Dunlop SP Winter Sport 4D is a friction tire designed for use in winter conditions. The novelty was created using several innovative technologies, which makes its functional properties the most practical and effective. This makes it possible to improve the stability of the car on the winter road, as well as improve its handling and give the driver more confidence in controlling the situation on the road.
Features of the Dunlop SP Winter Sport 4D tire
A distinctive feature of this model, which replaced the Dunlop SP Winter Sport 3D, is the specially developed 4D Sipe System. It is an additional sipe, which, when combined with the other three (used in the previous tire model), creates a block that provides the best grip of the tire at the point of contact. Increasing the number of sipes allows for more engaging edges. In turn, this structure of the tread of the tire provides better characteristics of acceleration and braking of the car, both on ice and on snowy surfaces. In addition, 4D technology allows for a more even distribution of the pressure applied to the tires and thus improves the car's handling even when driving in extreme conditions.
The inner parts of the tread blocks are sawtooth. This improves the vehicle's cross-country ability when driving on loose snow, and also reduces the braking distance. In addition, this design gives the tire an additional aesthetically pleasing appearance.
It is also important to note the special functional composition of rubber, which includes special polymer compounds that do not allow the rubber to "freeze". This fact allows the use of Dunlop SP Winter Sport 4D tires even in the most severe frosts. In addition, the polymer composition has a dynamic activity that allows the tire stiffness to change depending on the ambient temperature. Therefore, this model feels great both on snow and on wet asphalt. The composition of the polymer helps to reduce rolling resistance by removing excess moisture from the point of contact through the means of its pores.
The Dunlop SP Winter Sport 4D tire also has a great design that gives any car an additional visual "aggressiveness" effect.
The new Dunlop SP Winter Sport 4D features a range of innovative technologies designed to increase safety and improve information content, which allows the driver to feel more confident in winter conditions.
The new tires got their name from the new system of "four-dimensional siping". Compared to the previous model (Dunlop SP Winter Sport 3D), the company's engineers have added a new transverse sipe to the proven 3D lamella system and created a microblock that allows better pressure distribution in the contact patch. The 3D technology increases the number of sipes, and therefore the engagement edges, which further increases the braking and acceleration efficiency. The new sipe creates an additional lateral engagement edge, ideal for improved lateral grip. This combination (4D Sipe System) creates an independent microblock that allows better pressure distribution for superior handling and lateral grip on snow. To reduce braking distances in deep snow, the tires are also equipped with a sawtooth design of the inner blocks. On the ice, the new Dunlop's ride quality has been enhanced with a compound containing "functionalized polymers" that prevent the rubber from hardening at cold temperatures. These polymers provide optimal dynamic stiffness required at various temperatures. These active ingredients in the rubber compound ensure that the tires can perform well on wet asphalt without compromising on snow handling.
Strengths
The Dunlop SP Winter Sport 4D delivers outstanding deceleration performance on asphalt surfaces, both dry and wet - deceleration is fast and the brake pedal is informative.
Traction effort is also not bad - on ice, the car confidently pulls forward, with slight slippage, and on snow, it “rowed” well enough. It is worth noting the confident grip in icy corners - at the limit, drifts come smoothly and predictably. Other advantages include excellent acoustic comfort.
Weak sides
On the ice, Dunlop is relatively reluctant to brake. At the same time, there is a great risk of wheel blocking and straightening of the trajectory of movement. A similar situation is with deceleration on snow (freshly fallen, rolled, and so on), therefore, on an uncleaned winter road, utmost care and discretion are required, as well as an early calculation of braking.
The tires overcome the snowy mess rather uncertainly - the car constantly prowls and slips, which negatively affects the directional stability. There are also complaints about ride comfort - the ride is not high even when driving over small irregularities.
Reasons for popularity
The Dunlop SP Winter Sport 4D is mid-priced and available in most stores, which explains the steady demand for these tires. These tires do not have any pronounced advantages and do not cause much enthusiasm during operation, but they are offered in an extensive standard size, which allows them to be installed both on budget small cars and on business sedans. Suitable for urban use - when roads are constantly being cleared.
Expert Review:
Balanced winter tires, no major flaws. Safe cornering on wet asphalt. Among the disadvantages are the overpriced and weak resistance to aquaplaning.