Tire manufacturers by brand. What are we buying? How are car tires made? Production technology Who makes tires and where?

A huge number of brands fill the current tire market, which causes some difficulty in choosing. Wide range, different characteristics, cost - which of the tires offered is the best? At the same time, popular brands do not always offer products of even optimal quality. There are examples on the market when an unfamiliar company produces rubber that surpasses well-known manufacturers in its parameters.

Our short review can help clear up this confusion. For the convenience of the reader, the rating was divided into three price categories, each of which presents the best tire brands of our time. The selection was carried out on the basis of product characteristics, opinions of service center specialists, as well as recommendations and reviews of the owners of these tires.

The best budget tire companies

For many domestic cars and used foreign cars, buying inexpensive tires is a good option. They will serve faithfully for many years, and if they fail ahead of time, it will not be a shame to replace them.

5 Kumho

The most reliable protection against counterfeiting
Country: South Korea
Rating (2019): 4.5

Beautiful Lake - this is how the name of the South Korean tire company is translated into Russian. More than 10 years ago, the value of the gross product produced exceeded a billion dollars and continues to grow. Aggressively conquering the global market, Kumho supplies tires for the original equipment to the factories of such manufacturers as Mercedes Benz, Ford and other brands. Kumho is the only Korean company that managed to achieve such high results. In addition, this is the first brand in the world to use RFID tags to identify its product, thereby completely eliminating any possibility of counterfeiting tires from this brand.

Owners who chose Kumho tires are satisfied with the results obtained. Thus, one of the best studded tires for winter, WinterCraft SUV Ice WS31 is distinguished by its low noise level and excellent directional stability. In general, the company’s products have more than once received the highest Net Promoter Index (NPS) in South Korea. Numerous confirmations of the best characteristics are also contained in reviews of car enthusiasts who have chosen this brand.

4 Maxxis

Optimal tires for SUVs
Country: Taiwan
Rating (2019): 4.8

The Taiwanese company MAXXIS INTERNATIONAL has recently firmly established itself in the top ten tire manufacturers. For 45 years, the company has been producing rubber for cars and SUVs, trucks and buses, motorcycles and agricultural machinery. Products are supplied to 170 countries, including the USA, Great Britain, Japan, and Germany. Among the partners are such auto giants as General Motors, Volkswagen, Toyota, Ford. A high margin of safety is ensured through the use of Japanese technologies and unique developments of cord and rubber mixture.

Car owners highlight such qualities of tires as good braking on ice, tolerable noise, high cross-country ability and an affordable price. Tire models such as the Arctic Trekker SP03 for winter or the off-road MAXXIS MT-764 BIGHORN have characteristics that are no worse than popular brands, and the cost is more affordable. This allows the company to successfully compete on equal terms with market leaders, and the owners to receive a high-quality product while spending much less money. Among the disadvantages, poor handling, rigidity, and problems with balancing are often mentioned.

3 "Belshina"

Decent tires for winter
Country: Belarus
Rating (2019): 4.8

The Belarusian enterprise Belshina offers a good price-quality ratio. It worked successfully during the Soviet Union, and after modernization it withstands fierce competition in the world market. The company boasts a wide range of 300 standard sizes. Products are supplied to 70 countries of the world, the company's partners are such giants as BELAZ, MTZ, MAZ, GAZ. This demand for products is not at all surprising - the company has international certificates (including from independent expert bureaus) confirming the quality of the rubber it produces. Suffice it to say that the largest manufacturer of special equipment, CAT, uses tires of this brand for the initial configuration of its equipment.

Car enthusiasts liked winter tires the most because they are soft. The rubber smoothes out all the unevenness of the road surface, and the deep tread allows you to overcome deep snowdrifts. The car also feels confident on city streets with snow and mud. Such winter tires as Artmotion Snow can turn any car into a car of a higher class - there is absolutely no noise and the smoothness of the ride increases significantly. One gets the impression that the owner completely changed the suspension, not the tires. The tires pleasantly surprise with their quietness and low wear. However, excessive softness becomes the main disadvantage for many car owners.

2 PJSC "Nizhnekamskshina"

The best summer tires
Country Russia
Rating (2019): 4.9

The largest domestic enterprise that produces modern tires for cars is PJSC Nizhnekamskshina. The assembly line of this company produces such well-known brands of rubber as Viatti, KAMA and KAMA EURO. The buyer is offered an impressive list of different types of wheels of 250 items. Among the company's partners are such famous auto giants as Skoda, Fiat and Volkswagen.

Many car owners in the CIS are satisfied with the quality of Nizhnekamsk tires. It holds the road well, behaves steadily during rainstorms, and confidently takes turns at speed. It makes a little noise while driving, but is durable and wear-resistant. Summer models Kama-234, Kama-Euro-129 and others are in great demand on the domestic market. They attract buyers with an interesting tread pattern, balanced prices and excellent performance characteristics. Among the disadvantages, the difficulty of balancing is often mentioned; ideal balance can be achieved by hanging weights of 60-80 g.

1 Sava

Favorable price for European quality
Country: Slovenia
Rating (2019): 5.0

The Slovenian company Sava has held a leading position in the budget segment on the European market for about 85 years. Tires are produced at several factories in Europe, but the largest manufacturer remains the head office in Kranj. 8 million tires roll off the assembly line of this company every year. The pride of the Slovenians is their modernized production, which uses the most advanced technologies. Thanks to constant quality control, the supply of defective rubber to the market is eliminated.

Domestic motorists note the availability and predictability of wheels, noiselessness and good maneuverability. Sometimes cars slip at the beginning and end of winter, when the ice crust is under water or slush. But when driving, the tires hold the road perfectly in the most difficult conditions. The Eskimo STUD model is very popular among our car enthusiasts - a studded tire with a directional pattern is ideally suited for use on Russian winter roads.

The best tire companies in the middle price segment

There are a lot of foreign cars driving along the roads of Russia that require more “delicate shoes.” It is produced by many well-known companies operating in the middle price segment. The characteristics of these tires will suit the average domestic motorist.

5 Yokohama

Better handling on summer roads
A country: Japan (produced in Russia)
Rating (2019): 4.8

Ranked second among tire manufacturers in Japan, the Yokohama brand has proven itself well in the global market, as its products are of high quality and meet the highest consumer expectations. This is confirmed by the participation of the company’s tires in various sports competitions, where the rubber undergoes real testing in the most extreme conditions. Thanks to this, many world-famous automakers choose Yokohama tires for the initial equipment of their cars (Porsche, Zender, Toyota, Mercedes Benz and others).

Using only advanced technologies in the production of rubber, the company managed to increase the main indicators of technical characteristics. The unique composition of the mixture does not allow the tire to deform, and it remains elastic at any temperature. The noise level is minimized, road grip and service life are improved, thanks to the use of orange oil, adhesion to the surface is increased. Thus, one of the best models, the Yokohama Advan Fleva V701 summer tire demonstrates ideal handling and directional stability even on wet roads. At the same time, rubber has high abrasion resistance (many owners in their reviews consider this characteristic to be one of the most significant).

4 Triangle Group

Profitable price
Country: China
Rating (2019): 4.9

The Chinese tire company Triangle Group was created in 1976. After renovations and reorganizations, this company became the leader in the production of automobile tires in the Middle Kingdom. We sell wheels for passenger cars and commercial vehicles, for trucks, buses and special equipment. The corporation's annual capacity has reached 22 million sets. Having our own research centers allows us to constantly improve our products, promoting them to world markets. The Chinese manufacturer cooperates with such car factories as Volvo, Hyundai, Caterpillar, etc. The sales network is available in 160 countries around the world.

Among the advantages of Triangle tires, domestic consumers highlight their affordable price with fairly high technical parameters. The tire clings well to the road surface both in summer and winter, it balances well, and does not make noise while driving. Many car owners, judging by their reviews, like the Triangle Group Sportex TSH11 / Sports TH201 model. The rubber has a rigid side part, which provides excellent handling. The grip on the road, including wet ones, is also high. The combination of such properties with an affordable price predetermined the choice of many car enthusiasts.

3 Nitto

Good SUV tires
Country: Japan
Rating (2019): 5.0

Nitto Tire Japan employs employees who are passionate about their work. Through their efforts, a whole line of original tires with a memorable tread has been developed. The company's employees implement innovative developments into production with lightning speed, conducting scrupulous tests. We have a wide range of tires for SUVs and crossovers. As a subsidiary of the Toyo Tire concern, Nitto products are aimed at the North American market. The founding date is usually considered to be 1949.

For domestic SUV owners, tires are attractive due to their quiet and safe operation. A car with Nitto tires handles perfectly on any road. Thanks to the rounded sidewalls, the tires are protected from dangerous contact with curbs. Nitto Invo tires are one of the brand's flagship models in the SUV category. Compared to other brands, it compares favorably with high grip characteristics and reliable handling at any speed. At the same time, the tire demonstrates sufficient comfort and excellent behavior on wet roads.

2 Bridgestone

Optimal characteristics of winter tires
Country: Japan
Rating (2019): 5.0

The Japanese company Bridgestone adheres to a simple philosophy. It serves the community by producing products of the highest quality. This motto also applies to tires. The head office is located in Tokyo, the founding date is considered to be 1931. One of the most famous subsidiaries in the USA is Firestone Tire and Rubber Company. For many years, tires from this manufacturer have been installed on Ford vehicles. And most recently (July 2017), Bridgestone products received an award from the Volkswagen Group as the most technologically advanced and innovative on the world market.

Domestic motorists like products under the Bridgestone brand for their excellent quality, predictable behavior on the road, and resistance to bumps and potholes. Winter models are soft and silent. A car with Bridgestone wheels copes well with high snowdrifts and porridge on the road. The Blizzak W995 tires deserve special respect from the owners. This tire is distinguished by its high strength and wear resistance, while at the same time demonstrating a fairly low noise level.

1 TOYO TIRES

The best summer tires
Country: Japan
Rating (2019): 5.0

The leading position in the global car tire market is occupied by the Japanese company Toyo Tire & Rubber Co., Ltd. It has been operating since 1945, during which time the company has managed to build branches and representative offices in 100 countries. The head office is located in the Japanese city of Osaka. The main activity is the production of tires for cars, trucks, vans and SUVs. The quality of TOYO rubber is tested not only in laboratory conditions, but also on racing tracks, as well as at the famous Dakar Rally.

When compared with other tires, car owners speak positively about Japanese tires. It behaves well on the road, there is practically no slipping, the car goes smoothly. The car does not notice the track and bounces elastically over speed bumps. On some types of road surfaces a slight noise is felt. The summer tire in the SUV category - Toyo Open Country M/T - has proven itself to be excellent. It not only has high cross-country ability. Despite the impressive tread, the wheel noise is quite moderate. Also, reviews from owners positively note the strength of the side part: it is not afraid of any obstacles, and in addition, cuts on this tire are very rare. Yes, and the tire wears out very slowly, and given the affordable price for tires of this size, these factors greatly increase their attractiveness.

The best premium tire companies

Many tire companies from the top ten leaders have a century-long history of development. These huge concerns have enormous experience and can boast record sales volumes. For the highest quality and brand promotion, motorists have to pay a lot of money.

5 Dunlop Tires

The standard for sports tires
Country: England
Rating (2019): 4.8

The company was opened in the century before last, and is considered not only the founder of the tire industry - all fundamental developments in the creation of winter tires belong to the Dunlop brand. For more than half a century, the manufacturer has been the official supplier of Formula 1. This fact was also reflected in the range of tires for ordinary vehicles - the Dunlop sports line of tires is considered one of the best in the world.

The most popular among high-speed tires of this brand is Sport BluResponse. In 2015, it entered the top four favorites in the ADAC rating, demonstrating pinpoint accuracy in handling, braking efficiency on wet roads, and resistance to wear (the manufacturer claims a service life of 80 thousand km). On top of that, in their reviews, many owners consider these summer tires to be one of the most economical models of the brand.

4 Continental

High-tech tire architecture
Country: Germany
Rating (2019): 4.8

The German manufacturer of high-quality tires Continental has long been considered a leader in the global market. The numbers speak for themselves: more than 90 million tires for passenger vehicles are produced annually. Being the main supplier of rubber to such auto giants as Mercedes-Benz, BMW, General Motors Ford, Nissan, Volkswagen, Toyota. The company's tire products regularly undergo various tests and tests, as a result of which they take leading positions in such important indicators as braking distance and handling in various conditions.

The engineers of this brand managed to combine the “incompatible” when developing the Continental Premium Contact 6 (PC6). All the best qualities of sports and comfortable tires were implemented in one. Thanks to nanotechnology and the latest capabilities in tire tread design, it was possible not only to significantly increase the tire service life, but also to reduce rolling resistance and noise levels.

3 Michelin

The fastest tires
Country: France
Rating (2019): 4.9

The French company Michelin has a glorious century-old history. Even at the dawn of its formation, the company’s employees paid special attention to research and innovation. It was Michelin who became the first manufacturer of wheels that were inflated with air. The concern follows its traditions; in recent years, engineers have replaced carbon black in rubber with silica. Thanks to EverGrip technology, the tire's properties do not deteriorate as it wears. The company's products are intended not only for cars, trucks and special equipment. Tires for electric cars and hybrid cars have already been created.

Fans of fast driving speak positively about the car’s stability on the road, resistance to skidding, and durable sidewalls. Car enthusiasts speak negatively about the price and noise. MICHELIN CrossClimate, one of the best tires of this brand, provides a quiet and soft ride, pinpoint control precision, and minimal aquaplaning. All these characteristics remain unchanged as speed increases. Resistance to temperature changes makes the tire one of the best for the off-season, and in big cities allows you to ride the CrossClimate all year round. The only thing car enthusiasts can say negatively about is its price and noise.

2 Nokian

Excellent grip on winter roads
Country: Finland
Rating (2019): 5.0

The leading tire manufacturer in Europe is the Finnish concern Nokian Tires. Since 2005, a branch of the Finnish company has been operating in the Russian city of Vsevolozhsk. The annual output is 14 million tires. The German magazine Focus Money, which annually selects the most popular tires, awarded the victory to products under the Nokian brand in the “Best Car Tires 2018” category. Strengths noted included excellent price, quality, and brand appeal.

Car owners are satisfied with the quiet ride, good cross-country ability, and stability on icy roads. The Hakkapeliitta model has gained particular fame among domestic motorists. The spikes hold very securely; after 5-6 years of operation, more than 80% of the metal elements are preserved. Domestic car enthusiasts consider the high price to be the main disadvantage.

1 Goodyear

The best passenger tires for summer
Country: USA
Rating (2019): 5.0

The American company Goodyear is one of the leading players in the production of rubber products. It was on the wheels of this company that the first production Ford left the plant. The history of the company goes back more than 100 years. The work has always been based on the search for innovation and the introduction of advanced technologies. The main office has been located since 1898 in Akron (Ohio). The line includes tires for cars and trucks, for motorcycles and aircraft, agricultural vehicles and special vehicles.

Flattering reviews from Russian motorists are mainly related to summer tires. It perfectly holds the car on slippery roads when cornering. There is no noise when driving, balancing is excellent, and copes well with unpaved surfaces. Driving fast over potholes and bumps can cause a hernia. Identical characteristics can be found in the most popular tire of this brand – Wrangler DuraTrac. The only thing is that in order to get a “hernia” on such tires, you have to try hard. Despite the brutal deep tread, the tire is quite quiet in operation and at the same time has high wear resistance.

I continue with interesting and useful articles. The first one was about . Today I want to talk about rubber or tires. What are they made of and how do they travel to our shelves? Many people mistakenly think that everything is based on oil, many are even sure that it is 90% of it, but this is not entirely true. AT the dawn of their appearance, tires were almost 100% a product of nature...

Before I tell you about modern tires, let me dig into history and tell you about rubber at the dawn of its production.

What is rubber?

Let it be known that the main component of rubber is made from rubber, and this is a very natural material that is extracted from rubber trees. In southern Africa, such trees have existed for a very long time; it is even difficult to calculate their age. However, Europeans became acquainted with them in the 16th century, when Christopher Columbus returned to his homeland.

If you break down the word “RUBBER” into its components, you get “KAU” - plant, tree, “UCHU” - cry, flow. That is, if literally translated, this is a “crying tree”, from the language of the Indians of the Amazon River tribe. However, there is also a scientific name - “CASTILLA”, it grows on the banks of the Amazon River in the impenetrable jungle.

"CASTILLA" is a very tall tree; it grows 50 meters in height and blooms all year round. In the skin, leaves and inflorescences, there is a lot of so-called milky juice, which contains natural rubber. Due to the fact that these trees are very large, branches or flowers often broke, and at the point of the break the tree “cryed” with such sap.

These are the two main plants that produce natural rubbers. In Central Asia, as well as on the shores of South America, Brazil, Peru, and the island of Sri Lanka, there are entire plantations of such trees that exist for only one purpose - to extract this juice! This has been an established business for a long time.

The top five “popular” plants also include: “CASSAVO”, “TALCO TREE” and the “IN-TIZI” shrub. All of them are sources for subsequent rubber production.

As I wrote above, rubber was brought to Europe a very long time ago, but K. MACKINTOSH, not to be confused with computers from APPLE, decided to use it for the first time, he was the first to impregnate a raincoat with this composition, thanks to which it turned out to be practically waterproof . In cold weather it became dense and waterproof, but in hot weather it became a little “sticky”. It should be noted that MACKINTOSH learned this method from the Indians from the Amazon; for several centuries they had been impregnating their clothes, as well as plants needed for the production of house roofs, with rubber - the waterproof characteristics increased significantly.

So we indirectly owe the appearance of rubber to the Amazon Indians! Watch the short video.

Rubber production

Well, here we come to the most interesting part - the production of rubber itself, and these are not necessarily car wheels, rubber is now used everywhere, even in hair ties.

Once the rubber sap is collected, it is still a long way from producing rubber. Initially, latex is produced from it, this is an intermediate link. However, pure latex is now used everywhere, from medicine to industry.

The juice is poured into large vats and stirred in large vats of acid, usually for 10 hours. After which it hardens. This is already latex.

Afterwards it is passed through special rollers, thus removing excess moisture. The result is a long and fairly wide ribbon.

This tape is run under special knives and crushed. If you look at this composition, it looks like an overcooked omelette.

I burn this air mass in large ovens under the influence of fairly high temperatures - 13 minutes. Now it turns out elastic and biscuit-like, it is pressed into blocks and sent to production.

Of course, in the networks you will not find the exact formula for the production of rubber, much less tires, all this is kept strictly secret. However, the essence of the process has not changed over the past 100 years and has long been known to everyone.

To make rubber, you need to take these latex briquettes and vulcanize them. Sulfur and other “hidden” ingredients are also added to this composition. All this is added to a special boiler, heated, mixed, and after such manipulations rubber appears.

As soon as it is heated to 120 degrees, it is rolled out with special rollers to thin strips. That's where it cools down.

After these strips, read the article.

Modern tires fortires

In the modern world, tires for wheels are made mainly of rubber. But it can be not only natural, but also synthetic. Yes, now we have learned to produce synthetic rubbers. Rubber has the largest share in the composition, usually 40-50% of the total mass.

Next, soot (or carbon black) is added to the rubber. The mass fraction of the wheel is approximately 25-30% of the total mass. It is added for greater structural strength, as well as to withstand high temperatures. Soot, as it were, holds rubber molecules together making them much stronger, they can easily withstand friction and temperature during emergency braking. Without this carbon (soot), tires would run 10-15 times less.

The next additive is silicic acid. Some manufacturers replace carbon with it, since it is cheaper and has high molecular adhesion properties. However, others completely refuse it, stating that it provides insufficient wear resistance! However, if you still analyze the composition of many leading companies, then it is present in the composition, it improves grip on wet roads. Information varies on how much is added, but if you take the average it is approximately 10%.

Other additives are resins or oils. There are more of them in winter tires and fewer in summer tires; they give a “softening role” to the rubber and prevent it from being so “oaky.” This is especially important for winter options. Adding about 10-15%.

Well, the last and very important thing is the specific secret compounds of the manufacturer, there are also about 10% of them, but they can greatly change the parameters of the finished tire. They are kept, of course, in strict confidence.

There are a lot of all kinds of car tires on sale today, and the average buyer can easily get confused about the brands and manufacturers of tires for passenger cars.

From this article you will learn:

Winter tire manufacturers

But as for winter tire models, it should be noted that some manufacturers produce better winter models than others.

For example, winter tires enjoy well-deserved respect in Russia, primarily because Finnish and Swedish manufacturers have the opportunity to test and refine their products in real conditions right outside the walls of their development centers. While manufacturers of winter tires from southern countries do not have such an opportunity, and in order to test their winter models they are forced to build special testing grounds with artificial snow or transport them to northern countries.

That is, when choosing winter tires, in addition to the manufacturer’s brand, you should also pay attention to the country of origin. Manufacturers of winter tires from northern Europe, Japan and America are also respected in Russia.

As you know, a lot depends on the quality of car tires: from the smoothness and “elegance” of a car’s ride to ensuring safety while driving. Tires must provide good traction and be resistant to temperature changes and adverse weather and road conditions. This is especially true for domestic roads.

One of the most reliable tires are tires from the Dunlop company, the country of origin of which is Great Britain. However, tires are produced not only in the UK, but also in other countries; more information about the reasons for this phenomenon can be found in the information below.

Company history: ups and downs

The history of the company's creation goes back to 1888, and the prerequisite for the emergence of a concern that will supply tires for royal racing cars was... a bicycle.

One British veterinarian gave his son a two-wheeled horse, and the happiest son immediately went for a ride on it. And after the trip, he came to complain to his father that after the ride his whole body was “bouncing and buzzing.” This is not at all surprising, since in those days solid tires were used, which had poor shock-absorbing properties.

The father decided to improve his gift somewhat, and came up with the first one in the world. After some time, the former veterinarian patented his invention and began producing tires. Thus was born the Dunlop company, which supplied its products to almost every country in the world.

What was the success of the company? The thing is that the company’s specialists used a number of innovative developments. For example, they were the first to conduct comprehensive tests for their products.

Dunlop specialists were at the forefront of creating the first tire tube. Although the company received a separate patent for it, the design was borrowed from a soccer ball. Ironically, it was Dunlop specialists who created the world's first tubeless tire. There were other, no less innovative solutions: creating a directional tread pattern, rubber and metal studs, as well as “implanting” pieces of a metal chain into the rubber.

In the 60s of the last century, the company reached a new level. Thanks to the supply of its products to Formula 1, in addition, many aircraft used English tires for their landing gear.

However, the company faced both prosperity and decline. By the mid-1980s, largely due to the ill-considered financial policies of the company's management, the company was mired in debt, and then was completely sold off in parts. Therefore, at the moment there are two “divisions” of the once single company:

Dunlop Tires Ltd. At the moment, this part of the company is owned by the Japanese concern Sumitomo.

Dunlop. This part is also managed by Goodyear.

It is worth noting that Dunlop initially passed into the hands of the Japanese as a single entity, and only after that the new owners put up for sale the shares of the European and North American departments. Thus, the production of Dunlop tires has become truly joint. Today, Dunlop tires are produced in Japan, the USA and many European countries.

Dunlop tire reviews

Their reviews also depend on the country of origin of Dunlop tires. German, Japanese and American Dunlop tires deserve the greatest praise. However, with the current variety of products, it is easy to run into fakes. This is evidenced by negative reviews of Taiwanese and Chinese tire options.

Based on this fact, what conclusion can be drawn? That there is some influence from Dunlop on reviews. They largely depend on what is written on the tire packaging. At the same time, one should not discount Chinese counterfeits of a well-known brand. As a rule, such tires have a number of negative reviews. In order to distinguish a fake, you need to carefully monitor the writing of the brand name on the packaging and on the tire itself, and also look at the country of origin of Dunlop tires for a particular model.

Where is Dunlop made?

The company is not limited to producing Dunlop tires. Rubber of the country of origin is also produced at its own expense. This was done to save on production; in addition, the company’s unique technologies make it possible to produce fairly high-quality raw materials for tires.

Raw materials for rubber are supplied from Brazil; rubber from this country is a sufficiently high-quality raw material that allows us to produce rubber of the highest quality, which will ultimately become an excellent basis for the production of Dunlop tires.

Thanks to high-quality raw materials, tires are resistant to temperature changes and adverse weather conditions. Also, reviews of Dunlop tires from European manufacturing countries in particular indicate that they wear out quite slowly and can last much longer than the period specified by the manufacturer.

Dunlop SP Winter Ice 01: briefly about the model

This model is a universal winter tire. Its advantages include the presence of a directional tread pattern, as well as a special rubber compound composition. These factors allow the tire to operate in harsh road conditions such as snow and ice. In addition, these “car shoes” are ideal for use on cleared and wet road surfaces.

Thus, the Dunlop SP Winter Ice 01 tire from manufacturing countries in Europe, as well as the USA and Japan, is an ideal model for operating a car in winter. It is worth adding that the model has received a number of positive reviews from domestic motorists.

Dunlop Grandtrek Ice 02: model description

The model has improved grip properties. In particular, tires whose production was focused on the Russian market (Dunlop Grandtrek Ice 02 - manufacturing countries USA and Japan) can boast of such characteristics. The tire has an improved tread pattern, which provides almost perfect grip on the road surface. The disadvantages of the model include poor braking on snow and ice.

Dunlop Grandtrek tires, whose manufacturing countries are located in Europe, have mostly positive reviews, as they fully comply with the tasks assigned to them.

Dunlop Ice Touch tires

This line of tires has its own unique features that highlight the advantages of the entire brand. So, perhaps, the main feature of this model is the unique design of the tread pattern. Thanks to it, the tire provides ideal vehicle handling on surfaces such as dry asphalt, ice, snow, soil and wet serpentine roads.

In addition, the model boasts unique triangular studs, thanks to which the wheel fits tightly even on icy surfaces; drainage grooves covering the entire tire allow you to remove excess moisture from under the wheel and improve traction. Also, the characteristics of the wheel make it possible to slightly reduce fuel consumption, and the unique composition of the tire helps the tire remain elastic even when exposed to low temperatures.

The country of origin of Dunlop Ice Touch is, as a rule, not a specific location. Products are manufactured in many countries around the world - in Europe, the USA and Japan. At the same time, the quality of tires, regardless of the country of origin, remains quite high. This is evidenced by numerous positive reviews of Dunlop tires from manufacturing countries that were listed earlier.

Applications for Dunlop tires

During the company's heyday, the tires were even used in Formula 1 cars. Nowadays, the purpose of Dunlop tires has become more pragmatic. The tires are designed for everyday use on cars and trucks in difficult road and weather conditions.

However, despite the “modest” area of application, Dunlop tires are distinguished by high wear resistance, quality and elasticity.

Dunlop tire types

Tires are available in three-season variations: summer, winter and all-season. In addition, the manufacturer divides tires for cars, trucks, minibuses and universal ones, intended for both minibuses and cars. In addition, Dunlop tires have differences depending on their optional accessory: for everyday driving, for extreme driving.

When choosing “shoes” for your car, you should consider all these factors. All tires are marked with appropriate markings that explain their purpose. Also, do not change summer tires to winter tires ahead of time. Tires designed for winter weather conditions at temperatures above ten degrees Celsius begin to soften, which leads to their premature wear.

To choose the right one, the country of origin should not be the deciding factor for the purchase. First you need to decide in what conditions the car will be used most often. For city roads, universal tires are suitable, but for country driving it is best to purchase tires with increased cross-country ability.

Benefits of Dunlop tires

Reviews about Dunlop tires are mostly positive. Their advantages, which have been identified by motorists, include good traction, durability, and improved handling. It is worth noting that tires with such reviews are produced in European countries, as well as in Japan and the USA.

Disadvantages of Dunlop tires

The disadvantages of tires are considered to be high noise during their operation and some rigidity, and at times such tires are not able to provide ideal grip on the road. However, the wrong tire type may have been selected. Claims for durability and quality are made only to Chinese fakes of Dunlop brand tires.

Countries where Dunlop tires are produced

Despite the fact that the Dunlop company originated in England, tires of this brand are produced in nine countries on three continents. The reason for this “diversity,” as already mentioned, is that at the end of the 1980s of the twentieth century, the company was bought by the Japanese, and later part of the company’s shares “migrated” to the USA and Europe.

At the moment, Dunlop tires are officially produced in countries such as Germany, France, England, Taiwan, China, Japan, USA, India, and South Africa. As a rule, Japanese-German-American tires are supplied to Russia, although in numerous auto parts and components stores you can find Dunlops of Chinese origin.

It is worth noting that reviews of tire quality also depend on the country of manufacture. The German, French, Japanese and American “variations” received the greatest recognition. Tires produced in China and Taiwan cause the most criticism.

Despite some differences in reviews, Dunlop tires are considered to be of quite high quality and have received recognition from both lovers of quiet driving and fans of extreme driving.

Results

To summarize the above, it is worth adding that Dunlop tires are very popular all over the world, thanks to their fresh and innovative technologies that make the tires wear-resistant and reliable. The production of high-quality tires indicates that the once successful Dunlop company is gradually regaining its leading position in the field of tire design and manufacturing.

The company, which experienced its heyday from the end of the 19th century until almost the end of the 20th century, was in some decline until recently. The main cause of the corporate crisis was unreasonable financial policies, which led the company to bankruptcy, and then dismemberment and sale in parts.

However, like a phoenix, Dunlop “rises from the ashes.” Largely thanks to this, unique and high-quality tires began to appear that meet all international standards. An indicator of the restoration of “former power” is the fact that Dunlop has its production facilities in many countries around the world.

Tires play an important role in the handling and safety of a car, but with age they lose their quality and must be replaced with new ones. Therefore, every driver must be able to determine the age of tires and replace them in a timely manner. Read this article about why it is necessary to change old tires, how to determine their age and replacement time.

Tire Life Standards

Tires are one of the few car components that are not only subject to wear and tear during use, but are also subject to natural aging. Therefore, tires are replaced not only due to their critical wear or damage, but also when their service life exceeds the permissible ones. Tires that are too old lose their quality, elasticity and strength, and therefore become too dangerous for the car.

Today in Russia there is a contradictory situation with the service life of tires. On the one hand, the law in our country establishes the so-called warranty service life (service life) of automobile tires, equal to 5 years from the date of their production. During this period, the tire must provide the declared performance characteristics, while the manufacturer bears responsibility for its product throughout its entire service life. The period of 5 years is established by two standards - GOST 4754-97 and 5513-97.

On the other hand, in Western countries there are no such laws, and car tire manufacturers claim that the service life of their products reaches 10 years. At the same time, there are no legislative acts in the world or in Russia that would oblige drivers and owners of vehicles to compulsorily replace tires upon expiration of the warranty period. Although Russian traffic regulations have a standard on the residual tread height, and, as practice shows, tires usually wear out faster than their service life expires.

There is also such a concept as the shelf life of car tires, but Russian legislation does not set boundaries for this period. Therefore, manufacturers and sellers usually rely on the warranty period, and say that a tire, under the right conditions, can last 5 years, and after that it can be used like new. However, in a number of countries in Europe and Asia, the maximum shelf life is 3 years, and after this period the tire can no longer be considered new.

So, how long can tires installed on a car be used? Five, ten years or more? After all, all the figures indicated are recommended, but no one obliges the driver to replace tires, even after fifteen years, the main thing is that they are not worn out. However, the manufacturers themselves recommend replacing tires after 10 years of age, and in most cases tires become unusable after 6-8 years of use.

What are the specified service and storage periods for car tires? It's all about the rubber itself from which tires are made - this material, with all its advantages, is subject to natural aging, which leads to a loss of basic qualities. As a result of aging, rubber may lose elasticity and strength, microscopic damage appears in it, which over time turns into noticeable cracks, etc.

Tire aging is primarily a chemical process. Under the influence of light, temperature changes, gases, oils and other substances contained in the air, the elastomer molecules that make up the rubber are destroyed, and the bonds between these molecules are also destroyed - all this leads to a loss of elasticity and strength of the rubber. As a result of rubber aging, tires are less resistant to wear, they literally crumble and can no longer provide the required performance characteristics.

It is because of the aging process of rubber that manufacturers and the domestic GOST establish a warranty period for tires. The domestic standard sets a period after which rubber aging does not have a negative effect, and tire manufacturers set a real service life at which aging is already noticeable. Therefore, you should be very careful with tires that are over 6-8 years old, and tires that have celebrated their 10th anniversary must be changed without fail.

To replace a tire, you need to determine its age - this is quite easy to do.

Ways to check tire age

On car tires, like on any other product, the production date must be indicated - it is by this date that one can judge the age of the tires purchased or installed on the car. Today, marking the production date of tires is carried out according to the standard approved in 2000 by the U.S. Department of Transportation.

Any tire has an oval molding, in front of which there is the abbreviation DOT and a alphanumeric index. Numbers and letters are also pressed into the oval - these are the ones that indicate the production date of the tire. More precisely, the date is encrypted in the last four digits, which mean the following:

The first two digits are the week of the year;
The last two digits are the year.

So, if the last four digits in the oval pressing are 4908, then the tire was produced in the 48th week of 2008. By Russian standards, such a tire has already exhausted its service life, and by world standards it is already worth replacing.

However, you can also find other production time markings on tires. In particular, an oval molding may contain not four, but three digits, and there is also a small triangle - this means that this tire was produced between 1990 and 2000. It is clear that now such tires can no longer be used, even if they were in storage or installed on a car that had been sitting in a garage for many years.

Thus, one glance is enough to determine the age of a tire. However, not all car owners know this, which is taken advantage of by dishonest sellers who pass off old tires as new ones. Therefore, when buying tires, you need to be careful and be sure to check the production date.

Determining when to replace tires

When is it time to change tires? There are several cases when you definitely need to buy new tires:

Age 10 years or more - even if this tire looks good outwardly, there are no visible damages and there is little wear, it should be removed and sent for recycling;
The tire is 6-8 years old, and its wear is approaching critical;
Critical or uneven wear, large punctures and ruptures, regardless of the age of the tire.

As practice shows, tires, especially in Russia with its road conditions, rarely “survive” beyond ten years of age. Therefore, tires are most often replaced due to wear or damage. However, in our country, not entirely new tires often go on sale, so every driver should be able to determine their age - only in this case can you protect yourself and your car.