The winter tire rating has been updated - 01/05/2022.
Before the winter season, every car enthusiast faces a difficult choice - which winter tires are best to buy. Traffic safety, people’s lives and compliance with the law in general depend on this. According to clause 5.5 of Appendix No. 8 of the Customs Union, the law stipulates a mandatory period for driving on winter tires from December to February of each year. However, the weather conditions in our country are different every year, and the snow can “fall” in October and disappear at the end of January. That is why the period for mandatory “change of shoes” is determined by regional authorities. Both studless and studded winter tires are permitted. Traffic rules regulate the mandatory tread size and the size of winter tires for each car.
In addition to creating road safety, the presence of spikes (as authorities believe) poses a threat to modern road surfaces that do not have snow on them. This leads to the destruction of the layers of the road, so traffic police officers carefully check the “shoes” of passenger cars in the off-season.
Features of winter tires
Before considering the TOP 10 winter tires rating , let's look at the features of the rubber and which winter tires are best to buy. Regular summer tires harden and crack in the cold. Therefore, winter tire manufacturers are trying to use innovative approaches to creating wheels that will keep the rubber intact at any negative temperature. Inexpensive winter tires may not have high quality rubber, which is why their service life is much shorter. It should be remembered that winter tires, unlike summer tires, hardly wear out, and therefore can last more than 5 years.
Before buying tires, sellers, for obvious reasons, will not allow you to test winter tires, so you will have to rely on reviews and reputation of the product. reviews about winter tires at the bottom of the article, as well as on manufacturers’ websites, on special automobile portals and in social network groups.
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LIVELIHOOD
Top five is the top five tire companies in terms of annual cash turnover.
Bridgestone Corporation and Michelin are constantly fighting for leadership. In 2011, the Japanese company was slightly ahead of the French one; there are no data for 2012 yet.
Bridgestone owns the Firestone brand, Michelin owns the American BF Goodrich, French Kleber, Polish Kormoran and Serbian Tigar, as well as the North American branch of Uniroyal.
The top three is completed by the American Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company. It consists of the Polish Debica, the German Fulda, the American Kelly and the Slovenian Sava.
The fourth position is occupied by the Continental concern, together with such well-known companies in Russia as the Swedish Gislaved, the Czech Barum and the European (German) Uniroyal. Here are the American General Tire, the British Viking and the Austrian Semperit.
Pirelli Tire SpA closes the top five. This company has recently become very close to Russians, as it now, together with Russian Technologies, owns Voronezh and Kirov.
More information about tire markings: link
Together with the author, the tires were tested by Anton ANANEV,
Vadim KORABLEV, Yuri KUROCHKIN, Evgeniy LARIN,
Anton MISHIN, Andrey OBRAZUMOV, Valery PAVLOV and Dmitry TESTOV.
We thank the AVTOVAZ testing site employees for their technical support,
(Tolyatti),
as well as tire manufacturers who provided their products for testing.
Choosing R14 studded tires
New or used winter tires
In addition to the wide variety of tire manufacturers in the store, car enthusiasts choose between new and used wheels. Both have their pros and cons.
New winter tires
Such wheels are guaranteed not to swell during the first ride (in the case of high-quality production). If this happens, they can be returned under warranty. New tires will last longer without repair; it will not be difficult to install new studs in them, if possible. It is difficult to find used tires for some car models, so you have to buy or order only new ones. The only drawback is the high price. But it also turns into a plus if you calculate the data in the ratio of depreciation and service life of new rubber.
Used tires
When it comes to buying winter tires, many car owners first turn to popular websites that sell used goods. There the owner indicates how long the wheels have been in use. Information is presented verbally; it may be impossible to verify the authenticity of the information, so the buyer has to believe it. The price for winter tires that have already been used by another car owner will be lower than for new products. But taking into account the average service life of 2 to 4 seasons, in the end such an acquisition is not always profitable.
Expert advice
Dmitry Seregin
Expert in the field of motorsports and emergency driving.
If you are saving money and still decide to buy used winter tires, before installing them on your car, carefully inspect the tires, especially the inner part. Make sure the tires have not been repaired. Poor quality tire repairs can lead to an emergency.
Once the tires are installed on the wheels, it will no longer be possible to return or exchange them.
Test results
The main indicators of winter tires 185 65 r15 can be assessed on a 5-point scale as follows:
| Control on asphalt | Snow control | Ice control | External noise | Resource | Price quality | |
| Dunlop SP Winter Ice 02 | 4 | 4 | 5 | 3 | 4 | 3 |
| Goodyear Ultra Grip Ice Arctic | 4 | 5 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 5 |
| Continental Ice Contact 2 | 4 | 5 | 5 | 4 | 5 | 5 |
| Nokian Hakkapeliitta 9 | 4 | 5 | 5 | 3 | 5 | 4 |
| Michelin X-Ice North4 | 4 | 5 | 4 | 5 | 4 | 5 |
| Hankook Winter I*cept IZ2 | 4 | 3 | 4 | 3 | 4 | 5 |
| Nexen Win Guard Snow'G WH2 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 4 |
Which winter tires are better?
As already mentioned, winter tires can be studded or non-studded. The difference between them is not only the presence of thorns.
Non-studded tires:
- Scandinavian winter tire - designed for maximum grip on snowy or icy road surfaces. It has an average pattern depth of 8 to 10 mm, with a discharged effect. The design is applied in a checkerboard pattern, rectangular or diamond-shaped patterns. The protector is equipped with lamellas. There is a large distance between the drawings. This form is created for pressing the surface;
- European winter tire - designed for driving on wet roads from rain or snow. All slots are thin, with plenty of water channels.
Studded tires:
The studs on these tires are arranged in different orders, depending on the manufacturer. Most often they can be of 2 types: round or diamond-shaped. The most reliable are those “recessed” in the coating. They are deeply soldered, while the tip on the outer side protrudes strongly and interacts well with the road.
Interesting fact! In some countries, the use of studs on wheels is prohibited.
Spikes can help with traction on icy and snowy roads, but during rain they can, on the contrary, fail, increasing the braking distance. The spikes add noise and fly out quickly when driving on surfaces without snow and ice.
All-season tires:
The term “all-season tires” is often heard. Such products are actively used in Europe, but in the harsh Russian climate they are not suitable for use. The rating of the best winter tires for Russians consists of studded and non-studded wheels, which is what you should focus on.
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Appeared in 2009. From the same moment on the Russian market.
They have a good balance of grip properties. Acceleration on a winter road is confident in any mode; slipping when accelerating does not reduce its efficiency.
They walk smoothly and steadily along a snow-covered road, not paying attention to the thickness of the snow cover, unevenness and transverse slopes, and are sensitive to direction adjustments. Behavior when cornering on snow and ice is clear and well predictable; slight understeer (soft drift of the front end at the limit) coupled with immediate reactions to steering inputs.
They feel confident in deep snow and prefer slipping when moving. Even if the car is crawling on its belly, in most cases it will still be taken out.
They won't save you on the asphalt. At good speed they move smoothly in a straight line and respond to course corrections without delay. Braking on dry and wet roads is good. Comfortable. Quite quiet, perhaps a little loud on asphalt of varying quality. There are no complaints about the smoothness of the ride.
Fuel consumption is modest.
The protrusion of the spines is normal, the rate of its growth during testing is insignificant. This indicates good quality of the stud.
+ Good braking and acceleration, lateral grip on snow and ice. Low fuel consumption.
- Not noted.
921 points
They will give you confidence on any winter roads and winter off-road conditions.
Rating of the best winter tires 2022
So, let's get started with our review of the best winter tires. The ranking will include the top brands and most time-tested models of winter tires.
The best winter tires for 2022 come from several popular manufacturers. In general, last year’s situation on the supply market has not changed much; the annual quality leaders according to the winter tire rating firmly hold their positions
1 place. Our rating of winter tires opens with Nokian
Popular winter tires with a wide range of wheels adapted for the harsh Russian climate. Nokian winter tires are specially designed to suit the characteristics of each vehicle and for different weather conditions. Despite the large range of products, there are also negative opinions about this brand in reviews. One of the disadvantages is the noise when driving. They complain about slight braking difficulties and skidding. In terms of price, the wheels are in the middle of similar offers.
Nokian winter tires are popular among Russian car owners in 2 models: Hakapelita and Nordman. Both models are claimed to be the best in the line specifically for harsh Russian winters.
Nokian Hakkapeliitta studded winter tires
A series of winter tires designed specifically for harsh climatic conditions. The presence of spikes makes the grip on the road reliable, the tires do not make much noise, and do not cause strong complaints according to reviews. This rubber has been the leader among studded tires since 2009. There are 8 models in the Hakapelit winter tire line. The popular Nokian Hakkapeliitta 7 has vacuum clutch technology, and “RunFlat” technology is available for some sizes. Radiuses from 13 to 22. In the Sun line there are from 14 to 22 especially for SUVs.
Nokian Hakkapeliitta 8 is still relevant and leads in the main indicator: price - quality. According to the developers, it was created to save fuel, eliminate noise and have excellent grip on the road surface. The 2022 winter tire test showed that this model copes really well with ice, but reviews indicate that the tires are very noisy.
The latest model in the Nokian Hakkapeliitta 9 line is even more balanced and adapted to winter conditions. Equipped with two different types of studs, which gives even better grip on ice, under different temperature conditions.
The second most popular winter tire from Nokian also made it to the top:
Studded winter tire Nokian Nordman 7
The range is presented from 13 to 17 radii with a profile width ranging from 155 to 235. The tires are equipped with spikes, tubeless, radial. Excellent traction on ice, snow and wet surfaces is promised. In fact, it gets along well only with snow and partially with moisture. Ice promotes skidding and prevents successful braking. Another variety of the series - Nokian Nordman 7 Sun with radiuses from 15 to 18 and with a profile width of up to 285 is produced specifically for SUVs.
Nokian Hakkapeliitta R3 studless winter tires
These winter tires will delight lovers of silence. This is an excellent balance of safety, comfort and efficiency. Thanks to the tread structure and the latest rubber compound, Nokian Hakkapeliitta R3 tires have ideal handling.
2nd place. Bridgestone tires
Bridgestone winter tires have been produced by a Japanese company since the 30s of the last century. Since then, car models and production technology have changed a lot. The company produces several model lines of summer, all-season (Velcro) and studded tires. The most popular winter tire models are Blizak and Ice Cruiser.
Bridgestone blizzak VRX and DM V3 studless winter tires
Bridgestone Blizzak VRX for cars and the DM line for crossovers are considered the most universal tires that have proven themselves very well. Designed for long-lasting service on difficult icy surfaces. A special feature of these models is clear instructions for attaching the wheels - they have external and internal sides for more efficient operation. The creators of the models in this series took care of the reliability of the rubber coating. When the outer layer wears off, the porous surface prevents loss of adhesion for a long time. Bridgestone Blizak tires last a long time, remaining soft and resilient. Despite the difficulties of covering domestic roads, they are very resistant to natural features.
We had a lot of experience with the bridgestone blizzak DM V1 winter tires, which have proven themselves only on the positive side. But according to reader reviews, blizzak DM V3 has leapfrogged its predecessors by an order of magnitude.
Also in the bridgestone blizzak line of winter tires there are the increasingly popular SPIKE-01 and SPIKE-02 models, which also deserve attention.
But it didn’t make it into the rating; it was replaced by everyone’s more favorite tire...
Studded winter tire bridgestone ice cruiser 7000
Designed for even more difficult climatic conditions. The new arrangement of studs in 16 lines instead of the previous 12 increases the chances of maximum stability of the car. Bridgestone Ice Cruiser winter tires repel moisture and have good road stability. The rubber was specially developed as a multi-component rubber with the ability to hold studs longer than other manufacturers. The latest model of studded winter tires, Bridgestone Ice Cruiser 7000, have proven themselves well among car enthusiasts and have taken an honorable place not only in our rating, but throughout the world.
3rd place. Michelin tires
The French manufacturer of winter tires is quite popular throughout Russia. Michelin winter tires have several lines specifically for severe weather with negative temperatures.
Michelin x ice 3 studless winter tires
The michelin x ice line of winter tires is developed using the unique “APS: Adaptability” system. It allows the rubber to bend only in the right places, fixing the position of the car on the road. The sipes of the michelin x ice 3 winter tires are made in a Z-shape, the shoulder area has sharp edges. This allows a car equipped with such tires to get out of any snow “porridge”; the wheels simply grind the substance, throwing it back and pushing the car forward without skidding.
Michelin x ice north 3 studded winter tire
Despite the release of the new michelin x ice north 4 , the third model is still the leader in the line of studded winter tires at the best price and decent quality.
The Michelin X Ice Nord 3 winter tire is equipped with a “smart stud” system. At high negative air temperatures, the rubber around the stud sets, hardens and contributes to better retention of the studs and greater aggressiveness on the road. This may increase noise, but maintains traction more reliably. Overall the tire is quite soft and performs well on any snowy surface.
4th place. Continental tires
The durable frame of products from the German manufacturer won the hearts of Russians back in the 90s. Tires were imported into the country along with used foreign cars. Their endurance made the products popular and gradually Continental winter tires entered the top three in popularity.
Studless winter tires Continental ContiVikingContact 6
The rubber has proven itself well, allowing you to drive on any surface while maintaining good handling. The proprietary technology of double blocks “Adaptive Twin Block” allows you to have good grip even on dry roads.
The products contain high-quality artificial rubber and silicates. The tread has a drainage pattern and many small lines on the tread that drain fluid well. The tire is equipped with rigid diamond-shaped blocks, which perfectly hold the car in turns.
Winter tires Continental Conti Viking Contact 6 are ideal for all-wheel drive vehicles. They easily cope with off-road conditions, literally scattering snow porridge and keeping the car from skidding.
The new model of winter tires Continental ContiVikingContact 7 has not yet gained the proper reputation, but soon it may well replace its predecessor.
Studded winter tire Continental Icecontact 3
They interact well with asphalt, have an asymmetric tread, radii from 12 to 24. Designed for fuel economy and good handling on ice with a smooth ride. A large number of studs gives good grip on ice, and the deep tread handles snow-covered areas of the road well.
According to reviews, the tires are quite noisy and do not pull out of drifts with snow “porridge”. But a good distribution of tread zones, with a fairly multiple number of toothy studs, gives a feeling of security and confident driving sensations.
Its predecessor, the Continental Icecontact 2 winter tire, has long been the leader in the studded tire rating.
5th place. Cordiant tires
Unlike previous tire representatives, Cordiant winter tires have an average price category. They are available to most car owners in Russia, so there are more product reviews.
Winter tires Cordiant Polar
The cordiant polar series of winter tires is produced in both studded and non-studded forms. The rubber was developed on the basis of the predecessors of cordiant polar. It has an ornate pattern on the tread in the form of a snake, which allows you to easily get rid of moisture on the go. The tire is designed for 128 studs in 4 rows. Longitudinal and lateral grip, effective braking and successful vehicle control. Disadvantages include acoustic features and increased fuel consumption. Cordiant Polar 2 drives poorly on snowy roads and can contribute to skidding during heavy braking. The main reason for purchasing for many owners is the affordable price and a satisfactory number of studs.
Studded winter tire Cordiant Snow Cross 2
Cordiant snow cross 2 – tires for compact and middle class cars. Stabilizing agility is achieved through a V-shaped tread pattern and a contact patch that wicks moisture away from the tire. The Cordiant Snow Cross 2 tire is not suitable for winter with air temperatures above +5 degrees. This does not apply to the beginning of the off-season - despite the “mess” on the roads, there are often frosts at night and the use of studded tires is necessary. But if it’s winter like this throughout the entire season, and the asphalt is not covered with snow at all, this model will not be suitable for use. When driving on a road without snow cover, it creates a lot of noise, wears out quickly, and the spikes quickly fly off.
6th place. Dunlop tires
Dunlop winter tires are less popular in Russia compared to the previous titans of tire production for cars. It has the widest range of models specifically for harsh snowy winters. The wear resistance of tires of this brand allows them to be successfully used for several seasons. In total, the company has several popular series, each of which is divided into a list of models with features of the tread pattern and tire structure.
Dunlop produces quite a few good models of studless tires, such as Maxx SJ8, Maxx WM01.
Tire radii range from 13 to 21, there are one and a half sizes. High-quality rubber, withstands long trips at low temperatures. Minimal noise on the road, the tires do not “tan.”
But the most popular and best winter tire among the entire line is Dunlop sp winter Ice 03 and Dunlop Grandtrek Ice 02
Studded winter tires Winter ice 03 for passenger cars and Grandtrek 02 for crossovers are well suited for regions with harsh winters and difficulties on snowy roads. Winter Ice and Dunlop Grandtrack rubber are equipped with 3D Maura-Ori lamellas and a unique triangular pattern in the middle, which effectively removes moisture. Dunlop winter tires have unique studs with carbide cores. This makes them practically indestructible on ice and effective in dealing with snowy roads.
7th place. Pirelli tires
Manufacturer of the world's only snow racing tires. The Pirelli high-speed model is designed for speeds of up to 270 km/h. More modest models are designed to withstand bad weather in its various forms.
Only studded options were included in the Pirelli winter tire rating:
Pirelli Ice Zero winter tires
Produced using the innovative Pirelli Dual Stud technology, which produces special double studs literally sealed into the rubber. Pirelli winter ice zero is designed for rapid acceleration. Otherwise, it does not exhibit very good braking properties in snow, and is quite noisy.
Pirelli Formula Ice winter tires
Equipped with hexagonal studs attached to special flanges. Presented side by side from 13 to 21 radii, for SUV class cars. Pirelli Formula Ice is the manufacturer’s most “long-lasting” model. It is almost impossible to lose or damage reliable studs, so Pirelli winter tires retain their properties for a long time.
8th place. Hankook tires
One of the best, adapted to the variety of harsh Russian climates, are Hankuk winter tires. The special structure of the lamellas, the snowflake on the tread and the “husky tracks”, together with the elegant functional tread pattern, have won the hearts of Russian car enthusiasts. The affordable price of tires finally influenced the popularity.
Winter tires Hankook Winter I Pike
The hankook winter tire line has 14 models, each of them is developed for specific conditions and created according to the wishes of customers.
Hankook Winter I Pike has gained good popularity among car enthusiasts and is well established in the market, gaining its fans. The line also has a sports version, Hankook Winter I Pike RS and Hankook Winter I Pike RS+.
During sharp braking, Winter I Pike winter tires “grab” the road, preventing the car from skidding and reliably holding the vehicle in place. There are through drainage systems and the number of tread blocks has been doubled. Externally, the design is very elegant, which also catches the eye of buyers.
9th place. Kama tires
Despite the active efforts of foreign winter tire manufacturers, they cannot fully understand the difficult climate of Russian roads. In this matter, the domestic expert is. For many years they have been producing reliable, inexpensive and practical tires for modern cars.
The only option for KAMA winter tires that deserve attention:
Studded winter tires Kama Euro 519
Kama 519 tires do not have intricate patterns or complex stud systems. They are developed using the Finnish Irbis system - one of the most reliable studded tires in the world. Kama Euro 519 winter tires have 2.45 mm studs, securely seated in high-quality rubber.
Modern rubber used in the manufacture of products perfectly adapts to difficult weather conditions. The Kama Euro 519 winter tire has a two-layer tread. The long service life of this model is achieved precisely thanks to its two-layer design, where the bottom layer is hard and holds the spikes, and the top layer is softer and can change depending on the type of road surface. This model is the most adapted to all types of roads. The only dissatisfaction is expressed in reviews regarding the handling of a car “shod” with such tires on ice. But the cost and braking performance are at a level suitable for most buyers.
10th place. Yokohama tires
The uniqueness of this manufacturer for Russian consumers lies in the versatility of its product range. The company produces not only tires for passenger cars, but also wheels for agricultural machinery, aircraft, etc. Regarding modern production methods, it is one of the leading leaders throughout the world. Yokohama analytics are based on test drives, scientific studies of rubber properties and customer reviews.
Yokohama winter tires are popular among Russian car owners. The use of an asymmetric tread pattern makes the tires as resistant to slipping as possible and has a good effect on road grip.
The rating includes studded winter tires Yokohama Ice Guard IG35 PLUS
These tires have been on sale since 2013. During this time, a general opinion has already emerged regarding the quality of tires. The wide middle of the tread pattern has a beneficial effect on stability during maneuvers. Modern 3D sipes also contribute to high-quality tire performance on road surfaces with ice and snow. The disadvantage is that it loses its thorns quite quickly.
The new models of studded winter tires Yokohama Ice Guard IG55 and Yokohama Ice Guard IG65 are generally slightly better than the Yokohama Ice Guard IG35 plus, but due to the increased price, they are not yet ready to displace the old one.
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The debut took place in 2008.
On an icy road, despite average acceleration and lateral grip, braking is mediocre. On snow, the situation is more logical: weak acceleration and satisfactory lateral grip coexist quite well with good braking. Decent acceleration is achieved only by pushing.
On a snowy straight line they scour from side to side. Steering is quite difficult, since the feedback is not very informative. In fast corners, speed is limited by drift. Moreover, sliding outward is delayed, and you have to wait a long time for traction to be restored. They make their way through snowdrifts confidently, move in any mode, and do not require pushing.
You can drive fast on asphalt only with great caution—swimming within the lane forces the driver to constantly adjust the course. Significant steering angles and its lack of information content interfere. Braking on dry and wet surfaces is good, the results are comparable to those shown by the Nokian. They are no different in terms of comfort: they make loud noise, thump on uneven surfaces, and announce the change of surface.
You will have to forget about fuel economy. Fuel consumption at a speed of 60 km/h is average, at 90 - increased. The protrusion of the spines is within normal limits, as is the rate of its growth. There are no lost thorns.
+ Good braking on snow, dry and wet asphalt, cross-country ability.
- Mediocre braking performance on ice, acceleration on snow, lateral grip on ice. Increased fuel consumption at 90 km/h, low directional stability on asphalt.
852 points
For snowy, slightly icy and cleared roads.
Let's summarize the rating:
All of the winter tires listed are the best in their classes for winter. The rating was compiled primarily based on owner surveys, reviews on forums, and a general comparison of characteristics.
If you want to buy the best winter tires, consider all of the options listed. If they are included in our rating, then they deserve attention and, even more so, purchase.
If you are careful when choosing winter tires, be sure to read the reviews. This list of reviews about winter tires will be constantly updated.
Dimensions of tires and wheels for LADA VAZ 2107 - required pressure
Below we will consider all possible sizes of tires and wheels on the VAZ 2107, as well as the required pressure.
Dimensions of tires and wheels on LADA VAZ 2107 (1982 - 2012) - required pressure
Main characteristics:
- Hub center hole diameter: 58.5 mm.
- Thread and thread pitch: M12 x 1.25.
- Fastening type: Bolt.
| Engine/Power | Tire | Disk | Bolt pattern | Pressure front axle/rear axle |
| 1.3i: i4 petrol / 47 kW | 64 l. With. 1.5i: i4 petrol / 53kW | 72 l. With. 1.6i: i4 petrol / 55kW | 75 l. With. | 165/80R13 | 5Jx13 ET29 | 4×98 | 1.9 (28) |
| 175/70R13 | 5Jx13 ET29 | 4×98 | 1.9 (28) | |
| 175/70R13 | 5.5Jx13 ET32 | 4×98 | 1.9 (28) | |
| 175/65R14 | 5.5Jx14ET29 | 4×98 | 2.0 (29) | |
| 185/60R14 | 5.5Jx14ET29 | 4×98 | 2.0 (29) | |
| 185/55R15 | 6Jx15 ET25 | 4×98 | 2.1 (30) |
Main characteristics:
- Hub center hole diameter: 58.5 mm.
- Thread and thread pitch: M12 x 1.25.
- Fastening type: Bolt.
| Engine/Power | Tire | Disk | Bolt pattern | Pressure front axle/rear axle |
| 1.3R: i4 petrol / 99 kW | 135 l. With. | 175/70R13 | 5Jx13 ET29 | 4×98 | 1.9 (28) |
| 175/65R14 | 5.5Jx14ET32 | 4×98 | 2.0 (29) | |
| 185/60R14 | 5.5Jx14ET29 | 4×98 | 2.0 (29) | |
| 195/50R15 | 6Jx15 ET25 | 4×98 | 2.1 (30) |
Reviews about winter tires
Konstantin, Volgograd
“I purchased Yokohama Ice Guard as soon as it went on sale. I have used other models from this company before and I like them all. The tires are still rolling well, no complaints.”
Igor, Samara
“I drive the Continental, the third season is coming, everything is fine. They make a little noise, sometimes they don’t start right away if there is a lot of snow under the wheels, but overall everything is fine. I drive around the city and don’t go into hard-to-reach places.”
Kamil, St. Petersburg
“I took Michelin on my head. It was highly praised in the reviews, but in reality it turned out to be an unrealistically noisy tire that copes poorly with the road. The only plus is that the spikes are in place after 2 seasons, but the price is simply exorbitant.”
Anna, Ryazan
“I spent a long time choosing winter tires between continental and domestic Kama. I've been driving recently and don't have much advice, so I had to read reviews and go shopping. I still chose Kama and didn’t regret it. The wheels are reliable and have never let me down. The seller recommended the Euro 519 model, all the studs are in place.”
Kirill, Moscow
“I took a Nokian Nordman 7 Sun for an SUV. I realized that it was possible not to purchase such powerful tires for the capital’s roads, but I often drive in other regions, and they really save me. It handles maneuvers well, everything suits me, I think it will take a couple more seasons.”
Anatoly Ivanovich, Vitebsk
“I’m a fan of domestic products, I only take Kama. This is not the first season that wheels have come to the rescue. Another big plus is that no one will particularly covet it, so I don’t worry about being “taken off.” I recommend it to anyone who cares about quality, not brand.”
Igor, Krasnodar
“Our winter is mild, so I take Bridgestone Velcro. Handles wet roads well, the price is normal, it has never let me down. This season it’s time to change, I think I’ll buy the same tires again.”
Reviews about winter tires will be constantly updated!
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Dmitry Seregin January 5, 2022
Published in: Useful tips and car devices
Tags: rating, Tires
Test participants
For testing, experts selected tires from the world's leading manufacturers. Russian-made tires were also present in the tests organized by the publications Autoreview and Za Rulem.
Let's consider the 8 most popular models that will participate in the comparative test of winter 2018-2022.
- Dunlop SP Winter Ice 02.
- GoodyearUltra Grip Ice Arctic.
- Continental Ice Contact 2.
- Nokian Hakkapeliitta 9.
- Michelin X-Ice North4.
- Hankook Winter I*cept IZ2.
- Nexen Win Guard Snow'G WH2.
Both winter non-studded tires 185 65 r15 and tires equipped with studs take part in the races. For comparison, models with a wheel diameter of 15 inches are taken, but the results can be considered relevant for R14 wheels, since they are almost identical.
WHAT ARE WE TESTING?
After measuring the longitudinal grip, we check the tires on an ice circle and test them on a rearrangement. And after that we evaluate handling, directional stability, cross-country ability and comfort.
After completing all tests on “white” roads, we again check the protrusion of the studs. If it has not changed during testing, then the studs are held securely in the rubber, and this is a guarantee that they will last a long time. The most stable were Continental, Nordman, Yokohama and Bridgestone: for these tires, the amount of stud protrusion remained unchanged during all tests.
Nokian's spikes have crept out by one "ten", and we also consider this result to be excellent. Toyo and Aeolus look quite passable: their spikes have been increased from zero to 0.2–0.3 mm. But Avatyre, Cordiant, Formula and Sava tires have an alarming increase - up to 0.4–0.5 mm. There is a suspicion that at this rate of growth the studs will not stay in the tires for long.
The absolute record holder for the largest stud protrusion is Sava: after tests, some “studs” stuck out by 2.7 mm!
R14_1
After the tests, we carefully inspect the studs and treads of the “stressed” tires. Three models in which the studs protruded more than 2 mm (Bridgestone, Cordiant and Sava) differ from the rest by the pits in the rubber near the studs. When braking, the tall studs bend strongly and tear out pieces of the tread. And the bodies of the spikes themselves have been ground off, lost their cylindrical shape and now look like cones. It's amazing that none of these tires lost any studs.
Trouble came from an unexpected direction - the well-behaved Toyo lost 14 studs on four wheels. It is noteworthy that last year, when the spikes at the end of the tests stuck out a little more (up to 2.3 mm) than now (up to 1.9 mm), there were no losses.
04-Tyres-R14_zr-09_15
To break in studless soft “Scandinavians”, popularly often called “Velcro”, 300 km is enough. And the driving style should be more aggressive, with slight slipping during acceleration. Here, the primary task of running-in is different - to completely remove from the tread sipes the remaining lubricant that was applied to the mold (lubricant is needed in order to prevent damage to the tread with 3D cuts when removing the newly welded tire from the mold). In addition, these tires need to remove a thin surface layer of rubber, which after baking turns out to be slightly harder than the core. You don’t have to worry about the wear of the sharp edges of the lamellas: on modern models they are designed in such a way that they self-sharpen with mutual friction. This ensures the stability of the characteristics of studless tires throughout their service life.
