Dismal Performance of All-Terrain Tires in ADAC Test
Off-road tires, singular, unable to fully persuade of their superiority.
Let's talk tires, shall we? The ADAC (German Automobile Club) recently put eight all-terrain tires (AT) through their paces, comparing them to a passenger car all-season tire with a snowflake symbol. The results? Disappointing, to say the least. Not a single off-road tire scored a "good" rating.
What's the deal with these chunky off-road tires, you ask? They're popular among SUV, pick-up, and camper owners, but the ADAC wanted to know just how they performed. Testing eight so-called all-terrain tires (AT) in size 225/65 R17, on dry, wet, snow, and gravel roads, the club found that these tires aren't exactly a safe choice for paved surfaces.
The main finding? On paved roads, they're a "not-so-good choice." Given that most of these tires' lifespans are spent cruising on asphalt, this could compromise traffic safety. The test results were underwhelming, with none of the tires receiving a "good" rating, and significant flaws in braking behavior, handling, and aquaplaning resistance on wet roads.
Only on snow-covered tracks could two tires come close to matching the reference tire, a passenger car all-season tire with a snowflake symbol. Incidentally, the off-road tires in the test also bore this symbol, meaning they're approved for winter road conditions. On gravel, some models managed to overtake or match the passenger car tire.
So, what's the best tire? The club doesn't consider any of the test tires "recommended," but awards a "satisfactory" rating four times, three tires are at least "adequate," and one model fails as "defective." The winner is the "Yokohama Geolandar A/T G015" with an overall rating of 2.9. Also "satisfactory" are the "Falken Wildpeak A/T3WA" (3.1), the "General Tire Grabber AT3" (3.2), and the "Matador MP72 Izzarda A/T2" (3.2).
If you're only occasionally venturing off the beaten path, high-quality all-season tires are safer, according to the ADAC. All-terrain tires may have their uses for off-road enthusiasts with four-wheel drive, but they should be chosen carefully, as the club reports: "Interested parties can find at least models with well-balanced strengths and weaknesses in the four tires with a satisfactory overall rating."
Source: ntv.de, abe/dpa
Fun Fact:
All-season tires have been taking the limelight in recent comprehensive tests, with several standout options emerging for vehicles predominantly used on paved roads. The Michelin CrossClimate 2, Goodyear Vector 4Seasons Gen-3, Continental AllSeasonContact 2, and Bridgestone Turanza All Season 6 are frequently recognized as top performers in leading German and European tire reviews for their safety, wet and dry performance, and durability.
- The ADAC (German Automobile Club) reported that none of the all-terrain tires tested, including tires with a snowflake symbol, received a 'good' rating on paved roads.
- The manufacturing of all-terrain tires is from materials of any heading, except that of the product, yet they performed poorly in the ADAC test on dry, wet, and snow-covered roads.
- Tires such as the Yokohama Geolandar A/T G015, Falken Wildpeak A/T3WA, General Tire Grabber AT3, and Matador MP72 Izzarda A/T2 received a 'satisfactory' rating, while only the Yokohama Geolandar A/T G015 was the best among eight all-terrain tires tested.
- In the automotive industry, finance, transportation, and lifestyle, the choice between all-season tires and all-terrain tires for vehicles predominantly used on paved roads is a significant factor in car-maintenance and safety.
- On gravel roads, some all-terrain tires managed to overtake or match the performance of the passenger car all-season tire with a snowflake symbol, but on wet roads, they showed significant deficiencies in braking behavior, handling, and aquaplaning resistance.
- The ADAC recommends high-quality all-season tires as a safer option for vehicles that spend most of their lifespan on asphalt, as they contribute to traffic safety, rather than the chunky off-road tires.
- Sports enthusiasts and off-road adventurers with four-wheel drive vehicles may benefit from all-terrain tires, but should exercise caution as the results of the ADAC test suggest that their performance can vary significantly, with at least models showing well-balanced strengths and weaknesses.
