Which performance criteria and test results should consumers compare when choosing tires for year-round use?

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Hello, compare individual safety results before choosing by overall ranking, and give greatest weight to the conditions you actually drive in. Start with wet and dry braking, wet handling, and resistance to hydroplaning both straight ahead and in corners. For winter use, compare snow braking, traction and handling, plus ice braking where relevant. Then compare projected tread life, rolling resistance, cabin noise and comfort. Read the test year, exact model version, tested size, methods and scoring weights together; nearby sizes are not proof of identical performance. Overall scores combine different criteria, so inspect weaknesses as well as the winning position. The EU label provides useful information on wet braking, rolling resistance and external noise, but does not describe the tire’s complete performance or cabin comfort. The 3PMSF snow symbol indicates a minimum tested snow-performance level, rather than a comparative ranking. I would shortlist tires with balanced safety results, then use your climate, annual mileage and comfort priorities to choose between them.