Summer tires: 50 tires in the test for the anniversary 🎥
ADVICE In 1973, the TCS took a closer look at tires for the first time. For its anniversary, it tested 50 tires with partners in the dimension 205/55 R 16. In addition, a new rating system is introduced.
For 50 years, the TCS tire test has allowed an independent cross-comparison between all tires on the market. It is therefore just as relevant for car drivers as it is for garage owners. In this year's summer tire test, a total of 50 tire types of the dimension 205/55 R 16 were tested because of the 50th anniversary. This dimension is the most widespread tire in the lower mid-size class and is a perfect fit for vehicles such as a Skoda Octavia, Ford Focus, Mazda 3 or even VW Golf.
Fuel consumption and noise
To mark its anniversary, TCS and its partners also introduced a new 2-pillar assessment. In future, the overall result will be calculated from driving safety (70 percent) and environmental performance (30 percent). Driving safety is made up of the already familiar criteria of handling on dry and wet roads. In addition to the criteria of mileage, fuel consumption and noise, the environmental balance also includes abrasion, tire weight and sustainability.
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Be careful when buying cheap tires
In the test, ten tires received a final rating of "highly recommended," 21 "recommended," twelve "conditionally recommended" and seven "not recommended. Particularly in the safety-relevant criteria, such as tests on wet roads, large differences were evident. At the point where a Continental Premium Contact 6 comes to a halt, a car with a Double Coin DC99 drives 25 meters further because of the longer braking distance. This means that it still has a residual speed of 52 km/h at the level of the Continental braking point.
Environmental balance shows clear differences
Major differences were also revealed in the environmental balance, where the Michelin E.Primacy sets the bar. With the lowest tread depth of all test tires, it not only offers the highest range, but also sets the best mark with the lowest abrasion in the test. And at around eight kilograms, it is a lightweight tire with which low fuel consumption can be achieved. The other side of the coin: It has clear disadvantages in terms of driving safety and is therefore only rated as "conditionally recommendable".
