Well, we had to come to Sweden twice. The first time we sat there for a week, running the entire testing program on snow and ice. And then, already in April, on the roads that had just been cleared of ice, they measured the braking distance on wet and dry asphalt - and assessed the acoustic comfort and smoothness of the ride. Well, then, using the traditional system of converting results into points, we summed up the results.
The main surprise in the studded classification is no, not the victory of the Nokian Hakkapeliitta 9 tires. But the very high results of the Hankook Winter i*Pike RS2 tires: according to the results of tests on winter surfaces, they are the best! To avoid getting into trouble, we decided to give them a check. We waited until August, bought a set of tires in Moscow, and bought them for the plane to Germany. And there at the Contidrom training ground there is a closed ice track where winter tires are tested all year round. A series of measurements paired with the test winners, the Nokian Hakkapeliittа 9 tires (we also bought them and ran them in August in Moscow, so that the tires had “the same story”) - and... If in winter the Hankook studs provided by the Koreans braked on ice better than the Nokian , and by five percent, then with commercial tires the situation has changed exactly the opposite: Nokian is better at braking by as much as eight percent! Despite the fact that after running-in, the average protrusion of the studs for Nokian and Hankook tires turned out to be approximately the same - 1.4 mm.
Of course, we can talk about a different quality of ice or the fact that we were only able to buy Hankook Winter i*Pike RS2 with a different load index (91 instead of 94). But neither one nor the other could radically change the braking properties on ice. That’s why we put a red mark on the Hankook Winter i*Pike RS2 tires: commercial tires are not as good as those that took an honorable third place in our rating. By the way, there are no questions for Nokian: a set of Hakkapeliitta 9 tires produced at the Russian plant demonstrated the same properties on ice as the Finnish-made tires that we tested in March.
And we removed the Russian Cordiant Snow Cross 2 tires from the rating altogether: the pre-production tires turned out to be of too low quality. When braking on ice - the worst result! But the current generation Snow Cross model looked quite decent in our previous tests. Cordiant tire manufacturers, while conducting their own tests in parallel with us, also recorded problems on ice - and, in order not to lose their reputation, they postponed the launch of mass production of the Snow Cross 2 tire model for at least a year. According to preliminary information, the suppliers of raw materials to the Omsk Tire Plant, where the Snow Cross series tires are produced, are to blame. They decided to launch only four 14-inch sizes - there seem to be no problems with them.
Winter tire rating 2018-2019
So, in the studded tire class, the victory once again goes to the Finnish Nokian Hakkapeliitta 9 tires. Cool tires, but expensive - and intended primarily for suburban use. After all, the Continental IceContact 2 and Gislaved Nord*Frost 200, which took second and fourth places with a minimal lag, behave better on asphalt.
Well, among non-studded tires, the new Continental VikingContact 7 model is at the top of the ranking, but the Goodyear UltraGrip Ice 2, Pirelli Ice Zero FR and Nokian Hakkapeliitta R3 tires are just a little behind. Once again, when choosing tires, consider where you live. If you never leave the streets of large cities, pay more attention to asphalt indicators. And if you mainly have to drive in snowy and icy areas, use purely winter properties.
Toyo Obsreve GSi-5
| Dimension | 205/55 R16 |
| (123 standard sizes from 175/70 R13 to 275/40 R22) | |
| Speed index | Q (160 km/h) |
| Load capacity index | 94 (670 kg) |
| Weight, kg | 10 |
| 54 | |
| Manufacturer country | Japan |
If you believe the press releases, the rubber of these tires contains particles of walnut shells and an absorbent in the form of soot from burnt bamboo... But on ice, the grip properties are mediocre: in turns the sliding is extended and poorly controlled. On snow, the Toyo tires provide effective deceleration and handle well without slipping, but they are not easy to slide on. On wet asphalt - failure of braking. And the comfort level is low. We don't recommend it.
Hankook Winter i*cept iZ2
| Dimension | 205/55 R16 |
| (50 sizes from 175/70 R13 to 255/40 R19) | |
| Speed index | T (190 km/h) |
| Load capacity index | 94 (670 kg) |
| Weight, kg | 9,2 |
| Shore rubber hardness of tread, units. | 56 |
| Manufacturer country | South Korea |
Winter i*cept iZ2 tires are a new product from Hankook, but unlike the studded Winter i*Pike RS2 model, they performed more than modestly. Both on ice and on compacted snow, the longitudinal grip properties are lacking - at least thanks to the fact that the grip is better in turns. On asphalt the tires are moderately comfortable, but again slippery. Given the success of the latest Hankook summer tires, we can expect much more from this model!
Bridgestone Blizzak VRX
| Dimension | 205/55 R16 |
| (57 sizes from 175/70 R13 to 255/45 R19) | |
| Speed index | S (180 km/h) |
| Load capacity index | 91 (615 kg) |
| Weight, kg | 9,2 |
| Shore rubber hardness of tread, units. | 53 |
| Manufacturer country | Japan |
Bridgestone friction tires compare modestly to European models. In theory, microporous tread rubber should remove moisture from the surface of the ice, thereby increasing the coefficient of adhesion. However, in practice there is clearly not enough grip on ice. The situation is better on compacted snow. But if you drive out of a snowdrift with slipping, then the Blizzak VRX is a bad assistant. But on asphalt these tires work excellently: on dry surfaces the braking distance is minimal! This means we recommend them for large cities, albeit with some reservations.
Yokohama iceGuard iG60
| Dimension | 205/55 R16 |
| (113 sizes from 135/80 R13 to 245/40 R20) | |
| Speed index | Q (160 km/h) |
| Load capacity index | 91 (615 kg) |
| Weight, kg | 9 |
| Shore rubber hardness of tread, units. | 54 |
| Manufacturer country | Japan |
iceGuard iG60 friction clutches are a new model. The asymmetrical tread, traditional for Japanese tires, demonstrates an average level of grip on ice, but at the same time provides good balance in corners: there is no obvious tendency to drift or skid. In the snow, we were pleased with the traction capabilities of the tires. But the grip properties on asphalt are not enough - especially on wet ones. So the Yokohama iceGuard iG60 tires are more suitable for the outback than for large cities. And the prices won't scare you away.
Nokian Nordman RS2
| Dimension | 205/55 R16 |
| (26 sizes from 155/70 R13 to 225/55 R17) | |
| Speed index | R (170 km/h) |
| Load capacity index | 94 (670 kg) |
| Weight, kg | 8,7 |
| Shore rubber hardness of tread, units. | 55 |
| Manufacturer country | Russia |
The materials are a little simpler than Nokian, the tread pattern is borrowed from the previous model Hakkapeliitta R. But in the final rating, the Nordman RS2 was only slightly inferior to the “head” model Hakkapeliitta R3. Both on ice and snow - clear reactions, predictable slides. On asphalt, the grip properties are slightly worse than those of the Nokian, and unevenness is felt more clearly. But the price is one and a half times lower!
Nokian Hakkapeliitta R3
| Dimension | 205/55 R16 |
| (68 sizes from 175/65 R14 to 245/35 R21) | |
| Speed index | R (170 km/h) |
| Load capacity index | 94 (670 kg) |
| Weight, kg | 8,3 |
| Shore rubber hardness of tread, units. | 54 |
| Manufacturer country | Finland |
Nokian Hakkapeliitta R3 tires work great on ice - when you slow down, you can even hear the characteristic rustling of the rubber edges clinging to the micro-irregularities of the surface. On acceleration and braking - the best results among friction clutches! But on compacted snow the results are more modest. And on asphalt, Nokian tires are inferior to the leaders in terms of grip and comfort. So the recommendation is traditional for Nokian models: they are created primarily for suburban use.
Prelli Ice Zero FR
| Dimension | 205/55 R16 |
| (30 sizes from 175/65 R14 to 245/50 R19) | |
| Speed index | T (190 km/h) |
| Load capacity index | 94 (670 kg) |
| Weight, kg | 8,8 |
| Shore rubber hardness of tread, units. | 48 |
| Manufacturer country | Russia |
It’s gratifying that Pirelli’s Russian factories do not skimp on raw materials: Ice Zero FR, produced in Voronezh, provided worthy competition to the class leaders. Both on ice and snow there are good grip properties, but, unfortunately, there are sharp slips and slips in turns. Sports character! And on the asphalt everything is worthy: Pirelli tires share with Continental friction tires the title of the quietest in our test.
Goodyear UltraGrip Ice 2
| Dimension | 205/55 R16 |
| (29 sizes from 185/60 R15 to 245/45 R19) | |
| Speed index | T (190 km/h) |
| Load capacity index | 94 (670 kg) |
| Weight, kg | 8,7 |
| Shore rubber hardness of tread, units. | 55 |
| Manufacturer country | Poland |
Three years ago we recognized these tires as the best friction tires (AR No. 18, 2015). And even now they hold excellent ice control: on the winding track they lost only to four studded models! On snow, the directional tread works well in the longitudinal direction, but performs slightly worse in corners. But Goodyear is great on asphalt! But in general, this is another worthy option for winter tires, suitable both in the city and beyond.
Continental VicingContact 7
| Dimension | 205/55 R16 |
| (109 sizes from 155/65 R14 to 295/40 R20) | |
| Speed index | T (190 km/h) |
| Load capacity index | 94 (670 kg) |
| Weight, kg | 9,6 |
| Shore rubber hardness of tread, units. | 50 |
| Manufacturer country | Germany |
The directional tread pattern in a neat diamond pattern looks beautiful and works great. Yes, the icy results are slightly worse than those of its main competitors. But what a great balance between performance on ice, snow and asphalt! Not a single mistake in the results. This means that these tires are ideal for urban winter use. We especially recommend them to lovers of comfort: the softest and quietest tires in our test.
GT Radial IcePro 3
| Dimension | 205/55 R16 |
| (17 sizes from 175/70 R14 to 225/55 R17) | |
| Speed index | T (190 km/h) |
| Load capacity index | 94 (670 kg) |
| Weight, kg | 10,5 |
| Shore rubber hardness of tread, units. | 63 |
| Number of spikes | 128 |
| Protrusion of spikes, mm | 1,12/1,27 |
| Manufacturer country | China |
Giti Tire, headquartered in Singapore, is one of the world's dozen tire manufacturers. The company's main factories are located in China, but tires under the Giti and GT Radial brands are developed in both Germany and the USA. However, IcePro 3 studded tires are the last century of the tire industry. The tread seems to be welded from summer types of rubber: it does not cling to ice and snow at all. And it’s scary to drive along the handling track: the loss to the test leaders from a kilometer reached 24 seconds!
Firestone Ice Cruiser 7
| Dimension | 205/55 R16 |
| (19 sizes from 175/70 R13 to 235/65 R17) | |
| Speed index | T (190 km/h) |
| Load capacity index | 91 (615 kg) |
| Weight, kg | 10,2 |
| Shore rubber hardness of tread, units. | 60 |
| Number of spikes | 115 |
| Protrusion of spikes, mm | 0,83/1,02 |
| Manufacturer country | Russia |
Firestone Ice Cruiser 7 tires are a replica of the budget Bridgestone Ice Cruiser 7000 tires from 2010, produced in Ulyanovsk. It is clear that they are missing stars from the winter skies: poor grip on slippery surfaces requires extremely careful driving - especially when cornering. Many tires without studs make you feel more confident!
On asphalt the situation is somewhat better. But overall, we don’t recommend it.
Toyo Observe Ice-Freezer
| Dimension | 205/55 R16 |
| (16 sizes from 175/70 R14 to 265/55 R19) | |
| Speed index | T (190 km/h) |
| Load capacity index | 91 (615 kg) |
| Weight, kg | 10 |
| Shore rubber hardness of tread, units. | 56 |
| Number of spikes | 115 |
| Protrusion of spikes, mm | 1,09/1,19 |
| Manufacturer country | Malaysia |
The new product from Toyo Tires seems to have a modern tread pattern, studs with a shaped core, and the rubber contains crushed walnut shells. But the nuts don’t help: the grip on ice is mediocre, and it’s not easy to make the car turn. In the snow the situation is about the same.
But you can drive on asphalt on these tires: the grip properties are good and there is less noise compared to other studs.
Bridgestone Blizzak Spike-02
| Dimension | 205/55 R16 |
| (43 standard sizes from 175/70 R13 to 245/50 R20) | |
| Speed index | T (190 km/h) |
| Load capacity index | 91 (615 kg) |
| Weight, kg | 10,2 |
| Shore rubber hardness of tread, units. | 61 |
| Number of spikes | 115 |
| Protrusion of spikes, mm | 1,25/1,62 |
| Manufacturer country | Japan |
A special feature of the Bridgestone Blizzak Spike-02 tires is a noticeable increase in stud projection as the tires are run in and tested. At the end of the tests, some rose 1.8 mm above the tread! But they held strong - not a single empty hole, even after a series of full-throttle braking on dry asphalt. The main driving advantage is excellent braking properties on ice. However, there are no achievements in other winter disciplines, and on handling tracks there is a constant struggle with front axle drifts. And on asphalt, grip properties and comfort indicators, alas, leave much to be desired.
Yokohama iceGuard iG65
| Dimension | 205/55 R16 |
| (29 sizes from 205/55 R16 to 285/60 R18) | |
| Speed index | T (190 km/h) |
| Load capacity index | 94 (670 kg) |
| Weight, kg | 10 |
| Shore rubber hardness of tread, units. | 53 |
| Number of spikes | 172 |
| Protrusion of spikes, mm | 0,68/0,94 |
| Manufacturer country | Russia |
The new Yokohama iceGuard iG65 studded tires were developed by Japanese tire makers in cooperation with specialists from the Arctic Falls test site. There is progress, but the protrusion of the spikes is not enough, and the characteristics are poorly balanced. For example, a Golf on these tires accelerates well on ice, but brakes very mediocrely. And in turns it drives like a rear-wheel drive car - always in a skid!
But on asphalt these tires are some of the best! Including acoustic comfort. In the city, the best thing is if your car has a stabilization system.
Pirelli Ice Zero
| Dimension | 205/55 R16 |
| (45 sizes from 175/65 R14 to 275/35 R20) | |
| Speed index | T (190 km/h) |
| Load capacity index | 94 (670 kg) |
| Weight, kg | 9,1 |
| Shore rubber hardness of tread, units. | 56 |
| Number of spikes | 130 |
| Protrusion of spikes, mm | 0,83/1,09 |
| Manufacturer country | Russia |
Russian-made Pirelli Ice Zero tires this season did not perform as confidently as a year ago (AR No. 17, 2017). The reason for this may be the poor quality of the studs: many studs protruded above the tread by less than a millimeter before running in. And even after running-in, these tires lacked aggression on ice - especially in corners.
The situation is better in the snow. But on asphalt, the main problem with Pirelli Ice Zero tires is a low-frequency hum in the speed range of 60-100 km/h.
Goodyear UltraGrip Ice Arctic
| Dimension | 205/55 R16 |
| (37 sizes from 175/65 R15 to 245/45 R19) | |
| Speed index | T (190 km/h) |
| Load capacity index | 94 (670 kg) |
| Weight, kg | 9,9 |
| Shore rubber hardness of tread, units. | 55 |
| Number of spikes | 130 |
| Protrusion of spikes, mm | 1,11/1,34 |
| Manufacturer country | Poland |
And again, we did not wait for the change in generations of Goodyear UltraGrip Ice Arctic tires, introduced in 2012. Instead, budget Goodyear UltraGrip 600 tires were introduced to the market, designed to play the role of a “secondary” model. And the aging flagship of the winter line from Goodyear continues to delight us with its tractor characteristics on virgin soil and excellent traction on packed snow. But the handling characteristics - especially on ice - are still rather weak, and the characteristic hum of the tread poisons life when driving on asphalt.
Nokian Nordman 7
| Dimension | 205/55 R16 |
| (34 sizes from 155/80 R13 to 235/55 R17) | |
| Speed index | T (190 km/h) |
| Load capacity index | 94 (670 kg) |
| Weight, kg | 9,6 |
| Shore rubber hardness of tread, units. | 58 |
| Number of spikes | 128 |
| Protrusion of spikes, mm | 1,04/1,2 |
| Manufacturer country | Russia |
Nordman 7 tires are the “second life” of Nokian Hakkapeliitta 7 tires. They are produced on the same equipment as Nokian tires, but from cheaper raw materials. On ice, the Nordman 7 tires, having a smaller number of studs, are inferior to the test leaders, but on snow they behave excellently - they row even better on loose powder than the Hakkapeliitta 9. But on asphalt they perform mediocrely.
A good option for affordable studded tires for suburban use. By the way, Nordman tires are covered by a guarantee: in case of unintentional damage, the dealer will provide the same tire for half the price.
Gislaved Nord*Frost 200
| Dimension | 205/55 R16 |
| (75 sizes from 155/70 R13 to 275/40 R20) | |
| Speed index | T (190 km/h) |
| Load capacity index | 94 (670 kg) |
| Weight, kg | 10,6 |
| Shore rubber hardness of tread, units. | 54 |
| Number of spikes | 130 |
| Protrusion of spikes, mm | 0,8/1,1 |
| Manufacturer country | Germany |
Copying the tread of the first generation ContiIceContact tires, the Gislaved Nord*Frost 200 tires are an ideal urban stud: they are quite quiet in the “toothy” class and have a good balance of ice and asphalt grip properties. At the same time, Gislaved tires are among the best on snow. A reasonable (read: inexpensive) option for winter tires not only for urban, but also for suburban use.
Hankook Winter i*Pike RS2
| Dimension | 205/55 R16 |
| (28 sizes from 175/70 R13 to 255/40 R19) | |
| Speed index | T (190 km/h) |
| Load capacity index | 94 (670 kg) |
| Weight, kg | 8,9 |
| Shore rubber hardness of tread, units. | 54 |
| Number of spikes | 189 |
| Protrusion of spikes, mm | 1,2/1,4 |
| Manufacturer country | South Korea |
Pre-production samples of the new Hankook RS2 tires, which we tested even before the start of official sales, left behind Continental and Nokian in terms of snow and ice indicators - at a price one and a half times lower! Unfortunately, additional tests of Hankook Winter i*Pike RS2 commercial tires have dispelled the myth about their magical properties. So for now we will refrain from making recommendations - we will wait for the manufacturer’s explanation and the results of the next tests, which will involve Hankook tires purchased through the retail network.
Continental IceContact 2
| Dimension | 205/55 R16 |
| (78 sizes from 155/70 R13 to 245/35 R21) | |
| Speed index | T (190 km/h) |
| Load capacity index | 94 (670 kg) |
| Weight, kg | 10,3 |
| Shore rubber hardness of tread, units. | 51 |
| Number of spikes | 190 |
| Protrusion of spikes, mm | 1,1/1,3 |
| Manufacturer country | Germany |
Continental IceContact 2 tires provide minimal braking distances on ice, but on winding roads the Nokian Hakkapeliitta 9 allows you to go faster. But on asphalt, Continental tires are quieter, and the studs in them have additional fixation - none of the competing companies can yet master the unique technology of hot vulcanization. Considering the price, the IceContact 2 tire is a great choice! And the third generation of this model is already on the way: next year new IceContact 3 tires with rubber stud bodies will go into production.
Nokian Hakkapeliitta 9
| Dimension | 205/55 R16 |
| (54 sizes from 175/65 R14 to 275/35 R20) | |
| Speed index | T (190 km/h) |
| Load capacity index | 94 (670 kg) |
| Weight, kg | 8,9 |
| Shore rubber hardness of tread, units. | 53 |
| Number of spikes | 190 |
| Protrusion of spikes*, mm | 1,01/1,25 |
| Manufacturer country | Finland |
| * Before/after tests | |
Hakkapeliitta 9 with a tread equipped with two types of studs works great on ice and snow - but on asphalt it gives the car sluggish reactions to steering turns and increased noise. So Hakkapeliitta is still not the best choice for city dwellers. But you shouldn’t pay attention to where Nokian tires are produced - in Russia or Finland: both factories produce high-quality tires, it has been verified. You can find out the best price for this tire in your city.
High-quality car tires are the key to safety and comfort when driving, especially in winter, when the road is covered with snow.
In the CIS, including the Russian Federation, the average temperature outside reaches -20°. That is why drivers need to choose tires carefully and professionally. Among other brands, specialists from many service stations recommend purchasing Nokian Nordman tires, in particular for minivans and SUVs.
About the tire manufacturer Nokian Nordman RS2
ATTENTION! A completely simple way to reduce fuel consumption has been found! Don't believe me? An auto mechanic with 15 years of experience also didn’t believe it until he tried it. And now he saves 35,000 rubles a year on gasoline!
Nokian has been manufactured in Finland since 1980. Tires are very popular among car owners of passenger cars and trucks.
A multi-stage quality control system, European standardization standards, and a wide range of products are not a complete list of the advantages of the Finnish concern.
Since 1999, engineers have developed and put into mass production tires for SUVs, mining dump trucks and other special equipment.
Despite a number of advantages of Nokian tires, there is one significant drawback - the high price, which is sometimes beyond the reach of the average car owner.
The main sales market for products: the European Union, Asian countries, the CIS, including the Russian Federation.
Which is better: Nordman studded tires or RS2 Velcro?
Compared to studded tires, friction Velcro tires have the following advantages:
- less noise;
- safety for road surfaces;
- less weight of rubber, and, accordingly, less fuel consumption.
On the other hand, Velcro handles much worse on smooth ice and has a slightly longer braking distance.
Choosing between these two types of winter tires is necessary taking into account the weather and road conditions of a particular region.
- For moving around the city, where the snow is constantly cleared and there is practically no ice, friction tires like Nordman RS2 are perfect.
- For remote regions or areas with severe weather conditions (high rainfall, harsh winter), it is better to use studded tires.
Features of the Nokian Nordman RS2 tire
In the process of manufacturing tires, they use some of the most advanced technologies and developments to improve the technical characteristics of tires. The assortment includes models of summer, winter classes, as well as universal - all-season.
Engineers pay special attention to:
- ride quality;
- sustainability;
- comfort when moving.
Summer class tires have strong lateral support and uniquely shaped lamellas. The tread pattern is symmetrical, the drainage grooves are deep for quick and complete removal of water from under the contact patch.
While operating a car with tires from Nokian Nordman, drivers have repeatedly noticed a reduction in fuel consumption by 3 - 4%, and in some cases up to 5.0%.
The winter class of tires is well adapted to negative temperatures. The tread maintains the desired trajectory of the car even on an icy track.
Thanks to the deep drainage system, water is quickly removed from the center of the tread, thereby providing good traction.
Models and dimensions Nokian Nordman
- During the manufacture of the rubber mixture, high-quality chemical components and oils are used;
- The tire has a remaining tread depth indicator (DSI). There is a green marker on the central part of the tire. As soon as the tread wear reaches 70 - 75%, the green color changes to orange. Subsequent operation of the vehicle is unsafe;
- on winter tires, the tread pattern is designed to enhance the braking process on slippery surfaces, ice, and snow;
- the side and central lamellas are designed in such a way as to pump out water as completely as possible from under the rubber contact patch with the road surface;
- Nokian Nordman tires, in comparison with analogues, have a minimal aquaplaning coefficient, which increases vehicle controllability, including on slippery roads;
- There are wedge-shaped elevations between the central and side lamellas, which enhances traction and control, and shortens the braking distance.
What is the difference between Nordman RS2 friction tires
Nordman RS2 tires are based on the famous premium model Nokian Hakkapeliitta RS. The manufacturer claims that these tires combine excellent cross-country ability and handling with a high level of comfort.
Nordman 2 tires have the following features:
- The tread has no spikes, but is equipped with numerous friction lamellas. This provides a sufficient level of grip on slippery surfaces.
- The rubber composition is particularly soft, which has a positive effect on grip properties at low temperatures.
- The tread blocks contain brake boosters that shorten the braking distance.
- The thoughtful design absorbs noise as much as possible and ensures comfort while moving.
Nokian Nordman RS2 tire tests
| Seasonality | Car class | Size | Spikes / Studs | Maximum speed index | Price in rubles |
| Summer | Passenger car | 155/65R14 - 195/60R16 | No | 190 km/h | From 2900 – 3200 |
| Cargo | 155/65R14 - 195/60R16 | No | 190 km/h | From 2900 – 3200 | |
| Winter | Car/truck | 155/65R14 - 195/60R16 | Yes Yes | 190 km/h | From 2900 – 3200 |
| *check the price with the official dealer at the time of purchase |
Tips for choosing tires
In order to choose a high-quality and original product, you should pay attention to some points:
- When ordering from an online store, you need to take into account delivery costs.
- The cost is too low (cheaper than the average by 30% or more, most likely indicates a low-quality product).
- You only need to buy tires that match the size of your car.
- When placing an order, you must inquire about the presence of a tire quality certificate and warranty conditions.
Pros and cons, is it worth buying Nokian Nordman
Advantages of Nokian Nordman tires:
- good balance between price and quality;
- service life is 12–14% longer compared to analogues;
- good lateral support of the slats;
- multi-layer rubber;
- symmetry and asymmetricity of the tread;
- unique tread pattern;
- deep drainage channels to improve water drainage from under the wheel;
- hydroplaning indicator is below average.
Disadvantages of Nokian Nordman tires:
- inflated price, which varies depending on the region of purchase;
- all-season and summer types have insufficient cross-country ability in the periphery;
- The noise level is above average on winter tires when driving on rough terrain.
Recommendations from Nokian Nordman tire care specialists
- check the actual tire pressure every 1 to 2 months;
- measure tire pressure unscheduled when summer and winter begin;
- Be sure to make adjustments for temperature conditions when inflating tires. In winter, the pressure is 0.2 atm higher, and in summer it is 0.1 atm lower;
- do not allow the tires to be over- or under-pressured, as in both cases the central tread and side sipes are deformed and wear out unevenly;
- deviation of pressure from the norm contributes to an increase in fuel consumption, a decrease in stability and controllability;
- Auto repair shops do not recommend storing tires in the “on top of each other” position for a long time, as this leads to deformation of the side sipes and tread;
- after changing tires, be sure to pack them in polyethylene, store them in a dry place, away from ultraviolet rays, in a hanging position;
- when the average temperature reaches +10° in summer and +7 - 8° in winter, switch to the appropriate type of tires;
- Further operation of the vehicle is not recommended if the actual tread wear is over 70%;
- Check the camber angle with special equipment at a service station every three months. Incorrect angle of inclination leads to uneven tread wear and increased fuel consumption;
- Auto store managers and service station specialists to a lesser extent recommend putting the vehicle on so-called universal, all-season tires. Unlike winter and summer ones, all-season ones are not adapted to the temperature range, as a result of which the rubber tread wears out faster;
- When purchasing tires, ask for a quality certificate from the seller.
Nokian Nordman RS2 is a mid-class winter friction tire with a directional tread pattern, designed for passenger cars.
The model also has options for crossovers and SUVs.
Explanation of technical characteristics
Each tire from the Finnish manufacturer Nokian has markings on the side. Knowing its designations, you can get complete information about the size, permissible load and other parameters of the product.
Let's look at tire markings using an example.
If the tire has the following designation: Nokian Nordman RS2 185/65 R14 90RM+S, it can be deciphered as follows:
| Manufacturer's name | NOKIAN |
| Model | NORDMAN RS2 |
| Wheel Radius (inches) | 14 |
| Tire structure | R (radial) |
| Tire type | tubeless |
| Tire width | 185 mm |
| Height (% of width) | 65 mm |
| Seasonality | M+S (winter) |
| Speed index | R (170 km/h) |
| Load capacity index | 90 (600 kg) |
