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How Za Rulem tests tires – all the secrets for a quarter of a century

Our magazine is 95 years old. And for a quarter of a century we have been conducting unique tire tests.

We continue the cycle of materials dedicated to the 95th anniversary of the magazine “Za Rulem”.

How it all began

Behind the wheel

We conducted the first regular (annual) tire test 26 years ago – in January-February 1997. Those were spikes of the most massive size for those times 175/70 R13.

The test was carried out on the territory of the then-under-construction VAZ test site in Sosnovka near Tolyatti in a front-wheel drive Lada car.

The methodology was developed by ourselves, taking as a basis automotive and tire analogues, as well as OSTs for testing tires and cars. We created a system for calculating the final results, which allows you to compare tires with each other.

The methodology was constantly improved: and experience was added every year, and it was possible to peep something from the regular testers of tire companies.

Winter tire tests in 2004.Winter tire tests in 2004.

From the first tests for measurements, a professional Datron test complex with an optical sensor Correvit was used. Fuel efficiency was measured using a high-precision Pierburg flow meter. AVTOVAZ helped us with all this equipment.

Visit of Michelin technicians to our winter testing in January 2005.  Experts carefully study the structure of snow and ice.Visit of Michelin technicians to our winter testing in January 2005. Experts carefully study the structure of snow and ice.

On an ongoing basis

Behind the wheel

Since then, winter tire tests have been carried out annually. In 1998, we turned our attention to the innovative products of those times – friction tires. We tried it – we liked it.

They began to test them, from year to year alternating with spikes popular in those days. Thus, comfortable tires that do not destroy the road surface were promoted.

At the same time, we decided on the timing of the publication of test materials. The results of winter tests were presented in autumn, in September. At the very time when motorists begin to think about the choice of tires.

Tests of summer tires in 2010 at the AVTOVAZ test site.  How the car is driven on test tires is checked on a “rearrangement” - a maneuver that simulates a detour around an obstacle.Tests of summer tires in 2010 at the AVTOVAZ test site. How the car is driven on test tires is checked on a “rearrangement” – a maneuver that simulates a detour around an obstacle.

Summer tire tests were published in March issues. For this reason, we performed all tire tests in advance. Summer – a year before publication, winter – six months before.

The asphalt roads built at the AvtoVAZ test site made it possible in 1999 to start testing summer tires (the same size).

Acceleration time and braking distance in the first tests were measured using a Datron device and an optical sensor.Acceleration time and braking distance in the first tests were measured using a Datron device and an optical sensor.

Important dates

Behind the wheel

2003 As a second size, they began testing passenger tires for foreign cars 195/65 R15. We tested these tires on Volkswagen Group vehicles.

2005 year. Tire size 175/70 R13 was replaced by the more popular winter 175/65 R14 and summer 185/60 R14.

We mastered a more accurate measuring complex Vbox Racelogic, which works on the basis of GPS-GLONASS signals.

2008 The foreign-made size 195/65 R15 was changed to the mass-produced 205/55 R16.

year 2013. Start of SUV tire testing for SUVs and crossovers.

2015 Replacing tires of the budget size R14 with 225/45 R17, keeping the tests of two sizes in winter and summer conditions.

2016 After the warm winter of 2015, due to which our tests almost failed, we were forced to move all winter tests to the northern territories – the Scandinavian testing grounds of tire manufacturers (Continental, Hankook, Nokian Tires and Pirelli).

2019 year. Due to the growing popularity of tires for crossovers and SUVs, they have moved into regular tests to compare passenger tires and SUV tires on an ongoing basis – both in winter and in summer.

2020 We completely left the AvtoVAZ test site and transferred our regular tests of summer tires to the test sites of eminent tire manufacturers.

Our guests

Behind the wheel

Regular tire tests “Behind the wheel”, conducted at an independent site (AvtoVAZ test site), attracted tire technicians.

At first, professionals checked: are we doing everything right? When we were convinced that there were no jambs and we were conducting all the tests at a high level, the meetings began to look more like an exchange of experience.

Since 2000, our tests have been constantly attended by technical representatives of any company. It was only important to build a schedule of their visits so that the competitors did not intersect.

For all the time we have been visited by representatives of: Amtel-Vredestein, Belshina, Bridgestone, Continental, Dunlop, Goodyear, Hankook, Kumho, Michelin, Nokian Tires, Pirelli, Sibur/Cordiant, Rosava, Toyo, Triangle, Yokohama.

Participation in the development of tires

Some tire manufacturers, convinced of our professionalism, turned to us for advice when developing new products, taking into account our knowledge of the specifics of tire operation in Russia.

Michelin was the first to knock on us with such a request in the winter of 2005. And a few years later, our team worked quite closely not only with her, but also with Bridgestone, Goodyear, Hankook, Nokian Tires, Toyo and Yokohama. They began to invite us to their training grounds – either to conduct their own tests on them, or to share experience. And for our tests, many tire manufacturers began to offer their freshest products.

Sharing experience in winter tire testing with Bridgestone technicians in 2011 at the Arctic Falls test site in Sweden.  The Japanese get acquainted with the concept of Sharing experience in winter tire testing with Bridgestone technicians in 2011 at the Arctic Falls test site in Sweden. The Japanese get acquainted with the concept of “cross-country ability” in deep snow

Entering the international arena

Since 2005, we have begun to conduct “international” tests using the test sites of eminent tire manufacturers. This allowed us not only to test advanced UHP tires on modern powerful cars, but also to perform complex hydroplaning and slashplaning tests that were impossible at the AVTOVAZ test site. And also get acquainted with the methods of testing tires of famous manufacturers.

Sergey and Anton Mishins discuss the results of SUV summer tire tests at the Continental test site in Uwald (USA, Texas, 2015).Sergey and Anton Mishins discuss the results of SUV summer tire tests at the Continental test site in Uwald (USA, Texas, 2015).

In 2006, in addition to regular tests, we began to carry out “educational” and “research” tests to help motorists avoid mistakes in the operation of summer and winter tires.

For example, we studied the behavior of directional tires installed backwards; what to expect when increasing and decreasing tire pressure; how will the summer spare wheel perform on a winter road; what happens if you put two new and two old tires on a car; How does ambient temperature affect tire performance?

It was interesting to evaluate progressive products like Run flat or reduced size spares (stowaways).

Sergey Mishin, head of the Za Rulem tire group, and tester Vadim Korablev during tests of winter tires for crossovers at the SHPG test site in New Zealand (2008).Sergey Mishin, head of the Za Rulem tire group, and tester Vadim Korablev during tests of winter tires for crossovers at the SHPG test site in New Zealand (2008).

“Behind the Wheel” is the only print publication in the world that has performed comparative tests of Run flat summer tires using two “empty” wheels at the same time (imitation of a puncture on the side of the car). Other journalists have tested similar tires with only one flat tire.

Our geography

Behind the wheel

We have tested summer and winter tires in different parts of the world. This is confirmed by a long list of test sites where tests were carried out:

Contidrom – summer range in Hannover / GermanyContinental – summer range in Uvalde / USAIdiada – independent summer range in Santa Oliva / SpainGerotek – independent summer range in Pretoria / South Africa Goodyear – summer range in Mireval / FranceMichelin – summer range in Ladoux – Clermont-Ferrand / FranceNokian – summer training ground at Nokia / Finland Pirelli – summer training ground at Vizzola in Milan / Italy Bridgestone, Pirelli / Arctic Falls – winter training ground at Alvsbyn / Sweden Continental – winter training ground at Arvidsjaur / Sweden Hankook, Michelin, Nokian – winter training ground at Ivalo / Finland SHPG – independent winter training ground South Hemisphere PG test site near Wanaka / New ZealandTest World (now UTAC) – independent winter test site in Ivalo / Finland

We have developed particularly trusting relationships regarding tire testing with Continental, Hankook, Michelin, Nokian Tires and Pirelli. Therefore, we became regular guests at the test sites of these manufacturers, as well as those where they tested their own products (Idiada, Gerotek, Test World).

The backbone of the Za Rulem tire test group (Sergey Mishin, Anton Mishin, Dmitry Testov) together with Continental testers at the Artic Falls winter test site in Sweden during tests of friction and studded tires in 2018.The backbone of the Za Rulem tire test group (Sergey Mishin, Anton Mishin, Dmitry Testov) together with Continental testers at the Artic Falls winter test site in Sweden during tests of friction and studded tires in 2018.

In 2022, due to the changed political situation, tire tests returned to Russia. The test site was the NAMI test site in Dmitrov.

***

Tire tests have always been and remain the hallmark of “Behind the wheel”. Regardless of which tire manufacturers participate in them and in which country they are held. Their results are trusted by both ordinary motorists and eminent tire manufacturers. And not unreasonably! After all, they are confirmed by an impeccable reputation that has been earned over decades.

All publications from the cycle “95 years of “Behind the wheel””. “Behind the wheel” can now be viewed on RuTube.

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