# Automotive seasonal tire testing and safety guidance

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/automotive-seasonal-tire-testing-and-safety-guidance
> Updated: 2026-09-09T08:11:00.000Z. Sources: 4. Developments: 2.

Automotive testing and safety experts have provided guidance regarding seasonal tire performance and maintenance. In Finland, a test by auto motor und sport evaluated nine all-season tire brands, finding the Continental AllSeasonContact 2 to be the overall winner due to its performance on dry and wet roads and low rolling resistance. The Vredestein Quatrac placed second for balanced handling, while the Pirelli Cinturato Allseason SF3 ranked third, performing best specifically on snow.

Complementing these tests, experts from TÜV SÜD have issued safety advice for the transition to winter. They recommend maintaining a tread depth of at least 4 mm for the winter season, despite the legal minimum of 1.6 mm. Additionally, specialists advise against using tires from different manufacturers or those with significantly different tread depths to prevent uncontrollable vehicle behavior during emergency maneuvers.

## Timeline

### 2026-09-09: All-season tire tests and winter safety expert advice

Automotive tests crown the Continental AllSeasonContact 2 as a top all-season tire, while TÜV SÜD experts warn against using mismatched tire brands or uneven tread depths for winter safety.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/all-season-tire-tests-and-winter-safety-expert-advice

### 2026-09-04: Continental wins Auto Express 2026 best winter tire test

Auto Express ranked the best 2026 winter tires, with Continental WinterContact TS870 taking first place. The report also provides guidance on reading tire markings and EU efficiency labels.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/continental-wins-auto-express-2026-best-winter-tire-test

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Cite as: Automotive seasonal tire testing and safety guidance. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/automotive-seasonal-tire-testing-and-safety-guidance