The Nokian Hakkapeliitta CR3 winter tire is one of the novelties of the popular Finnish manufacturer in our country. This model is designed for intensive use in winter on vans and light trucks, where it demonstrates excellent traction on snowy and icy roads, as well as low rolling resistance and a long service life.
Another important feature of this tire is its excellent applicability. It is ensured by an unusually wide range of sizes for commercial models. It consists of 20 sizes for wheels with a mounting diameter of 14 to 17 inches.
Nokian Cryo Crystal Concept
One of the innovations of this model was the application of the Nokian Cryo Crystal concept. It represents a combination of a new tread pattern that provides optimal traction properties in both longitudinal and transverse directions, as well as a rubber compound with a special composition.
For this tire, a new rubber compound was created, adapted for intensive use on small-tonnage commercial equipment. It is distinguished not only by the increased content of silica but also by the presence of special hard particles in its composition, the shape of which resembles multi-faceted crystals. When driving, they form a countless number of microscopic protrusions, which successfully compensated for the lack of spikes. As a result, the tire demonstrates excellent traction on icy roads. Another important advantage of the tread rubber compound is its ability to maintain optimal elasticity over a very wide temperature range.
The next component of the Nokian Cryo Crystal concept is the tread pattern, which was also specially created for this model. It is distinguished by a symmetrical directional arrangement of its elements, as well as a V-shaped design familiar from other Nokian winter models. In its center, there is a very wide longitudinal rib with characteristic zigzag edges. Thanks to this, the contact patch is provided with a multitude of additional traction edges. At the same time, the absence of any gaps throughout the rib makes it very resistant to dynamic deformation that occurs during movement.
Such a layout of the central part of the tread pattern provides the tire, first of all, with excellent directional stability even at very high speeds. Additionally, it is impossible not to note the increased wear resistance, which has a very favorable effect on the durability of the tire as a whole.
Next to the central rib, there are two rows of X-shaped tread blocks, arranged parallel to the direction of movement. This solution is also aimed at providing high directional stability, low rolling resistance, and improving traction properties in the transverse direction.
The shoulder areas of the Nokian Hakkapeliitta CR3 tread pattern also represent two rows of separate blocks, but they are turned across the direction of movement. Thanks to this, the Finnish tire makers were able to significantly improve the braking efficiency, especially on slippery surfaces.
Multiple Lamellas
Almost all, without exception, elements of the tread pattern contain at least several lamellas of a wavy shape. Depending on their location, they perform various functions. The most characteristic in this sense are the shoulder area lamellas, which are distinguished by their large length. As a result, they become a kind of pump during movement, which removes water from the contact patch.
In addition, all lamellas form a multitude of additional traction edges, which ensures improved traction properties, primarily on wet and icy surfaces. It is also impossible not to note the positive effect of these tread elements on handling. The fact is that their walls, due to their wavy shape, are very tightly fixed to each other, thereby increasing the stiffness of all tread blocks and, therefore, the handling on roads cleared of snow and ice.
Dual Steel Belt
This model is based on a very strong carcass, which is very timely, given its purpose. One of the features of the carcass design is the presence of an additional breaker layer made of high-quality steel. Due to this, the tire has acquired the ability to retain most of its original properties throughout its operation, while perfectly handling high loads.
In addition to strength, the new elastic breaker layer allowed for a significant reduction in rolling resistance and heat generation, which had a beneficial effect on both fuel consumption and heat dissipation.
Information on the Maximum Allowed Wear
Like any other modern Nokian winter tire, the Hakkapeliitta CR3 is equipped with a DSI indicator that shows the remaining depth of the tread pattern in millimeters. It is represented by numbers applied directly to the tread. As the tire wears out, they are erased one by one. After the last of them is erased, the tire must be replaced.
Next to these numbers is another indicator, WSI, made in the form of a snowflake. Its presence indicates that the tire can be operated in winter. If this indicator disappears during operation, the remaining depth of the tread pattern is less than 4 mm.
Main Features of the Nokian Hakkapeliitta CR3 Tire
- new rubber compound with the addition of rapeseed oil, silicon-containing components, and special hard particles that form a multitude of sharp edges, which completely compensated for the lack of spikes;
- an optimized symmetrical directional tread pattern for use on commercial vehicles in winter, which provides excellent traction properties in any conditions;
- special shoulder area lamellas-pumps that ensure fast and efficient removal of moisture from the contact patch, which improves traction on wet and icy roads;
- a dual steel belt, due to which the tire demonstrates excellent load-carrying capacity, strength, and reliability throughout its entire service life.
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