Studless winter tires: reviews and manufacturers

With the arrival of new snow season, before the owners again raises the question of choice of winter tyres for their vehicles. How well they will implement machine grip with the road, depends on the quality and safety of driving. The solution to this problem should be approached with great responsibility. In this paper, we present the results of a survey about what non-studded winter tyres reviews were the most positive in recent years. Also consider what features have the news released this winter season. Will tell, which is guided in their selection, how important is the tread pattern, how to choose the best studless winter tires that suit your car given the conditions.

Products

At the moment, especially for the winter season use two types of tires: rubber with spikes and without. In this review, we consider only non-studded tires, or as it is called, friction. But still I would like to explain the reasons behind the choice of winter tires-studded or non-studded to put on your vehicles.

The Most obvious difference between these types of – the presence of metal spikes. In the tires of the first type they are secured directly to the tire surface. Under the weight of the car rubber is squeezed, the spikes are. Thus, almost all the pressure falls on them. Over time, their Foundation is shaken and they can fly. It also explains why pure asphalt car with studded tyres increases stopping distance. Until then, until winter finally come, use them with care costs.

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In the market can meet the friction of the tire with the so-called crystal ship. Such studless winter tire reviews are positive. But no integrated spikes actually no, just the name speaks about the use of special additives which increases the adhesion with the road. These tires safe to put on in the fall.

Tires-Velcro is good for driving on clean pavement, wet road, a thin layer of snow. They are not afraid nor frost, nor snow drifts. The only negative – on the road with an ice crust or heavily compacted snow driving will be considerably complicated. Non-studded winter tyres is good for city conditions where the asphalt is clean at the expense of reagents, and the snow if it occurs, it melts quickly or or quickly clean utilities.

How does friction rubber

Non-studded tires have other names reflecting the essence of their work. Very often these products are referred to as Velcro. The thing is, in principle, due to which they show outstanding characteristics of adhesion with the road.

These tires are made from a special rubber which retains its elasticity at negative temperatures of the environment. Due to this, they will quickly take its original shape after contact with an asphalt canvas.

Each manufacturer has its own technological recipe of the rubber mixture, which defines the optimum amount of additives, which improve the behavior of the tires in sub-zero temperatures. The most famous additives – carbon, sulfur and silicone acid derivative.

The Best non-studded winter tyres are made of a material whose quality is higher. It can be defined as follows: near-rim tyre tires should not be dry and hard. Its surface may be sufficiently pliable under the fingers and slightly distort, but to elastically push the arm. Also visually it looks more wet, resembling a child's toy “slime”.

To increase the friction for more efficient roll down the road and push off from its surface, the tyre using a special raised pattern – protector. It depends on how well will the car's wheels to roll on snow, asphalt or ice.

Studless winter tires have a characteristic feature of the protector with a small gap, called lamellae. The distance between them increases, when the weight of the car tire is deformed. Thus, there is formed a vacuum, and slats work like suction cups, Velcro. But one of their insufficient availability, and producers are experimenting with tread pattern, creating on the surface of the tire tracks and grooves of various depths. They avert snow and water that interfere with the grip. The distribution of drawings made on the principle of herringbone, checkers or their combination.

In this type of tyres are not used mechanical means that increase friction, that is, metal spikes. But the producers found them some alternative. As one of the additives in the rubber mixture is injected optical fiber, and the tyres with the additive called products with crystal spike. But the application of this technology will not allow friction tires are called stickies because they are more rigid, and the slats are not working as effectively.

The Types of non-studded rubber

Foreign and domestic manufacturers produce tyres of different types. They are designed for different operating conditions, the driving style of the motorist,high-speed mode. They depend on vehicle class, not to mention the size. Each season produces new, often this is due to the application of the new chemical composition of rubber compound, not the transformation of the tread pattern. If it changes, then only slightly modifying, keeping the characteristics of previous product line. Especially if last year's winter studless tire the user reviews were positive.

Also depending on the country of origin of the tyres have a distinctive tread pattern, on the basis of which products can be divided into European and Scandinavian.

European tyres designed for the road cleared, the slats provide a sure grip with the road. And their aggressive tread copes well with lots of wet loose snow ground wheels to a pulp. They effectively evacuate snow and water due to diagonal and longitudinal tracks made on the rubber surface of the tire. Velcro from European manufacturers designed for fast driving on clean road. Their soft rubber is very similar to the material for the manufacture of summer rain tires. But on smooth surfaces, be it ice or the rolled snow, it is extremely inefficient, and the owner is required to be behind the wheel of maximum caution. Also, these tires performed very well in the bitter cold and getting tougher.

The Protector of the Scandinavian tyres are not so raised but the figure more complex and the elements are arranged more densely relative to each other. Such products at first glance look more flat, but this is not true: tread depth, they have no less European. But the contact patch-the surface area of the tyre between the tyre and the road – more. This allows you to level up snow under the wheels. While the slats ensure the car's handling, even on ice. Compared to "Europeans" their rubber is softer and more suitable for machines with stiff suspension. That is, non-studded winter tires for SUV may well be the Nordic type.

This separation is very conditional, and even Japanese manufacturers produce winter tyres of both types, and what can we say about the Germans or the Finns.

Note that selection of tires depends on the brand of car, climatic zones, driving style and other things. Among the most popular brands in our country, we want to highlight Continental, Nokian, Dunlop and Bridgestone.

Bus passenger

All of the above manufacturers produce non-studded winter tyres. Consumer reviews help to identify features that manifest in different behavior of the car, wearing in such a rubber. Some of them are better controlled at minus ten, and other such indicators are too harsh. But regardless of, whether you have four-wheel drive SUV or not, you should change a set of tires. But in most cases, non-studded winter tires R16 open range, separating cars from crossovers.

For such product as non-studded winter tyre rating to be incredibly difficult. All estimates are very subjective depending on weather conditions. But to bring all data to a common denominator, we will proceed in their assessments from the description of the manufacturer and price, focusing on the features associated with the operating conditions. Let us start the review of the tire “continental” non-studded winter from Germany.

Continental

Let's Start with the new items this season ContiVikingContact 6, which replaced the proven fifth version. These tyres made of soft rubber that allows you to rank them among the Scandinavian type. The asymmetric tread pattern, formally divided into three parts, ensures reliable operation of the vehicle when turning. And the Central part, the slats of which is zoned in a checkerboard pattern, offers reliable traction, covered with ice. Also area is marked with longitudinal grooves, which hold the snow, thereby increasing friction. This model is available in sizes from R15 to R20.

The Manufacturer set itself the task to data bus “continental” winter studless surpassed the fifth version, therefore, you can safely rely on the reviews of the previous model, the worse the new version definitely did not.

Those who do not want to risk taking untested product, you can pay attention to the ContiWinterContact TS 850, which was released in 2012. These tyres belong to the European. They have a symmetrical directional tread pattern, which allows to divert melted snow. These tyres are suitable for high-speed driving and active driving. Their Central part keeps your car safely on ice and sidewalls increase friction, allowing you to control the car when cornering and reduced braking distances. The structural feature of the tire carcass allowed to reduce rolling resistance, which minimizes the gasoline consumption.

Dunlop

Bus "Dunlop" winter non-studded tyres for passenger cars are better in the southern regions, where almost no snow and frost. For Central Russia, and Siberia, they too do not respond well to negative temperatures. Freezing become too rigid, and as a result, transport becomes poorly controlled.But we still consider two of the most popular models.

About the Graspic DS-3 (studless winter tires) reviews the best among the products of Dunlop. This product with crystal spike, which should allow them to better Express themselves on the ice surface. But in reality this is not happening, and judging by the fact that the tires can slip and on a wet road. It's not the rubber compound and the tread. His drawing is not too complicated, just the cells are staggered. But longitudinal grooves effectively raking the snow, allowing you to seamlessly climb even uphill. Also because of the peculiarities of the tread need to be careful on the turns, where the car can go skid.

Model SP Winter Sport 4D has a more complex tread pattern with longitudinal grooves that expel water and sleet. This allows the car to stay confident on the road in the mild winter. But with the icy crust these tires don't fare so well, especially with the side slide. This is its main characteristics.

Among the undoubted merits could be considered a reasonable ratio of price and quality. This model is ideal for careful drivers, speed which is slightly higher than 100 km/h.

Nokian

The Finnish winter non-studded Nokian – one of the recognized leaders of the Russian market. The manufacturer not only produces tires with a complex chemical composition, but also uses a cell protector, United in a special form.

What kind of tires winter studless? The reviews mostly say the model Hakkapeliitta R2. This is one of the most prominent tires for the Russian winter, regardless of region of residence, Scandinavian type tyres, made of soft and elastic rubber. The rare case when non-studded tyres are better on snow or ice than on the bare asphalt. The tread pattern is symmetrical to the Central cell is made in a wedge form.

Among tyres of European type were noted Nokian WR G2. The asymmetric tread design is specially designed for vehicles used in urban environments, but with ice and compacted snow is traditionally bad at it.

Bridgestone

Consider the Japanese tyre "Bridgestone" studless winter model Blizzak Revo GZ. The manufacturer uses a special microporous rubber that improves traction in difficult weather conditions. This allows them to take first place in the list involving winter studless tires. The rating, presented in the paper is based in particular on customer feedback.

The tread pattern allows not only to bite into the icy surface. It grooves efficiently expel water and sleet and mud. The design pattern is such that recesses are not clogged. The model confidently holds a straight course of the car on the road regardless of weather conditions. However, at lateral maneuvering begins “float”, but this is a common problem with non-studded tires.

Model Blizzak VRX is also very good, but note that it requires a longer run-in. Only then does she reveal all their characteristics in full. To put it better even at zero temperature.

Tyre for SUVs and crossovers

An Overview of non-studded winter tires would be incomplete if we did not touch four-wheel drive vehicles designed for enhanced maneuverability. But let's start with the new products that came out this season.

Non-studded Winter tire for crossovers with a new model Bridgestone Blizzak DM-V2. Modified microporous rubber composition, which seems to absorb water. But in fact, due to the capillary effect, the fluid is better removed from the contact spot, thereby decreasing the braking distance. In addition, it is possible to improve the handling characteristics on ice. And first tests confirm this.

Another new feature – the Sj8 Winter Maxx tires from Dunlop. Their feature is the directional tread pattern of the 4D Nano that helped to improve sanitation. To improve speed characteristics of the material of the tire, made more stringent. However, a quarter has increased the number of blades, thereby compensating for the car's handling on ice. Grooves in the shape of the letter “T” are used for better grip with the snow.

CrossContact Winter – tyres “continental” winter studless. The tread pattern is asymmetric, which enables the driver to confidently control the car on snow (it is responsible for the hard outer edge), and outdoor asphalt (the work takes the inner part of the tread). Also, this design allows more evenly distribute the pressure in the contact patch of the tire and the roadway.

Nokian Hakkapeliitta R SUV – winter non-studded tyre for SUVs, which have certain proprietary features. Special wedge-shaped tread pattern can be attributed to tire type to directional. Side reinforced shoulders take the burden of the heavy weight of the car. For soft speed stiffness frame design compensates for particularly elastic grade of rubber. Forher strength in composition of tires, the added silicate and canola oil, which do not allow the rubber to harden at low ambient temperatures.

In most cases for urban SUVs and crossovers no need to buy special tires. They quite resemble the analogues of non-studded tyres for the cars, just the appropriate size.

Summing up

Are You interested in the question of which is better to buy non-studded winter tyres? Customer reviews, which they actively exploited, increase the chance of a successful purchase. The same tire in different weather conditions behave differently. But it does not mean that they are bad or good. No, the reviews just show that whether the product is a specific person. Clear winners can not be in principle due to the different weather, driving style and other factors.

The friction model of tires have several advantages:

• They are virtually silent in comparison with summer and studded tires.
• Wear out slower when riding on the asphalt and do not destroy the roadbed.
• Retain their properties at zero temperature, in these conditions, their braking distance is shorter.

What would studless winter tires you may have bought, with the advent of heat be not too lazy to write about them your opinion. Perhaps your opinion will help someone make the right choice.