Still think that the 4 bits of rubber on your car must be the cheapest? Think again. Below is a summary of a tyre test done by Autocar, (http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/products/total_tyre_guide/213186/tyre_guide.html#ixzz0x8wi5cQ5) and you will see if you visit them why if you value the life of your family and/or yourself why insisting on the top brands could save lives.
If you visit Autocar, and I feel that it is a must see report, then you will see how choosing one brand from another you can halve your stopping distance.
Read it and learn!
We now have our verdict. Here are the winners and losers
Goodyear has finally got the better of arch-rival Vredestein to take our top award. The HydraGrip may be a few years old now, but constant development has seen it keep pace with younger rivals. It takes a deserved victory over the Sportrac3 here.
Both tyres place an emphasis on wet road grip, but Goodyear had the edge – and it maintained this in the remaining disciplines. While it was denied a fourth successive Auto Express title, the Vredestein is still an excellent tyre... and cheaper, too.
A more balanced approach delivered another podium for the Continental. It’s a great all-rounder, performing strongly – if not quite starring – in all our tests.
The world’s two biggest tyre makers finished level on points to round out the top five, but Michelin nudged ahead of Bridgestone to take fourth, thanks to its marginally better performance on the test track.
Our emphasis on wet road testing helped the Uniroyal to sixth, closely followed by Toyo, which did well to outclass big-hitters Dunlop and BFGoodrich.
Maxxis drew level with Kumho, but it was awarded 10th based on its wet performance.
It was a similar situation with Fulda, Matador and Hankook, with the outcome settled on the wet tracks. Yokohama will not be pleased with its result. The firm may specialise in sports and competition rubber, but its standard road tyre is well off the pace.
And let’s hope Pirelli has penned a replacement for the ageing P7, as it’s way below the standard expected from a premium brand. It struggled just about everywhere, and the fuel economy it returns is simply not good enough in these eco-friendly times.
How we did it…
To find our champion, we combine the percentage scores from all 10 assessments. The only weighting we apply is to make a win in each test worth the same – with the exception of price, which plays a minor role. So a win in aquaplaning or rolling resistance – where there can be 30 per cent between the best and worst tyres – counts for as much as a victory in dry handling, where as little as three per cent separates top from bottom.
Read more: http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/products/total_tyre_guide/213186/tyre_guide.html#ixzz0x8wi5cQ5
1. Goodyear Hydragrip
100.00%
+ Brilliant in the wet
- Fuel economy needs improving
2. Vredestein Sportrac3
99.80%
+ Stunning wet road performance
- Needs to work on noise reduction
3. Continental Contipremium-Contact2
99.01%
+ Fantastic all-rounder
- Costly, both to buy and run
4. Michelin Primacy HP
98.81%
+ Amazing fuel economy
- Very expensive
5. Bridgestone Turanza ER300
98.81%
+ Great on dry roads
- Could be better in standing water
6. Uniroyal Rainsport 1
98.42%
+ Up there with the best in the wet
- Not so good in dry conditions
7. Toyo Proxes T1R
98.22%
+ Excellent wet weather tyre
- Running costs could be improved
8. Dunlop Fastresponse
97.83%
+ Rewarding to drive on a dry track
- Poor performer in the wet
9. BFGoodrich G-Force Profiler
97.73%
+ Inspired confidence on wet roads
- Curved aquaplaning below par
10. Maxxis Victra MA-Z1
97.63%
+ Decent value for money
- Average fuel economy
11. Kumho Ecsta Sport KU31
97.63%
+ Superb braking on wet roads
- Poor aquaplaning performance
12. Fulda Carat Progresso
96.64%
+ One of the quietest tyres tested
- Wet braking ability questionable
13. Matador Aquila Evo
96.64%
+ Cheapest tyre on offer here
- Not so good in the wet
14. Hankook Ventus Prime K105
96.64%
+ Solid all-round in dry conditions
- Wet weather ability needs work
15. Yokohama C.Drive
95.36%
+ Fair performer on wet surfaces
- Off the pace on dry roads
16. Pirelli P7
94.37%
+ Nothing outstanding to report- Too many to list
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