Yokohama Ice Guard IG50 non-studded winter passenger tire is one of the latest developments of one of the leaders in the Japanese tire industry. This model is available in more than 40 different sizes with landing sizes starting at 14 inches and ending at 17 inches.
Tread pattern design
The tire is equipped with a newfangled asymmetric directional tread design. At the same time, depending on the width of the tread, the tire tread is equipped with a different pattern. If the tread width exceeds 235 mm, then its pattern is additionally equipped with one additional longitudinal rib located in the central part of the tread. In both cases, the asymmetric tread pattern provided excellent traction on both snow and ice.
The inner side of the tread pattern is designed to provide the best grip when driving on icy surfaces. At the same time, its dimensions are significantly larger than the area of the outer side of the tread. In addition, the outer side of the tread is equipped with less massive blocks, as well as an increased number of sipes. Thanks to this solution, it was possible to provide the contact patch with a significant number of sharp cutting edges.
The inside tread pattern of the Yokohama IG50 is equipped with three longitudinal ribs, including the shoulder area. Two longitudinal ribs located in the central part of the tread represent two rows of rectangular blocks located longitudinally relative to the direction of movement. Such a structure of the inner side of the tread pattern made it possible to achieve high longitudinal rigidity, which led to an improvement in traction and grip characteristics on snow.
Shoulder zones on both sides of the tread are two rows of rectangular blocks, the transverse arrangement of which provides high braking efficiency, especially on snowy surfaces. In addition, the shoulder zones are characterized by a very rigid design, which not only improved the handling character, but also contributed to a more even distribution of pressure over the contact patch.
Confident and reliable traction on ice
This model, despite the absence of spikes, has excellent performance characteristics on icy roads, thereby ensuring a high level of safety. The tire has received such abilities thanks to a number of design solutions, the most notable of which are 3D sipes and an innovative rubber compound.
This tire is one of the first where two types of three-dimensional sipes were used for the first time - triple three-dimensional, which are located in the central part of the tread, and triple three-dimensional, located in the shoulder areas. In both cases, the multifaceted surface of the walls makes it possible to create a strong connection between them at the moment of contact with the roadway, which significantly increases the rigidity of the tread blocks, simultaneously forming many additional grip edges. As a result, the tire demonstrates not only excellent handling on dry pavement, but also stable reliable grip on icy surfaces.
Another component that provided the tire Yokohama Ice Guard IG50 excellent performance on ice, the tread rubber compound has become innovative in its composition. As you know, one of the main causes of poor grip on icy tires is the water film formed as a result of friction. The tread of this model is made of a rubber compound that has excellent absorbent properties, which allows the tread to cling to the surface of the ice by absorbing the water film. Such properties of the rubber compound were achieved due to the presence in its structure of special absorbent microbubbles, the hollow form of which effectively removes moisture from the contact patch. At the same time, the shell-shell of microbubbles is characterized by increased rigidity, due to which a micro-edge effect is created, which, in turn, increases the resistance of the tread blocks to deformation. In addition to microbubbles, the rubber compound contains a special absorbent component - White Gel (white gel). This substance made the rubber compound more elastic, which ensures more efficient removal of the water film from the icy surface.
Key features of the Yokohama Ice Guard IG50 winter tire
- Asymmetric directional tread design delivers superior performance on both snow and ice
- Reduced rolling resistance due to the high resistance of the tire to deformation;
- A combination of two types of three-dimensional sipes, thanks to which the tire demonstrates excellent grip on snow and ice;
- Multi-row tread blocks in the central part provide high acceleration efficiency, as well as excellent grip on snowy and icy surfaces
- Innovative micro-bubble rubber compound with white gel for excellent absorbency.
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Having approached the test site T-MARY (Takesu Motoring And Researching Yard) in the north of Japan, journalists clinging to the windows watched the picture as four nimble Japanese, armed with scrapers and brushes, skillfully wielded around the wheels of the bus. This procedure turned out to be nothing more than cleaning the wheel arches of our bus from dirt. Oleg Rastegaev, a journalist for the Autoreview newspaper, noted the almost perfect cleanliness throughout the Yokohama test site, whether it be technological roads or test tracks. It was at this test site that the presentation of the new Yokohama iceGUARD iG50 non-studded winter tires took place.
The group of journalists was met by the head of the Yokohama passenger tire development center, Mr. Yoshimasa Hashimoto, who informed us that this year Yokohama will present new winter tires to Japanese and Russian journalists at the same time for the first time.
At first glance, there is nothing special about this, but remembering that everything modern and advanced the Japanese first do for themselves, we were able to appreciate what Mr. Hashimota said. In confirmation of this, we saw Japanese and European "right-handed" cars lined up in a row, behind the wheel of which we had to evaluate the novelty.
In addition to the fact that the new winter tires were simultaneously presented to both Japanese and Russian journalists, they also appeared in the stores of the two countries at the same time, and in the same specification. The novelty is characterized by a unique asymmetric tread pattern with micropumps that absorb moisture from the road surface and a new rubber compound, which the Japanese call "white gel".
To all the questions of journalists regarding the new composition of the rubber compound, the Japanese did not open the veil of secrecy one iota, limiting themselves only to qualitative characteristics. The use of white gel made it possible to significantly increase the elasticity of the tread in a wide range of temperatures used, providing the new model with high traction on winter roads. Apparently, the white gel is a new formula of silica based on silicon dioxide, which in its free state is a white powder. By and large, the structure and components of the rubber compound of the tread "do not care" for the average motorist. The main criterion here is high-quality traction characteristics on difficult sections of the winter road.
As part of the first race, we had the opportunity to test the previous flagship model of the company - Yokohama iceGUARD iG30 winter tires. The conditions of the test, which took place behind the wheel of a right-hand drive Toyota Mark X, are extremely simple and understandable: acceleration to 30 km / h and sudden braking “to the floor”. To eliminate errors, we repeat the race. The braking distance in both cases is about 34 meters. After that, we transfer to a Toyota, shod with new Yokohama iG50 tires. The braking distance, according to sensations and measurements, was not significantly reduced - up to 33 meters.
To be honest, the figures are not very impressive. Remembering how the iceGUARD iG30 performed in the 2009 Auto Review test, there were huge doubts that with the advent of the new model, Yokohama would make a breakthrough, outperforming its European competitors. Unless on "warm ice" at temperatures close to zero, where non-studded winter tires are traditionally strong.
Unfortunately, within the framework of this program, comparative tests with competitors were not announced. Instead, we managed to once again demonstrate the direct dependence of the braking distance on the increase in speed. Acceleration to 40 km / h, braking “to the floor”, the braking distance has almost doubled and amounted to not 33, but 65 meters. This once again confirms that the energy of movement is inversely proportional to the square of speed, even in Japan!
Comparative tests on snow showed that the novelty transitions into a slide more smoothly and predictably, allowing you to maintain control over the car. Handling track tests performed on Audi A4 quattros and Nissan Leaf electric vehicles confirmed the predicted glide behavior of the iG50.
Summing up the presentation, it is quite difficult to draw reasonable conclusions regarding the effectiveness of Yokohama iceGUARD iG50. It will be possible to judge the quality indicators of the novelty according to the results of the next tests of winter tires "Autoreview". Now, comparing the price tags, you can be glad that the novelty, continuing the tradition, remains one of the most affordable on the market. So, a set of four wheels in one of the most popular sizes 205 / 55R16 costs about 20 thousand rubles. For comparison, the latest model of a Japanese competitor, presented on the Russian market in this size, will cost 1 thousand rubles more, and a set of Nokian or Continental friction tires will cost as much as 6-8 thousand rubles more.
Yokohama ice GUARD iG50 is a Nordic winter friction tire with an asymmetric tread pattern designed for passenger cars.
Country of origin: Japan.
2015 Yokohama iG50 ice GUARD test by Automobiles Kazakhstan
In 2015 experts of Automobiles Kazakhstan have tested the Yokohama Ice Guard 50 at size 185/65 R15 and compared it with four similar budget, mid-range and premium winter tyres. In addition, for clarity of results, one European-type tire and two studded models took part in the test.
The tests were carried out at a test site in Finland on a Skoda Rapid Spaceback.
Test results
According to the results of the test, Yokohama ice GUARD iG50 took the last place among non-studded models.
The tire showed one of the shortest braking distances on ice, but at the same time its handling and acceleration time were average. On snow, the tire also slows down quite well, provides fast acceleration and efficient handling, while the only drawback on this surface was the resistance to slashplaning: the ascent rate on slush in Yokohama turned out to be one of the lowest (worse only in Kama). Also, the tire performed moderately on dry pavement and worst of all on wet pavement.
| Discipline | Place | Comment | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Braking on dry pavement | 6 | The braking distance is 2.4 meters longer than the leader of the test (European type tires). | |
| Braking on wet pavement | 8 | Worst result. The braking distance is 7.9 meters longer than the leader of the test (European type tires). | |
| Handling on wet pavement | 7-8 | One of the worst results. The course time is 4.6 seconds longer than the leader of the test (European type tires). | |
| Snow braking | 6 | The braking distance is 0.6 m longer than that of the test leader (Nordic type friction tire). | |
| Snow handling | 3 | The course time is 2 seconds longer than that of the leader of the test (friction tire of the Nordic type). | |
| Lateral stability on snow | 3 | The lap time is 1.7 seconds longer than the test leader (Nordic type friction tire). | |
| Traction on snow | 2 | Acceleration time to 20 km / h is 0.1 seconds longer than that of the test leader. | |
| Slashplaning resistance | 7 | The speed of the start of ascent on slush is 4.06 km/h lower than that of the test leader. | |
| Ice braking | 2 | The braking distance is 0.5 meters longer than that of the test leader. | |
| Lateral stability on ice | 6 | The lap time is 2.2 seconds longer than the test leader. | |
| Traction on ice | 4 | The time to accelerate to 20 km / h is 2 seconds longer than that of the test leader. | |
Friction winter tires Yokohama IG50 in Moscow from a well-known Japanese brand are a successful embodiment of innovative developments and effective technological solutions. The presented model of productive tires is produced in a wide range of sizes with landing diameters from 14 to 17 inches.
Motorists prioritize reliability and safety
The asymmetric design of the directional pattern of the working surface guarantees the stability of high-quality grip on slippery and snowy road surfaces. It is worth noting that the pattern of wheels of different widths is distinguished by the presence of additional longitudinal ribs.
The central area of the tread occupies a larger area and is equipped with more massive blocks, which ensures safe movement on an icy surface. The outer side of the working surface of inexpensive Yokohama IG50 tires is distinguished by a significant number of sharp edges, which are formed by sipes.
Technical potential of the model range
The lack of studs in cheap winter tires Yokohama IG50 in Moscow fully compensates for a number of effective technical and design solutions. Their list also includes a modernized composition of the compound. The rubber compound of the presented model of tires from the Japanese brand has excellent absorbent properties, which allows you to keep the stability of the car on ice due to the absorption of the water film by the tread. The specialists managed to achieve such a result due to the presence of hollow microbubbles in the rubber structure. They not only effectively remove water from the contact patch, but also resist tread deformation.
You can buy Yokohama IG50 winter tires in the Wheels for Free online store.
The new IG50 non-studded tire model is a direct continuation of the IG30. Let's see what's important difference between models.
1) The most important difference, according to Japanese engineers, is an increase in the number of hollow microbubbles of their size and a more ordered presence in the composition of the rubber compound. Here it is necessary to explain what it is! Hollow microbubbles are hemispheres with hard edges operating on the principle of a pump - due to volume deformation during compression and expansion, moisture displaces the air present in the voids, and then, through a system of transverse and longitudinal grooves, it is removed outside the contact patch. This technology is also in the IG30, but now it is more advanced.
2) Further, the “White Gel” additive, its task is also to absorb moisture from the contact patch by increasing the elasticity of the tread. The Japanese claim that this technology will allow 21% better removal of water from under the contact patch than in the IG30.
3) The number of lamellas in the new model was also increased, while they became 2 types, which, when changing the direction of movement, due to the gear profile, engage with each other and create a semblance of a monolithic structure that contributes to a quick response to the steering wheel.
4) The sidewall of the model has also changed for the IG30 and had a triangular profile, while for the IG50 it had a trapezoidal profile, which should increase rigidity, which contributed to improved handling and reduced rolling, and hence fuel consumption. The new model should consume 5% less fuel than the IG30.
Grand total comparing these two models:
- Increased number, size and location of hollow microbubbles
- The number of lamellas and their shape has increased
- The sidewall has changed from a triangular profile to a trapezoidal
At the initial stage, tires will be available in the most popular 44 sizes from 12 to 17 inches, in the future the range will expand to 98 sizes with a maximum diameter of 19 inches. It should be noted that Yokohama Ice Guard IG50 with a tread width of more than 235 mm and a diameter of more than 17 inches will have an additional longitudinal track with tread blocks and will be designated Yokohama Ice Guard IG50A
Yokohama Ice Guard IG50
Yokohama Ice Guard IG30
Below are reviews of the model. Remember that modern tire companies themselves often write positive reviews about themselves or negative ones about a competitor. There are also many services where you can order this or that review. Be careful.
