Tire Rack Tire Test - Winter/Snow vs. All-Season vs. Summer Tires on Ice

http://www.tirerack.com/a.jsp?a=HP5&a...
First we compared all-season and winter/snow tire performance on our snowy test track. Now watch as Tire Rack compares the difference between winter/snow tires, all-season tires and summer tires by evaluating acceleration, stopping and cornering capabilities — this time using an ice rink as our test track.

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  Autos & Vehicles

[Brian Walter]

These are `fresh` tyres, I`m just wondering if you will still get the same results when your winter tyres that have been stacked in the garage for 4 or more years. Tyres dry out and get harder. Or am I mistaken?

[thetirerack]

Yes, we tested new tires that had some break in miles prior to testing, but were otherwise “new”. The effects of time on tire performance characteristics is a definite variable. And one that has infinite possibilities as each driver’s scenario is a little different. And if doing such a comparison you would want to age the summer tires right along with the winters, as new summer versus four year old winter wouldn’t be the single most common real world scenario.

[thetirerack]

Anecdotal experience tells us that if the winter tires sat unused for four years there would be very little change in snow/ice traction. It’s the loss of tread depth as well as slow and subtle hardening of the tread compound from the repeated heat cycles of use that would cause the loss of traction. But this is a relative constant, and would have similar impact on the summer tire, too.

[Portland581]

What make are the winter tires in this video? How well do all terain tires do compared to winter tires in ice?

[thetirerack]

This test was done back in 2008 and used the Bridgestone Blizzak WS60 (winter), Turanza EL400-02 (all-season) and Potenza RE050A Pole Position (summer) tires. We have yet to test all-terrain tires on ice, but anticipate their ice traction will be equal to a typical all-season tire. Their durable tread compounds and solid tread blocks just won't have the cold weather flexibility or ice traction to match a dedicated winter / snow tire on an icy surface.

[nationaltyre]

Will need to create a video like this for UK consumers

[z4z5z6]

In Switzerland they dont even sell all Season tires, because of safety and if you drive with summer tires in winter the insurance will not pay anything if you crash....

[mrrahulioo]

Tire Rack knows what they doing!!!!!!!

[pixelpunk]

These are such great tests. Keep up the awesome work TireRack!

[lfsracer79]

Thanks to studded tires, roads in Finland are ridiculously loud and dangerous in rain...

[TheW89]

Well in my opinion studded winter tires are the only option. So much better than any of these...

[IrishChris1979]

My friend bought all season tires on his cobra by the way & even those tires were a night & day difference vs my car.

[IrishChris1979]

I had Falken Azenus on my SVT Contour back in 2003 and they were Z rated. They were so bad in the snow, that I had to go to lunch with my friend in his '03 Cobra! My car was so bad, that it couldn't even go up a slight incline! I barely made it to work with 1-2" of snow on the ground. When I was ready to leave, there was over 6" & I had to leave my car at work & get a ride home! It was like trying to drive on black ice! Z rated tires suck in snow ha ha.

[EvenTuber1]

I'm changing tires every 1 or 2 years. I feel more safe. :D

[George Saddington]

Good video, but I think the first test would've been a bit more accurate if it was covering that distance from a standing start