Reviews Nexen Winguard WinSpike: tests, specifications. Choosing winter tires

Drivers, choosing winter tires for their car, are increasingly trying to focus on this or that particular parameter, since universality is not obtained by every manufacturer. To make sure that this or that model is right for you, it is advisable to read what other drivers think about it, namely what their reviews are. Nexen WinGuard WinSpike will become the hero of today's review, which we will conduct with the help of user reviews. However, to begin with, in order to be able to assess the veracity of the manufacturer, we will consider the official information regarding these tires.

General Purpose

The model of winter tires Nexen WinGuard WinSpike is designed for movement on winter routes in the conditions of a tough winter. For this purpose, when developing it, the moments were taken into account to improve the rowing characteristics, which made it possible to better pass the snow-covered trails with loose, untangled snow. The presence of thorns should improve the patency along icy roads, including compressed snow and clean slippery ice during thaws. Special properties of the rubber mixture, according to the manufacturer's idea, lead to the preservation of elasticity, even during severe frosts.

High Strength Model

The manufacturer took care of creating an enhanced version of the rubber model. It was named Nexen WinGuard WinSpike SUV and is intended, first of all, for SUVs and crossovers. Why did it take for these cars to create a separate reinforced ruler?

The fact is that there are two parameters that require a higher strength of the rubber. The first is the increased engine power, compared to standard sedans. As a result, the torque increases, because of which the load at the start increases.

The second is a higher mass of the SUV. It, in turn, leads to an increase in tire wear. If the rubber Nexen WinGuard WinSpike WH62 will not be strengthened, then the level of abrasive erasure will exceed all allowable norms. As a result, the tire will pass a smaller distance than the one for which it is designed.

Features of the structure of the tread

When developing the tread pattern of Nexen WinGuard WinSpike XL, modern computer technologies were used that could modulate various life situations. So, it is thanks to them in most cases it turns out to make the most practical arrangement of individual blocks, which as a result increases the overall dynamic characteristics of the tire.

At first glance, it may seem that the transformers have put their hand to it, because the appearance looks very similar to some prototypes from the movie franchise of the same name and looks very futuristic. This is not an accident, since such a construction of the blocks made it possible to make the patency of the bus much better. This effect is achieved due to the formation of numerous omnidirectional lamellas that create cutting edges that penetrate into loose snow or mud and provide a quality coupling to the surface.

Their multidirectionality makes it possible to work well not only with speed dialing and rectilinear motion, but also during braking, since the cutting edges are also present in the reverse direction.

The main goal is improved coupling and controllability

When developing the Nexen WinGuard WinSpike WS6 tire model, first of all the manufacturer paid attention to the controllability on the winter roads. By creating a protector design using computer modeling, the developers focused on increasing the contact patch with the track and creating omni-directional edges, which inevitably had to lead to better maneuvering performance, regardless of the weather conditions affecting the quality of the road surface.

Thus, one of the measures designed to increase controllability was the use of a synthetic cord in the area of the belt. This led to an increase in the rigidity of the tire, which had a positive effect on the operation of individual protector elements. At the same time, the rubber compound itself can be soft, this does not adversely affect the overall coupling of the working surface of the tread with the track.

In addition, as already mentioned above, the protector blocks Nexen WinGuard WinSpike SUV received a special form. Thanks to it, regardless of the current loads, the contact patch always remains stable, and its area does not change. This leads to independence of the quality of the coupling with the road surface from the current conditions or its condition. Also, the negative impact of unevenness occurring along the path, such as small potholes, rocks or ice shards, is reduced.

Improved braking properties

However, from the controllability and good dynamic characteristics there would be no sense if the car could not confidently brake if necessary. That is why this aspect has also been paid a lot of attention. A large number of perpendicular and directed in the reverse direction of the lamellae, as well as the cutting edges formed by them, makes it possible to effectively use the properties of the rubber compound during emergency braking.

The special three-dimensional structure of the individual blocks of the Nexen tire tread also does not remain to the side, ensuring reliable fixation of each element of the pattern in its place and reducing the probability during overloading of the lamellae closure, which would lead to slipping over the surface. These aspects not only increase braking performance, but also provide improved course stability in directional movement.

Padding characteristics

Although the Nexen WinGuard WinSpike WH62 model also exists in the non-clipped version, only spiked copies are supplied to the CIS countries, since the operating conditions in them are more stringent than in other regions. Thus thorns are not scattered thoughtlessly simply in those places where it was most convenient to fix them. Each of them was thought through by a team of designers and testers, as a result of which it was possible to achieve the most rational arrangement. With such a small amount, twenty separate working rows were formed, which had a positive effect on the dynamic characteristics and quality of the coupling when driving on slippery road surfaces.

For this, computer modeling programs were used, as well as tests in real working conditions, which will have to face tires on Russian roads. At this time, it was possible to achieve good performance, which subsequently did not go unnoticed by the teams of professional drivers who cooperate with many authoritative Internet publications of automotive subjects.

Innovation - micropumps on the surface of the tread

One of the original solutions that made it possible to make a hitch on a wet road during a thaw was of a better quality, there were small holes in the tread blocks on their sides. Structurally, they have become small pumps that can pump water out of the contact spot with the road surface right at the moment when the wheel rolls into this place. This approach has allowed not only to show the manufacturer a clear benefit from the use of their own developments, but also significantly improve the dynamic characteristics, because the water due to them is more qualitatively assigned to the lamellae, where it leaves to the edges of the wheel. This significantly reduces the likelihood of aquaplaning, which increases traffic safety.

Achievement of stability and stability at movement

If you carefully consider the protector drawing of the tire Nexen WinGuard WinSpike in general, it can be noticed that it differs from the options offered by other manufacturers. This is not about the arrangement of blocks and slats, but about the maximum achieved plane of the shape of the profile of the tread.

This approach made it possible to achieve simultaneous contact of the road surface with the maximum possible number of individual elements. This brought positive results not only on the quality of the hitch with the road surface, but also on the wear of the tire itself. So, due to the uniform distribution of the load on the surface, increased resistance to friction, and also managed to achieve better resistance to cuts and punctures. Part of this merit can also be attributed to a thicker and stronger cord, which played a role in the formation of a flat tread surface.

Special rubber compound

During the development, a more effective silicic formula was developed, which was applied during production and was refined as the tests passed. Such a serious approach allowed the launch of a product with increased lateral strength, balanced characteristics, low wear and good grip on the road surface. Moderate elasticity made it possible to detect a golden mean between the resistance to frictional force and the qualitative contact with the track.

The main advantages that the manufacturer promises

So, this review helps to deduce the main advantages of this rubber, promised by the developer. Having seen them, and having familiarized with opinion of drivers, it will be possible to understand, how much the manufacturer is honest in relation to the clients. Among the main features of advertisers based on Nexen WinGuard WinSpike tests were the following:

• Good braking efficiency and high dynamic performance when driving on bare ice or snow-covered track due to a large number of individual slats.
• 20 rows of Nexen WinGuard WinSpike studs, located in the most suitable places of the tread pattern, provide increased grip characteristics on slippery surfaces, such as ice or sleet.
• Micropumps formed by holes in the tread blocks effectively pump the water out of the contact patch and guide it along the lamellas to the edge of the tire.
• The additional cord and flat surface structure of the working area increased the tire's strength and service life by increasing the strength and distribution of friction along the tread.
• The original design of the central part of the tread pattern ensured good course stability and ease of operation even in problematic weather conditions.

These are the main promises of the manufacturer, which, according to him, are realized in rubber in full. Let's consider consistently positive and negative reviews about the Nexen WinGuard WinSpike rubber-tested drivers to make sure whether this is really the case.

Positive feedback from drivers about tires

Many drivers respond positively to most of the main characteristics, from which it can be concluded that the tires actually turned out to be quite good. Among the most noteworthy advantages are the following:

• Low noise level. The use of thorns of reduced size allowed to achieve positive results not only in the running characteristics and coupling with the road surface, but also in reducing the unpleasant accompanying aspects such as noise and vibration. Needless to say, rubber, like any spiked, is quite loud when driving on pure asphalt or ice, but still the noise level is much lower than that of competitors. And with good noise insulation it is almost not audible, which increases the comfort of travel.
• Nice tread pattern. Do not forget that the appearance of the tire also plays an important role. This development has turned out to be quite aesthetic, which, undoubtedly, will please drivers who try to make their car as attractive as possible.
• Good fixation of thorns. With a proper break-in, there are very few spikes, indicating that there is no need to constantly install new ones instead of lost ones and pay extra money at the same time.
• Softness of rubber. This parameter allows not to worry that the rubber mixture will harden at low temperatures, because of what the properties of the tire could be significantly worsened.
• Good handling and hitching with the track, even at a temperature beyond the board below -10 degrees. Especially it can please those who live in the northern regions, and such a temperature regime is standard for most of the winter time.

As you can see from this list, in which not all the main features are listed, the manufacturer did not deceive us regarding the advantages of its rubber. However, it has several disadvantages, which should also be told.

Negative sides of the rubber in question

Among the negative aspects, there are often two main ones mentioned by drivers most often, but not critical. The first is excessive softness of rubber at rather high temperatures overboard, which can increase its wear during aggressive driving. And the second is the uneven depth of the studs' landing, which leads to inefficient use of some of them because they are too deep in the protective elements. Otherwise, drivers who write reviews about Nexen WinGuard WinSpike, almost no complaints, which may indicate a responsible approach to the manufacturer's development and production of tires.

Conclusion

If you are looking for a tire for your car that can cope with the harsh conditions of Russian winter, and do not mind a little overpay for comfort and lack of unnecessary noise, then this rubber is designed just for you, and this is confirmed by the numerous reviews about Nexen WinGuard WinSpike. By purchasing it, you will not be disappointed, starting from the stage of mounting to disks, which requires minimal balancing due to the high-quality filling of the tire at the factory, to high-speed traffic on snow-covered winter routes without loss of control when passing complex areas.