ÖAMTC summer tire test 2021

ÖAMTC summer tire test 2021

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This year's test took a closer look at two tire dimensions: 205/55 R16 91V and 225/50 R17 98Y. 

Dimenson 16-in

Of the 15 tested models of size 205/55 R16 91V, which is often installed in compact and lower mid-range vehicles, three models received an overall rating of “highly recommended”, eleven tires were rated “recommended” and one tire was rated “conditionally recommended”. Overall a positive result. The Continental Premium Contact 6, the Semperit Speed-Life 3 and the Bridgestone Turanza T005 were all “highly recommended”. Big differences were found in this dimension in terms of wear, an important criterion especially for frequent drivers: The Nokian Wetproof, for example, manages almost 25,000 km up to the wear limit. The Goodyear Efficient Grip Performance 2, on the other hand, achieves more than twice the mileage of around 55,000 km under the same conditions. The fact that the latter was only “recommended” was due to slight weaknesses in dry performance.

Dimension 17 inches

Surprise with the 17-inchers: Out of 17 tested models of size 225/50 R17 98Y (often found in mid-range vehicles), the overall performance of the Falken Azenis FK510, Continental Premium Contact 6, Kumho Ecsta PS71 and Bridgestone Turanza T005 was rated “highly recommended”. A further twelve tires were rated as “recommended”, led by the Michelin Primacy 4, which achieved top marks in the “dry” and “wear” categories, but showed slight weaknesses in the wet. The spread in the “wet” category can be clearly seen in the difference in braking distances from 80 km/h. In a direct comparison, the vehicle with the weakest tire in the wet (Firestone Roadhawk with 41.2 m) comes to a stop almost two vehicle lengths later than the one with the best wet brake (Semperit Speed-Life 3 with 32.7 m). This poor performance in wet conditions also resulted in the Firestone Roadhawk being rated “not recommended,” the only negative rating in this year’s summer tire test.

Friedrich Eppel, ÖAMTC tire expert, summarizes the test: “This year it shows again that the ‘highly recommended’ category doesn’t just include models from the top price category.”

Tire changing tip

When is the right time to change from winter to summer tires? Eppel explains: "There is no fixed temperature, such as seven degrees, at which the grip advantages between summer and winter tires are reversed. The grip behavior of tires depends not only on the temperature, but also on the roughness of the road surface." On rough and dry roads, summer tires usually have more grip than winter tires, even at slightly lower temperatures; on very slippery roads, winter tires can have an advantage over summer tires even at higher temperatures. “In the summer heat it is definitely too hot for the soft winter tires, so the harder summer tires offer more safety,” explains Eppel. The legal situational winter equipment requirement ends on April 15th. If there are no longer winter driving conditions, it may make sense to switch to summer tires beforehand.