All-weather tires: reviews, selection, characteristics

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

All-season tires are the most versatile and cost-effective solution in terms of vehicle maintenance. The owner of such rubber does not need to renew tires twice a year, which results in significant savings. However, operational aspects also make themselves felt, which impose restrictions on the use of this type of tire. But it depends on the region in which all-weather tires are used.

Reviews note that the harsh winter does not contribute to the favorable operation of vehicles with universal tires. As a result, we have to find a compromise between climate restrictions and financial and practical expediency.

General information about all-season tires

According to the classic definition, an all-season tire is a tire capable of providing sufficient performance in temperatures above 0 degrees. The practice of using is not so unambiguous in the conclusions, but initially it is worth adhering to this particular rule, ignoring more subtle nuances. The fact is that all-season tires in winter are not able to demonstrate optimal traction with a problematic surface due to the lack of spikes. The tread configuration of such rubber is ratherwater oriented. On the surface, you can find an abundance of branched grooves and sipes designed for safe mating in conditions of movement on watery surfaces in autumn or spring.

Another feature is the increased hardness of the structure. For the winter period, soft studded tires are used, which have sufficient flexibility and tenacity for confident movement on ice and snow. In this case, we consider a typical Scandinavian Velcro rubber, devoid of pronounced protectors. Getting rid of spikes is already due to the fact that all-seasons are also sharpened for operation in summer conditions, where such inclusions are not required at all. Therefore, this rubber can be considered as a compromise universal option, but not specialized for certain weather conditions.

Varieties of models

Within the segment, all-season tires are distinguished by the type of so-called treadmill. In essence, this means the direction of the tread pattern. The most common symmetrical pattern without directionality, characterized by comfort in control and low noise level. This solution is suitable for premium family or business models where pronounced sports qualities are not needed. The non-directional, asymmetric pattern ensures stable contact with the road under intense loads, such as when making a sharp turn. Therefore, this option is suitable if you need all-season tires for SUVs that require more rigid mechanics.management. The lateral stability also allows these tires to be used in some sports segment models.

Directional symmetrical tread specially designed for hydroplaning conditions. That is, if you plan to regularly operate the car on a wet road, then all-weather directional tires will do. Reviews indicate that the wide divergence of the grooves of the symmetrical tread provides effective drainage from the contact patch with the road. This option is often recommended for rear-wheel drive models, because during the passage of a problem area, the front wheels “dry” the coating with treads, which makes it easier to control the rear wheels in the prepared area in the future.

Multipurpose off-road tires

There is a special class of tires marked A/T. In accordance with a strict classification, such tires are not included in the general group of all-season models, but both categories have many similarities. In particular, all-season tires for SUVs are designed both for use on hard surfaces and off-road conditions with gravel, mud, etc. Such tires combine balanced handling and comfort qualities. Actually, rubber A / T has similar properties, in which the tread is more pronounced.

The main thing that prevents us from classifying the segment of universal off-road tires is the pattern configuration. In this case, the protector has a large height, width and contact area. AtIn this case, the coupling qualities of the A / T modification are guaranteed at a higher level, which is already determined by the mass of the car itself. Even all-weather tires for the Niva of a modest R15 size will provide sufficient grip on problematic surfaces due to the tread features.

All season tires performance

The main characteristic is the already mentioned standard size. On the market you can find tires with diameters R14-R17 in the middle range. From a safety point of view, stopping distance is also important. All-season tires are considered the least reliable in some respects, as they have the longest stopping distance. This applies, for example, to braking on a dry surface - on average, this requires 50-52 m. Unless winter tires in such conditions show a less attractive result at 57 m. Not the best indicator in snow conditions - 42 meters versus 29, required by winter tires to stop. However, much depends on the parameters of the tread. So, for ordinary cars and motor vehicles, its depth can be 0.8-1 mm. If all-weather tires are required for the Niva or a small van, then we can talk about 1.5 mm. Tires with a tread depth of 2 mm or more are recommended for buses and trucks.

Goodyear Vector 4Seasons tire reviews

According to many motorists, this is the best option if you plan to drive on dry and snowy surfaces. The creators of this rubber provided it with diverse characteristics, which ultimately affected the balance in the accuracy of reactions and overall control reliability. Only bigthe braking distance has become a serious drawback that characterizes this all-weather rubber. Reviews of purely winter operation note that the rubber is suitable for regions with European mild frosts. However, experimenting in harsh Siberian conditions is not recommended.

When it comes to wet autumn pavement, the behavior of the Vector 4Seasons tires is quite in line with typical summer tyres. But the developers still focused on light snow coverings, which not every universal-purpose Velcro rubber can handle.

Reviews about tires "Kama Euro-224"

In Russia, this is one of the most popular options representing the all-season tire segment. Users point to two main advantages - optimal grip in all conditions and strength indicators. On the other hand, Kama all-season tires are very noisy and give a feeling of stiffness, which also does not contribute to comfort, especially if the surface is uneven and you have to deal with pits and small potholes.

In terms of seasonal operation, this solution can hardly be called universal. Both in behavior on a snow surface and in driving on a dry track, their shortcomings are noted. For example, fresh snow can clog the tread, causing the hitch to be forgotten. In the summer, all-weather tires "Kama" prove to be worthy, if you do not take into account certain nuances in aquaplaning. Wet asph alt is given to this rubber hard, but without losing reliable contact with the surface.

Yokohama Geolandar tire reviews

In this line modification H/T-S G051 deserves attention. On a normal road, the tires demonstrate sufficient directional stability, good handling and optimal aquaplaning endurance. Not every all-season tire can boast of the combination of such advantages.

Reviews about the shortcomings of this model, however, also exist. They indicate difficulties when driving on mud and snow surfaces. There is a loss of coupling against the background of a decrease in stability. In general, this option is not suitable for off-road and harsh winters. You can count on stable handling and noiselessness only on dry or wet pavement. For such coverage, this is perhaps the best all-season tire on the market.

Question of price

Quality tires cost about 4-6 thousand rubles per set. For example, the mentioned modification from Goodyear is available for 4.5 thousand on average. You can also find models costing about 1.5-2 thousand. But it's important to understand that all-season tires priced below $3,000 are more likely to be made from poor-quality compounds. In practice, this means reduced wear resistance, reliability and durability.

How to choose the best option?

By their purpose, these tires are universal. However, each season will have its own drawback, since it is simply impossible to fully satisfy the requirements of both winter and summer operation.

For example,The best all-season tires in winter are those with narrow tread surfaces that allow you to maintain sufficient grip and do not clog with snow. In summer and in rainy weather, on the contrary, a pattern with wide lamellas is required for effective drainage. As a result, the choice should come down to specific operational nuances and the need to sacrifice certain characteristics.