The thing is, test pilots test tires under special conditions, in extreme situations. Therefore, an ordinary driver may simply not feel the difference between tires from one manufacturer or another.
For this reason, we decided to conduct the Goodyear Ultragrip ICE2 test in real conditions, so to speak, in a consumer format.
We installed the tires on the editorial front-wheel-drive Nissan Qashqai in size 215/65 R16 even before the frosts. We did everything as tire manufacturers recommend. As soon as the temperature drops to 10 degrees Celsius during the day and to 5 at night, it's time to switch to a winter model.
The first thing we noticed after changing the tires is that the tires are quiet. Their sound level is almost at the level of summer models. And this is logical, since Goodyear UltraGrip Ice2 tires are made of an adaptive rubber compound, thanks to which the tire retains elasticity at any temperature, even in Arctic winter conditions.
At sub-zero temperatures, both on the highway and in the city, the tires grip the asphalt tenaciously, even if it is dusted with snow. Only polished ice can make you nervous. But, as you know, miracles do not happen. On such a surface, you cannot do without studs. Fortunately, pure ice is not as common as a surface sprinkled with reagents.
Shod with Goodyear, the Nissan Qashqai daily travels from the city to a cottage community. The road to it passes through a section of dirt road, which in winter turns into a kind of skating rink consisting of ice mixed with snowdrifts and a bunch of potholes. The situation is aggravated by a fairly steep climb. Not everyone can get up it even on foot, so the single-axle-drive Nissan also does not fly up it without problems. However, as experience has shown, on such sections the ICE2 behaves quite decently – at least, the owner of the Qashqai never stopped halfway during the winter. We think that already says a lot.
On an ordinary forest road, the tires performed well. The car confidently overcame both straight icy sections and snow. At the same time, the wheels practically did not spin.
Goodyear Ultragrip ICE2 is indeed a good option for a crossover owner who spends the working day in the city and in the evening gets to his country house on not the best roads, sometimes dirt roads.
Despite the relatively low cost, the new Goodyear UltraGrip Ice2 friction tires are adapted to difficult weather conditions (heavy snowfall, icy roads, uphill climbs or off-road driving), as well as for driving on wet and dry asphalt. All this suggests that ActiveGrip technology works not only on paper. It maintains optimal contact with a slippery road surface and, combined with cryo-adaptive materials, provides better performance on ice. We also note that thanks to straight sipes, pressure is distributed over the entire contact patch. In turn, the sawtooth shoulder blocks transmit lateral force during maneuvers. These innovations allow you to feel confident even on a slippery road. But remember that even the most modern tires will not work when you clearly exceed the speed and perform maneuvers worthy of stunt tricks…
