TCS and ADAC’s 2023 major winter tire test: Three tires fail

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This year too, TCS tested the latest winter tires together with its partner associations ADAC and ÖAMTC in Germany and Austria. 32 different winter tires in our stores were examined. For the first time, 16 tires in the regular size 205/60 R16, suitable for lower mid-range SUVs such as the Audi Q2, Ford EcoSport, Hyundai Kona, Renault Captur, Skoda Kamiq or VW T-Roc. 16 winter tires in size 225/45 R17 for popular compact vehicles such as the Audi A3, Fiat 500L, Hyundai Ioniq Hybrid, Peugeot 308, Renault Megane or VW Golf.

Winter tires were examined by experts according to 19 different criteria in comprehensive testing procedures and test tracks in the laboratory. The two most important requirements that determine a tire’s overall rating are driving safety (weight 70 percent) and environmental performance (30 percent).

When it comes to driving safety, examiners focus on the behavior of winter tires in dry and wet conditions, especially winter conditions on snow and ice. On the other hand, driving performance, tire wear, efficiency in gasoline/diesel/electricity consumption, tire weight, noise generation and sustainability are decisive in terms of environmental balance criteria.

Two SUV tires are not recommended

When it comes to SUV tires, testers generally come to a positive conclusion. Seven tires received the “highly recommended” quality seal, while another seven tires were rated “recommended” (see table). However, the purchase of two winter tires cannot be recommended by inspectors due to their weaknesses in terms of driving safety. Lassa Snoways 4 and Austone Athena SP-901 received a final rating of “not recommended”. The latter failed in the wet, with the longest braking distance of all 205/60 R16 winter tires tested. It also stood out as having the worst aquaplaning characteristics in the test.

Well-known brands are ahead

The overall assessment of the testers was slightly more positive for the 225/45 R17 winter tires tested on many popular compact cars in the lower middle class. Of the 16 tire models tested, four were rated “highly recommended” and 11 were rated “recommended.” Only one winter tire is penalized as “not recommended” in this category. Striking: Winter tires from well-known brands showed the best performance. Continental WinterContact TS870, Michelin Alpin 6, Goodyear UltraGrip Performance+ and Dunlop Winter Sport 5 are at the forefront. At the bottom of the table and classified as “not recommended” is Kormoran Snow. There is a good reason for this: it offers the lowest level of grip on dry roads and also has the worst wet characteristics in the test (longest braking distance on wet asphalt, worst results in aquaplaning).

Current winter tire testing also shows: Worn out winter tires are dangerous. TCS tire expert Reto Blättler: “When it comes to aquaplaning and wet grip, worn tires can only offer a fraction of their original performance.” Five of the six tires tested become louder as they wear.

Source: Blick