Rubber all season: reviews, choice, characteristics

All-season tires are universal and the most profitable solution from the point of view of car maintenance. The owner of such rubber does not need to update the tires twice a year, which as a result gives significant savings. Nevertheless, the operational aspects that impose restrictions on the use of this type of tire also make themselves felt. But it depends on the region in which all-season rubber is applied.

Reviews note that the severe winter does not contribute to the favorable operation of cars with universal tires. As a result, it is necessary to find a compromise between climatic constraints and financial and practical expediency.

General information about all-season tires

According to the classic definition, the all-season tire is rubber that is capable of providing sufficient performance in conditions of a temperature regime above 0 degrees. The practice of using is not so unambiguous in the conclusions, but initially it is necessary to adhere to this rule, ignoring more subtle nuances. The fact is that all-season tires in the winter are not able to demonstrate the optimal coupling with the problematic coating due to the absence of thorns. The configuration of the tread of such rubber is more oriented to drainage. On the surface, you can find an abundance of branched grooves and slats, designed for safe interfacing in conditions of motion along a watery surface in autumn or spring.

Another feature is the increased hardness of the structure. For the winter period, use soft studded tires, which have sufficient flexibility and tenacity for confident movement on ice and snow. In this case, we consider a typical Scandinavian rubber-Velcro, devoid of pronounced protectors. Disposal of the spikes is due to the fact that all-seasons are also honed for exploitation in summer conditions, where such inclusions are not required at all. Therefore, we can consider this rubber as a compromise universal option, but not specialized for certain weather conditions.

Varieties of models

Inside the segment, all-season tires differ in the type of the so-called treadmill. In essence, this means the direction of the tread pattern. The most common symmetrical pattern without directionality, characterized by comfort in control and low noise level. This solution is suitable for premium family or business models, where there is no need for pronounced athletic qualities. The non-directional asymmetric pattern provides stable contact with the road under conditions of intense loads - for example, when making a sharp turn. Therefore, this option is suitable if you need all-season tires for SUVs that require more rigid control mechanics. The transverse stability also allows the use of such tires in some models of the sports segment.

The directional symmetrical protector is specially designed for aquaplaning conditions. That is, if the regular operation of the machine on a wet road is planned, then just the all-seasoned rubber is suitable. The reviews indicate that a wide divergence of the grooves of the symmetrical tread provides an effective drainage from the contact spot with the road. This option is often recommended for rear-wheel drive models, because during the passage of the problem area, the front wheels are "dried" by the protectors, which makes it possible to easily control the rear wheels in the future prepared area.

Universal off-road tires

There is a special class of tires with A / T marking. In accordance with strict classification, such rubber is not included in the general group of all-season models, but both categories have many similar features. In particular, all-season tires for off-road cars are calculated for both hard surface and off-road use with gravel, dirt, etc. These tires combine balanced qualities of handling and comfort. Actually, rubber A / T possesses similar properties, which has a more pronounced protector.

The main thing that prevents to include a segment of universal off-road tires, is a configuration of drawing. In this case, the protector has a large height, width and contact area. At the same time, the coupling qualities of the A / T modification are guaranteed at a higher level, which is determined by the mass of the car itself. Even the all-season tires on the "Niva" modest size R15 will provide sufficient coupling with the problematic coating due to the characteristics of the tread.

Characteristics of multigrade rubber

The main characteristic is the above mentioned size. In the market you can find tires with R14-R17 diameters in the middle range. From the point of view of safety, the distance of the braking distance is also important. All-season tires are considered by some indicators to be the least reliable, since they have the longest stopping way. This applies, for example, to braking on a dry surface - on average it takes 50-52 m. Unless the winter tires under such conditions show a less attractive result at 57 m. Not the best indicator and in conditions of snow cover - 42 meters against 29, Which are required for winter tires to stop. However, much depends on the parameters of the protector. So, for ordinary cars and motor transport its depth can be 0.8-1 mm. If you require all-season tires on the "Niva" or a small van, then it can be about 1.5 mm. For buses and trucks, tires with a depth of 2 mm are recommended.

Tires reviews Goodyear Vector 4Seasons

According to many motorists, this is the best option if you plan to ride on dry and snowy surfaces. The creators of this rubber provided it with diverse characteristics, which ultimately affected the balance of accuracy of reactions and overall control reliability. Only a great stopping distance has become a serious drawback, which is characterized by this all-season tire. Reviews of a particularly winter operation note that the rubber is suitable for regions with European sparing frosts. However, it is not recommended to experiment in severe Siberian conditions.

As for the wet autumn cover, the behavior of the Vector 4Seasons tires is consistent with the typical summer tires. But the main emphasis of the developers still made for light snow coverings, which can not be handled by any rubber-sticky universal purpose.

Reviews of tires "Kama Euro-224"

In Russia, this is one of the most popular options that represent the segment of all-season tires. Users point to two main advantages - optimal grip under any conditions and strength indicators. On the other hand, all-season tires "Kama" is very noisy and gives a feeling of rigidity, which also does not contribute to comfort, especially if the coating is uneven and has to face pits and small bumps.

In terms of seasonal operation, this decision is difficult to call universal. And in the behavior on the snow cover, and in driving on a dry track, their shortcomings are noted. For example, fresh snow can clog the protector, as a result of which the coupling can be forgotten. In the summer, all-season tires "Kama" shows itself worthy, if one does not take into account certain nuances during aquaplaning. Wet asphalt is given to this rubber hard, but without losing a reliable contact with the coating.

Reviews of tires Yokohama Geolandar

In this line of attention, the modification of H / TS G051 deserves attention. On an ordinary road, the tires demonstrate sufficient course stability, good handling and optimal holding time for aquaplaning. The combination of such advantages can boast of not every rubber all-season.

Reviews about the shortcomings of this model, however, also there. They indicate difficulties when driving on mud and snow coverings. There is a loss of coupling on the background of reduced stability. In general, for off-road and severe winter, this option will not work. You can count on stable controllability and noiselessness only on dry or wet asphalt. For this coating, perhaps, this is the best all-season rubber from the existing offers on the market.

Price issue

Quality tires cost about 4-6 thousand rubles per set. For example, the mentioned modification from Goodyear is available for 4,5 thousand on average. You can also find models worth about 1,5-2 thousand. But it is important to understand that all-season tires, whose prices are below the level of 3 000, are more likely to be made on the basis of poor-quality mixtures. In practice, this means a decrease in wear resistance, reliability and durability.

How to choose the best option?

In their purpose, such tires are universal. However, each season will show its own shortcoming, since it is simply impossible to fully meet the requirements of both winter and summer operation.

For example, the best all-season tires in the winter - the one whose surface has narrow protectors, allowing to maintain a sufficient coupling and not hammered with snow. In the summer and in rainy weather, on the contrary, a drawing with wide lamellas is required for effective drainage. As a result, the choice should be limited to specific operational nuances and the need to sacrifice certain characteristics.