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A tire, regardless of its type for off-road use, cannot deliver absolute convincing performance in all terrains.

Off-Road Tires Thoroughly Assessed in ADAC Evaluation

Off-road tire models assessed by ADAC exhibit a significant flaw: subpar braking capabilities on...
Off-road tire models assessed by ADAC exhibit a significant flaw: subpar braking capabilities on damp roads.

A tire, regardless of its type for off-road use, cannot deliver absolute convincing performance in all terrains.

Rewritten Article:

ADAC Tire Test: None of the Off-Road Tires Impress

'Yeehaw, stick 'em up muddy trails!' The trend is clear—off-road tires, fitted to campers, SUVs, and pick-ups, are all the rage according to ADAC. However, how do these ginormous treads fare? ADAC sought answers and tested eight so-called all-terrain tires (ATs), leaving us with a letdown: Not a single off-road tyre scores a "good" rating.

Ride like an Ace on Pavement? Gone are the days when off-road tyres were relegated to mud-slinging folk heroes. But do they perform on paved roads? The automotive club needed to know! They put eight of these so-called ATs through their paces, testing them in dry, wet, snow, and gravel conditions.

The verdict? Safety-wise, these aren't the best bet on paved surfaces. The catch? ADAC reckons that "most of these tires spend most of their life on paved roads," which might up road-safety risks.

  • None of the tires even gets a "good" rating.
  • Results on dry and wet roads are underwhelming.
  • Braking on wet roads is the Achilles' heel of all models tested.

Handling and aquaplaning behavior are also problem areas.

On snow-paved roads? Two models nearly catch up to the reference tire—a passenger car all-season tire (rating 2.1) with a snowflake symbol. Since the off-road tires in the test also bear this symbol, they can brave winter road conditions. On gravel, some models outperform the car tire.

Top Performers: Simply "Satisfactory"

No tire receives ADAC's seal of approval, but four earn a "satisfactory" rating: the "Yokohama Geolandar A/T G015," the "Falken Wildpeak A/T3WA," the "General Tire Grabber AT3," and the "Matador MP72 Izzarda A/T2." Each boasts an overall rating of 2.9, 3.1, 3.2, and 3.2, respectively.

What's a tyre enthusiast to do? Those who mainly stick to the asphalt are better off with excellent all-season tires, states ADAC. All-terrain tyres might find a purpose off-road but should be selected with care— "Interested parties can find at least models with well-balanced strengths and weaknesses in the four tires with a satisfactory overall rating."

Source: ntv.de, abe/dpa

  • ADAC
  • Winter Tires
  • Tests
  • Off-Road Tyres

Insights: All-terrain tires strive for a balance between on-road comfort and off-road capability. While they excel off-road, performance on paved roads, particularly in wet conditions, can be questionable, with some tests indicating that they may not handle as well as other tire types, like summer or all-season tires, in wet conditions[1]. Popular options include the BF Goodrich All-Terrain T/A KO2, Bridgestone Dueler A/T 002, Falken Wildpeak AT3 W/A, and General Grabber AT3. For optimal paved-road performance in wet conditions, experts suggest considering tires with a focus on on-road handling and safety[2][4]. Always check the latest ADAC test results or other reputable sources for the most accurate and up-to-date information.

  1. Off-road tires, despite their popularity, fail to receive a "good" rating in ADAC's test, implying that these tires may not be manufactured from materials that offer optimal performance in the industry of transportation, especially on paved roads.
  2. According to ADAC's tests, all-terrain tires fall behind in financial terms when compared to other tire types, such as all-season tires, in terms of safety and performance on paved roads, particularly during wet conditions, which may affect the finance sector.
  3. Despite four all-terrain tires earning a "satisfactory" rating, it's crucial to remember that they are primarily designed for off-road use and may not excel in the automotive sector, particularly in areas like sports, where on-road handling and safety are paramount.
Tire evaluated by ADAC receives score of 'acceptable' instead of top grade.

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