Wear and performance are no longer a conflict of objectives

Wear and performance are no longer a conflict of objectives

A study by the ÖAMTC has shown for the first time that the decades-long premise of “either safe or environmentally friendly” when it comes to tires is no longer valid. “In our tire tests, the assessment of wear is an integral part of the test methodology,” says ÖAMTC tire expert Steffan Kerbl. “What is new, however, is that we have now evaluated the results to see whether there have been improvements and further developments in this category.” The detailed analysis clearly shows that in every dimension there are models with little tire wear that also have safe driving characteristics. “What is pleasing is that the abrasion actually decreases from test to test,” says Kerbl.

The analysis of tire wear from 15 manufacturers shows that Michelin is far ahead of its competitors with an average of just 95 grams per 1,000 km. But Goodyear also impresses with a still respectable average abrasion of 107 g/1,000 km. In the current summer tire test, however, the Continental EcoContact 6 has impressively low abrasion. “59 g per 1,000 km is an unprecedented record,” explains Kerbl. “The only downside, however, is that Continental has not yet managed to combine environmental friendliness with good safety features.”

According to the ÖAMTC, not every manufacturer is at the same level when it comes to abrasion: “Pirelli and Bridgestone clearly have some catching up to do when it comes to tire abrasion,” notes Kerbl. “And at Vredestein, too, the latest generation shows a clear deterioration compared to previous models.” In addition, the evaluation revealed another, sometimes surprising aspect: time and again, second or third brands from prominent manufacturers stand out positively and are at the forefront with individual tire models. “The assumption arises that these are used as technology carriers to introduce innovative leaps onto the market,” explains the ÖAMTC tire expert. If you drive a lot, the ÖAMTC therefore recommends using particularly sustainable tires with low abrasion, as these are easier on your wallet and have less impact on the environment.