Grabber Arctic LT
In 2016, General Tire launched the Grabber Arctic tire line. Today you can buy an improved modification of the Grabber Arctic LT, specially designed for operation in especially harsh climatic conditions. To this end, the Grabber Arctic LT has an even more pronounced tread pattern and even more wear-resistant rubber. Otherwise, these are all the same very high quality tires that will make driving your car more comfortable and predictable.
Application features
Probably, it is no secret to anyone that many people in the USA and Canada do not live in large cities, but in the provinces, and therefore prefer not ordinary cars, but SUVs or open light trucks - pick-ups. To operate these cars, you need special rubber that can keep them on the road in ice and on packed snow. The Grabber Arctic LT became such a tire.
The size range of these tires includes models for large SUVs, pickups, commercial vehicles, and even large trucks. These tires, regardless of size, are designed for heavy loads. And, of course, these tires are designed for use in the harshest winters, when the air temperature drops to -76 F. This is confirmed by the mountain snowflake symbol (3PMSF). In order to obtain 3PMSF certification, the Grabber Arctic LT was tested during development in Alaska and northern Canada. And only after the cars equipped with these tires demonstrated excellent cross-country ability and handling, the tires were put into production.
Protector and spikes
To begin with, the Grabber Arctic LT tires have an efficient and at the same time aggressive tread. The tread is asymmetric directional, so the right tire can be worn on the right wheels, and the left tire on the left. The tread pattern is formed by diagonal grooves running across the center rib. Thanks to these grooves, the tires move water and lose snow away from the road contact patch. This ensures optimum handling of the loose snow.
But how does the tire perform on packed snow and ice? In the working, that is, in the upper layer of the tire, a certain number of contact holes are made. Metal spikes with a diameter of 12 mm are screwed into the thread of the holes. The combination of the tread with metal studs guarantees optimal flotation, even when it is very cold and very slippery.
Tire composition
If you think that the main requirement for winter tires is just good grip, then this is not entirely true. Among other things, a good tire must be strong and durable, while still being able to withstand critically low temperatures. To ensure this characteristic, specially selected production materials are used during production.
In the base, rubber is used with a lower density than that used in the manufacture of summer tires. In addition to low porosity rubber, reinforcing layers of a harder rubber are used in combination with a reinforcing metal braid. As with all current General Tire tires, these tires use steel belts that maintain their center rib shape regardless of tire pressure. Metal belts molded into the rubber around the center rib prevent uneven wear on the tread. Since the tread wears evenly over the entire area of the contact patch with the road, the tire's life is extended.
Why GRABBER ARCTIC LT tires are good
These tires have many advantages, we list only the most important ones:
- Increased service life. Like all modern General Tire tires, the GRABBER ARCTIC LT will last 1.5 times longer than other brands in the same price segment.
- Fuel savings due to reduced rolling resistance. According to the results of the GRABBER ARCTIC LT tests, fuel consumption is reduced by an average of 10%, which, however, depends on the quality of the road surface.
- Reduced noise level in the car. The tire's multi-layer construction absorbs and dissipates vibrations. Therefore, the noise from the wheels and the road is practically not transmitted to the passenger compartment.
- Confident handling on any road surface and off-road in the cold season. Specialized winter tires provide better handling than most all-season tires.
- Quicker start without slipping. Due to the good adhesion of the tires to the road surface, the car quickly starts off. This is more than true if you start driving on a slippery stretch of road.
- Reduced braking distance. Everyone who lost control of a car on the ice knows how dangerous it is. Basically, you stop controlling the car, and it drives by itself with the brake pedal fully pressed. With GRABBER ARCTIC LT tires, the car brakes faster.
- Ability to control wear and uniformity of tire wear. Like all modern General Tire tires, the GRABBER ARCTIC LT is equipped with special indicators that show when to change the tire and how evenly the tread is wearing off. Incidentally, uneven tread wear indicates that the tires need balancing.
- Are inexpensive compared to other tires in the same class. If you are looking for practical off-road tires, the GRABBER ARCTIC LT is exactly what you wanted. These tires offer the best combination of affordable price and quality.
Are there any disadvantages? There were no particular drawbacks in the operation of the GRABBER ARCTIC LT. If there are drawbacks, then most likely they are caused by improper use of tires.
A few words about sizes
The GRABBER ARCTIC LT range is not as extensive as the range of other General Tire models. Nevertheless, the main and most demanded standard sizes are available for purchase. If desired, you can choose tires for both American and European cars.
GRABBER ARCTIC LT - what are in use
To find out what the GRABBER ARCTIC LT is in operation, first of all, pay attention to the reviews of buyers from the USA and Canada. Indeed, despite the fact that General Tire is now part of the Continental AG concern, most of its products are sold on the North American continent. Therefore, where else to be interested in the opinion of these tires, if not in America?
Customers, first of all, pay attention to the quality of riding on snow and ice. As for the ice, we are talking about tires with studs installed. They also note a quick start at traffic lights, and the wheels practically do not slip. This is very important if there is a large and powerful SUV on the ice. Again, reviews often talk about quick braking. All these advantages of the Grabber Arctic LT are guaranteed to make the ride as comfortable as possible.
Verdict
New quality tires at affordable prices are always a welcome discovery for the motorist. But the value of this discovery is greater if these tires are American, winter, and designed for use on SUVs and trucks. Do you think to buy such tires or not? Just make sure they fit your vehicle and buy, of course!