Which tires are better for braking on ice?

5 tires that brake best on ice (2016)

Which tires have the shortest braking distance on ice? Which tires stop fastest on ice? I present to you the five best tires.

Method for determining the best tires

Experts measure braking distances on ice when testing winter tires. Typically from 27–30 km/h to 5 km/h. This is done in order to eliminate the effect of wheel locking at low speed.

Such tests are carried out with the stabilization system and ABS turned on.

To ensure stability and reliability of the results, indoor tracks are used. They also periodically measure the braking distance on base tires to take into account changing conditions.

In each race, sections are chosen that have not yet been braked. This makes it possible to provide similar inhibition conditions for different subjects. When there is no clean ice left, the surface is polished again.

Top 5 tires with the best braking distance on ice

Nokian Hakkapeliitta 8 - the largest number of studs and excellent properties on ice;
Goodyear UltraGrip Ice Arctic - normal number of studs and phenomenal cross-country ability;
Nitto Therma Spike - diamond-shaped stud pattern, extraordinary design,
Formula Ice - on the ice they are only slightly inferior to the leaders, very strong;
Continental ContiIceContact 2 has a good braking distance on ice, but good handling and a unique technology for gluing lightweight studs.

Test World tested 128 tires for braking performance on ice

The Finnish organization Test World conducted its own tire tests, ranking 128 tires based on their braking performance on ice.

So far, Test World has limited its testing to only one discipline – “Ice Braking” – but the tests of the Finnish organization are distinguished by their scale in terms of the number of tires tested. A total of 128 winter tires of size 205/55 R16 were taken in three categories - studded, as well as friction Scandinavian and European types. Unnamed reference tires were taken as a guide, whose result is accepted as 100%. Test World noted that a difference of 2-3% is considered significant. Braking was carried out from 20 to 5 km/h at a tire pressure of 2.4 bar and an air temperature of -7 ° C (a meter above the ground). Eight races were carried out on each tire.

As one might expect, the best were studded tires, which took all the first ten places. The first place is occupied by Nokian Hakkapeliita 8, which performs excellently in all tests this year. The outsiders among studded tires were Tigar Sigura Stud and Dayton DW 7000, which took 63rd and 67th places in the overall standings, respectively.

Eleventh place was taken by the Scandinavian-type Nokian Hakkapeliitta R2 friction tires, ahead of many studded tires, so the Finnish company confirmed that it makes tires that cope well with braking on ice. The worst tires for the northern winter were the Roadstone Winguard Sport and Matador Nordicca MP59, their places were 125 and 126, respectively.

Tires for the mild winter of Central Europe are clearly inferior to tires for the northern regions in terms of grip on ice, and this test once again confirmed this. The best of the “Europeans” took only 45th place, and this was achieved by the Taiwanese Nankang, which on ice brakes better than many other, much more expensive tires. The worst results both in their category and in the overall standings were demonstrated by Marangoni Meteo HP and Jinyu Winter YW52.

Information on the results of all 128 tires tested can be found on the dedicated website http://safewintertyre.eu/. Test World has not yet specified whether other tire tests will be carried out.

Fri, 01.11.2013 — 08:57

Among Europeans, interesting places were occupied by Pirelli, Nokian, Michelin and Conti models.
How do you understand that on ice they don’t slow down at all or slow down worse than saylun or nankang?

Fri, 01.11.2013 — 09:24

it’s clear how reliable it is, here’s the question:
for example, MARSHAL I'ZEN KW22 and KUMHO I'ZEN KW22 are practically the same tire, made at the same factory and I’m almost sure that no one will change the rubber composition, but the result is very different, 157 versus 126

Fri, 01.11.2013 — 09:28

The answer to clearly how much is from Guest (anonymous)

This confirms the bias of the conditions and measurements in this test.

Intelligent choice comes with experience, but stupid choice leads to it.

Fri, 01.11.2013 — 09:27

The worst tires for the northern winter were Roadstone Winguard Sport and Matador Nordicca MP59

Since when did these tire models become “Scandinavian”.

Intelligent choice comes with experience, but stupid choice leads to it.

Fri, 01.11.2013 — 09:30

or BFGoodrich g-Force stud
http://colesa.ru/news/15571 braking on ice is the worst of all
, and it doesn’t particularly shine in the others, but here, oops! yes she is at Haki level 5!

Fri, 01.11.2013 — 11:26

Data on ice braking efficiency for the top ten studded tires (205/55R16) from this test have already been deciphered.

The data turned out to be specially selected in this test based on the average value of the stud protrusion ( L, mm)!

I can give specific examples for some tire models:

Nokian Hakkapeliitta 8 - score 206%; protrusion of spikes L=1.71 mm;

Goodyear UltraGrip Ice Arctic - 195% score; protrusion of spikes L=2.22 mm;

Pirelli Ice Zero - score 185%; protrusion of spikes L=2.00 mm;

Nokian Hakkapeliitta 7 - score 182%; protrusion of spikes L=1.75 mm;

Continental ContiIceContact - score 172%; protrusion of spikes L=1.50 mm ;

Dunlop Ice Touch - 168% score; protrusion of spikes L=1.52 mm;

Hankook Winter i*Pike RS W419 – score 162%; protrusion of spikes L=1.32 mm ;

Gislaved Nord*Frost 100 – score 162%; protrusion of spikes L=1.58 mm;

Michelin X-Ice North 3 - score 162%; protrusion of the spikes L=1.54 mm.

Thus, i.e. By selecting tires with the desired stud protrusion value, you can make virtually any studded tire a winner in the ice braking test.

For example, a studded tire of the Goodyear UltraGrip Ice Arctic , or a Hankook Winter i*Pike RS W419!

Stud or Velcro - which tire is better for the winter?

Every winter, many drivers are faced with the choice of winter tires. For residents of the southern regions, where winters are warm and snow rarely falls, this choice is relatively simple: European-type friction tires, which are primarily intended for cleaned asphalt, are optimal.

However, residents of northern regions with harsher winters have to choose between Velcro and studded tires. And it’s difficult to say unequivocally which one is better, since each of the tires has its own strengths and weaknesses.

Let's try to figure this out in practice. To do this, we analyzed the results of several winter tests from European and domestic magazines to understand which tire option is better.

Braking on ice

One of the main tasks of studded tires is to provide maximum safety on ice. Is it really? Here and below, spikes are indicated in dark blue, and Velcro are indicated in blue.

Finnish Tekniikan Maailma, 2013, tire size - 205/55 R16 Ukrainian "Autocenter", 2013, tire size - 195/65 R15 German Auto Motor & Sport, 2015, tire size - 205/55 R16 Finnish Test World, 2016, tire size — 205/55 R16

Comments:

In each of the tests, studded tires came first.
In general, studded tires performed better than Velcro tires and took higher positions.
Not all spikes brake equally well on ice. In some tests, the difference between the best and worst studded tire was 5 to 10 meters.
The difference in braking distance between the best Velcro and the worst stud is small. For example, the friction Michelin lags behind the nearest Shivok by only 1 meter.
Some spikes did not cope with the task, showed the worst results and took last places.
At high speed, the difference in braking distance between the best stud and the worst Velcro is about 6-10 meters (in favor of the stud). Whereas at low speed the difference is smaller - about 1-2 meters.
In braking tests at low speeds (25 km/h), all tires showed approximately equal results, and the difference in braking distance was on average 1-2 meters.

Conclusion:

Spikes brake better on ice, but not all. The worst studded tire and the best velcro tire brake about the same.

Braking on snow

The second important requirement for tires is high performance on snow in any of its conditions (rolled, freshly fallen, loose, etc.).

Comments:

In most cases, a studded tire will brake better than a velcro tire.
The difference between first and last place in the test (regardless of tire type) was on average about 4 meters.
Chinese and little-known studs brake very poorly and took last place.
The best Velcro brakes on average 1 meter longer than the closest stud .
At low speeds, the difference in braking distance between the best studded tires and the best Velcro is about 30-50 cm.
The worst Velcro brakes on average 3-4 meters longer than the best studs .

Conclusion:

On snow, spikes brake better than Velcro ones, but with less superiority than on ice. But at low speeds the difference is completely insignificant.

Braking on asphalt

There is an opinion that studded tires behave poorly on asphalt, because... metal spikes glide on a hard surface.

A comment:

All tires generally behave the same on asphalt, and yet in three out of four tests, Velcro came in first place, and studs came in last.
The difference in braking distance between first and last place (regardless of tire type) averaged from 2 to 5 meters.
In one test, two Chinese studs showed the best braking distance, while on snow they turned out to be the worst. Perhaps the reason is the hard composition of the rubber compound or the small number of lamellas.
The best studs slow down on average 1 meter longer than the best Velcro .
The worst studs slow down on average 5 meters longer than the best Velcro .

Conclusion:

Velcro leads on asphalt with a slight advantage.

Noise and comfort

In all tests, Velcro proved to be quieter and more comfortable than studs.

Finnish Tekniikan Maailma, 2013, tire size - 205/55 R16 Ukrainian "Autocentre", 2013, tire size - 195/65 R15 Finnish Test World, 2016, tire size - 205/55 R16

Which is better in the end - Velcro or spikes?

On ice and snow, the advantage is more on the side of studded tires, while on asphalt Velcro works slightly better. But this is an average, and in practice everything very much depends on specific tire models.

The universal answer is this: if 80% of the time there is ice and snow on the roads, then it is better to opt for studs. If 80% of the time you have to drive on dry and wet asphalt, then you should choose Velcro. If it’s 50/50, then you should make a choice in favor of greater safety on the road, install spikes and come to terms with the noise level: life is more important.

Spikes are for harsh winters, where most of the time there is snow and ice on the roads.

Velcro is a comfortable and quiet tire, with balanced average performance, but worse grip on ice.

Spikes or Velcro - experts at Driving choose tires for the winter

Tire experts Behind the Wheel Dmitry Testov and Sergey Mishin answer the eternal winter question: “studs” or “not studs” and put everything into perspective.

“Spikes,” in general, differ from friction clutches in that they have a more stable grip on ice, almost independent of the ambient temperature. As a price to pay for confidence, you have to put up with the shortcomings - a slightly longer braking distance on asphalt than with friction tires and increased noise. In addition, new studded tires require running-in - about a thousand kilometers at low speed and without slipping in the longitudinal and transverse directions.

And studded tires are harmful for any road - they harm not only asphalt, but even cobblestone roads. It is the spikes that mercilessly gnaw out longitudinal ruts in the asphalt.

In most European countries, spikes are prohibited. And where they are still allowed (including in Russia), their size, weight and quantity per linear meter of tire (along the tread), as well as their pressure on the road, are strictly regulated.

How do friction clutches cling to ice?

Non-studded tires, popularly called “Velcro” tires, are called friction tires by experts. The tire clings to the ice with edges that are formed due to multiple local cuts in the tread - lamellas. The friction clutches are quieter, less vibration-laden and can compete with studded tires on snow and ice, and work even better in frosts greater than 25 degrees. But due to the prejudiced attitude of car owners (they say that rubber cannot cling to ice in the same way as iron), they are too slow to win their place under the winter sun.

The only disadvantage of friction tires: when the air temperature is near zero, the grip on ice decreases.

Running in friction tires is fundamentally different from running in studded tires: on the contrary, you need to drive actively, trying to move and open the tread more. The goal is to remove the lubricant that remains deep in the lamellas from the mold (it protects the 3D lamellas from destruction when removing the molds from the “baked” tire). The second important point of intensive running-in is the erasing of the thin top layer of sintered tread rubber, which has a lower coefficient of adhesion.

Which tire is better in terms of driving properties - with an asymmetric tread or with a directional tread? It's hard to say for sure. But from an operational point of view, asymmetrical ones have an undeniable advantage: they have external and internal sides, which allows the use of a universal spare tire - both for the right and left sides. And if necessary, you can swap wheels without re-adjusting them. The only company that produces studded and non-studded tires with asymmetric tread is Continental. Using the example of this manufacturer’s products, we will show how different types of Continental winter tires differ from each other.

For different markets

Manufacturers divide friction clutches into two subgroups. The first is soft Scandinavian tires, which are more oriented on snow and ice (mostly these are the ones present on our market). They have a softer tread (55 Shore units and below), and a large number of sipes make them “loose” on asphalt. To compensate for this disadvantage, lamella cuts have recently been made voluminous. When the coefficient of adhesion is low, they open up, forming additional edges that cling to ice and snow. On asphalt, under the influence of significant lateral forces, the lamellas are assembled into monolithic blocks, improving the response of the tires.

The second group is tires for the warm and wet Central European winter, which have more developed drainage grooves in the tread, made of a stiffer rubber compound. They are divided into two subgroups: hard (tread hardness about 65 Shore units) and soft (55–60 units). Both of them, albeit to varying degrees, are focused more on asphalt and wet snow than on ice, and therefore are not so popular with us. Tires of the second group are suitable only for those who travel exclusively within the metropolis, where the streets are thoroughly cleared of ice and snow.

“Spikes” differ from friction clutches in that they have a more stable grip on ice, but are slightly inferior in braking on asphalt.

For vehicles not equipped with ABS, we recommend studded tires. When braking on locked wheels, friction wheels suddenly lose traction. In addition, we recommend “spikes” for novice drivers and those for whom a car is just a means of transportation.

If you've been driving for years and enjoy driving it, try soft friction tires. You will be pleasantly surprised by both the comfort and their ability to cling to the ice surface. Just be careful on ice at near-zero temperatures!

Driving around Moscow or St. Petersburg on “European” friction wheels is a pleasure. In terms of reactions, such tires are not much different from summer tires.

However, it’s better not to venture outside of big cities: it’s unsettling on these tires in icy conditions.

A selection of Velcro tires for the winter 2018-2019, recommended for purchase

With the onset of the cold season, car enthusiasts are faced with the question of which tires are worth purchasing. Replacing car tires is a very serious procedure, since summer tires cannot guarantee high-quality grip on snow-covered or icy road surfaces.

If you ignore this issue and use summer tires as before, the likelihood of getting into an accident will increase many times, since the braking distance on such wheels will increase many times, and during sharp maneuvers and turns, uncontrolled drifts and vehicle slipping may occur.

Frictional tires, also known as Velcro tires, have a number of advantages that fundamentally distinguish them from studded tires. In order to understand how these tires will behave in a number of specific conditions, you need to very carefully study their advantages, disadvantages, as well as some of their features.

Some useful links on the topic:

The difference between Velcro and studded rubber

The main difference between Velcro tires and studded ones is the complete absence of studs on the surface of the wheel. Instead, there are lamellas on the surface, grooves on the tread that stick to the road surface, thereby providing good traction with the road.

The sipes tend to expand when the tire comes into contact with the road surface, thereby forming a vacuum space through which the tire confidently comes into contact with asphalt and other surfaces. These tires are most suitable for driving on dry and wet road surfaces, as well as for driving in large cities and places where roads are being cleared.

Velcro has a number of advantages, thanks to which these wheels significantly outperform studded tires:

The structure of the lamellas ensures that the entire surface of the tire is in close contact with the road surface, evenly distributing water along the existing grooves. It literally sticks to a flat road surface. Hence, we have excellent qualities of tires when driving in urban areas on cleared roads.
It is absolutely impossible for friction tires to damage the road surface, so their use is not harmful if we consider their use from the operational side.
Many models of friction tires are made of softer material, unlike studded ones. Due to this, at lower temperatures the tire will not freeze, maintaining, as before, its elastic properties.

Despite many advantages, the Velcro tire is still quite peculiar, and sometimes is not suitable for use under various conditions. These disadvantages are:

Some kits guarantee weaker traction than their studded counterpart. The reason for everything is excessive, according to experts, the softness of the “Velcro” itself. When trying to accelerate, as well as in the event of sudden braking or sharp maneuvers, the slats move completely freely in different directions, thereby making the car feel insecure, even when located on a dry road.
These tires have unreliable grip on snowy surfaces. Also, their behavior on loose snow causes a lot of reproaches. The tires cannot cope with heavy snow conditions and, as a result, begin to slip very much. Also, these tires are not recommended for use when traveling out of town in winter, when the surface of the earth is covered with snow and frost.

To select tires with the best properties, it is recommended to choose those sets that have good characteristics and an excellent reputation in the market or store. This rating contains the ten best models of friction tires that will definitely not disappoint the car owner.

The best models of winter tires with Velcro

#10. Kumho Marshal I'Zen RV Stud KC16

In tenth place, among the sales leaders, are Kumho Marshal I'Zen RV Stud KC16 tires. The company's production is aimed at Western markets, and has a branch in the UK. Even though this brand occupies only tenth place, it is the most common among many car enthusiasts, and leaves many tires far behind.

#9. Continental Conti 4×4 Winter Contact

The non-standard tread pattern allows the Continental Conti 4×4 Winter Contact to very effectively clear snow and dirt from sticking to them, thanks to the transverse grooves. Due to the relief pattern of the tire, good stability is ensured. Among the main advantages, it is worth noting the ability to travel on country roads covered with a thick layer of snow or a dense ice crust.

#8. Hankook DynaPro i*cept RW08

In eighth place, quite solidly, is another representative, released in Korea, which is rapidly conquering markets around the world, these are Hankook DynaPro i*cept RW08 . The tires have good grip on icy surfaces and cope well with snow-covered roads. They also have good acoustic properties and a very reasonable price.

#7. Yokohama Geolandar I/TS G073

The seventh line is occupied by Japanese-made tires Yokohama Geolandar I/TS G073 . Tests have shown that using these tires you can easily climb a small hill, even if it is covered with a small layer of ice. When making sharp turns or braking, like most Velcro, it tends to slip and make involuntary drifts. Doesn't perform well on ice.

#6. Nokian Nordman RS2

Nokian Nordman RS2 tires has clear lines, which allows you to remove dirt and snow from the bottom of the car. The rib located in the center of the tire guarantees increased wear resistance. The slats are developed using a special technology, thanks to which the grooves are located one inside the other. This design can significantly improve traction, minimize slipping, and in most cases, eliminate tire deformation while driving.

#5. Pirelli Ice Zero FR

The first representative from Europe, located in fifth place, is the Italian company that produces Pirelli Ice Zero FR . Rubber is more designed for use in countries with harsher climates, such as Russia, Canada and some Scandinavian countries. According to the manufacturer, the tread, called “butterfly”, does not require preliminary running-in at all.

This is not entirely true, but the time required to adjust tires has been significantly reduced. Stability on various surfaces is quite acceptable, as for velcro tires, and makes it possible to make sharp braking and turn into turns without any skidding. The main disadvantage is the very poor removal of fluid from the wheel, this is caused by the special structure of the tread.

#4. Bridgestone Blizzak DM-V2

This product, respected in many parts of the world, brand Bridgestone Blizzak DM-V2 , is intended primarily for SUVs, jeeps and other vehicles of this type. The tires are also suitable for city cars, but this emphasis indicates to us that these tires have very good grip and excellent stability in the conditions to which the above types of cars are subject.

#3. Goodyear UltraGrip Ice WRT

Third place in a bitter struggle goes to American-made Goodyear UltraGrip Ice WRT . The tires were recognized as the best according to their properties, such as: good traction on snow, stability during sharp maneuvers, short braking distance, fast acceleration. The main disadvantage is the background noise, which exceeds the average level.

#2. Michelin Latitude X-Ice 2

A little short of reaching the very top and stopping one step away from victory, the Michelin Latitude X-Ice 2 . We have been recognized as winners many times in various surveys and competitions. Various automobile magazines and Internet sites write many articles about these tires.

Surprisingly, studded tires from this manufacturer do not enjoy such fame and are ranked significantly lower in the ratings. If we consider the functionality of Michelin tires, we will see that such qualities as driving on ice or snow, as well as dry or wet road surfaces, deserve only praise.

#1. Nokian Hakkapeliita R2 SUV

The leader of the rating, rightfully taking first place, was Nokian Hakkapeliita R2 SUV , manufactured by a Finnish company. The tread feature, unique only to this manufacturer, allows you to confidently brake and accelerate on an icy surface, thanks to which these tires can compete even with their studded counterparts.

But it should also be said that the special surface of the tire does not make it possible to smoothly and accurately enter turns; there is a slight slip.