Originally Posted By: Nebroch
Originally Posted By: UG_Passat
Many tires available to the European market are not available in the US market. Nonetheless, The Michelin Alpin A4 is not available in 225/60r17.
True, but Alpin A4 was just an example. What I'm saying is you dont need to fear that these nordic winter tyres(R2, WS70, XI3...) would wear fast on dry road due good snow/ice properties. Truth can be opposite.
Some locals are even using them in summer time against manufacturer's recommendations and claim that they don't wear too much (of course you should not do that, they aren't designed for summer temps and will perform badly).
H and V speed rated tires can be used year-round (I'm using my V-rated winter tire this summer, just to finish wearing it out, as after 2 winter seasons, it's worn past its winter capabilities), as the tread compound is designed to withstand the heat generated by traveling at the limit for its respective speed rating.
However though, the lower-speed rated tires, usually with the more hardcore snow/ice unstudded tires, its tread compound is too flexible in the summer months so that you have a lot of tread squirm which leads to improper wear and handling characteristics.
Winter degradation of the tire is true though, as in the winter, the UV radiation levels are actually higher, so the tire compound additives have to fight more UV radiation to prevent the degradation of the (polymer) rubber compound.
with the Nokian WR "G3".... Nokian took the WR A3 and D3 and changed its compound to suit the North American market, to make it into an all-season tire.
