braking in feet

Lower is better ↓
Dry Braking
Position / TireResultGap to best
102 ft Best
102 ft 0 ft
103 ft +1 ft
103 ft +1 ft
104 ft +2 ft
104 ft +2 ft
105 ft +3 ft
105 ft +3 ft
106 ft +4 ft
106 ft +4 ft

The difference between best and worst was 4.4% (4 ft ≈ 0.3 Car Lengths).

Wet

1

Wet Braking

Wet braking in feet

Lower is better ↓
Wet Braking
Position / TireResultGap to best
105 ft Best
109 ft +4 ft
118 ft +13 ft
118 ft +13 ft
119 ft +14 ft
121 ft +16 ft
124 ft +19 ft
124 ft +19 ft
125 ft +20 ft
134 ft +29 ft

The difference between best and worst was 28.3% (29 ft ≈ 2 Car Lengths).

Snow

1

Snow Braking

Snow braking in feet

Lower is better ↓
Snow Braking
Position / TireResultGap to best
57 ft Best
57 ft 0 ft
58 ft +1 ft
58 ft +1 ft
58 ft +1 ft
58 ft +1 ft
59 ft +2 ft
59 ft +2 ft
61 ft +4 ft
61 ft +4 ft

The difference between best and worst was 6.9% (4 ft).

Ice

1

Ice Braking

Ice braking in feet

Lower is better ↓
Ice Braking
Position / TireResultGap to best
33 ft Best
35 ft +2 ft
37 ft +4 ft
43 ft +10 ft
44 ft +11 ft
45 ft +12 ft
45 ft +12 ft
47 ft +14 ft
48 ft +15 ft
62 ft +29 ft

The difference between best and worst was 85.2% (29 ft ≈ 1.9 Car Lengths).

Value

1

Rolling Resistance

Rolling resistance in kg t

Lower is better ↓
Rolling Resistance
Position / TireResultGap to bestExtra fuel / year
7.08 kg/t Best $0
8.49 kg/t +1.41 kg/t $59
8.6 kg/t +1.52 kg/t $63
8.6 kg/t +1.52 kg/t $63
8.82 kg/t +1.74 kg/t $72
8.88 kg/t +1.80 kg/t $75
9.02 kg/t +1.94 kg/t $81
9.39 kg/t +2.31 kg/t $96
10.09 kg/t +3.01 kg/t $125
10.58 kg/t +3.50 kg/t $145

The difference between best and worst was 49.4% (3.5 kg / t). Over 12,000 miles a year at $3.60/gal, the Cooper WeatherMaster WSC uses about 40 gal ($145) more fuel than the Nokian Hakkapeliitta 9.

Adjust the assumptions

Calculated estimates, not additional measurements. Use the controls to explore the assumptions. These calculators use the full test field, independently of your tire selection above.

12,000 mi
$3.60/gal
Estimates based on typical driving conditions. Rolling resistance accounts for approximately 20% of IC vehicle fuel consumption and 25% of EV energy consumption. Actual savings vary based on driving style, vehicle weight, road conditions, and tire age. For comparative purposes only. Lifetime savings based on a 40,000km / 25,000 mile tread life.

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