Winter can come

Winter can come

The ÖAMTC and its partners tested 15 winter tires for compact and lower mid-range vehicles (dimension 205/55 R16 91H) and 13 for SUVs and vans (235/55 R17 103V). Friedrich Eppel, tire expert at the mobility club, summarizes the results: "In the smaller dimension, we have a very positive overall result with five 'highly recommended' and seven 'recommended'. For the 235s, the grades are also good overall, but are distributed differently - here one 'highly recommended' is equal to eleven 'recommended'." Particularly noticeable: Weaknesses on dry roads prevent even better results for many tires of both dimensions. 
 
In the compact class dimension, there are five very balanced models with the Bridgestone Blizzak LM005, the Michelin Alpin 6, the Dunlop Winter Sport 5, the Hankook i*cept RS2 and the Maxxis Premitra Snow WP6 that have no weaknesses. 

The test results for Semperit Speed-Grip 3 (“conditionally recommended”), King-Meiler Winter Tact WT81 and Tristar Snowpower HP (both “not recommended”) are less good. The latter two have problems in at least two categories, with the King-Meiler being the only redesigned model in the test. Environmental aspects and a low price speak in favor of buying such a tire, but in the case of the King-Meiler Tact WT81 there is a lack of support due to weak test results.
Results, especially in wet conditions, not a purchase recommendation. 

Weaknesses on dry roads

The overall result for the 235s was also good with one “highly recommended”, eleven “recommended” and one “conditionally recommended”. Here too, Michelin has created a very balanced and therefore “highly recommended” model without any weaknesses, in this case with the Pilot Alpin 5. As with the smaller sizes, the winter tires rated “recommended” are mainly due to weaknesses on dry roads. 
The Speed-Grip 3 SUV from Semperit is only “conditionally recommended” in the SUV dimension.