Winter tyres tested - Dry conditions

Dry testing

Our dry test measured braking from 62mph. The temperature during the test averaged 5.5C, yet the summer tyres stopped our Volkswagen Golf test car earlier – in an average of 37.9 metres. The winter tyres took an average of 5.8 metres longer to pull up, and even the worst of the summer tyres – the Nankang Ultra Sport NS-2 – outperformed the best winter tyre, the Continental ContiWinterContact TS 830.

It’s clear that winter tyres don’t always offer better stopping performance in sub-7C conditions. Bear in mind, though, that you’re much more likely to be involved in an accident on wet roads.

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