Tire Rack - Winter Testing at the Arctic Circle: Studless Ice & Snow Tires

http://www.tirerack.com/a.jsp?a=HP5&url=/index.jsp




During the height of the winter season in Northern Sweden in late January of 2009, we compared three Studless Ice and Snow winter tires, each designed with advanced tread compounds and highly evolved tread patterns to be the best for when winter conditions are the worst. We evaluated each tire's ability to accelerate, brake and drive through the snow and across ice. Both objective tests measuring each tire's performance with sensitive on-board instruments, and subjective ratings of how each tire felt from the driver's seat were conducted.

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• Bridgestone Blizzak WS60
• Michelin X-Ice Xi2

[OttovonEarth]

In Dec. 2004 Nordic magazines tested winter tires as usually in Ivalo, Finland. Continental AG submitted tires to the test cause the model was brand new, not in production at the time yet. The main organizer of this test was a Tekniikan Maailma magazine, and they use to check out production tires when they're avaible for consumers - they found that the production Continental had 10% thinner sidewall than its originally tested tires had - winner of the test, Continental AG revealed a scammer.

[thetirerack]

@OttovonEarth In order to avoid this issue, Tire Rack only evaluates production tires in our tests. We wait until we can select our test tires from inventory that'll also be sold to our customers. Additionally, since new tire lines are typically designed to offer best-in-class performance, we'll often repeat recently introduced tires as competitors when even newer tire lines that are introduced in the same category. Our tire tests will discover if a tire’s performance slips in subsequent tests.

[thetirerack]

Occasionally the Tire Rack team will have the opportunity to experience prototype tires during their development. This allows our feedback to assist the manufacturer in the final fine-tuning of the tire’s specifications. However, these experiences are not reported or reflected in our test results.

[thetirerack]

We have seen tire specifications change as a new line goes from development into full production. Compared to the prototype tires; we’ve seen changes in rubber thickness, body ply angles or even tread compounds when the tire line goes into full production. Maybe what you called a “scammer” was just part of the development evolution.

[Nokianraptor]

You went all the way to the Arctic Circle and didn't put a Nokian the mix? Smart move especially when you are trying to sell Brigdestone, Continental and Michelin winter tires.

[mrjost55]

yeah but an average size comparison would be nice

[Serveck]

@kawaihui with winter tires, i'd take the noisiest roughest tires i can find so i don't go off the road, or into you.

[kawaihui]

Not includes comfort, noise, and durability???

[fubecabr]

@NordicTyres

I'd like to see a source for your statements. The tests I've seen have the blizzaks better on snow, cold dry roads, and roughed up ice and only 3-5% worse on glare ice than studded nokians. But I live in AK where temperatures are below freezing from Nov. through March and don't deal with glare ice very much.

[NordicTyres]

@fubecabr - I would not even consider comparing a Blizzak to a Nokian tyre. Your estimation of a 3% difference in performance is your opinion. If that were the case - then why is Blizzak never shown in listings for Top Performance Tyres. I appreciate times are hard - but you do get what you pay for. May I also point out that the Nokian Tyre has also just broken the World Land Speed Record for driving on ice. Your Blizzak would be sitting watching!

[fubecabr]

@NordicTyres

In AK the Nokian tires are often double the price of Blizzaks. I'm not paying double the price for maybe 3% more performance, especially during the middle of the Greatest Depression.