Tire Rack - Testing Winter Weather Specialists: Studless Ice and Snow Tires

http://www.tirerack.com/a.jsp?a=HP5&url=/tires/types/snows.jsp
It's no secret that today's Studless Ice and Snow tires deliver excellent traction in winter's worst weather, providing slush, snow and ice traction that easily surpasses even the best all-season tire.

We took a group of these tires to the glare ice of a local hockey rink and drove them out on the road. Take a look at how they performed.

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[bwright1991]

Continental needs a better marketing strategy. Without this review I never would have given them a thought unlike Michelin or Bridgestone which have ads everywhere.

[oceancolours]

@ProXECHOx a 4x4 may get you going but you still need to stop. All cars have 4x4 braking. Hence it's the tyres that make the difference.

[granolanutpunch]

@montante22 They're connected side to side and most are either full lock or limited slip between the front an back.

The important part is the results. I've lived above 8k feet in Colorado my entire life. I've been a valet, a taxi driver, a delivery driver and most importantly a high schooler with a drivers license. I'm EXTREMELY familiar with sliding a car around in the snow and it's just a fact: It's much harder to lock up your brakes or activate the ABS in 4wd than it is in 2wd.

[montante22]

@granolanutpunch in 4wd all the wheels are not mechanically connected to the rest this is only if you have a locking diff and 4wd has nothing to do with braking. and you mention a limited slip..that is for putting the power down more effectively...NOT BRAKING.

[granolanutpunch]

@montante22 No shit flatlander. They don't gain magical traction with a limited slip differential compared to an open differential either but the car sure does, don't it?

In 4wd all 4 wheels are mechanically connected to the rest, therefore one cant spin slower than the rest, can it?

Again, if you don't believe me go try it. I promise you it's a lot harder to activate ABS or lock up a wheel in 4wd than it is in 2wd.

[montante22]

@granolanutpunch tires do not gain magical traction when in 4wd.

[granolanutpunch]

@montante22 On ice,snow & mud yes. I don't know about on dry or wet pavement because you're not supposed to drive in 4wd on pavement.

I own a 4x4 truck that doesn't have ABS and trust, me it's a MASSIVE difference between 2wd and 4wd. It's the same way on every vehicle i've ever driven with the option of 2wd or 4wd, ABS or not.

Go try it yourself if you don't believe me.

[montante22]

@granolanutpunch you've got to be kidding right? so a brake test on an F-150 for 60-0 ft would do better in 4wd than 2wd...funny how no one has ever mentioned this before in a test

[granolanutpunch]

@montante22 4wd vs 2wd braking ability in the snow and ice... 4wd stops a lot better but a lot of people think they would be the same and I was explaining why that's not true.

Anything else I can help you with?

[montante22]

@granolanutpunch lmao...wtf are you talking about.

[granolanutpunch]

@oceancolours That's not entirely true. Although all 4 brakes are being engaged, a non 4wd car can easily lock up one or two tires while the rest keep spinning.

Whereas with 4wd you have to lock up all tires to begin a skid. If one wheel starts to lock up the mechanical connection between the still spinning tires will kick it free which maximizes the braking potential.

For this reason, a 4wd can stop quicker and retain control under braking on ice/snow/mud far better than a 2wd.

[rhys009]

i live in alaska and so stupid buying a small car honda civic 2004 ex, i bought this cause i travel 45 miles like everyday and just to save gas, but its not worth it lol always got stock, now i got tire chains, yey!