Reviews Nexen Winguard WinSpike: tests, specifications. Selection of winter tires

2024 Author: Erin Ralphs | [email protected]. Last modified: 2024-02-19 11:42

Drivers, choosing winter tires for their car, are increasingly trying to focus on one or another specific parameter, since not every manufacturer can achieve universality. To make sure that this or that model is right for you, it is advisable to read what other drivers think about it, namely, what are their reviews. Nexen WinGuard WinSpike will be the hero of today's review, which we will conduct with the help of user reviews. However, to begin with, in order to be able to assess the veracity of the manufacturer, consider the official information regarding these tires.

General purpose

The Nexen WinGuard WinSpike winter tire model is designed for driving on winter roads in harsh winter conditions. To this end, when developing it, the moments regarding the improvement of rowing characteristics were taken into account, which made it possible to better pass snow-covered routes with loose, rough snow. The presence of spikes should improve flotation on icy roads, including compressed snow and clean slippery ice during thaws. The special properties of the rubber compound, as conceived by the manufacturer, lead to the preservation of elasticity even during severe frosts.

Reinforced model

The manufacturer also took care of creating a reinforced version of the rubber model. It was called Nexen WinGuard WinSpike SUV and is intended primarily for SUVs and crossovers. Why was it necessary to create a separate reinforced line for these cars?

The fact is that there are two parameters that require higher rubber strength. The first is the increased engine power compared to standard sedans. As a result, the torque increases, which increases the load at the start.

The second is the higher weight of the SUV. This, in turn, leads to increased tire wear. If the Nexen WinGuard WinSpike WH62 rubber is not reinforced, then the level of abrasion will exceed all permissible limits. As a result, the tire will cover less distance than it was designed for.

Tread design features

The Nexen WinGuard WinSpike XL tread pattern was developed using modern computer technology that can modulate various life situations. So, it is thanks to them that in most cases it turns out to make the most practical arrangement of individual blocks, which as a result increases the overalltire dynamics.

At first glance, it may seem that transformers had a hand in its creation, because the appearance is very reminiscent of some prototypes from the film franchise of the same name and looks very futuristic. This is no accident, since such a construction of blocks made it possible to make the tire's patency much better. This effect is achieved due to the numerous omnidirectional lamellas formed, which create cutting edges that penetrate loose snow or mud and provide high-quality traction with the surface.

Their multidirectionality allows you to work well not only when picking up speed and straight-line movement, but also during braking, since the cutting edges are also present in the reverse direction.

Main goal is improved traction and handling

When developing the Nexen WinGuard WinSpike WS6 tire model, first of all, the manufacturer paid attention to handling on winter tracks. While designing the tread using computer simulation, the developers focused on increasing the contact patch with the track and creating omnidirectional edges, which should inevitably lead to improved maneuvering performance, regardless of weather conditions affecting the quality of the road surface.

So, one of the measures designed to increase handling was the use of synthetic cord in the breaker area. This led to an increase in the rigidity of the tire, which had a positive effect on the operation of individual tread elements. At the same time, the rubber compound itself can be soft,this does not negatively affect the overall grip of the working surface of the tread with the track.

In addition, as mentioned above, the Nexen WinGuard WinSpike SUV tread blocks have received a special shape. Thanks to it, regardless of the current loads, the contact patch always remains stable, and its area does not change. This leads to the independence of the quality of the coupling with the road surface from the current conditions or its condition. It also reduces the negative impact of bumps that occur on the way, such as small potholes, stones or ice fragments.

Improved braking properties

However, handling and good dynamic performance would be of no use if the car could not brake confidently if necessary. That is why this aspect has also received a lot of attention. A large number of lamellas perpendicular and directed in the opposite direction, as well as the cutting edges formed by them, allows you to effectively use the properties of the rubber compound during emergency braking.

The special three-dimensional structure of the individual tread blocks of the Nexen tire also does not stand aside, ensuring that each element of the pattern is securely fixed in its place and reducing the likelihood of closing the sipes during overload, which would lead to sliding on the surface. These aspects not only improve braking performance, but also provide improved directional stability in straight-line driving.

Studding features

Although the Nexen WinGuard WinSpike WH62 model also exists innon-studded version, only specimens with studs are supplied to the CIS countries, since the operating conditions in them are more stringent than in other regions. At the same time, the spikes are not thoughtlessly scattered just in those places where it was most convenient to fix them. Each of them was thought out by a team of designers and testers, as a result of which it was possible to achieve the most rational arrangement. With such a small number, twenty separate working rows were formed, which positively affected the dynamic characteristics and the quality of the coupling when driving on slippery road surfaces.

To do this, computer simulation programs were used, as well as tests in real working conditions that tires will have to face on Russian roads. At this time, it was possible to achieve good results, which subsequently did not go unnoticed by teams of professional drivers who check, cooperating with many authoritative online automotive publications.

Innovation - micropumps on the tread surface

One of the original solutions that made it possible to make the coupling on a wet road during the thaw better was small holes in the tread blocks on their sides. Structurally, they have become small pumps that are capable of pumping water out of the contact patch with the road surface directly at the moment when the wheel rolls into this place. This approach made it possible not only to demonstrate to the manufacturer the benefits of using their own developments,but also significantly improve the dynamic characteristics, because thanks to them, water is better discharged into the lamellas, from where it goes to the edges of the wheel. This significantly reduces the likelihood of hydroplaning, which increases traffic safety.

Achieving stability and driving stability

If you carefully consider the tread pattern of the Nexen WinGuard WinSpike as a whole, you will notice that it differs from the options offered by other manufacturers. This is not about the location of blocks and sipes, but about the maximum achieved plane of the tread profile shape.

This approach made it possible to simultaneously touch the road surface with the maximum possible number of individual elements. This brought positive results not only on the quality of the coupling with the road surface, but also on the wear of the tire itself. Thus, due to the uniform distribution of the load over the surface, the resistance to friction has increased, and it has also been possible to achieve better resistance to cuts and punctures. Part of the credit can also be attributed to the thicker, stronger cord, which also played a role in the flat tread surface.

Special rubber compound

During development, a more effective silica formula was developed, which was applied during production and refined as it passed the tests. This serious approach has led to the launch of a product on the market with increased side edge strength, balanced characteristics, low wear and tear.good grip on the road surface. Moderate elasticity allowed us to find the golden mean between resistance to friction and high-quality contact with the track.

Main benefits promised by the manufacturer

So, this review helps to bring out the main advantages of this rubber, promised by the developer. After seeing them, and getting acquainted with the opinion of the drivers, it will be possible to understand how honest the manufacturer is towards its customers. Based on Nexen WinGuard WinSpike tests, advertisers noted the following among the main features:

• Good braking performance and high dynamic performance when driving on bare ice or snow-covered tracks due to the large number of individual sipes.
• 20 rows of Nexen WinGuard WinSpike studs, positioned at the most appropriate locations in the tread pattern, provide increased traction on slippery surfaces such as icy or packed snow.
• Micropumps, formed by holes in the tread blocks, effectively pump water out of the contact patch and direct it along the sipes to the edge of the tire.
• The extra cord and flat surface structure of the working area increased the strength of the tire and its life by increasing the strength and distribution of friction over the tread.
• The original design of the central part of the tread pattern provided good directional stability and ease of control even in difficult weather conditions.

These are the main promises of the manufacturer, which, according to his statements, are implemented in rubberfully. Let's take a look at the positive and negative feedback about the Nexen WinGuard WinSpike from the drivers who tested the tires in order to make sure that this is really the case.

Positive feedback from drivers about tires

Many drivers respond positively to most of the main characteristics, from which we can conclude that the rubber actually turned out pretty good. Among the most notable pluses are the following:

• Low noise level. The use of smaller studs has made it possible to achieve positive results not only in driving characteristics and traction with the road surface, but also in reducing unpleasant associated aspects such as noise and vibration. Of course, rubber, like any spike, is quite noisy when driving on clean asph alt or ice, but still the noise level is much lower than that of competitors. And with good sound insulation, it is almost inaudible at all, which increases the comfort of travel.
• Nice tread pattern. Do not forget that the appearance of the tire also plays an important role. This development turned out to be quite aesthetic, which will undoubtedly please drivers who are trying to make their car as attractive as possible.
• Good spike retention. With proper break-in, there are very few cases of spikes falling out, which indicates that there is no need to constantly install new ones to replace lost ones and pay extra money at the same time.
• The softness of rubber. This option allows you not to worry thatthe rubber compound will harden at low temperatures, which could significantly degrade the performance of the tire.
• Good handling and grip even when the temperature outside is below -10 degrees. This can especially please those who live in the northern regions, and this temperature regime is standard for most of the winter time.

As you can see from this list, which does not list all the main features, the manufacturer did not deceive us about the advantages of its rubber. However, it also has a few disadvantages, which are also worth talking about.

Negative sides of the considered rubber

Among the negative points, there are two main ones most often mentioned by drivers, but not critical. The first is the excessive softness of the rubber at fairly high overboard temperatures, which can increase tire wear during aggressive driving. And the second is the uneven depth of the studs, which leads to ineffective use of some of them due to the fact that they are too deep in the tread elements. Otherwise, drivers who write reviews about the Nexen WinGuard WinSpike have practically no complaints, which may indicate the manufacturer's responsible approach to the development and production of tires.

Conclusion

If you are looking for tires for your car that can cope with the harsh conditions of the Russian winter, and do not mind paying a little extra for comfort and lack of excess noise, then this rubber is designed foryou, and this is confirmed by numerous reviews of Nexen WinGuard WinSpike. You won't be disappointed when you buy it, from mounting on the rims, which requires minimal balancing due to the quality filling of the tire at the factory, to driving at high speeds on snowy winter roads without losing control when passing through difficult sections.