2010 European Winter Tyre Test Part 2

Like the 225/45 r17 test, the 185/65 r15 tyres were put through dry, wet, snow and ice grip test and had their wear, fuel consumption and comfort properties rated.

Mirroring the strong result in the larger size, the premium brands Continental and Dunlop scored extremely well, albeit in a different order. The Dunlop SP Winter Sport 3D improved it's score from 3rd to 1st in the smaller 15?? tyre while the Continental dropped from 2nd to 3rd. The Goodyear Ultra Grip 7+ scored well to take a close second place.

To mix the results up two ??All Season?? tyres were included, the Goodyear Vector 4Seasons and the Vredestein Quatrac 3. While the Vredestein scored poorly due to poor snow and ice grip, the Goodyear Vector 4Seasons had a surprisingly good result, scoring well in the snow and ice grip sections which when coupled with it's excellent dry road performance placed it 8th overall.

Here are the full results. Again the scores were weighted in favour of wet weather and snow performance, with the final results being 15% Dry, 30% wet, 20% snow, 10% ice, 10% fuel, 5% comfort and 10% wear.

1st: Dunlop SP Winter Sport 3D

Dunlop SP Winter Sport 3D
  • 185/65 r15
  • 3PMSF: no
  1. Total: 16.7
  2. Dry: 2
  3. Wet: 2.9
  4. Snow: 2.8
  5. Ice: 1.7
  6. Comfort: 1.5
  7. Rolling Resistance: 2.5
  8. Wear: 3.3
A very balanced tyre scoring very well in all safety related tests. Best in the wet

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2nd: Goodyear UltraGrip 7+

Goodyear UltraGrip 7 Plus
  • 185/65 r15
  • 3PMSF: no
  1. Total: 16.9
  2. Dry: 2.2
  3. Wet: 2.7
  4. Snow: 2.9
  5. Ice: 2.1
  6. Comfort: 1.7
  7. Rolling Resistance: 2.7
  8. Wear: 2.6
A very balanced tyre scoring very well in all safety related tests.

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3rd: Continental WinterContact TS830

Continental WinterContact TS830
  • 185/65 r15
  • 3PMSF: no
  1. Total: 17.7
  2. Dry: 1.9
  3. Wet: 2.5
  4. Snow: 3.3
  5. Ice: 2
  6. Comfort: 1.6
  7. Rolling Resistance: 2.9
  8. Wear: 3.5
An excellent wearing tyre, top marks in the snow

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4th: Fulda Kristall Montero 3

Fulda Kristall Montero 3
  • 185/65 r15
  • 3PMSF: no
  1. Total: 16.8
  2. Dry: 2.1
  3. Wet: 2.3
  4. Snow: 3.1
  5. Ice: 2.1
  6. Comfort: 1.7
  7. Rolling Resistance: 3
  8. Wear: 2.5
Scores well in almost all safety related tests
Slight weakness in the wet

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5th: Semperit Speed Grip

Semperit Speed Grip
  • 185/65 r15
  • 3PMSF: no
  1. Total: 16.8
  2. Dry: 2.3
  3. Wet: 2.4
  4. Snow: 2.4
  5. Ice: 2
  6. Comfort: 1.8
  7. Rolling Resistance: 2.4
  8. Wear: 3.5
Excellent wear properties
Slight weakness in the wet and snow. Highest fuel consumption

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6th: Kleber Krisalp HP2

Kleber Krisalp HP2
  • 185/65 r15
  • 3PMSF: no
  1. Total: 16.4
  2. Dry: 2.4
  3. Wet: 2.1
  4. Snow: 2.4
  5. Ice: 1.6
  6. Comfort: 0.6
  7. Rolling Resistance: 2.9
  8. Wear: 4.4
Top marks in the wear test
Slight weakness in the wet and on snow and ice

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7th: Goodyear Vector 4Seasons

Goodyear Vector 4Seasons
  • 185/65 r15
  • 3PMSF: no
  1. Total: 16.7
  2. Dry: 2.4
  3. Wet: 2.2
  4. Snow: 2.2
  5. Ice: 1.9
  6. Comfort: 1.6
  7. Rolling Resistance: 2.5
  8. Wear: 3.9
Excellent wear scores
Slight weakness in the wet and snow

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8th: Firestone Winterhawk 2 EVO

Firestone Winterhawk 2 EVO
  • 185/65 r15
  • 3PMSF: no
  1. Total: 16.1
  2. Dry: 2.1
  3. Wet: 2.3
  4. Snow: 2.8
  5. Ice: 2
  6. Comfort: 2.2
  7. Rolling Resistance: 2.5
  8. Wear: 2.2
Good on snow
Slight weakness in the wet

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9th: Vredestein Snowtrac 3

Vredestein Snowtrac 3
  • 185/65 r15
  • 3PMSF: no
  1. Total: 15.7
  2. Dry: 1.8
  3. Wet: 2.2
  4. Snow: 3
  5. Ice: 2
  6. Comfort: 1.4
  7. Rolling Resistance: 2.5
  8. Wear: 2.8
Very good on snow
Slight weakness on dry and wet roads

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10th: Kumho IZen KW23

Kumho IZen KW23
  • 185/65 r15
  • 3PMSF: no
  1. Total: 14.1
  2. Dry: 2.4
  3. Wet: 2.3
  4. Snow: 2.1
  5. Ice: 1.5
  6. Comfort: 1.1
  7. Rolling Resistance: 2.8
  8. Wear: 1.9
Low rolling resistance
Slight weakness on wet roads, snow and ice, and in the wear test

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11th: Yokohama W Drive

Yokohama W Drive
  • 185/65 r15
  • 3PMSF: no
  1. Total: 15.7
  2. Dry: 2.6
  3. Wet: 1.9
  4. Snow: 2.6
  5. Ice: 1.6
  6. Comfort: 1.5
  7. Rolling Resistance: 2.6
  8. Wear: 2.9
Top marks on dry roads
Slight weakness in the wet

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12th: Vredestein Quatrac 3

Vredestein Quatrac 3
  • 185/65 r15
  • 3PMSF: no
  1. Total: 15.6
  2. Dry: 2.4
  3. Wet: 2.4
  4. Snow: 1.9
  5. Ice: 2
  6. Comfort: 1.7
  7. Rolling Resistance: 2.4
  8. Wear: 2.8
Highest fuel consumption, slight weakness on wet roads, weak on snow

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Other tyres on test were the ??ESA Tecar Super Grip 7?? which placed a very respectable 3rd, ??Maloya Davos?? which placed 11th and the ??Winter Star Performer 3?? which was the only tyre to get a negative score! One to avoid...

Back to the 225/45 r17 results
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