195/65/R15 summer tire tests for the 2017 season

With the arrival of the first warmer and sunny days, we decide to change our wheels. Often, when fitting rims , we realize that our tires leave much to be desired, and the mere tread depth (equal to the fuse) can mean the loss of our registration certificate. Once we've made the decision to buy new tires, we lose our composure after reading thousands of advertisements and salespeople's persuasion. At such a moment, it's worth reaching for an objective assessment that will directly answer questions about the impact of individual tires on fuel consumption, noise, and braking distance. Among the most popular and experienced organizations in tire testing are undoubtedly ADAC and AutoBild magazine. The former tested one of the most popular tire sizes used in compact cars this year: 195/65 R15 91V. The test vehicle was a 7th-generation VW Golf , factory-equipped with 15-inch rims . During the tests, in addition to the standard categories (braking on various types of surfaces, impact on fuel consumption, abrasion), the ease of balancing individual tires was also taken into account.

Of the 16 models participating in the test, five received a "good" rating, while none achieved a "very good" rating. First place went to Italian manufacturer Pirelli with the Cinturato P1 Verde , which demonstrated excellent balance and particularly good handling and braking on wet surfaces. It also earned praise for its very low abrasion. Second place went to the Bridgestone Turanza T001 , which lost out to the winner mainly in terms of comfort and faster wear. The Continental PremiumContact 5 also made the podium, beating the winner in dry performance, while falling short in noise and abrasion. The tire also proved less resistant to aquaplaning. The appearance of the Esa-Tecar Spirit 5 HP among the winners (5th place) may have been quite a surprise. Despite its lack of fame, it achieved quite high scores.

The full tire table, arranged according to testing position, is below:

Owners of SUV, where tires in size 215/65R16 are often installed, can also count on help from ADAC and familiarize themselves with the test of this tire size.

Unfortunately, only two models could boast a "good" rating. The first was the Goodyear Efficient Grip SUV , which earned good scores for both wet and dry performance. However, it had poor noise management. Another model worthy of attention was the little-known Cooper Zeon 4XS Sport . However, this tire was significantly worse in most categories than the winning Goodyear. Third place went to the Firestone Destination HP , which still boasts good performance, especially on dry surfaces. The bottom of the ranking, which included such well-known manufacturers as Bridgestone , Yokohama , and Michelin , may come as a surprise.

The entire table, including the positions occupied in the test, is below:

When choosing tires, however, we should delve deeper into the individual evaluation criteria rather than the final ranking, and tailor our selection to the conditions we will be using the tires in. For example, people who primarily drive in the city at low speeds may sacrifice some noise for the benefit of improved braking distance.

It's worth noting that the test didn't take into account new products introduced in 2017, such as the Michelin CrossClimate+ , a summer tire with winter homologation. The model, introduced in 2015, was slightly modified, and although its appearance hasn't changed significantly, the new rubber compound makes the tire significantly more durable. While the wet braking rating has changed from A to B, the manufacturer assures that the difference is subtle, and the other benefits fully compensate. This tire is a very good choice for those who drive low mileage throughout the year, as it can successfully replace winter tires, translating into significant savings in vehicle maintenance costs.

The launch of the Continental PremiumContact 6 tire was also announced for early 2017. With this model, the manufacturer sought to combine characteristics that are considered contradictory in the tire industry: good wet braking, low rolling resistance, and good dry handling. However, the use of a new rubber compound combined with an innovative tread design resulted in a 15% improvement in fuel consumption compared to the previous model, and a 10% reduction in noise levels. Steering precision and traction have also been improved.

Although the tire selection process is quite complex, we encourage you to make informed decisions and thoroughly research the market. Once you've made your decision, we invite you to visit our store, where we offer a wide range of products and professional advice, so you can receive assistance in selecting tires and rims for your vehicle. We also recommend reviewing the tire mounting process. For aesthetic reasons, you should have your tire fitter measure the rim 's underbalance. If the underbalance increases significantly after mounting, it means the wheel needs to be optimized, i.e., the tire should be removed and remounted, first rotating it relative to the rim. This is normal and does not indicate tire or rim defects, and the optimization process itself helps reduce the need for additional weights.