Winter tires: a step aside
GT Radial Savero SUV
Nitto Dura Combatant
Tires Nokian Rotiiva HT and
Ul. Pirelli Scorpio
Toyo Open Country U/T
Yokohama Geolandar X-CHV G057
It is believed that most SUVs and crossovers now rarely leave the pavement, and because each new generation of universal tires for them looks more and more like car models. But for those who periodically make forays into nature, there is a special category of rubber
Experts refer to these tires as "80% tarmac and 20% off-road", which suggests that owners don’t go for storms in impenetrable jungles and tend to be limited to unpaved rural and forest roads, flat and not particularly difficult sandy and rocky areas. They want to maintain high performance in terms of speed and handling on firm ground.
While the typical "tarmac" off-road tire has a tread pattern reminiscent of an elevated passenger car model (adjusted for a reinforced internal structure), even "lightly off-road" tires are endowed with distinctive features. First of all, a large number of coupling cross edges are formed along the edges of the blocks and the channels between them, which provides traction characteristics for its segment. Most often, such tires are dominated by a symmetrical non-directional tread pattern with two or three longitudinal ribs in the central region. The shoulder area in such rubber is more like a rounded car model, it helps to confidently take turns, but the lack of lugs seriously limits patency in deep mud and on the track. However, tight edges and "shoulders" are able to provide acceptable habits on asphalt.
The abundance of corners and block edges increases the number of tread impacts on the road and, accordingly, traffic noise. Real jeepers are mostly philosophical about this, but in our case, let’s not forget that motorists spend most of their time on the pavement. To improve acoustic comfort, designers make uneven block sizes, pitches or shapes that reduce the measurable impact and hence the resonance. Some manufacturers are going further and experimenting with the aerodynamics of the channel walls.
The request for improved flotation refers to the behavior of the tire in the water film. Here in favor of this type of rubber is a significant negative profile, i.e. the sum of all channels and grooves. Often, transverse grooves are specially shaped to increase the speed of water flow and its evacuation from the contact patch. The main stream of water, dirt or slush is removed with wide longitudinal channels. No less important is the ability of the tread to self-clean from soil, dirt and even snow. As with more extreme off-road models, the tires can be found with special lugs in the channels, preventing stones from getting stuck and facilitating their removal.
A separate issue is the possibility of year-round operation of such tires. Formally, they are considered the whole season and almost all have an M + S sign (mud and snow) on the sidewall – in some countries this is enough for the police to ask you a question in winter, but almost all tire manufacturers claim that no additional 3PMSF badges (mountain with three peaks and snowflakes), they cannot be considered as replacements for winter models. It is not uncommon in Western brochures and commercials for individual off-road tires to be shown on the winter road, but in our country they are in a unique position as in summer. The fact that the rubber compound of these tires is the ability to maintain adequate resilience by about −5 to 10 degrees, and then its grip, drop sharply. And if there is snow "oculoplasty" zone will not be a particular problem for these models,
According to the category under consideration in the main segment of cross-country buses, which are usually indicated by the index CCH (h / t) in the model name, while some companies correspond to an intermediate version with a greater or lesser degree of "off-road vehicle". And after all, we have somewhat expanded the boundaries of the review, including various models that allow you to drive onto the sidewalk, but are still designed for asphalt roads.
Tire GT Radial Savero SUVfully reflects the concept of the Asian giant offering consumers an inexpensive and high-quality alternative to well-known premium counterparts. The symmetrical non-directional tread design has not been lost on the products of other well-known brands: three pronounced longitudinal ribs, including the Central one, an abundance of mixed sipes of elegant and practical shapes. The four wide longitudinal channels are designed to effectively combat hydroplaning, and judging by customer feedback, in rainy weather the rubber is really not satisfactory, if to maintain an acceptable speed. Most sizes have a speed index H (210 km/h), and some sizes even with a V (240 km/h), which is an affordable price category, of course, is a plus that the tire feels quite confident at high speed, although this is more true to stability, than in fast turns. Tight, rounded shoulders with no hint of lugs implying that dirt and snow (despite the M+S badge) tires have nothing in common, and all of its off-road percentages have reasonably flat, firm, and (preferably) dry ground. On a winter road, the tires do not feel confident, although they behave much better than summer models, so I recommend it for year-round use, only possible in warm regions where frosts rarely occur. How many tires of this brand, the main advantage of the Savero SUV is good resistance, and this quality is one of the most important for consumers looking for a budget option. and all of its "off-road percents" have reasonably flat, firm, and (preferably) dry ground. On a winter road, the tires do not feel confident, although they behave much better than summer models, so I recommend it for year-round use, only possible in warm regions where frosts rarely occur. How many tires of this brand, the main advantage of the Savero SUV is good resistance, and this quality is one of the most important for consumers looking for a budget option. and all of its "off-road percents" have reasonably flat, firm, and (preferably) dry ground. On a winter road, the tires do not feel confident, although they behave much better than summer models, so I recommend it for year-round use, only possible in warm regions where frosts rarely occur. How many tires of this brand, the main advantage of the Savero SUV is good resistance, and this quality is one of the most important for consumers looking for a budget option.
About tires Nitto fool wrestlerwe say that it looks very impressive (just like other models of the brand). Each block with three narrow transverse slats, which goes into a wide vertical rectangular cutout, resembles either a logo or letters of an unknown alphabet. The blocks of the central and shoulder zones are largely identical in design and vary in size and proportions. The blocks are placed in the longitudinal edges and the high tread density is connected by bridges. Some sizes have added a solid center rib, providing better handling and directional stability. From above, the outlines of the blocks resemble a parallelogram, but their walls expand additional edges into the depths of the grooves, which increases the density and stability of the tread – this is less clogged with dirt and stones, and the channels themselves have a zigzag shape because of this. The abundance of transverse gear racks, along with a soft rubber compound and is associated with winter tires, and a fool fighter really helps to maintain control over a snowy and frozen road, but reasonable speed limits and increased attention from the driver (after all, in our climate it is not worth recommending tires for year-round use). The strength of the model is high acoustic comfort: against the background of many "classmates" it compares favorably with a low noise level. Large size declared high speed (up to 240 km / h), but the soft tread imposes certain restrictions, so lovers of driving powerful SUVs should pay attention to another segment of the tire. but reasonable speed limits and increased attention from the driver (after all, in our climate it is not worth recommending tires for year-round use). The strength of the model is high acoustic comfort: against the background of many "classmates" it compares favorably with a low noise level. Large size declared high speed (up to 240 km / h), but the soft tread imposes certain restrictions, so lovers of driving powerful SUVs should pay attention to another segment of the tire. but reasonable speed limits and increased attention from the driver (after all, in our climate it is not worth recommending tires for year-round use). The strength of the model is high acoustic comfort: against the background of many "classmates" it compares favorably with a low noise level. Large size declared high speed (up to 240 km / h), but the soft tread imposes certain restrictions, so lovers of driving powerful SUVs should pay attention to another segment of the tire.
The Finnish company Nokian Tires recommends Rotiiva HT tires inmainly for real SUVs, pickups and light trucks, although as often as you need to move off the asphalt, ordinary crossovers will do (of course, the coincidence of sizes). The model corresponds to the general concept of the company’s development, taking into account the peculiarities of the difficult northern climate, the variety of road surfaces and difficult operating conditions. By proprietary patented technology, the sidewalls are reinforced with aramid fibers, increasing resistance to tears and cuts. The asymmetric tread pattern is characterized by three longitudinal ribs, lined with small blocks of complex shape, forming many gripping edges. The shape of the blocks and drainage grooves are designed in such a way that under load they stop each other, increase the density of the tread, and due to deformation in motion increases their surface and contact patches. Great attention is paid to protection against aquaplaning: the bulk of the moisture is removed through four wide longitudinal channels and a special form of control channels and grooves increases the speed of the water to break up the streams like a syringe. Traditionally, the walls of the channels are made of polished to minimize friction against the water. Also in the side walls of the channels have semicircular grooves, attenuation of aerodynamic noise, a special layer between the side wall and the tread absorbs some of the vibrations. In the lower part, the longitudinal channels are rectangular protrusions that prevent stones from getting stuck. In general, the tires feel good off the asphalt (except for sticky mud), they don’t save, but on a winter road, although, of course, they can’t compare closely with the winter models of this company. the main part of the moisture is removed by means of four wide longitudinal channels and a special form of channel and groove control helps to increase the speed of the water to break up the flows like a syringe. Traditionally, the walls of the channels are made of polished to minimize friction against the water. Also in the side walls of the channels have semicircular grooves, attenuation of aerodynamic noise, a special layer between the side wall and the tread absorbs some of the vibrations. In the lower part, the longitudinal channels are rectangular protrusions that prevent stones from getting stuck. In general, the tires feel good off the asphalt (except for sticky mud), they don’t save, but on a winter road, although, of course, they can’t compare closely with the winter models of this company. the main part of the moisture is removed by means of four wide longitudinal channels and a special form of channel and groove control helps to increase the speed of the water to break up the flows like a syringe. Traditionally, the walls of the channels are made of polished to minimize friction against the water. Also in the side walls of the channels have semicircular grooves, attenuation of aerodynamic noise, a special layer between the side wall and the tread absorbs some of the vibrations. In the lower part, the longitudinal channels are rectangular protrusions that prevent stones from getting stuck. In general, the tires feel good off the asphalt (except for sticky mud), they don’t save, but on a winter road, although, of course, they can’t compare closely with the winter models of this company.
Tires Pirelli Scorpion strwith the current year is no longer in the official catalog, but in the warehouses of dealers at the time of writing there was still a limited amount of this product and now is the last opportunity to purchase this really worthy model. The manufacturer claims that the formula is “75% asphalt – 25% off-road", and the unpaved areas here are not limited to rolled soil – the wheel rides well on shallow, non-viscous and mud does not persist on dry soils, unless, of course, we are talking about a sand dune desert. Despite being officially owned with summer tires, many drivers at home and abroad work all year round, noting that although the model is significantly inferior to specialized winter tires, it still allows cold grip and control to be acceptable, contributes to a stressed, elastic rubber compound with a high content silica. The symmetrical non-directional tread pattern features dense central ribs with narrow sloping sipes, which provide good handling and road holding. The sloping shoulder blocks, separated by a wide oblique channel, form multiple grip edges that improve acceleration and braking and traction on various types of road surfaces. Stiff shoulder area guarantees cornering stability. As an alternative to current offerings, we can name the Scorpion Verde model throughout the season, which is much more than a hundred Scorpions in speed performance and handling, but prefers only hard ground off asphalt. separated by a wide oblique channels, form numerous grip edges that improve acceleration and braking and grip on various types of road surface. Stiff shoulder area guarantees cornering stability. As an alternative to current offerings, we can name the Scorpion Verde model throughout the season, which is much more than a hundred Scorpions in speed performance and handling, but prefers only hard ground off asphalt. separated by a wide oblique channels, form numerous grip edges that improve acceleration and braking and grip on various types of road surface. Stiff shoulder area guarantees cornering stability. As an alternative to current offerings, we can name the Scorpion Verde model throughout the season, which is much more than a hundred Scorpions in speed performance and handling, but prefers only hard ground off asphalt.
Toyo knows a lot about off-road tires, and in the segment this is the latest model of the second generation of open terrain H / T, however, it has not been officially released lately – we, the Japanese, have relied on the “road” open country of the u / t, representing 90% of the driving performance developed in asphalt pavement. The symmetrical tread pattern has three longitudinal ribs, where the central one has many slotted islomania grooves, forming a pronounced grip of the edging material and creating usametformin elements, thereby maintaining the density of the ribs (especially under lateral load). Inclined blocks of other ribs separated by grooves which, together with four longitudinal channels, ensure rapid water removal. The five-step reconfiguration of the blocks made it possible to reduce the resonance of vibration and noise. In addition, the ribbed walls of the center channel help to improve acoustic comfort by dampening excessive sound vibrations. Wave-shaped 3D sipes on the shoulder blocks increase the density of these sites, improve cornering and reduce wear. The elastic rubber compound with a high silica content, together with the grippy tread, helps to maintain stability even on winter roads, although we emphasize that tires are recommended for warm seasons. Outside of asphalt, the tire allows even a little more than the manufacturer’s, without losing grip on leafy and pine forest roads, and on wet primers. Along with good speed performance and decent handling makes this model an attractive versatile option for various types of SUVs and crossovers. and on wet ground. Along with good speed performance and decent handling makes this model an attractive versatile option for various types of SUVs and crossovers. and on wet ground. Along with good speed performance and decent handling makes this model an attractive versatile option for various types of SUVs and crossovers.
The Yokohama brand has a lot of tires that are in the category of interest to us, some of them are endowed with original designs and are designed for factory equipment. We will consider the latest models of the current season Geolandar x-TsV G057, which replaced the parade’s truly iconic PA02 parade accessories, is best known for its striking and beautiful symmetrical directional design. Externally, the novelty was the exact opposite – its asymmetrical design is mathematically correct and concise, and therefore not striking. Longitudinal lines of blocks with alternating type of pattern and purpose: the first with central ribs on the outside and inside of the shoulder are responsible for grip on wet surfaces, the others are most effective in the dry. The edge of the central zone is lined with slightly larger elements and provided with various combinations of grooves and recesses to combine the best density, good tenacity. One block can have a mixture of 2D and 3D sipes: the special setting of its edge creates optimal grip on different types of roads up to Winter Cover. The M+S marking is by the manufacturer as a sign that the tire can safely continue in the event of "sudden snow", however, the first "exam" for the cold season, this model is yet to come. The contact innovation is much broader than the parade and promises better grip and longer tire life. The rubber compound is added to the polymer, which is easier to use silica particles in the rubber compound, which improves grip.