2017 Winter Tire Tests

[edyvw]

Originally Posted By: benjy
when buying winter tyres be aware that some brands have harder "rubber" under the high traction softer winter outer + they loose a LOT of traction when worn in but legally not worn out!!

That is Bridgestone signature.

 

[mightymousetech]

Originally Posted By: benjy
when buying winter tyres be aware that some brands have harder "rubber" under the high traction softer winter outer + they loose a LOT of traction when worn in but legally not worn out!!


Winter tires should be discarded at 4mm of tread remaining. Many winters have a tread wear indicator at the 4mm mark. Michelin even has a symbol on the sidewall showing min 4mm for winter use.

I can't find a picture of it, but it is a snowflake in a triangle with 4mm written underneath it.

I usually replace my winters at 5mm, or 6/32".

 

[UG_Passat]

Originally Posted By: edyvw
Originally Posted By: benjy
when buying winter tyres be aware that some brands have harder "rubber" under the high traction softer winter outer + they loose a LOT of traction when worn in but legally not worn out!!

That is Bridgestone signature.


except for the LM-series tires. It's a winter silica compound throughout.

 

[SubLGT]

Not sure if the new Michelin X-Ice 3+ (Xi3+) studless tire has adopted the 2 layer tread design that Bridgestone Blizzak favors.

http://www.michelin.co.jp/JP/ja/tires/products/x-ice-3-plus.html
https://shina.guide/reviews/michelin-x-ice-3-plus/#more-10182

Quote:
The unique structure of the [X-Ice 3+] tread is saturated with absorbing bubbles called M-Chip, which, as they wear out, are directly in the contact area of the tire with the road and, due to their concave form, remove the film of water from the iced surface (analogue of microbubbles and water-absorbing white gel in the rubber compound of winter tires Yokohama iceGuard). Thus, slippage of the tire on ice is prevented, and the braking efficiency is significantly increased.


Michelin states that the Xi3+ has 11.5% greater treadwear than the Xi3.

I have not seen any tests of the Xi3+ yet.

 

[edyvw]

Originally Posted By: UG_Passat
Originally Posted By: edyvw
Originally Posted By: benjy
when buying winter tyres be aware that some brands have harder "rubber" under the high traction softer winter outer + they loose a LOT of traction when worn in but legally not worn out!!

That is Bridgestone signature.


except for the LM-series tires. It's a winter silica compound throughout.

Had LM-60, same issue. After 6/32 forget winter compound.
Maybe they now have different approach.

 

[edyvw]

Originally Posted By: SubLGT
Not sure if the new Michelin X-Ice 3+ (Xi3+) studless tire has adopted the 2 layer tread design that Bridgestone Blizzak favors.

http://www.michelin.co.jp/JP/ja/tires/products/x-ice-3-plus.html
https://shina.guide/reviews/michelin-x-ice-3-plus/#more-10182

Quote:
The unique structure of the [X-Ice 3+] tread is saturated with absorbing bubbles called M-Chip, which, as they wear out, are directly in the contact area of the tire with the road and, due to their concave form, remove the film of water from the iced surface (analogue of microbubbles and water-absorbing white gel in the rubber compound of winter tires Yokohama iceGuard). Thus, slippage of the tire on ice is prevented, and the braking efficiency is significantly increased.


Michelin states that the Xi3+ has 11.5% greater treadwear than the Xi3.

I have not seen any tests of the Xi3+ yet.


No, Bridgestone is not at forefront in winter tire innovation. Their two layer compound is sign of having issues reaching certain performance levels using available compound. As UG_Passat indicated their LM series uses one compound (I had LM-60 and they used two, but LM-60 is old tire), however, LM series is not aimed at hardcore performance in deep snow and slush, but more for performance vehicles. They are usually mediocre compere to others. Michelin IMO is far better in that category. Bridgestone generally lags behind Michelin. Just compare wight of comparable tires between Michelin and Bridgestone. Michelin manages to achieve same results (usually better) with much lighter tires.

 

[SubLGT]

Interesting test of some European market all-season tires on snow, dry, and wet surfaces, with tread depths of 2mm, 4mm, and full depth.

http://www.tyrepress.com/2017/11/all-sea...-the-spotlight/

Quote:
What the Auto Bild testers found was that with four of the six candidates, it was “on grounds of driving safety” advisable to replace the tyres when the tread reached the half-way mark. Only two products demonstrated safe driving at a low tread depth. These were the CrossClimate + from Michelin – vindicating the claims made by the ‘Long-Lasting Performance’ campaign – and the Goodyear Vector 4Seasons Gen-2.