Given
83%
while driving a
Ford Focus MK3
(205/55 R16) on
a combination of roads
for 3,750
spirited miles
Almost time to switch back to my summer tires. So, here’s my impression of my “mild climate winter” tires. I used to drive on Continental WinterContact TS860 winter tires, but last winters, I noticed that I almost never drive on snow. And in spring and fall, when temperatures jump up and down, I was sometimes driving on my winter tires at temperatures around 20°C. So now, I followed your advice and chose All Season tires for the winter season. I drove them for about 6.000 km now in temperatures between -2 and +16 °C, in the dry and in lots of rain.
Just after switching to the Vector 4S, I had the same feeling as when I changed to winter tires: I felt a bit unsecure while driving: compared to my summer tires (Continental PremiumContact 6) the road contact of the V4S is noticeably less direct. Better than a winter tire, but worse than a summer tire. Once you realise the grip is actually present, the confidence comes back quickly. In fact, in terms of safety, I see it as a good thing: because it is so much fun to go quickly with the PC6, I sometimes feel tempted to go just that bit faster. The V4S isn’t that inviting, so I drive slower. Safe in winter, fun in summer, I can live with that.
And in terms of grip, the V4S does an excellent job: In the dry, it is more than sufficient. The steering feedback is obviously less than with the PC6, but still more than enough to know what’s going on. In the wet, I was impressed by the grip on near freezing wet surfaces and by the aquaplaning resistance. And when the tires start sliding, it all goes very gradually and controllable. Such a safe and stable tire! In all aspects better and more pleasant than the TS860, which to be honest didn’t do bad at all for a winter tire in the dry and in the wet.
Unfortunately, I didn’t get a chance to test the tires on real snow. On muddy roads, light snow, frost and in salted snow/ice slush however, the V4S provides sufficient grip to steer, accelerate and brake without problems. In such conditions, other cars on summer tires are the biggest risks one can encouter anyway, so I drive extra carefully then.
Comfort (noise and suspension) is just fine. Slightly better than the TS860 and way better than the PC6.
I noticed an increase in fuel consumption of about 0,2 l/100 km when driving in similar conditions as with the summer tires.
In terms of wear, the tires lost about 0.4 mm. tread depth (almost no difference between front and rear), which is in line with the AutoBild wear test (70.000 km). If I replace the tires at the minimum winter tire depth (4 mm.), I will be able to drive about 50.000 km on them. Very reasonable (My PC6 front tires will last about 30.000 km).
In short: thank you Goodyear for getting me safely through the winter season. And now let’s get the Conti’s back on!