TCS test: These summer tires are weak

In the latest test by the TCS Test & Technology department, 16 summer tires in the dimension 225/50 R17 98W/Y were put through their paces. This dimension is suitable for mid-range vehicles such as the Audi A4, A5 or TT, BMW 2, 3 and 4 series, Skoda Octavia Scout and Yeti, Alfa Romeo Giulia, Peugeot 3008, 5008, Volvo S80, V40, V60 and V70 or VW Sharan. The experts used an Audi A4 Avant as a test vehicle. «The devil is in the detail, you could say about the current summer tire test,» says Reto Blättler, tire expert and project manager for tire testing at TCS. «It showed how relevant the balance of a tire is. It is therefore no coincidence that the products are assessed in a total of 15 different test criteria, which are divided into the main areas of »driving safety' and 'environmental balance'."

Only three tires are completely convincing
Three tires receive a «highly recommended» rating in the TCS final results: the Continental PremiumContact 7, the new Pirelli Cinturato (C3) and the Goodyear EfficientGrip Performance 2. These models all have a consistently high performance on all road types, complemented by a convincing predicted mileage, low abrasion and good efficiency. A further six tires fell just short of a «highly recommended» rating. Four tires follow in the next places with a final rating of «recommended». The respective weaknesses are somewhat more pronounced in these tires. For Blättler, it is clear: «If you drive an average number of kilometers per year, you should choose a tire that is rated good in terms of both driving safety and environmental performance.» Thanks to the two-pillar structure of the TCS test results, it is now easier and quicker to find a suitable tire.

Saving on tires is not worth it
All three tires at the end of the test field are so-called budget tires. They come from Turkey and China. «They are often offered cheaply online,» reveals Blättler. The result once again clearly shows that it is better not to save money when buying tires to be on the safe side. Although the Lassa Revola only just missed out on a recommendable overall rating, it scored unsatisfactory due to significant weaknesses on dry roads. The Leao Nova-Force Acro also shows pronounced weaknesses in the dry and noticeably falls short in the wet, in terms of mileage and abrasion. The Linglong Sport Master brings up the rear. Although it achieved the best results in the test on wet roads - the performance was consistently optimized in this direction - the downside of this design is the weakest values for handling on dry roads, the lowest mileage and the highest abrasion in the entire test field.