Dunlop SP Winter Sport 3D Review

High performance winter tires have not been the norm previously. However, in the last decade or so, manufacturers managed to create tires which combine winter weather driving safety and exceptional high speed performance. They utilize the tire’s tread design, compound and internal structure to guarantee a safer high speed performing ability.

Priority Tire offers a wide range of high performance, winter tires for sale. One such model is Dunlop’s SP Winter Sport 3D, which comes in performance and high performance sizes made for passenger, crossover and sport utility vehicles. This tire increases its winter traction and high speed controllability, while also offers a comfortable and secure driving experience.

Winter Weather Performance

Winter tires offer exceptional traction even in severe winter conditions. They are branded with the three mountain peak and snowflake symbol which ensures their performing capability in versatile winter situations. Manufacturers combine the tread pattern with the winter compound to ensure the tire’s exceptional winter traction.

The SP Winter Sport 3D increases the snow and ice grip with this combination. Its directional tread design features a detailed and delicate siping pattern, which consists of Active traction and 3D sipes. These tread elements enhance the tire’s grip on the ice- and snow-covered road surfaces with additional biting edges, ensuring its grip in various winter conditions. The model’s ideal high silica compound keeps the rubber flexibility in cold temperatures, preventing the tire from losing its traction due to the weather.

The tread design of the SP Winter Sport 3D also has a detailed groove pattern. The angled lateral and wide circumferential grooves prevent hydroplaning by dispersing water and slush from below the footprint. Preventing hydroplaning is an important feature of any tire. Hydroplaning is a road hazard which can easily lead to accidents. It happens when water and slush, which is stuck on the road surface, prevents the tire from coming into contact with the road surface. As the tire does not contact the road, it skids which dampens the driver’s control over the vehicle.

Controllability and Handling

Winter weather controllability is a tricky question. All tires must have good handling, but when it comes to winter weather conditions, a second’s delay in the tire’s steering response can cause dangerous outcomes. Due to this, manufacturers strive to create models that can handle winter traction and offer great controllability.

The SP Winter Sport 3D features a directional tread pattern with intermediate block and shoulder interlocking sipes that maintain the tire’s surface contact. Furthermore, the specific bead seat system helps keep the ideal tire shape and improve the surface contact throughout the tire’s performance. This allows the model to boost the steering responsiveness and the driving stability. In other words, the model is quicker and more precise in its response to the steering instructions, while the structural stability is ensured throughout its performance. This significantly improves the tire’s performing capability and power in versatile winter weather conditions.

The tread design also helps improve the model’s maneuvering ability and power. The tread’s Active traction and central block “pulling” sipes work together to boost the braking capability. These tread elements enhance the friction created at the moment of braking between the tire and the road surface, which significantly shortens the braking distance. The decreased stopping distance ensures high driving safety levels as it enhances the driver’s control over the vehicle.

High Driving Comfort Levels

Winter tires are able to offer comfortable drives as well. Driving comfort is not exclusive to all season and summer tires, but different technologies need to be used to minimize the road vibrations felt in the vehicle’s cabin in winter weather.

Winter tires need to perform in harsher weather conditions. As such, they need excellent durability and a stable internal construction. The SP Winter Sport 3D features Dunlop’s Jointless Band Technology which places a continuous nylon reinforcement on top of the structure’s twin steel belts. This maintains the ideal tire shape under the driving pressure, enabling the model to closely follow the road surface. The closer surface contact ensures even pressure distribution along the entire tread area, which helps the tire absorb the shock of driving. In this manner, the tire decreases the road vibrations felt in the vehicle’s cabin by the passengers while the tires are in motion. As a result, the tire guarantees a comfortable and enjoyable driving experience.

Protection

Tires which come with special sidewall designs are capable of guarding the rims from accidental curb damage. These tires offer an overall safer performing capability.

The SP Winter Sport 3D was made with the Max Flange Shield sidewall design. This guards and protects the rims from harm. This technology creates a special profile of rubber above the bead, which runs across the circumference of the tire. In this manner, it makes a buffer zone that prevents damage from wrecking the rims.

If you’re interested in the Dunlop SP Winter Sport 3D tires, you can find our current stock here.