How do Douglas Four Seasons tires really work?
The Douglas four-season tires have spread rapidly in several European countries. These are tires that, while renouncing to provide extraordinary performance, represent a good compromise to be able to circulate at any time of the year with satisfactory safety margins.
They are especially suitable for people who do not like having to fit winter tires before the cold season and then dismantle them in early spring. 65% of motorists residing in Europe do not replace summer tires with winter tires, with obvious safety risks. Using four-season tires can solve the problem.
The four seasons tires are mainly defined by two elements:
the compound stands out for its greater silica content compared to summer tires; silica is important, as it keeps the soft compound even in the case of temperatures below 7 degrees Celsius;
the tread design , when compared with that of typical summer tires, shows a greater number of blades and channels for more pronounced water expulsion.
With this arrangement, the tires are able to ensure better grip even on wet and icy surfaces, getting closer to winter tires. However, manufacturers are trying to insert a number of slats that are not too high, to avoid excessive friction that quickly deteriorates during the summer season.
4-season tires: performance
The performance of the 4-season tires can also vary depending on the model and the manufacturer. Top range tires achieve performance comparable to winter tires . On the other hand, if quality falls, performance deteriorates: the yield on dry funds tends to approach the results of summer tires, even if the 4-season tires are noisier, less precise and with higher consumption.
In general, Douglas Tires Review says all-season tires develop less grip on snow and ice than thermal tires, because the tread blades are less deep and adhere less effectively to the ground. Braking times are not the same: with winter tires they are smaller.
On the other hand, the performances on unpaved or dirty surfaces are satisfying , where the 4-season tires showed good grip.
Four Seasons Traditional Tires
In recent years , advertising campaigns have presented the 4-season tires as the perfect tires for their entire life , able to provide the right traction in all seasons, through spring rain, summer heat, cold and snow in winter.
This excellent promise has made the 4 seasons tires very popular , many consumers have become familiar with the term All Season and made this type of tire among the most requested on the market.
Independent tests conducted by the Swiss Touring Club have found that most traditional four-season tires have very poor performance , with results (in terms of road holding and braking distances) worse than winter tires on wet or snow, and lower than summer tires in spring or summer weather conditions.
