Magazine for the professional tire industry
Issue link: https://mtd.epubxp.com/i/114173
Winter tires in the U.S. really want a product that performs excellent in all seasons, including winter season, so that they don't have to change out their tires each year. Te habit is not like Europe or even Canada, where there is a general practice or even a regulatory requirement to change to winter tires each year. "We do fnd, however, that more and more drivers are looking for the mountain snowfake mark on all-season tires, especially in the LTR segment. Tey believe an all-season tire with the mountain snowfake mark will not need replacement in winter... they may be right, especially if the winters are mild. However, these same consumers may be disappointed with some performance compromises that might be made to get the 'snowfake,' especially mileage in non-winter seasons, and winter performance if temperatures are cold and snow and ice are frequent." (A tire branded with the mountain snowfake symbol meets the RMA's standard for use in severe snow conditions.) MTD: What new winter tire technology is available? Gandhi, Bridgestone: "Bridgestone currently ofers a wide range of winter products incorporating various types of diferent technologies. Our premier ice and snow winter tires such as the Blizzak WS-70 and Blizzak DM-V1 feature evolutionary multi-cell compounds with biting edges that not only 'sponge-of ' more of the water between ice and your tires that cause slippage, but also dig into ice creating additional grip with the biting edges." Jamieson, Cooper: "Tere is a mix of technologies from other tire segments that have been integrated into winter products; 3-D siping would be a prime example. Te use of advanced polymers is now allowing for extended mileage and increased ice and wet grip properties, while tuning of design geometry has increased the snow traction capabilities of winter products." Shelton, GITI: "Many new products are taking one of two approaches. "Tere is a push for the all-weather tire to compensate for the consumer resistance to having two sets of tires. Something has to give in this equation The Dunlop SP Winter Sport 4D's 18 sizes cover a wide range of popular ftments such as the BMW 335is (pictured), Infniti G37, Lexus ES, Mercedes-Benz E-Class, Nissan Altima, Volkswagen Tiguan and Volvo XC90. One is a run-fat size. 2 new winter tires Goodyear sends Dunlop into the cold Two Dunlop winter tires were introduced at the 2013 Goodyear Dealer Conference, held recently in Washington, D.C. • The Dunlop SP Winter Sport 4-D has a unique "4-D Sipe System," V-shaped grooves and deep snow notches. It is available in 18 H – and V-rated sizes ranging from 215/60R16 to 255/35R19. • The Dunlop Winter Maxx features "Nano Fit Rubber" and unique sipes. It is available in 47 T-rated sizes ranging from 175/70R13 to 275/40R19. Goodyear says that the technology found in its Ultra Grip Winter includes: a directional tread pattern, multiple biting edges, wide tread grooves, strong shoulder blocks and the option of metal studs. 30 Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co. says the winter tire segment has a projected annual growth rate of 4.5%. MTD March 2013