The choice of passenger winter tires is so great today that it is quite difficult for many drivers to decide on a specific manufacturer and model. Often the question is not even worth the price. The main criterion remains the quality and safety of movement. The implementation of both criteria is promised by rubber manufacturers Cordiant Snow Cross.
Customer reviews will help us figure out whether this rubber actually meets the requirements of the majority, especially since it is offered at a fairly reasonable price. Let's take a look at all the points regarding these tires and analyze each element of their structure in detail.
A little about the manufacturer
The Cordiant brand represents a Russian manufacturer called Sibur, which has established itself over the years as a manufacturer of high-quality rubber designed for harsh Russian conditions. Since all tests are carried out in conditions as close as possible to those in which the tires will be operated, quite good results can be achieved. Products are improved every year, the manufacturer creates the best winter tires, allowing you to choose the most suitable rubber model for the car and driving style.
Brief description of the model
First of all, Cordiant Snow Cross studded tires are designed for use on cars of various types. The model range has a large number of sizes, so that each driver can choose the option suitable for his car. The model was released relatively recently, which indicates the use in its development of the latest technologies available to the manufacturer at the moment. And every year some changes are made in its production, which allow improving the dynamic characteristics and general indicators in general.
First of all, the Cordiant Snow Cross PW model is focused on stability during high-speed movement and handling on snowy tracks. In order for the user to come across only high-quality products, control is installed on all factory lines to check each tire produced. As a result, the percentage of defects is minimal, and the guarantee provided allows you not to worry about it at all.
Unique tread pattern
Although at first glance it might seem that you already saw these car tires for cars somewhere and the picture seems painfully familiar, do not rush to conclude about plagiarism. Many manufacturers use the basic structural drawings, modifying them in accordance with their technology. So it happened this time. The tread was created according to proprietary Snow-Cor technology, which pursues several goals at once. One of the main directions is the most effective removal of water and snow from the contact patch with the track. This is facilitated by the structure, which is a radiation pattern, diverging from the center to the edges of the tire.
This approach made it possible to make rubber, which not only effectively repels water and snow, but also can independently get rid of sticking snow during a full revolution of the wheel. The middle closed rib Cordiant Snow Cross R15 is designed to effectively cut the snow and push it as quickly as possible to the edges of the tire. It provides directional stability during high-speed movement on a snowy track, and also paired with shoulder zones helps to make maneuvers without significantly reducing speed.
Lamels as a factor that improves adhesion to the surface
Do not forget about the structure of the lamellas on the rubber Cordiant Snow Cross, reviews of which we will consider at the end of this article. They provide the creation of a large number of edges on the tread blocks, allowing you to rake snow as efficiently as possible. Their Z-shaped structure forms a large number of sharp edges, which, on the one hand, provide dynamic characteristics, and on the other, make it possible to reduce the braking distance due to the effective resistance of the tread blocks.
Tire behavior when ice
Do not forget that in winter on the roads, in addition to snow or water, there may be icy conditions. In this case, the studs are made in the two-flange version. Their base is made in the form of snowflakes and allows you to secure the stud in the tire with the highest quality. With icy conditions, the best studded winter tires are considered to be the best. The Velcro will never be able to handle the ice like spikes do.
Their main task is to prevent slippage during rapid acceleration, as well as maintaining dynamic performance while driving. The lack of slipping has a positive effect on fuel consumption, allowing you to save a little. In order for the spikes to work out with greater efficiency, the layout of their placement was thought out. And the sharp edges on the studded tread blocks provide an even better grip when driving on ice or ice, making the best winter tires even more attractive.
Application of a two-layer type of tire design
In order to counter uneven wear and quick tire failure, the manufacturer decided to make a tread of two layers of rubber with different characteristics. The top layer is soft rubber, which exhibits good properties with respect to adhesion to the road surface and allows you to increase the dynamic characteristics of the tire. The inner layer is made of stiffer rubber. This is done so that the internal pressure of the Cordiant Snow Cross tire is evenly distributed and cannot lead to a hernia or simply to disproportionate wear of the tread. As a result, rubber does not have a chance of beating due to deformation, and also increases resistance to punctures, cuts or bumps. A durable metal cord complements the picture, providing stiffness throughout the tire, even at positive temperature, when the rubber softens greatly.
Patented proprietary rubber compound
The manufacturer decided not only to develop its own technology, but also to patent it to show that truly innovative methods are used in the development. As a result, the name COR-FIX appeared, which indicates the use of silica tires made by the new formula in the rubber composition.
Thanks to this modification, winter tires R16 retains the ability to remain soft even at very low temperatures, which positively affects its characteristics. On the other hand, the addition of silicon and silicic acid to the composition makes it possible to reduce its wear during operation under positive temperatures or when driving on clean asphalt. As a result, the rubber will go much longer, and it will not have to be changed every season, even with intensive driving and large mileage.
The main positive aspects according to the manufacturer
It’s time to compare whether the manufacturer’s promises regarding this car tire are in fact consistent with the opinions of users. To do this, let's take a quick look at the list of strengths from developers, and then compare it with reviews from real users:
- A unique tread pattern, finalized by proprietary technology, allows you to confidently move on any type of road surface, while providing excellent directional stability and maneuverability without the threat of skidding.
- An updated rubber compound and a well-thought-out web of lamellas increase road grip under any circumstances, regardless of the type of road surface and its condition.
- Increasing the depth of the tread pattern, the use of a two-layer structure of its deposition and the addition of silicic acid to the rubber compound significantly increased the service life of each tire individually and its strength, as well as resistance to various types of damage.
Let's now analyze the reviews and choose positive and negative opinions about the properties of these tires. Based on such information, it will be possible to conclude whether they should be purchased for your car.
Positive aspects based on user reviews
It is worth noting in advance that as a result of the analysis of reviews, a positive impression is formed on the model range, and there are not so many criticisms of this rubber. Let's see what the reviews say about Cordiant Snow Cross, and what users focus on in the first place:
- Good balancing of rubber from the factory. Most likely, the absence of unbalanced samples is due to good output quality control of the tire. The disks as a result do not look like a Christmas tree hung with weights.
- Good stability on dry pavement. A common problem with studded rubber is that it begins to slip on the spikes when driving along a clean track. In this model, this problem is either not observed, or minimized compared to competitors.
- It copes well both with movement on snow and on ice. In the snow, the rowing characteristics of the tread manifest themselves, providing high-quality coupling with the road surface.
- High-quality studs. If winter tires (Velcro does not require such care) are correctly rolled after installation, then problems related to the occurrence of spikes in the first few thousand kilometers should not arise. The main thing is to follow the instructions for use, and not try to squeeze out all the rubber from the rubber immediately after installation.
- Nice value. Given the large number of positive reviews, the relatively low price, which is often characteristic of cheaper options with worse performance, is surprising.
- Wear resistance. Indeed, the recycled formula of the rubber compound makes itself felt and allows you to use rubber much longer than before, which translates into savings in terms of 100 kilometers traveled.
On this, its positive aspects do not end there, but the remaining points are noted by a small number of drivers, and they are not so critical. Let’s now look at the negative reviews about this model.
Negative aspects of the analyzed tire model
Among the minuses noticed by drivers, two main ones can be distinguished, which are much more common than others. The first is the high bus noise. Even for the studded version, in comparison with competitors, winter tires R16 of this model is too loud. If this is a serious problem for you, you will either have to put up with it, or look for another option. However, given the excellent dynamic and driving characteristics, you can close your eyes to this.
The second negative point that is noted in the reviews is the rigidity of the rubber itself. This indicator should not be confused with the softness of the tread; there are no complaints about it. The rigidity of the rubber suggests that it is reluctant to adapt to the bumps found on the road, so all kinds of pebbles and pieces of ice falling under the wheels are felt in the cabin if the suspension cannot cope with them. Whether or not to consider this a big problem is up to you, but thanks to this property of the tire, the wheels remain intact even with a strong impact.
Comparison of reviews and declared features
As you can see, the manufacturer completely honestly revealed the main features of the tires. They are really well suited for the harsh Russian winter and allow you to feel confident on the track regardless of the condition of the road surface. If the above disadvantages are not too critical for you, then you can safely buy this rubber, especially given its relatively low cost. As reviews say about the Cordiant Snow Cross, it should meet the expectations of any driver, as it allows complete control over the car. This suggests that it is especially worth paying attention to beginners who can still not so well keep on the road in adverse weather conditions.