All-season tyres are becoming increasingly popular, especially in urban areas where snow is rare. Sales are also rising in Switzerland. Their main advantage is that they can be used year-round without having to switch between summer and winter tyres. However, this versatility also presents a challenge: they must compete with tyres specialised for summer and winter conditions. The tyre size 185/65 R15 88H tested this year is particularly fitted to small cars like the Opel Adam, Peugeot 208, Seat Ibiza, VW Polo, Mazda 2, Citroën C3, or Alfa Romeo MiTo.
Demanding Assessment Criteria
Since 2023, the TCS has been evaluating tyres based on two criteria: driving safety, which accounts for 70 per cent of the overall rating, and environmental compatibility, making up 30 per cent. A total of 19 criteria are considered. Safety is assessed on dry and wet roads as well as under winter conditions on snow and ice. Tests are conducted at both high asphalt temperatures and around freezing point. Environmental compatibility specifically covers mileage, abrasion, fuel consumption, weight, noise levels, and sustainability.
Very Different Results
Of the 16 models tested, only the Continental AllSeasonContact 2 received a 'highly recommendable' rating. Seven tyres are rated 'recommendable,' three 'conditionally recommendable,' and five 'not recommendable.' The Pirelli Cinturato All Season SF 3 and the Michelin CrossClimate 2 narrowly missed the highest rating due to weaknesses under wintery conditions and on wet roads, respectively. However, both achieve good results in terms of environmental impact, with the Michelin even receiving the best environmental score in the test.
Following with some distance are the Vredestein Quatrac, Hankook Kinergy 4S 2, Goodyear Vector 4Seasons Gen-3, Nokian Tyres Seasonproof 2, and GT Radial Climateactive. All show slight weaknesses on at least one type of road but may serve as an alternative depending on the driving profile. Conversely, the TCS advises against the Norauto 4 Seasons 2, the Bridgestone Weather Control A005 Evo, the Mastersteel All Weather 2, the Roadhog RGAS02, and the Tomason Allseason, particularly due to their very weak performance on winter roads.
The tested tyre size, while relatively small, remains significant in the market, but does not appear to be a priority for all manufacturers. Several tyres performed better in previous tests or larger sizes. Consequently, the results show that performance can vary considerably depending on the tested tyre size.
Significant Differences in Braking Performance
Braking measurements show clear differences. On dry roads at 100 km/h, the Mastersteel All Weather 2 comes to a stop after 39.5 metres, while the Dunlop All Season 2 only stops after 45 metres. When the first vehicle has already stopped, the vehicle equipped with Dunlop tyres is still travelling at about 35 km/h.
On wet roads at 80 km/h, the Nokian Tyres Seasonproof 2 stops within 32.4 metres, whereas the Tomason Allseason only stops after 38.3 metres. When the first vehicle has stopped, the vehicle equipped with Tomason tyres is still moving at about 31 km/h. On snow at 30 km/h, the gap between the best and worst model is 1.6 meters.
Differences are substantial in aquaplaning, too. At a water depth of 8 mm, the Nokian Tyres Seasonproof 2 loses road contact at 91.9 km/h, while the Roadhog RGAS02 does so at only 74.7 km/h - a difference of more than 17 km/h. Expected mileage also varies greatly: the Norauto 4 Seasons 2 achieves 46,000 kilometres, whereas the Milever All Season Versat MC545 only manages 32,400 kilometres - a difference of about 13,600 kilometres.
The Choice Depends on Driving Profile
The choice of an all-season tyre must primarily fit one's own driving profile. For drivers who travel a lot on motorways, at high temperatures, or with heavily loaded vehicles going on ski holidays, specialised summer and winter tyres are usually still the best choice. For those who travel few kilometres, mostly in urban areas, and can occasionally use public transport in difficult conditions, certain all-season tyres are a suitable alternative.
TCS Recommendations: - Choose tyres that have received at least a 'recommendable' rating in tests. - Always use four tyres of the same model and type. - Buy new tyres no older than three years to benefit from technical developments and improvements by tyre manufacturers. The age of tyres can be determined using the DOT marking. - Find the right tyre for your needs with the TCS tyre comparison tool.
Press Contact: Marco Wölfli, Media Spokesperson TCS Tel. 058 827 34 03
marco.woelfli@tcs.ch