1999-2009 [Subscribe to Daily Digest] |
It used to be that the non-radial tire's tread pattern would scrunch closed under the footprint, hence the big-lugged, wide open pattern of traditional "snow tires". Radial tires don't do that, and in fact the early radial tires, Michelin X and Pirelli CN 36(?) generally had better snow and ice traction than traditional cross ply snow tires. Another feature of radial tires is the lack of squirm under the footprint allows for free standing tread blocks. You can't do that with cross ply tires - you need continuous ribs all around the tire. Otherwise, the squirm causes the free standing block to "break off". In all, it became reputed that "with radials, you don't need snow tires."
Goodyear's marketing department somehow was the first marketing department to become aware of this fact and ordered up the design of a tire that was particularly suitable for ice and snow, while still not being a big-lugged snow tire. Thus, the "all season "Arriva"" was born. Called "all season", it was no more such than any number of other tires on the market at the time. Note that "all season" is a term that has no meaning beyond the manufacturer having given it that label. It could just as easily say "man landed on the moon and returned safely to earth within 10 years, fulfilling Kennedy's goal." What does have meaning is the "M&S" label, which according to the RMA guidelines, means a maximum "land-sea rato", or ratio of open space to rubber in the tread design. I dare say my Pilot Primacy could carry the M&S label, but I sure wouldn't want to drive them in the snow!
Finally, enter the "snowflake". This is the one and only label on a tire that really means the tire will deliver a specified minimum performance level in ice and snow. IF you are going to have separate winter and summer tires, you need your winter tires to have a snowflake on them. If you are going to have "all season" tires, chances are it won't have a snowflake, and you are essentially "lost in the wilderness" in so far as selection.
Digression. I had Pirelli P600 "summer" tires on one car and BFG Comp HR4 "all season" M&S tires on the other one. Comparable tread depth. The Pirelli had distinctly better snow and ice traction.
Bottom line recommendation.
Nokian WR is the only tire I know of that has both the "snowflake" and the UTQG sidewall markings indicative of a tire designed for summer use. (Tires claimed to be for winter only use, such as Alpin Pilot or Pirelli W240, don't have those markings even though they carry "H" speed ratings). That's the tire I use in the winter on my Aero, and its dry and wet road performance is excellent, as is the snow traction. BF Goodrich claims their "Traction T/A" line has superior snow and ice traction as compared to its predecessor, the "Touring T/A" (which I have used in the winter with reasonable performance). My broker says his new 9-3 SS, with Pirelli P6 All Season tires, is "fantastic" in the snow and ice of the Southeastern Cleveland suburbs.
posted by 24.166.10...
, Thu, 29 Jan 2004 04:49:24
No Site Registration is Required to Post - Site Membership is optional (Member Features List), but helps to keep the site online
for all Saabers. If the site helps you, please consider helping the site by becoming a member.
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
