Rengas's soup

"Nokian Tyres’ Matti Morri Technical Customer Service Manager on questions regarding hydroplaning and slush planing"

What benefits does this bring?

"As far as I know, no other tyre (in Swedish: däck) manufacturer has a place for testing slush planing in a controlled testing environment in the way Nokian has. Every winter, we pile a lot of snow on our test track, and when the spring sunshine starts to melt the snow into slush, we carry out extensive testing. Although hydroplaning is dangerous, slush planing is even more dangerous. The combination of melting snow, a layer of water on the road surface, and possibly ice can make the situation difficult, even for an experienced driver. Even though we are the pioneers of the industry, even we discover something new every spring."

Is the superior quality of new tyres accentuated in difficult conditions?

"Nokian customers who have driven on our test track have been amazed by the difference between tyres with a tread depth of 4 millimeter and brand new tyres. Unfortunately, few people have the opportunity to experience themselves under safe conditions how quickly water or slush on the road can turn a driver into a passenger."

What can you do if hydroplaning or slush planing occurs?

"Factors that affect the occurrence of hydroplaning that can be influenced by the driver are tyre tread depth, tyre pressure and speed. If, in spite of everything, planing occurs, the first thing to do is to reduce speed and try to re-establish a feel for the road. Only then will it be possible to steer. I cannot understand why people insist on driving in the ruts in the road even when it’s raining, as that is the first place where water will start to collect."

Nokian Tyres' 700-hectare proving ground in Ivalo, Finland, is in use from November to May. With state-of-the-art equipment, the different tests and the expert staff make sure that all the extreme situations in winter driving are thoroughly studied.

1. Grip on Ice

Tammijärvi Lake is the largest lake at the Ivalo proving ground. Three straight test tracks measuring one kilometer each are set upon its icy surface each winter in order to measure tyres’ grip during braking and acceleration. Three 20 meters x 1,000 meters ice straights

2. Grip on Snow

The friction values of a tyre’s lateral and longitudinal grip are measured using equipment installed in the test vehicle. Tests are conducted on two straights of different lengths. The surface on these tracks is made up of hard-packed snow. Test tracks: 20 meters x 1,000 meters and 25 meters x 500 meters.

3. Hill Test

The hill test is used to measure and evaluate how a tyre (in Swedish: däck) climbs up a steep slope. Three routes with different profiles and steepness and a different number of curves lead up to the hill. Test results are obtained from the test driver's comments and objective measurements - maximum 20% incline - three routes: 1,000 meters, 900 meters and 500 meters.

4. Handling on Ice

Conducted on an icy surface, this handling test measures a tyre’s maximum grip in curves with different radiuses and on a long straightaway. Measurement results and the test driver's views are used in the evaluation. Two ice-covered tracks: 800 meters and 1,000 meters.

5. Handling on a Snowy Track

In this handling test, an experienced test driver compares the tyres’ behavior on a snowy track, i.e. on a hard-packed snow surface. The route measuring just over 12 kilometers simulates ordinary road conditions with its slopes and curves.- a winding road with slopes and curves, about 12 kilometers long hard-packed snow surface

6. Handling on a Snowy Track II

The second track intended for evaluating tyres’ behavior in snow is about one kilometer long. In testing terms, this is a so-called index track where tyres’ basic properties can be defined. The demanding route features a large number of curves with different radiuses. Test drivers find out the difference between various tyres by driving at the extreme limits of the tyres’ grip and at extremely high speeds. Measured driving times and the test drivers' subjective assessments complement each other.

7. Lateral Grip and Longitudinal Stability on Ice

A tyre’s lateral grip and longitudinal stability are determined by evaluating its behavior on ice. Lateral grip is tested on an icy circle track. Lap times are recorded in the circle track test, and otherwise comparisons are based on subjective views of the tyre’s handling. When carrying out tests on ice, testers aim to keep conditions as constant as possible by roughening the track's surface with a specially designed roughener. The objective is to keep the ice evenly slippery. Circle diameter 300 meters – handling track 2,300 meters.

8. Maintenance Area: Office and Garages

The Ivalo proving ground has a maintenance building, housing the office premises and a meeting room. During the busiest periods, testing is carried out on an extremely tight schedule, with all available time utilized as efficiently as possible. The garages are used to store and service test cars and equipment used for repairing the test tracks, and to mount and change tyres.

9. Handling on Ice II

This handling test which is conducted on an icy surface measures a tyre’s maximum grip in curves with different radiuses and on a long straightaway. Tyes are evaluated based on measurements and test drivers' views. Ice-covered track: 900 meters.

The Nokia rubber factory launched passenger car tyre production in 1932 when the compressors and curing presses required for tyre manufacture were ordered. The first Nokian tyres featured four layers of fabric and a very flat surface, as if a board had been slammed on the tyre (in Swedish: däck).

The world’s first winter tyre in 1934

In the very early stages of tyre manufacture, Nokian engineers were quick to understand the need for a tyre type that was specifically suited to the Nordic conditions. As a result, the first tread-patterned tyre designed for winter use in trucks and heavy vehicles, or “weather tyre” as it was called, was manufactured.

The first Hakkapeliitta tyre manufactured in 1936

The first winter tyre paved the way for the first Hakkapeliitta winter tyre designed for passenger cars, later named Snow Hakkapeliitta. The tyre tread showed a stepped, relatively sparse transverse pattern equipped with so-called suction pads. This tread pattern remained unchanged until the 1950’s. Before the Winter War, Nokian manufactured 20 000 Hakkapeliitta tyres in six different sizes.

Worldwide introduction in Monte Carlo

The history of Nokian Hakkapeliitta winter tyres is colourful and prestigious. Manufactured since 1936, Hakkapeliitta tyres achieved worldwide fame in the legendary Monte Carlo rallies in the 1950’s and 1960’s. Cars equipped with studded Kometa Hakkapeliitta tyres were superior on snowy and icy mountain roads. Finnish drivers continued to do well in rallies, giving rise to the notion of "Flying Finns". Hakkapeliitta tyres proved their unique features and were soon coveted by competitors from many different countries.

World record in ice driving

Today's Hakkapeliitta tyres also perform excellently in fast-paced challenges such as the Monte Carlo rallies. The new world record for fastest car on ice was set by Nokian Tyres' Finnish test driver Janne Laitinen who drove 331,610 km/h (206,05 mph) on the Gulf of Bothnia, in Oulu, Finland. The record was broken on March 6th 2011 on a 14-kilometer ice track in freezing conditions. The world's leading winter tyre manufacturer equipped the record-breaking car with Nokian Hakkapeliitta 7 studded tyres (255/35R20 97 T XL).

75 years of safety

The R&D principle has remained more or less the same for over 75 years: the demanding objective is to develop tyres for people driving in Nordic conditions who value safety and who expect reliable tyre performance in any situation. The latest additions to the Nokian Hakkapeliitta family are the studded Nokian Hakkapeliitta 7, the Nokian Hakkapeliitta 7 SUV and the studless Nokian Hakkapeliitta R. All tyres have achieved several wins in tests conducted by both Finnish and international magazines. The tyres include many innovations that improve the grip in demanding weather conditions, reduce the rolling resistance and consequently fuel consumption and carbon dioxide emissions.

The new Nokian WR G2 SUV was developed with the needs of European SUV drivers in mind. When designing this high-performance winter tyre (in Swedish: vinterdäck), Nokian Tyres’ winter experts focused on consumer wishes. Special attention was paid to the tyres’ handling properties, particularly at high speeds and on all kinds of road surfaces. The Nokian WR G2 SUV is excellent for driving on snowy roads and bare asphalt at high speeds. The tyre’s excellent slush properties have not been achieved by sacrificing other basic features of a good, balanced winter tyre. The Nokian WR G2 SUV is not afraid of water: it holds its grip, remains stable and stops precisely on wet and watery surfaces. Thanks to the splined centre rib, the Nokian WR G2 SUV rolls sensitively and easily. Lightly rolling tyres consume less fuel, which, consequently, reduces CO2 emissions.

A stable tyre with a good grip on snowy, wet and dry surfaces

The slush grip of the new product is based on new technical ideas and innovations: the slush edge, an asymmetrical tread design and polished grooves. The new innovation, the power on/off stabilizer, enhances the safety and driving properties of the tyre in all situations, especially during rapid acceleration. The rubber compound of the Nokian WR G2 SUV combines silica and plant-based canola oil, which is derived from a natural raw material. This compound improves the tyre’s wet properties and handling properties. The natural oil provides improved resistance to tear and better grip in cool weather.

Efficient wet grip when braking

The outermost sipe on the tyre shoulder is a completely straight zig-zag sipe. Optimized for SUV use, this siping provides good snow grip.

Nokian Tyres is known for its reliable and safe winter tyres (in Swedish:vinterdäck) for the Northern climate, but they do know more mild Central European winters well as well.

In Central Europe, the speeds are higher and temperature warmer than in North, but during the winter time, the weather may change rapidly. High safety is needed on slush, snow and ice, both wet and dry conditions.

The most problematic weather condition in Central Europe is slush. Slush planing a high risk because the tyre loses contact with the road and there is no possibility to steer the car anymore if the contact is lost. According to a study of Tampere University of Technology made in 2008, the risk of fatal accidents is 4.9 times higher on slush than on dry roads. If the temperature rises above zero degree Celsius, slush us even more dangerous. A car will start skidding because of slush planing and slid off the road or could not break in time.

As the slush is more than common in Northern roads of Europe during autumn and spring times, Nokian Tyres has carried out slush planing tests for 15 years and is one of the pioneers on it. The company owns testing ground for tests where both longitudinal and lateral slush planning is measured and researched. The engineers of Nokian Tyres have developed exact test methods for slush planing testing – and the development is an ongoing process.

Nokian Tyres have developed special tyres like the Nokian WR G2 and Nokian WR G2 SUV for Central European winters. These tyre (in Swedish: däck) models provide especially high safety on slush and are optimised better performances in the local, milder weather. Extra care has been seen that the tyres are not only safe, but they consume only little fuel and are environmentally friendly also. Due to its lower rolling resistance, Nokian WR G2 saves fuel half a litre per 100 kilometres. The tyre is made from natural product like canola oil and silica, which replace high aromatic oils that more harmful to nature.

When released to market, Nokian WR G2 was recommended based on the test judgements of the German automobile association ADAC, and the German car magazines “auto motor und sport”, “Auto” and “sport auto”. This is to prove that the engineers of Nokian Tyres have been able to design the safe tyre for moments of slush.