Dirty Truths About ADAC's All-Terrain Tires Test: None Come Out on Top
Unsuitable off-road tires can't fulfill any driver's expectations.
Let's get down to the nitty-gritty: the ADAC's latest comparison test of eight all-terrain (AT) tires flopped big-time. They failed to deliver the goods on paved roads, neither of them got a "good" rating. Shocking? Not really, since most of these tires spend more time on the pavement than in the wilderness.
So, it's a bummer for those partial to the treads on these big tires, usually seen on campers, SUVs, and pick-ups. The ADAC took eight of these so-called AT tires, size 225/65 R17, and put them to the test on dry, wet, snow, and gravel surfaces.
The verdict? A big, fat "not recommended" when it comes to safety on paved roads. The failure on pavement could compromise road safety, as most of these tires spend the majority of their life on the blacktop.
The results on dry and wet pavement were less than impressive, your grandmother would be disappointed. The biggest weakness of these AT models was their braking behavior on wet roads. Plus, they had trouble with handling and aquaplaning, too.
Surprisingly, on snow-covered roads, two tires from the pack got close to matching a reference tire: a passenger car all-season tire (rating 2.1) with a snowflake symbol. The off-road tires in the test also carried the snowflake symbol, which means they can be driven during winter road conditions. On gravel, some models overtook or matched the passenger car tire.
The ADAC didn't find any of the test tires worthy of a "recommended" rating, but they did give out a "satisfactory" four times, while three were at least "adequate." The winner was the "Yokohama Geolandar A/T G015" with a score of 2.9. Other "satisfactory" tires included the "Falken Wildpeak A/T3WA," the "General Tire Grabber AT3," and the "Matador MP72 Izzarda A/T2."
So, what's a pavement-loving adventurer to do? If you only occasionally venture off the beaten path, stick with high-quality all-season tires, according to the ADAC. All-terrain tires could benefit off-road enthusiasts with four-wheel drive, but choose carefully, the club cautions. They suggest that interested parties can find models with well-balanced strengths and weaknesses among the four tires with a "satisfactory" overall rating.
- Pavement Pravers
- Off-Road Outlaws
- Tire Test Fiasco
- ADAC Unforgiving
Source: ntv.de, abe/dpa
Oh, and by the way, if you're wanting some all-season tires suggestions, here are a couple recent ADAC favorites:
- Michelin CrossClimate 2: These tires are fantastic in various conditions, especially on dry and wet pavement, making them a top choice for year-round driving. However, they might not compete with dedicated winter tires in icy conditions.
- Vredestein Quatrac: Although the rating was only satisfactory in the ADAC test, these tires are still worth considering for those seeking a balance between safety on dry, wet, and winter roads.
That's it, folks. Stick to the rules of the road. driving safely, anyway. Stay the course. Peace out.
- Despite the test results, some pavement-loving adventurers might still choose to manufacture their vehicles with all-terrain tires, as they offer potential advantages for off-road enthusiasts with four-wheel drive.
- In contrast, technology and lifestyle choices may lead some individuals to prioritize other considerations, such as the versatility and performance of all-season tires on various road conditions, over the off-road capabilities provided by all-terrain tires.
