New Michelin CrossClimate, a tyre that adapts to any situation

Until now, when we talked about tyres we could talk about three different types: summer, winter and the so-called All-Season tyres, which combine both characteristics without standing out especially in either of them.

Michelin is launching onto the market the new Michelin CrossClimate, a summer tyre (with the typical performance of a summer tyre and not an All-Season) but which has certification for use as a winter tyre. We have got to know the new CrossClimate thoroughly, tested it and we are going to tell you everything about this innovative launch, which is very interesting for our country and in particular for those who occasionally encounter snow throughout the year.

According to Michelin, 65% of European drivers use summer tyres all year round, and that figure is worth reflecting on. Because the typical drivers who want to spend seasons in snowy areas or go up to a ski resort a couple of times a year don’t normally invest in winter tyres, and with summer tyres in the event of snow or ice their safety is at risk (there is no traction, braking is dangerous and deficient, and when descending a mountain pass it is easy to get a scare if we are not properly shod and there is ice or snow).

The ideal would be to switch between summer and winter tyres, but it is true that the cost is high and often the cost of winter tyres is not justified for one month (or a few uses) plus the inconvenience of where to store them and the tyre change (which also has its cost).

That is why I consider that the launch of the new Michelin CrossClimate is very interesting for our country, which does not have very severe winter conditions (it does not snow across the whole country) but has a climate with abundant rain in some regions and snow in some mountain villages, and that is where its versatility shows , as it is a summer tyre with good performance in winter.

How is it possible for a summer tyre to be certified for use as a winter tyre?

To answer this question, the first thing to take into account is Michelin’s R&D work, but to simplify, we will summarise it in three elements that make it possible for the CrossClimate to perform very well in summer and well in winter with snow or ice.

The first is the compound the tyre is made of, that is, the mixture. Because the tread is very flexible, the compound’s ability to conform to the road and its characteristics in any situation is increased. And to maintain the efficiency and durability of the tyre, a new material under the tread optimises the tyre’s energy efficiency by reducing heat generation.

The second main characteristic is its design, especially the V shape of the central part of the tyre’s tread pattern, while the third is the combination of its design with the new 3D sipes with self-locking (compared with a winter tyre, the sipes have been reduced).

To improve dry handling, the vertical and lateral undulations of the sipes provide a self-locking function, that is, they compress against each other to give greater rigidity to the tyre’s blocks. Finally, the bevelled angles on the rubber blocks should be highlighted, which guarantee braking on dry surfaces thanks to the contact surface.

Michelin CrossClimate compared with other tyres

Does it last as long as a summer tyre? Does it brake the same? And what about noise levels? All these questions went through our minds at the presentation of the tyre. As regards durability, according to Michelin the CrossClimate tyre has a lifespan similar to a Michelin Energy Saver.

As for dry and wet braking data, nothing better than the chart where you can see the performance thanks to the European tyre label. As you can see, in terms of wet braking the CrossClimate and the summer tyre (a Michelin Energy Saver+ taken as reference) have a grade A . Yet it has the 3PMSF certification (3-Peak-Mountain with Snow Flake) which accredits it as a winter tyre, and therefore the traction and grip performance typical of these tyres.

Now that we know the theoretical side of the tyre, it is time to test it

The tyre company had prepared a series of tests and workshops for us to get to know this important launch in more depth and at the same time to check the performance of the Michelin CrossClimate first-hand.

One of the tests was to climb a mountain pass (Col de la Faucille) near Geneva and test the tyre in winter conditions. On the route the temperature was low (barely 5ºC if I remember correctly), and at the pass we had a superb road full of snow and ice to see in practice how these tyres provide traction and grip.

On the road, climbing or descending at low temperatures, we noticed that the grip is very good (similar to a winter tyre); the car stays glued to the tarmac and we always maintained a very high sense of control.

As soon as we reached the area with snow and ice underneath, it was clear that it provides traction without problems (something that a summer tyre would not allow on a front-wheel-drive car like the one we were driving). Nor could we resist doing several braking tests on snow and ice to check the level of grip and safety the Michelin CrossClimates offer.

The result pleased us greatly, because besides providing very good traction on snow they also brake the car much better than summer tyres. It is true that they do not reach the level of perfection of Michelin Alpin tyres (purely winter tyres), but after testing them thoroughly in areas where the tarmac could not be seen and everything was snow, the response was very good, even when braking.

On the other hand, we must not forget that they are summer tyres, with all the comforts of this type of tyre, such as low noise, good grip on dry surfaces and a very pleasant feel at the wheel, after a brief first contact in the village (now with somewhat higher temperatures).

Another of the tests we did was to check, in wet conditions, climbing on ice and braking on dry surfaces, the qualities of the winter, All-Season, summer tyres and the CrossClimate. I was able to test an All-Season tyre and a winter tyre against the CrossClimate.

Curiously in the wet, both the summer tyre and the CrossClimate offer excellent grip, while the All-Season is not as good and struggles more to grip. We tested them at a roundabout in the wet, and the ones that gripped best without sliding out or losing control were the CrossClimate and the summer tyre.

The same happens in dry braking, where the All-Season tyre also does not offer good braking and the CrossClimate is similar to that of a summer tyre.

On the ice climb, there is hardly any difference between the winter tyre and the CrossClimate (differences only show with abundant snow or ice), while the All-Season struggles to climb.

Winter tyres, CrossClimate, All-Season or summer?

I’m sure with so much data I have confused you, because until now we have always stressed the importance of winter tyres and of not driving on summer tyres all year round in mountain areas or continental climates where heavy snowfall or sharp drops in temperature are possible.

In my view it is simple: in Spain, and for those who go skiing from time to time and move around areas that normally have mild temperatures (although they may be low in winter), a tyre like the Michelin CrossClimate offers extra performance that summer tyres do not have, more safety, and there is no need to buy winter tyres to go to the snow occasionally.

If you live in Andalusia, in the coastal areas, where it is very rare to see snow, then continue using summer tyres, because a CrossClimate makes no sense in areas with a mild climate.

And if you live in high mountain areas, where winter is harsh and it usually snows heavily, my recommendation is a winter tyre, because it has better winter performance and is designed by and for winter.

In other words, for intensive use in snow or ice areas, winter tyres remain the benchmark; but for occasional use in snow or ice, and to improve the safety we would have driving on summer tyres (because let’s be honest, for a few specific days in the snow nobody changes tyres and goes with the summer ones), the CrossClimate is an interesting alternative, as well as for places where the cold climate means the roads freeze at dawn or there are heavy rains (wet ground gives a tyre great grip). In those cases, this tyre makes sense again, offering greater safety and grip than a typical summer tyre.

Photos | Diego G. Moreira and Michelin