Michelin X-Ice 3 winter tire testAs with car makers, tire manufacturers do their darnedest to cater to what consumers want and ask for. Michelin is to tires what Toyota is to hybrid technology; they are at the forefront, leading the way and by example.
What example is that? Setting standards by which all other tire brands will be measured. Michelin is not simply content with offering a good tire that will perform well in Canadian winters. There are other manufacturers that do exactly this but Michelin throws in peace of mind. Lots of it. Michelin is a rare tire maker that actually rates the life expectancy of their winter tires and also gives you a tread life warranty. You read that right. The all-new Michelin X-Ice 3 winter tire has a 60,000 km warranty and this, in either the T or H speed ratings. Peace of mind comes in many shapes. Another such point comes in the form of trust. Consumers want a winter tire that will last 3 or 4 seasons but unfortunately, come winter #3, the vast majority of winter tires will have lost a large part of their properties, especially where ice traction is concerned. The Michelin X-Ice 3 is designed to perform in all conditions even when worn down to a tread depth of only 4/32. As you can see in the picture gallery, some of the Xi3's competitors’ tread blocks actually melt away into solid bands of rubber or their all-important sipes all but disappear. The Xi3's sipes and blocks are still quite visible and therefore, functional. Oh, and if you're not happy with your Michelin tires, you have a 30-day exchange satisfaction warranty. That's right; Michelin will trade your tires for whatever you want in the same size. As well, with every set, the buyer gets 3 years of roadside assistance. When new, the Xi3 comes with 10.5/32 of tread depth. Compared to many of its competitors that will offer up to 13/32 of tread, 10.5 doesn't seem like much. Like cheeseburgers, not all are equal. A Five Guys burger is not tantamount to a Big Mac but they are referred to as same. They are not. Tread depth is not the be-all end-all of how to measure a tire's worth. The quality of the actual materials and tire make a huge difference.
The tire has also been designed in order to perform decently when conditions are more clement. The premise of the comparison test Michelin put together at Mecaglisse was to demonstrate the Michelin X-Ice 3's abilities in various circumstances. The three most important tests were the following: 1- Pure ice acceleration and stopping 2- Snow covered driving with corners 3- Ice and snow comparison driving on worn (to 4/32) tires Exam #1 In the first test, the results were partially conclusive. Up against the Continental ExtremeWinterContact, the Toyo Observe GSi-5 and the Goodyear Ultragrip Ice, the Michelin X-Ice 3 had to demonstrate its ice-gripping abilities. At first, it seemed as though the Xi3s gave the Mazda's traction control a break but after a number of passes, they all did fairly well.
Same for stopping distances. I was able to maintain a trap speed of between 25 and 27 km/h, and all stopped within the spacing between two cones. Given the trap speed variations, the results were very similar. The return run to get back to the starting line proved to be the most telling. The rapid series of low-speed, ice-covered switchbacks demonstrated how strong the Xi3's directional stability was. So good was it that I had a hard time kicking the Mazda3's tail out. Shod with some of the other tires, the swing was good. Exam #2 Test number 2 once again demonstrated the Michelin X-Ice 3's lateral stability. Around corners on a snow covered circular short-track, the Xi3s made short work of enabling the Mazda3 to cut apexes with relative ease. A newcomer, Chinese-made Kebek tire, was in this test as were Toyo Observe Garit KX and some Nokian WRs. As you might expect, the Kebeks did little to impress the jury, if you will, and the WRs were outclassed by the conditions. They are, after all, 4-season or all-season tires. In the snow, the Toyos managed well but again, it was the Michelin's propensity to keep the car on the straight and narrow that made the difference.
The final evaluation was done on tires worn down to 4/32 of an inch. In this exercise, the Mazda3s were rubbered in Nokian Hakkapeliitta R, Goodyear UltraGrip Ice and the Bridgestone Blizzak WS70. All equally and artificially worn out, each tire with car was put through a series of medium speed turns, hard braking zones and some especially icy surfaces. This test was the most real-life-like of the lot.
As well as the Michelin X-Ice 3s' performed, I was expecting the Blizzaks to do poorly but they did a fine job. The Michelins' once again demonstrated their superior lateral adhesion to slippery surfaces. What this entire event put forth is that the Michelins are highly competent tires in a large number of situations. What it also did was remind that the Goodyear UltraGrip Ice tires are also highly effective in many instances, minus the lateral grip. Incidentally, lateral grip is what will help prevent over and under steer. The Michelin X-Ice 3 will be available in 33 sizes when it goes on sale this fall. Michelin promises more in 2013 and by then, 90% of all winter-tire buying consumers will be covered. On the topic of dollars and cents, Michelin may charge more but then you always get what you pay for. You know what I mean. The iPhone 4 wasn't good enough, you had to get the 4S. The 4 would have done the job but the 4S takes better pictures, and so on and so forth. The Michelin X-Ice 3 will give you as good or better grip in all situations, last longer, offer a better warranty and more peace of mind.
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