Once upon a time there was snow: test of all-season tires Michelin CrossClimate 2 February 19, 2023 1

The last time I told you about CrossClimate 2 was while testing the SUV range on the track at the Porsche Experience Center. A few months later, Michelin completed the circle with the introduction of the rest of the CrossClimate 2 range, consisting of all-season tires for all models (21- and 22-inch SUV tires also debut), including specialty products. To camper and for commercial vehicles.

The success of the CrossClimate family is due not only to sales (nearly 5 million tires in Italy in 8 years), but also to the results of independent tests such as TUV SUD and Dektra. CrossClimate 2 was first in 6 out of 9 tests and on the podium in the other three. Launched in 2022, the CrossClimate 2 SUV is the best in tests in all conditions (dry braking, wet braking, snow braking, etc.).

All CrossClimate 2 products are certified M+S and 3PMSF and therefore suitable in situations where winter equipment is required (winter tires or chains on board). In addition, 10 automakers (and more than 20 models) offer CrossClimate as original equipment.

Looking forward to the end of summers and the transition to all-seasons, which I will experiment with for the rest of their lives, approaching the Valtellina with the Pilot Sport on the Model 3 gave me a fresh look at the performance of this summer tire. due to comparison with CrossClimate 2 “four seasons”, tested on Mercedes CLA 180d

AND the day was perfect to repeat the concept, weather variability increasingly unpredictable. Lombardy saw a significant temperature range in the first two months of the year, with peaks of 15/16° and lows near freezing, including various visits to the negative territory depending on the day.

On the same route from Monza to Mantello, South Carolina, the starting point for the test, very high altitude temperatures were observed compared to the past, and confirmation also comes from 3Bmeteo data collected by Michelin, which demonstrates two things. First trend: periods with temperatures below 5°, frost and snow are recommendations decrease. The second is variability: it is true that there is less frost, it is true that there is less snow, but unpredictability has increased and, in any case, the number of days on which the average temperature is below 5 ° C remains high (dark blue stripes).

Michelin already a few years ago intuitively felt create an all-season on a summer basis, so the starter model is made to go many miles and wear less than a clean winter. It made it to one side excellent mileage and on the other hand, to develop it in order to calmly endure not only wet, but also sudden snowfall. Tests (even independent ones) have proven this.

Today, other manufacturers have also come to make an all-season tire on a summer basis, but Michelin is in a strong position for historicity. In addition, looking at the winter event schedule, it can be seen that have summer mileage and winter performance this is the best way to respond to the situation in some parts of Italy, given that the advice for those who often travel in frosty and heavy snow conditions is to alternate a summer tire with a “clean” winter one.

Even if we do not take into account the graphs, which are averaged and do not take into account the peculiarities of the microclimate, example of my journey from Monza to Mantello is proof: departure with severe frosts, morning in the mountains with icy hairpin bends, then the central part of the day, which even at high altitude showed temperatures outside the winter range. Within 24 hours on a February day, this is what happened:

• minimum temperature 0°
• maximum temperature 16/17°
• dry asphalt on most of the track
• the hairpin bends in the shade from the frost
• snow at the end of the journey

So, let’s try to imagine such a scenario with summer, winter and all-season tires.

• With summer (and chains on board): I did well on the hot part of the track, but I needed to be more careful on sections with a little frost, and the braking distance would have increased significantly in the snow.
• Happy winterA: I wouldn’t have any issues in terms of regulations, but part of the journey (and day) with temperatures close to 16°/17° would add a lot of wear and tear. Since I don’t have much winter hobbies and I travel all over Italy, they wouldn’t be ideal because I would suffer more tread wear.
• With all season: In this case, they would be the ideal solution due to better traction in shady tight corners, good traction on snow (no extreme scenarios) and the right compromise for such high temperature variability and asphalt conditions. Being CrossClimate 2 on a summer basis, they wouldn’t suffer more wear and tear than winter ones.

Unfortunately, there is still too little awareness about tires, to the point where it doesn’t matter for manufacturers to wage war over which model/brand is the best, rather it becomes fundamental. explain for those who travel every day basic concepts such as the fact that pressure is a structural element, not a fad. And I like the fact that the pressure must be adjusted according to the manufacturer’s instructions, and not on the advice “cousin“.

So 2024 will bring a new homologation with the introduction of wet test even with worn tires close to the legal limit (1.6 mm) scratches the tread up to 2 mm. It was (also) Michelin’s war that always supported the need to guarantee customers consistent performance over the life of a tire, even with varying degrees of tread wear. Now the standard is ready to force all manufacturers to rethink the characteristics of their tires, but progress in terms of safety is useless if it is not associated with it. civic sense of users.

Therefore, when choosing tires, use and maintenance must be taken into account, because a concept well known to motorcyclists and ignored by most motorists is that these few centimeters the only one damn Touchpoint with asphalt.

Therefore, regardless of the test, which even in real conditions reflected what I saw on the track and in the PEC low grip circuit (with the addition of good reviews about the silence of these CrossClimate 2), the most important message is that I want to pass in order to do well evaluate the choice according to your needs and Contribute to your own safety and the safety of others. Travel with Wrong, worn and improperly maintained tires (wrong pressure, too worn out) it means shooting a rifle at a square in the hope of not hurting anyone. Sooner or later you will cause damage…