ENGINEER EVALUATES ALL-WEATHER TIRES IN SNOW & FREEZING CONDITIONS // UPDATE ON NOKIAN WRG4 TIRES

Do "all-weather" tires perform as good as dedicated winters tires in snowy and freezing conditions? Automotive Engineer David Chao provides real world experience and insights from using the Nokian WRG4 SUV all-weather tires in snowy, slippery conditions after a snow storm. This isn't a short term evaluation - this is an owner's actual experience after using these tires for several months. David believes that these Nokian all-weather tires are the best of best as they provide both all-season tire ride comfort while delivering winter tire performance in snow. Watch the video to find out more about all-weather tires.
Automotive Press is owned and managed by David Koichi Chao, a global expert in the field of automotive evaluation, engineering, and strategy. With over 35 years of engineering experience, David is able to review vehicles from unique perspectives utilizing technical and specialized methods. David is a board member and a director at AJAC (Automobile Journalist Association of Canada).
David is known around the world as an authentic specialist of Lean/Agile Thinking, and travels all around the world to review vehicles and teach latest engineering methods. Born and raised in Japan, David has an engineering degree from University of British Columbia and post-graduate education from MIT and Harvard Business School in Boston.

[@elizabethwhite4606]

David, awesome review on the real world driving performance of these WRG4 tires in snow and ice. Very impressive!

[@hybridstiger]

Living in North Dakota and Minnesota since 2012, now currently in Alaska since 2017. I can safely say that all season tires are exceptionally okay in light snowing conditions. As long as the temperature is above 35°F, and the roads are plowed. A set of dedicated winter tires is always superior for its intended purposes.

[@antonroux6737]

Great that you are looking at tyres now too. Can you have a look at 3PMSF rated all terrain tyres too? There is a new Yokohama Geolandar A/T4 G018 coming out later in the year so it would be good to know if that has improved performance and comfort over the Yokohama Geolandar AT G015. There is the all weather road tyre from Yokohama too called the Geolandar CV 4S G061. And it would be good to know how the new G018 compares to other brands like Bridgestone Dueler AT002, BFG AT K03 (which is just replacing the K02), and Toyo Open Country ATIII which Toyota seem to like fitting to vehicles but which I would certainly not choose if it were me selecting them. I totally agree that looking at tyres that can be safely used all year round is the way to go.

[@heikkiunohaskalahlunta3211]

2020 Camry front wheel drive and currently changing from summer to winter tires every year. (5 to 6 months of winter in my area) I definitely will try these tires when the time comes for new ones.

[@user-tb7rn1il3q]

All wheel and All Weather tires is the way to go. I’d stay with dedicated winter tires since your car only has front drive.

[@heikkiunohaskalahlunta3211]

Thanks, will do. @@user-tb7rn1il3q

[@rightlanehog3151]

David, If Finland can have its own tire company why can't we? 🤔

[@wally6193]

wow, when was this video shot, considering there hasn't been snow for a long time.

[@Sing620hff]

Have the same tires on van and they were perfect during snow.

[@garyclark6747]

Nice testing. Great tire. 11:31

[@GTAYLOR1972]

I have the Michelin cross climate on my front wheel drive car and they are outstanding in the winter. There is an advantage to all wheel drive but having those tires does not make me wish I had it.

[@kurtp5379]

Nice review. I have been considering Nokian WRG4 SUV, or the Outpost ATP tires myself. Yokohama has recently released a new promising all weather tire the, Geolander CV 4S. Hope you can check them out.

[@wally6193]

I had a set of these on a RX350 in Calgary and I'd say they were great, way better than the michelin defender LTX I had on my 4R.

[@Bonjurro]

I’ve had the same tires on my performance model 3 for about 17 months and almost 30000km and they have been fine here in southern Ontario. We haven’t had much of a winter this year though.

[@chien-shengtsai8626]

I've had WRG-2, G-3 and WRG-4. The G-4's are getting noisier and nosier--I thought it was my wheel bearing and even replaced the wheel bearing--made no difference. I liked the WRG-2 best. Wonder how the WRG-5 will compare.

[@MH-rl9ep]

These seem like the ideal compromise. Just wondering about tread wear….how long can I expect these to last, given that fact that the tread is softer?

[@alanb3213]

Not all 3 peak mountain snowflake tires are All weather, there is a difference, to get the 3 peak mountain snowflake you just have to get 10% better traction than the control tire but true All Weather tires have adaptable tread compound that stays pliable at lower temperatures, WRG4, Crossclimate 2 and Goodyear, Toyo and some other manufacturers offer True All Weather tires also. That said winter tires are better in severe winter conditions and ice

[@hawkeshots]

3 peak snowflakes are the real deal in winter!

[@leardi58]

How so if you don't mind me asking I have them and not happy with them switching back to winter tires you can't beat a good set of dedicated winter tires setup

[@hawkeshots]

@@leardi58 While 3PMS-certified tires are good at low-temperature braking and cornering and clearing slushy muck or mixed-condition snow at higher speeds, they cannot match the winter performance of traditional winter tires - studless or studdable. IMO not having to switch out tires twice a year- labor and storage, makes them my choice!

[@0HOON0]

The new all weather tires are awesome in the snow. However proper winter tires are still far better on ice.

[@user-tb7rn1il3q]

No tire goes on ice. You have to use chains.

[@0HOON0]

@@user-tb7rn1il3q Check out Consumer Reports and Tire Rack's tests on ice.

[@bradbaraniuk4085]

no tires are good in freezin rain

[@luckyguy600]

Bought two sets, and never buy them again. ( now mine were a dual tread type, but NOT these actual tires). I would never buy a dual tire ever again. One actually blew up and the wear on them was horrible, and in anything other than a dry situation it was like skating on ice. The absolute worst multi-purpose tire ever! Dodge Caravan if makes a difference. Scary slip-sliding around.

[@Boobtube.]

your driving on flat, slushy roads. Any summer tire would work just fine on the path you took.