Auto express allweather tyre test 2015

[grober]

latest 2015 results

All-season tyres test 2015: top all-weather tyres tested | Auto Express

 

[flango]

The new Michelin Cross Climate tyres are awesome, act as full winter tyres in snow and brilliant grip in summer, no more parlava of having to put winter tyres on, top job Michelin

 

[grober]

I looked for a Michelin tyre in the test line up but said it was too late to be included - perhaps because part of the test was performed at arch rival Continental's Contidrone test ground?
here's a review
Michelin CrossClimate launched is this a game changer - TyreReviews

While these tyres are definitely worth a look come "time to change" owners may find they have to drop down a speed rating from standard fitment . While this is no impediment on our 70 mph limited roads there might also be a slight increase in rolling resistance with minor effect on fuel consumption and perhaps best to check with your insurance company.

 

[falcoron]

the max size for 17" is 225, i asked michelin if supplying these in bigger sizes for the majority of rear whel drive cars, this is there answer,

Fear Mr.Ferris

Thank you for your enquiry about the Michelin Cross Climate.

At the monment we have no plans to manufacture the CC in a 245/45 R 17 - this size is normally a rear size on some vehicles and changing to a winter fitment they usually go with the front size which is a 225, check with your vheicle manufacturer or handbook to check what the winter fitment can be.

Should you require any further assistance please contact us on 0845 366 1590 (UK & NI) or 0044 (0) 1782 401590 (ROI), quoting the reference number above.

Kind Regards
Julie
Consumer Contact Team

 

[falcoron]

am i wrong but they seem to bne suggesting that winter tryes of a smaller width can be fitted to a 245 wide wheel. is that the norm?

 

[grober]

the max size for 17" is 225, i asked michelin if supplying these in bigger sizes for the majority of rear whel drive cars, this is there answer,

Fear Mr.Ferris

Thank you for your enquiry about the Michelin Cross Climate.

At the monment we have no plans to manufacture the CC in a 245/45 R 17 - this size is normally a rear size on some vehicles and changing to a winter fitment they usually go with the front size which is a 225, check with your vheicle manufacturer or handbook to check what the winter fitment can be.

Should you require any further assistance please contact us on 0845 366 1590 (UK & NI) or 0044 (0) 1782 401590 (ROI), quoting the reference number above.

Kind Regards
Julie
Consumer Contact Team

I suspected as much. If you look at Mercedes TYRE Fitment guide in the owners handbook you will often notice a rear wheel rim down-sizing for winter tyres. The idea being narrower tyres will bite down better in snow. So fitting cross climates all round for long term use would probably involve buying two more front wheels to fit on the back sort of negating the cost saving over say an extra set of dedicated steel winter rims and tyres.
Personally I see the larger rear rimed wheels more as a styling affectation than anything else in the "cooking " mercedes saloons with the possible exception of the higher powered cars.

 

[grober]

am i wrong but they seem to bne suggesting that winter tryes of a smaller width can be fitted to a 245 wide wheel. is that the norm?

Technically possible but not recommended would be my comment. Fitting a 225 tyre to a 245 rim means part of the side wall is employed to "widen" the tyre meaning its function is slightly compromised from optimum. This might effect sidewall stiffness and ride quality for example. It would surely be counterproductive to improve year round tyre performance by fitting all season tyres and then compromise their performance by fitting them to a less than optimum rim size?
Might be worth checking other manufacturers sizes? I have a soft spot for Vredestein having run their old WINTRAKS for many years.

 

[falcoron]

My tyres on my 2003 w211 320Cdi are 245 45 17 all round, which is correct, according to my vin.
Its a bit confussing i really want new tyres all round, i have cheap chinese on at the moment ( only bought the car so not my doing) and they are not good in the wet and are noisy. I have never used winter or all weather tyres before but as this is rear wheel drive im thinking the Michelin all weather would be a good alternative to good summer tyres. the reviews are very positive in regards wet grip and dry so with added snow grip seems the logical choice. But the size they do is 225 45 17 so i just dont know if this would be ok on my car. Is there anyone who could answer that? merc perhaps?

 

[grober]

You could also look at a conservatively treaded winter tyre such as the Nokian WR A3 which is available in 245/45 R17 99V I have run such tyres all year round in the UK without problem for many years.

 

[falcoron]

You could also look at a conservatively treaded winter tyre such as the Nokian WR A3 which is available in 245/45 R17 99V I have run such tyres all year round in the UK without problem for many years.

thanks]
can i ask what the wear rate is like and wet grip?

 

[grober]

I have run Vredestein, Nokian and Michelin winter tyres all year round and found their wear rates on a par or slightly better than conventional summer tyres. Wet grip is again similar with added advantage that winter tyre come with an extra couple of mm tread depth as standard if you are one of these folks who like to extract the last mm out of their tyres before changing. Greater tread depth would mean the tyre might initially move more under severe braking for example but would settle with wear. Lots of Myths about winter tyres still around from the old days such as high wear rates- this derived from their design which used a very soft rubber mix and a high void to tread pattern [ less area of rubber to wear down ] in an attempt to get better grip. Modern winter tyres used sophisticated siping on staggered block patterns on the tyre tread and high silica content to maintain the tyre tread elasticity at low temperature to achieve the same thing meaning there is no wear penalty. Gains to be had from going allweather or winter depend on where and when you are motoring in the UK. The more Geographically North/higher altitude / nightime driving you do/ the more you NEED to be on the road 24/7 ----the more you will benefit.

 

[falcoron]

I have run Vredestein, Nokian and Michelin winter tyres all year round and found their wear rates on a par or slightly better than conventional summer tyres. Wet grip is again similar with added advantage that winter tyre come with an extra couple of mm tread depth as standard if you are one of these folks who like to extract the last mm out of their tyres before changing. Greater tread depth would mean the tyre might initially move more under severe braking for example but would settle with wear. Lots of Myths about winter tyres still around from the old days such as high wear rates- this derived from their design which used a very soft rubber mix and a high void to tread pattern [ less area of rubber to wear down ] in an attempt to get better grip. Modern winter tyres used sophisticated siping on staggered block patterns on the tyre tread and high silica content to maintain the tyre tread elasticity at low temperature to achieve the same thing meaning there is no wear penalty. Gains to be had from going allweather or winter depend on where and when you are motoring in the UK. The more Geographically North/higher altitude / nightime driving you do/ the more you NEED to be on the road 24/7 ----the more you will benefit.

good point,
i live in northern ireland where it rains A LOT! we can get snow ob higher ground through winter but mostly slush, ice ect. All weather would probably be good.but will get another look at winters and see where it leads.
thanks

 

[falcoron]

Bought Avon ice ST winter tyres, and so far so good, only been wet and that grip is a vast improvement over the previous chinese crap. steers well and grips when pushed out of corners when wet. Colder weather will be here soon so will see how they go when the temp gets down.
Only £83 each from Camskill, best i could get here at home was £127 each fitted.
I bought and got delivered for £25 and fitted for £40 so still saved a fair bit ( £397 compared to £508)

 

[grober]

Be interested to get your feedback in the longer term.

 

[selphy]

I'm please with Vredstein Quatrac 3's. On my second set, Good wear, quiet and nice ride. The cornering isn't quite as sharp as a summer tyre in warmer weather but overall I think they are a better compromise.

I think I'll be trying Michelin Cross Climate next time. Either way, I can't imagine going back to summer tyres in the UK.