Largus : Test for all-season tires in size 205/55 R16
Of course, winter tires are best suited for the winter period. But they have two significant drawbacks: price and storage costs, as well as tire fitting twice a year. All-season tires can be driven all year round while limiting costs. But are they a good alternative? View here for more info: milestar ms932 review
In 2015, many manufacturers presented their new all-season models. However, this type of tire only represents a small market share. For example, in France it is only 1%. But, according to manufacturers, the European market is expanding. They are relying on double-digit annual growth through 2018.
What is an all-season tire? In theory, this is a product that should provide equally high performance in summer (high temperature) and winter (cold weather and snow). But in reality, all-season tires are a compromise and provide balanced performance.
In addition, tire companies say that all-season tires do not match the properties of specialized tires, neither in summer at high temperatures (over 30 ° C), nor in the winter cold on snowy roads. In general, it is difficult for a simple layman to navigate ...
All all-season tires are labeled “M + S” (mud and snow) and 3PMSF (snowflake against the backdrop of a three-peaked mountain). They confirm that the tires provide satisfactory grip and braking on snow. But certification itself is just a formality for this type of tire.
In 2015, many manufacturers presented their new all-season models. However, this type of tire only represents a small market share. For example, in France it is only 1%. But, according to manufacturers, the European market is expanding. They are relying on double-digit annual growth through 2018.
What is an all-season tire? In theory, this is a product that should provide equally high performance in summer (high temperature) and winter (cold weather and snow). But in reality, all-season tires are a compromise and provide balanced performance.
In addition, tire companies say that all-season tires do not match the properties of specialized tires, neither in summer at high temperatures (over 30 ° C), nor in the winter cold on snowy roads. In general, it is difficult for a simple layman to navigate ...
All all-season tires are labeled “M + S” (mud and snow) and 3PMSF (snowflake against the backdrop of a three-peaked mountain). They confirm that the tires provide satisfactory grip and braking on snow. But certification itself is just a formality for this type of tire.
The expert group "L'Argus" decided to investigate the issue and draw up a "portrait" of all-season tires by itself. For this I organized a comparative test, in which the latest all-season models from Michelin, Goodyear, Nokian, Pirelli and Uniroyal took part in the size 205/55 R16.
The first part of this test was carried out in early October in Melk (50 km from Vienna, Austria), where the performance of tires on wet and dry surfaces was tested on selected tracks. The air temperature during this period was kept at the level of 13 ° С-20 ° С.
The second part of the tests took place in Finnish Lapland in early December 2015 at the Nokian test site. The handling was tested at temperatures from -3.5 ° C to -4.5 ° C, and the braking and traction characteristics in the temperature range -8 ° C / -10 ° C.
The test car in all cases was a 150 hp Volkswagen Golf VII 1.4 TSI. The tire pressure is 2.4 bar.
Better late than never
The relatively late appearance of this test is due to several reasons, the main of which is the weather. The test requires snow, cold temperatures and, above all, stable conditions to obtain reliable results. These tests could have been carried out in March as well, but in the spring the all-season novelties have not yet appeared on the wide sale, and L'Argus experts, as you know, do not take tires directly from manufacturers to participate in tests.
