All-season tire test for small cars to suvs: adac recommends these tires

All-season tire test for small cars to SUVs: These tires are recommended by the ADAC. Changing tires on the car: all-season tires can be a sensible compromise. (Source: Thinkstock by Getty-Images/Boonyarit)

Tire changes are a nuisance and cost money. All-season tires are a remedy, because they allow you to drive all year round. Do drivers have to make compromises? We explain what you should bear in mind when buying all-season tires and which tires have been tested by ADAC and autobild have done well.

Overview

How you do it, you do it wrong. This is the impression that many drivers get when they change their tires twice a year. Because winter and summer are no longer what they used to be. And who then drives around at 14 degrees in december with his winter tires or drives in hail with summer tires from the swimming lake, is far from using the most suitable tires.

Deals of the day
three days baltic sea vacation directly at the beach for only 119 euro

True: all-weather tires, or all-season tires, are not as good as explicit summer or winter tires in the sub-disciplines of dryness and snow. They’re a compromise – but they can still be the best solution. For example, for families who own two cars and use one car only for short distances in everyday life. So if you don’t use it for annual skiing vacations or other longer trips, an all-season tire can be an inexpensive alternative.

Our all-season tire recommendations

We have researched tire models for you that have performed particularly well in tests. When looking at test results, you should keep in mind that the results often refer to a specific size and type of tire. The characteristics could deviate with other vehicles and sizes.

The test winner 17 inch: continental allseasoncontact

The continental-allseasoncontact-all-season tire consistently scores top marks. It is the winner of the "auto motor und sport" test (09/2018) with the verdict "highly recommended". plus points for good snow performance and excellent grip in the wet. With dimensions of 225/45 R17, it is one of the best-selling tire sizes for the compact and mid-size classes. Thus it is a good choice for the VW golf, BMW 1 series or audi A3.

"Autobild" (09/2020) and "autotest" (11/2019) awarded the rating "exemplary, only the ADAC rated it as "satisfactory (ADAC test from 10/2018). on dry roads, the ADAC testers found it somewhat weak. It received the highest rating for fuel consumption and performed well in the wet and on snow. If you value good winter performance, this model is the right choice.

The best for suvs: michelin crossclimate SUV

The all-season michelin crossclimate SUV tire came out on top in the "autobild" test (04/2019) with the rating "exemplary" landed right at the front. With its 235/55 R19 size, it is particularly suitable for large SUVs and off-road vehicles. In the snow, wet and dry test, it achieved the grade "good" in each case. Michelin focuses on the tire’s good properties in dry conditions. But it loses some of its snow performance in winter. However, the testers note that it can also be driven safely on snow. It is therefore a solid all-season tire, which is close to the comfort of a summer tire.

The best for small cars: nexen N blue 4 season

With a score of 2.7, the nexen N blue 4 season scored best in the ADAC test of 2018. In the size 175/65 R14 it is suitable for small cars such as the VW up, renault twingo or ford fiesta. The tire performed well on wet roads and even achieved the top score on ice. On dry and snow-covered roads, it received the grade "satisfactory". A "good or "very good However, no all-season tire in this size has received in the ADAC test.

The test winner with 16 inches: goodyear vector 4seasons gen-3

Test winner from "autobild (09/2020) and current "ecomeister" for low consumption and low wear is the goodyear 4seasons generation 3. In the tested size 205/55 R16 91V it reaches the test judgement "exemplary". In the test categories snow and wetness it achieves the test mark 1-, in the costs even the mark 1.

The tire also scores with very good winter properties and a high mileage performance. In this size, the all-season tire is the right choice for the small and compact class and, for example, well suited for the current VW golf.

In the "autobild-test of 10/2021 the model in another size also achieves the test victory. In the dimension 225/50 R 17, the tire receives the verdict "exemplary" and a score of 2+ on snow.

The endurance runner: michelin crossclimate

the michelin crossclimate has made it onto several best lists of tire comparisons at the same time. "Autobild" in the test (09/2020), it was awarded the grade "exemplary. The testers also praised its particularly good price-performance ratio. In the 225/45 R17 size, it is one of the bestsellers for the compact and mid-size classes such as the VW Golf and BMW 1 Series. The ADAC, however, only gave the tire the grade "sufficient". Above all the driving behavior with snow provided for the less good evaluation.

In the test of the "auto zeitung (issue 21/2017) it braked after a running performance of 10.000 kilometers even better than in mint condition and impresses with its long service life.

Conclusion: finding the best all-season tire

VW golf, BMW 1 series and audi A3: for the popular compact class, the test winner from continental a good choice and therefore also our recommendation. As a price tip the 16-inch tire from goodyear a cheap alternative. For small cars like the VW up or ford fiesta is the tires from nexen our favorite. And for large suvs, go for the 19-inchers from michelin .

if you don’t want to change your tires, an all-season tire is a good choice, as long as you don’t go to the ski resort or live in the alps every winter. For those who rely on all-weather tires, compromises must be made. When making your choice, therefore, the question is: do you want high winter performance or good summer performance??

An example of this is also the worst tire in the ADAC test: the bridgestone weather control A005 (size 235/55 R17) achieves good results on dry and wet roads, but in the snow it fails completely. It receives the final grade "unsatisfactory. The testers therefore rate it as a summer tire in disguise. So look for good results on snow and ice if you want to be safe on the road in winter, too.

Everything you need to know about all-season tires

What are the legal requirements for all-season tires?

In germany, you are not allowed to drive on the roads with summer tires when it snows. With all-season or all-weather tires, however, they are. It is important that the tires have the same legal status as winter tires. This is only the case if they are marked with the so-called alpine symbol, which looks like a mountain with a snowflake on it.

Manufacturers are only allowed to use this symbol if the tires have passed a snow test. For newly purchased tires, the older M+S marking is no longer sufficient. M+S tires produced by the end of 2017 may only be used as all-season tires until the end of 2024. If you use them for longer than this, you risk a fine and loss of insurance coverage.

What is important for all-season tires?

If you have decided to purchase all-season tires, you should consider what is most important to you. good driving characteristics in summer or in winter? In tests measuring braking distances in a wide range of road conditions, all-season tires from different manufacturers perform better on either dry or wet roads. All-season tires that are equally good in every situation do not exist.

You must therefore decide whether you place more value on good grip in summer or in autumn and winter. Or you can choose a tire that does not deliver top values in either case, but solid average values in all tests.

Which tire size is the right one?

To find out which tire sizes are permitted for your vehicle, see lines 15.1 and 15.2 of the "approval certificate part 1. However, only one size or size combination is specified there if different tire sizes are intended for the front and rear axle.

other possible tire sizes are listed in the so-called coc document ("certification of conformity") under numbers 32 and 50. If you do not have the documents, you can request them from your dealer.

Alternatively, you can also determine the tire size on the basis of existing tires. The technical details of the tire are printed on the tire sidewalls.

What do the designations on the tires mean??

If a tire is marked 175/70 R 13 82 T, for example, the individual numbers and letters stand for the following values:

  • 175: tire width in mm
  • 70: height/width ratio in percent
  • R: tire design – R stands for radial (Z stands for high speed tires)
  • 13: rim diameter in inches
  • 82: load index
  • T: maximum permitted speed, T stands for 190 kilometers per hour

The following speed code letters there are:

  • Q = 160 kilometers per hour
  • R = 170 kilometers per hour
  • S = 180 kilometers per hour
  • T = 190 kilometers per hour
  • U = 200 kilometers per hour
  • H = 210 kilometers per hour
  • V = 240 kilometers per hour
  • VR = over 210 kilometers per hour
  • W = 270 kilometers per hour
  • Y = 300 kilometers per hour

The load index is a coded value for the maximum permissible load per tire. The code 82, for example, stands for a permissible load of 475 kilograms per tire. The values refer to a tire pressure of 2.5 bar. The load index specified in the vehicle documents may be exceeded. A lower index number is not allowed.

  • ADAC winter tire test 2019:how to get through the winter
  • Stiftung warentest:the right roof box for station wagons and sedans
  • More entertainment while driving:upgrade the car radio with modern technology
  • ADAC-test:drive safely with these summer tires
  • Autobild test all-season tires

For the products sold through this site, t-online receives a commission from the retailer. For you as a buyer there will be no additional costs.

Like this post? Please share to your friends:
Christina Cherry
Leave a Reply

;-) :| :x :twisted: :smile: :shock: :sad: :roll: :razz: :oops: :o :mrgreen: :lol: :idea: :grin: :evil: :cry: :cool: :arrow: :???: :?: :!: