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All-weather Tyres



Did you know, that there are some transport services, with from 50 to more than 80 buses, that run all-weather tyres the whole year round, summer and winter? All-weather tyres, those frowned upon products, which are credited with having neither good summer nor good winter qualities. Those tyres, where one doesn't know if they are even allowed, e.g., for use on Alpine passes.

The reason why the transport services do it this way, is probably because of the costs. They can't take the risk of being caught using summer-tyres in winter, e.g., on the school buses and also try to avoid the time consuming and extra costs that the six-monthly tyre changing means.

All-weather tyres, the tyre manufacturers don't like them at all. As a rule, they would rather sell an additional set of winter-tyres and more or less, force the car owners to replace the tyres when the tread is less than 4 millimetres deep. Good business, as one can imagine.

The tyre manufacturers in Germany, which with 20%, has the lowest rate of people using summer tyres the whole year round (Europe has a rate of 75%), like to speak of 'winter-tyre laws', although legally speaking, one can drive through the whole winter using summer-tyres. Problems only arise when other road users are obstructed or an accident occurs.

Indeed, during all the carefully planned lobbying, a statement from the tyre manufacturers Michelin, has caused a lot of excitement. Apparently, the 'Cross Climate', after years of development and testing by an incredible amount of engineers, 'exclusively unites the advantages of both summer- and winter-tyres'. The consumers are rubbing their eyes in amazement and dreaming of life without having to wait for difficult to get tyre changing appointments and without having to store the other set of tyres, assembly and the adjustment of the pressure control.

Indeed, calm down, it will be less exciting than it sounds. The developing of tyres, is one of the most difficult decisions in the field of motor vehicles. At a rough estimate, there are at least ten different criteria to be considered. If the manufacturer emphasises one characteristic too much, the other qualities fade into the background. After all, in the meantime the properties of the tyres are now certified.

However, a bit of reassurance can be given, the new tyres don't reduce the safety aspect at all, neither in summer, nor in winter. The famous little mountain logo and the 3PMSF snowflake (Three Peak Mountain Snow Flake) is also still there, this guarantees that it is legal for use on mountain passes in winter.

Go to Euromaster, where they do not just sell Michelin. For the CrossClimate as basic tires for a Golf 6, a 'C' for fuel consumption and a 'B' for wet braking at a price of 71.30 € is indicated. Amazingly, the Energy Saver creates for the summer for 65.60 € reached only 'C' in consumption, but an 'A' for wet braking.

If we compare with Continental Premium Contact, it is with the same rating € 5 cheaper. The Dunlop Sport BluResponse scores better with a 'B' for consumption than the others at the same price. Apart from certain restrictions on wet braking and the price, the CrossClimate conpetes quite well, at least concerning to the label qualifications. 02/18







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