TFL snow tire test

[edyvw]

Originally Posted by Rand
Originally Posted by edyvw
1. Those three tires do not fall in the same category of winter tires.


What category do they fall under? all 3 appear to be the regular studless max traction type?
Originally Posted by edyvw
Not AWD, a Symmetrical AWD!


There is a word for that... whole subaru first in the ditch or on their roof phenomenon "Subris"

I did notice they didnt "break-in" the tires. they should have driven all 3 sets for 500miles.
I have had tires that dramatically improved in traction, and somewhat improved handling after 500-1000miles..

Continental is made for wider variety of vehicles, including sport sedans, unlike that Cooper and Dunlop.
However, it is irrelevant. Test is good from other angles of view.
It proves that AWD (and good AWD) in conditions like that with actually almost new all season tires is useless. It is so hard to explain that to people that it is easier to convince the wall to move. I have colleague that went through red light with Subaru due to all seasons on the car, yet she still thinks that it was magic, not tires.
It proved how important control is, and that even in pretty much ice, on 14% incline, you move and break.
Colorado is very, very tough on snow tires. That area where the road is (and I drove it) can one day have -30, and tomorrow 60.
I remember on April 27, 2016, major snow storm hit Breckenridge. Woke up around 4, hit back roads to Breck, through that South Park town (yes from cartoon) and Hoosier Pass. I figured it was bad storm as Pass had 7-10 inches on the road, with grade 9-10% going to Breck uphill, and downhill some 11-12%. Skiied Imperial Bowl (highest ski lift in North America) 3ft of fresh powder. Went back, got to the Springs around 6.30pm, 65 degrees, people in short sleeves (that day was around 78). So I went from 10 degrees, 7-10 inches on the road, -15 and 3ft of fresh powder on ski slope, to 65 degrees in one hour and 45 minutes. That is how it is all winter. So, it is challenging because when snow falls, it starts to melt next day on the road, freezes over night, melts tomorrow, freezes again, then new storm dumps another layer, and in a month you have 4-5 inches of hard ice on roads like where they tested that car. Than you go down on I70, and it is 60 degrees driving 70-90mph, expecting tire will be good in dry, warm road or wet road.

 

[Virtus_Probi]

Originally Posted by edyvw

Continental is made for wider variety of vehicles, including sport sedans, unlike that Cooper and Dunlop.
However, it is irrelevant. Test is good from other angles of view.
It proves that AWD (and good AWD) in conditions like that with actually almost new all season tires is useless. It is so hard to explain that to people that it is easier to convince the wall to move. I have colleague that went through red light with Subaru due to all seasons on the car, yet she still thinks that it was magic, not tires.
It proved how important control is, and that even in pretty much ice, on 14% incline, you move and break.
Colorado is very, very tough on snow tires. That area where the road is (and I drove it) can one day have -30, and tomorrow 60.
I remember on April 27, 2016, major snow storm hit Breckenridge. Woke up around 4, hit back roads to Breck, through that South Park town (yes from cartoon) and Hoosier Pass. I figured it was bad storm as Pass had 7-10 inches on the road, with grade 9-10% going to Breck uphill, and downhill some 11-12%. Skiied Imperial Bowl (highest ski lift in North America) 3ft of fresh powder. Went back, got to the Springs around 6.30pm, 65 degrees, people in short sleeves (that day was around 78). So I went from 10 degrees, 7-10 inches on the road, -15 and 3ft of fresh powder on ski slope, to 65 degrees in one hour and 45 minutes. That is how it is all winter. So, it is challenging because when snow falls, it starts to melt next day on the road, freezes over night, melts tomorrow, freezes again, then new storm dumps another layer, and in a month you have 4-5 inches of hard ice on roads like where they tested that car. Than you go down on I70, and it is 60 degrees driving 70-90mph, expecting tire will be good in dry, warm road or wet road.

With those conditions, I can see why you are not happy with your R2 SUVs (if I am remembering correctly)...it is normally pretty unusual to get up to 60F or above here in winter, but it happened right after I bought mine and they were really scary. We have actually had around 70F the last two Presidents' Day weeks and I am waiting to see if it happens again next week.
We haven't hit Breck yet, but have gone to others nearby like Copper, Keystone, and A-Basin. Snowed so hard at the last that we could barely see, so we just stayed in the trees and still had a good day...lift tickets were comped so we couldn't complain no matter what. Have never seen anything like three feet of powder, best conditions ever were probably on our 2nd day at Vail after dealing with the near zero visibility during the storm the day before...maybe a foot and a half of freshies.
I skied on boilerplate here in the East last Sunday, but at least I was able to prove that my new Enforcers can hold a track on ice!

 

[Wheel]

Many, possibly most Subaru drivers are not car people. They're little old ladies they think AWD makes thing safer, just because. Theyve the all seasons on because they think they're fine in all seasons too. If they would put snows on, they'd probably not be in the ditch.

Then again that might make them think they're invincible and more would be on their roof.

(Subaru driver with snows on)

 

[Kira]

"People" don't know. That's established.

Commercials for cars featuring AWD capabilities ALWAYS show cars being driven too fast for the conditions.

I'm taking the word "Subris" to use as my own. That was good.

NOTE: I've had snow tires for years and go around telling everyone how good they are and I get looked at like an odd zoo animal.

I couldn't watch the video. Too much goofy laughing and just plain amateurish sloppiness. I'm a pill, I know.

 

[edyvw]

Originally Posted by Virtus_Probi
Originally Posted by edyvw

Continental is made for wider variety of vehicles, including sport sedans, unlike that Cooper and Dunlop.
However, it is irrelevant. Test is good from other angles of view.
It proves that AWD (and good AWD) in conditions like that with actually almost new all season tires is useless. It is so hard to explain that to people that it is easier to convince the wall to move. I have colleague that went through red light with Subaru due to all seasons on the car, yet she still thinks that it was magic, not tires.
It proved how important control is, and that even in pretty much ice, on 14% incline, you move and break.
Colorado is very, very tough on snow tires. That area where the road is (and I drove it) can one day have -30, and tomorrow 60.
I remember on April 27, 2016, major snow storm hit Breckenridge. Woke up around 4, hit back roads to Breck, through that South Park town (yes from cartoon) and Hoosier Pass. I figured it was bad storm as Pass had 7-10 inches on the road, with grade 9-10% going to Breck uphill, and downhill some 11-12%. Skiied Imperial Bowl (highest ski lift in North America) 3ft of fresh powder. Went back, got to the Springs around 6.30pm, 65 degrees, people in short sleeves (that day was around 78). So I went from 10 degrees, 7-10 inches on the road, -15 and 3ft of fresh powder on ski slope, to 65 degrees in one hour and 45 minutes. That is how it is all winter. So, it is challenging because when snow falls, it starts to melt next day on the road, freezes over night, melts tomorrow, freezes again, then new storm dumps another layer, and in a month you have 4-5 inches of hard ice on roads like where they tested that car. Than you go down on I70, and it is 60 degrees driving 70-90mph, expecting tire will be good in dry, warm road or wet road.

With those conditions, I can see why you are not happy with your R2 SUVs (if I am remembering correctly)...it is normally pretty unusual to get up to 60F or above here in winter, but it happened right after I bought mine and they were really scary. We have actually had around 70F the last two Presidents' Day weeks and I am waiting to see if it happens again next week.
We haven't hit Breck yet, but have gone to others nearby like Copper, Keystone, and A-Basin. Snowed so hard at the last that we could barely see, so we just stayed in the trees and still had a good day...lift tickets were comped so we couldn't complain no matter what. Have never seen anything like three feet of powder, best conditions ever were probably on our 2nd day at Vail after dealing with the near zero visibility during the storm the day before...maybe a foot and a half of freshies.
I skied on boilerplate here in the East last Sunday, but at least I was able to prove that my new Enforcers can hold a track on ice!

Last few years since I got kid I just go to A-Basin, and drive over Loveland Pass (you probably saw it). A-Basin has mid-week ski lift season pass for $210, and season goes from 10/15 until probably 06/04. A-Basin is quintessential Colorado ski area. No hotels, very few tourists.
That 3ft of snow was quite something. It was probably best ski season in 20 years in CO. We had very strong El Nino pattern, which means Southern CO will get slammed (that season Wolf Creek got 120 inches in 3 days) and central mountains (Vail, Breck, A-Basin, Keystone, Cooper, Aspen) will have probably above average season or really good season, while Steamboat will probably be dry.
But yes, R2 Nokian's are really not good here. Yes, when you going through deep snow they are good, but then 10 miles down you might be driving in 70 degrees and dusty road. Most people on ski slopes have Michelin's although Blizzak's were favorite for a long time, but not anymore. Also, take into consideration that above 10,000ft rubber compound is starting to change its properties. It goes same with everything, asphalt (does not "glue" itself properly to base), your draft beer is harder to pump etc.
So because of altitude that test that TFL did might have completely different results in much lower altitude (probably when it comes to braking). That is why Bridgestione and others have test centers here in CO as it allows them to test variety of conditions and how tires behave.