{"id":7522,"date":"2026-09-17T06:23:37","date_gmt":"2026-09-17T06:23:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/reifenlab.eu\/mag\/hankook-aw53-dw53-truck-tyres-improve-snow-acceleration-by-4-in-internal-test-2\/"},"modified":"2026-09-17T06:23:37","modified_gmt":"2026-09-17T06:23:37","slug":"hankook-aw53-dw53-truck-tyres-improve-snow-acceleration-by-4-in-internal-test-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.thetirelab.com\/mag\/hankook-aw53-dw53-truck-tyres-improve-snow-acceleration-by-4-in-internal-test-2\/","title":{"rendered":"Hankook AW53\/DW53 truck tyres improve snow acceleration by 4% in internal test"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>Hankook has introduced two new winter truck tyres: the Smart Control AW53 for steering axles and the Smart Control DW53 for drive axles. According to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hankooktire-mediacenter.com\/press-kits\/iaa-2026\/press-release?cHash=a1d4112fdad40d680a84d1eb2548ab08&amp;tx_news_pi1%5Baction%5D=detail&amp;tx_news_pi1%5Bcontroller%5D=News&amp;tx_news_pi1%5Bnews%5D=13281\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Hankook&#8217;s press release<\/a>, the replacements for the AW02 and DW07 improved snow acceleration by 4% in the manufacturer&#8217;s internal comparison test.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The two-model approach separates the different jobs performed at the steer and drive axles. The AW53 is intended to maintain steering response and stability, while the DW53 must transmit drive torque. Both use wear-dependent tread features, but their patterns are tailored to those axle roles.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2560\" height=\"1706\" src=\"https:\/\/reifenlab.eu\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/hankook-smart-control-aw53-dw53-02-scaled.jpg\" alt=\"Close-up of a Hankook Smart Control truck winter tyre driving on a snowy road\" class=\"wp-image-7504\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.thetirelab.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/hankook-smart-control-aw53-dw53-02-scaled.jpg 2560w, https:\/\/www.thetirelab.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/hankook-smart-control-aw53-dw53-02-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.thetirelab.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/hankook-smart-control-aw53-dw53-02-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.thetirelab.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/hankook-smart-control-aw53-dw53-02-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.thetirelab.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/hankook-smart-control-aw53-dw53-02-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.thetirelab.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/hankook-smart-control-aw53-dw53-02-2048x1365.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2560px) 100vw, 2560px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Photo: Hankook<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_69_1 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-grey ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\">\u2630<\/p>\n<label for=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-item-6aabbe9e0677e\" class=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-label\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/label><input type=\"checkbox\"  id=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-item-6aabbe9e0677e\"  aria-label=\"Toggle\" \/><nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/www.thetirelab.com\/mag\/hankook-aw53-dw53-truck-tyres-improve-snow-acceleration-by-4-in-internal-test-2\/#Internal_tests_show_gains_on_snow\" title=\"Internal tests show gains on snow\">Internal tests show gains on snow<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/www.thetirelab.com\/mag\/hankook-aw53-dw53-truck-tyres-improve-snow-acceleration-by-4-in-internal-test-2\/#Tread_features_appear_as_the_tyre_wears\" title=\"Tread features appear as the tyre wears\">Tread features appear as the tyre wears<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/www.thetirelab.com\/mag\/hankook-aw53-dw53-truck-tyres-improve-snow-acceleration-by-4-in-internal-test-2\/#One_launch_size_for_each_axle_position\" title=\"One launch size for each axle position\">One launch size for each axle position<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Internal_tests_show_gains_on_snow\"><\/span>Internal tests show gains on snow<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Hankook tested the new generation against the outgoing models at the UTAC facility in Ivalo, Finland. The figures below are manufacturer-reported results rather than an independent tyre test, but they give a useful indication of the development priorities. The company did not publish the underlying stopping distances, test conditions or competitor results, so the percentages should not be read as a market-wide ranking.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table><thead><tr><th>Measure<\/th><th>Claimed improvement vs AW02\/DW07<\/th><\/tr><\/thead><tbody><tr><td>Snow acceleration<\/td><td>4.0%<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Snow handling<\/td><td>3.7%<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Snow braking<\/td><td>2.8%<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Service life<\/td><td>Up to 15%<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Source: Hankook internal comparison testing and press release<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2560\" height=\"1706\" src=\"https:\/\/reifenlab.eu\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/hankook-smart-control-aw53-dw53-03-scaled.jpg\" alt=\"Truck fitted with Hankook Smart Control winter tyres driving on snow\" class=\"wp-image-7505\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.thetirelab.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/hankook-smart-control-aw53-dw53-03-scaled.jpg 2560w, https:\/\/www.thetirelab.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/hankook-smart-control-aw53-dw53-03-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.thetirelab.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/hankook-smart-control-aw53-dw53-03-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.thetirelab.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/hankook-smart-control-aw53-dw53-03-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.thetirelab.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/hankook-smart-control-aw53-dw53-03-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.thetirelab.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/hankook-smart-control-aw53-dw53-03-2048x1365.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2560px) 100vw, 2560px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Photo: Hankook<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Tread_features_appear_as_the_tyre_wears\"><\/span>Tread features appear as the tyre wears<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Both tyres use zigzag grooves and 3D sipes for snow and ice traction, while tie bars are intended to stabilise the tread blocks. Hankook&#8217;s Hidden Groove design exposes additional elements in stages: extra 3D sipes become visible at 40% wear, followed by concealed wet-grip grooves at 70% wear. Self-regenerating sipes are designed to help preserve winter performance later in the tyre&#8217;s service life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Stone ejectors in the main grooves and Y-shaped lateral grooves are intended to reduce trapped stones and protect the tread and carcass. Both models are 3PMSF-marked, regroovable and retreadable.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2560\" height=\"1710\" src=\"https:\/\/reifenlab.eu\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/hankook-smart-control-aw53-dw53-04-scaled.jpg\" alt=\"Hankook Smart Control AW53 and DW53 truck tyres displayed at IAA Transportation 2026\" class=\"wp-image-7506\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.thetirelab.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/hankook-smart-control-aw53-dw53-04-scaled.jpg 2560w, https:\/\/www.thetirelab.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/hankook-smart-control-aw53-dw53-04-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.thetirelab.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/hankook-smart-control-aw53-dw53-04-1024x684.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.thetirelab.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/hankook-smart-control-aw53-dw53-04-768x513.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.thetirelab.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/hankook-smart-control-aw53-dw53-04-1536x1026.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.thetirelab.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/hankook-smart-control-aw53-dw53-04-2048x1368.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2560px) 100vw, 2560px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Photo: Hankook<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"One_launch_size_for_each_axle_position\"><\/span>One launch size for each axle position<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table><thead><tr><th>Model<\/th><th>Axle<\/th><th>Launch size<\/th><th>Maximum load<\/th><\/tr><\/thead><tbody><tr><td>Smart Control AW53<\/td><td>Steering<\/td><td>385\/65 R22.5 164K (158L)<\/td><td>5,000 kg per tyre<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Smart Control DW53<\/td><td>Drive<\/td><td>315\/80 R22.5 156\/150L<\/td><td>4,000 kg single; 3,350 kg twin<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Launch specifications supplied by Hankook; further sizes are planned<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>The AW53 and DW53 made their public debut at IAA Transportation 2026 in Hanover. Hankook has not stated a retail price or a detailed rollout calendar, only that further sizes will follow.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>For fleet operators, the practical proposition is a dedicated pair of axle-specific tyres for severe winter work, with claimed gains when new and tread features intended to remain useful as wear progresses. Purchasing decisions should still account for route conditions, retreading policy and independently measured whole-life cost once broader fleet data becomes available.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Hankook has introduced two new winter truck tyres: the Smart Control AW53 for steering axles and the Smart Control DW53 for drive axles. According to Hankook&#8217;s press release, the replacements for the AW02 and DW07 improved snow acceleration by 4% in the manufacturer&#8217;s internal comparison test. The two-model approach separates the different jobs performed at [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":7503,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[206,31],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-7522","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-hankook","category-novinky"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.thetirelab.com\/mag\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7522","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.thetirelab.com\/mag\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.thetirelab.com\/mag\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.thetirelab.com\/mag\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.thetirelab.com\/mag\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=7522"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.thetirelab.com\/mag\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7522\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":7523,"href":"https:\/\/www.thetirelab.com\/mag\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7522\/revisions\/7523"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.thetirelab.com\/mag\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/7503"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.thetirelab.com\/mag\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=7522"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.thetirelab.com\/mag\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=7522"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.thetirelab.com\/mag\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=7522"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}