The Vredestein Quatrac 3, if a certain beverage company made tyres, then this is probably the best all season tyre out there.
OK we know this is not a true winter tyre, however it deserves a page! The Quatrac 3 is an all-season tyre, it can be used year round and is also mountain/snowflake marked for those countries where winter tyres are mandatory. Quite simply they are a half way house between summer and winter, although they are probably closer to winter than summer. We are finding that interest in all-seasons is growing rapidly in the UK as motorists want winter safety, but without the effort and cost of changing tyres each season.
Here’s our thoughts and the basics with advice from our partner, Tyremen.
The Quatrac 3 is included on this site as quite often when the winter tyre tests come out they throw a couple of all-season tyres into the mix to see how they perform. If you did want to go all season then this would definitely be the product to go for. Vredestein are the best in the business in all-season, they have been at it the longest, have the best range and are consistently independently tested to be the best. Here is an example, in 2011 Auto Bild did a specific all-season tyre test which the Quatrac 3 topped and was described as ‘Multi talented and balanced in all areas. Precise steering and excellent handling characteristics on wet roads. High safety reserves in aquaplanining, short braking distances on snow’.
When these tyres are tested alongside full winter they perform very respectfully. In the 2011 Evo winter tyre test it placed 5th and was decribed as:
Dry – Most positive front end after the summer tyre. 2nd fastest dry lap time
Wet – A little tail happy but strong front end and lots of steering feel. 7th fastest wet lap
Snow – Surprisingly strong in the snow with the quickest lap time! 6th in the slalom
Quickest lap time in the snow and this is an all-season tyre! This tyre also placed better than the Dunlop WinterSport 4D.
Essentially the Quatrac 3 is a great all-round tyre and I believe is really suited to UK conditions. Certainly in East Yorkshire we get short summers, cold winters and lots of rain, the Vredestein will cope with all of this with ease. In Germany (where legal tyre use is the law) all-season tyres are out selling winter tyres at the moment. Our tyre market has been a few steps behind them for a while now, but I’m convinced that all-season use will continue to increase. In 2012 Vredestein added the Quatrac 3 SUV which has expanded the range even further and covers things like base models BMW X5’s & VW Tiguan.
Suitable for: small sized cars, saloons, executive, SUV & high performance sports
Sizes available: 13″ – 18″, click here for the full list
Speed ratings: T (118mph) H (136mph) V (149mph)
In a retail environment we have supplied the Quatrac 3 for a few years now and customer feedback is superb. Certainly we are getting plenty of repeat custom which shows more than anything that drivers are happy with them. We hear comments like, ‘fantastic grip in the snow’, ‘surprisingly quiet in the summer’ and ‘superb rain tyres’ all the time.
Don’t get me wrong they are probably not for everyone, if you live up in the Highlands and get vast quantities of snow then you would probably go full winter to give yourself the best chance of keeping moving during the winter. But as a true all rounder the Quatrac is well worth a try!
Looking to buy? Tyremen offer the best prices, large amounts of stock and free delivery or nationwide fitting on the Quatrac 3. You can talk to the team on 08456 807808
Our review comes from experience, test results and trade info, some of the best reviews come from you. Have you used the Quatrac 3? Please share your thoughts below.
Thanks, the Winter Tyre Reviews team
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I had these fitted to my wife’s Micra.
They have been nothing short of superb, even in deep snow.
Previously the Micra would skitter and slide around in any form of compacted snow.
These grip really well in slush, fresh snow and with care even on compacted snow.
They seem to be wearing really well and behave impeccably even in summer temperatures and at speed.
A great all round tyre – fit and forget- never get stuck on a car park again!
I have been using Quatrac 3, 225/45/17 on a Skoda Superb for some years and have found them excellent. Tyre life 35000 miles and they are quiet running. Handling is excellent in all conditions including on snow where the traction and braking is also good. I do have to confess on my annual ski trips to Austria I have switched to full winter tyres and wheels for the extra peace of mind but I did not really need them.
I’ve been using Quatrac 3 for the last few yeas on my Toyota Corolla, so far lasting about 40,000 miles and currently at 3mm. They have really saved my bacon a couple of times over the last few winters, especially on uncleared roads. Following a suprise snow dump overnight, while others in the street were struggling to get off their drive, I just got in and drove away. Also fab on compacted ice/slush in the freeze/thaw days after snow. In my work car park, I just pulled in and parked while others were sliding and wheel spinning. I got lots of awed stares! Fuel consumption is about average, and although slightly noisier than some tyres on certain road surfaces, noise is not an issue. Great in the snow, secure in the wet, precise handling and good to use all year. I shall be buying again!
Last winter, at Phil’s suggestion, I purchased a set of alloys and Uniroyals (MS plus 66 185/60 R15T) and fitted them to a Polo 1.4 DSG. I live in the wilds of Northumberland and occasionally we get SOME snow. I had no problems with ice and hoar frost and drove through 8-10″ of snow with no problems. Also I noticed a dramatic difference in rain and standing water, the stopping distance was exceptional, as was the directional stability in slush and standing water. A very economical solution at a very reasonable price, they should be as they are made by Continental and the tread pattern is identical. they did 5000 mls last winter and lost 1mm so I have a few years to go
I was so impressed i bought a set of alloys and the same MS plus 66’s for my Scirroco this year so we will see how they go.
Thanks Phil for all your help.
Thanks for the review Ian, we’re really glad they worked well for you!
Had these fitted to my C-class merc. Good all round tyre and superb in the snow. I live on top of a hill and several times I passed 4x4s presumably on summer tyres struggling to get up…and that’s with a rear wheel drive merc! No too shabby in summer either.
Had a pair on the back of my RWD Merc E320CDi.. for two years, kept me pointed in the right direction and able to move in snow that others got stuck in.
Wore out at 30,000 miles, just replaced with a set of 4
Only issue is noise will get a bit nasty in the last mm or so of tread.. which is a good sign you need to replace them.
Thanks for your comments Dave!
30,000 miles on the back of an E-Class is pretty amazing, I’m thoroughly impressed to hear that.
Thanks for letting us know.
Phill
I’ve done 20,000 in my Freelander 2, from snow and -12º and up to 38º in the summer and the cold weather performance feels perfect. Maybe it’s my imagination, but it seems like something extra is in there, feeling out the surface. Summer use maybe not quite as nice as a Wrangler but still well within expectations. Very little wear so far, as far as I can see.
That’s really good to hear. It’s not unusual for users of this tyre to report that and using them all year round is perfect.
Possibly a little more noise in the summer, but as you say, it still performs as it should
Thanks for the feedback
Jason
Winter Tyre Reviews