Summer tire test 2024 – Surprisingly large

In the big summer tire test for Elbil24 and Dagbladet, the properties on wet roads are the most important feature when we choose the safest tyres. Before the test starts, we also measure the tread depth in all the tires. It turns out to be surprisingly large differences.

The tire with the most pattern is the Goodyear EfficiencyGrip, with 8.0 millimeters. This is also the deck that wins the entire test and gets a six. Nokian Hakka Blue (7.7 millimeters) and Hankook Ventus S1 (7.7 millimeters) also have a lot of pattern to work on.

Minimum pattern

At the other end of the scale, we find Michelin e-Primacy with 6.3 and Michelin Primacy 4 with 6.2 millimeter pattern.

Drop these

As is well known, the minimum legal tread depth for summer tires is 1.6 millimetres. Several experts recommend changing tires when they fall below three millimeters.

The difference in tread depth does not seem to have any bearing on wet braking performance or the tyre’s ability to resist aquaplaning.

Rolls easier

On the other hand, it can have a greater impact on how easily the tire rolls. A smaller pattern will normally result in lower rolling resistance, says test manager Jukka Antilla at UTAC Ivalo, who is responsible for the practical implementation of the tire tests for Elbil24 and Dagbladet:

This is wrong

– The difference in tread depth in this year’s test tires is interesting. The pattern depth has decreased in recent years and Michelin has been one of those who have cut the most. A tire with a small tread depth generally rolls more easily and provides a longer range for those with an electric car. In addition, it is usually the case that smaller patterns and rubber result in lower production costs, says Antilla.

Tired faster?

Michelin e-Primacy, which is built especially for electric cars and has a small tread, has by far the lowest rolling resistance in the test. The Nokian, which is among the tires with the most pattern, has by far the highest rolling resistance. The tire increases consumption and cuts the range by 7.4 percent compared to the tire from Michelin.

The big question for many is how many more kilometers you get out of the tire with the most tread, compared to the tire with the least tread. Normally, Goodyear with 8.0 millimeter tread will be able to last at least one season longer than Michelin with 6.2 millimetres. Maybe two, depending on mileage and driving style.

No answer

Test manager Antilla also doesn’t have a good answer on the lifespan:

The mistake costs you 4,000

– Since we have not tested how quickly the different tires wear, we do not have a good answer to this. Michelin does claim that the tread depth does not affect safety and that they have a reputation for low wear on their tyres.

We have asked for a comment from Michelin on why they choose a smaller tread depth than their competitors. Whether there is an advantage for the rolling resistance and what it has to say for the lifespan and how many kilometers the car owner gets out of the tyre?

Michelin has no press contact in Norway. The customer center in Sweden does not answer questions on the phone, cannot put us through to the right person, but asks us to use the contact form by email. We have not yet received an answer to that.