German magazine Auto Bild has praised Michelin’s CrossClimate+ tyre for its performance throughout its lifetime after winning its prestigious test.

The test compared the performance of different ranges of tyre as they wear.

It pitted CrossClimate+ - a summer tyre with winter capabilities – against all-season tyres from five other manufacturers at tread depths of 8mm, 4mm and 2mm.

The cars were driven on a test track in controlled conditions on wet, dry and snowy surfaces – measuring their performance in 11 handling disciplines in dry, wet and snowy conditions.

CrossClimate+ performed strongly across all tread depths, and Auto Bild said it was “able to rebut the general request to change tyres at half tread depth by referring to the compelling performance of the Michelin tyre”.

Some parts of the tyre industry recommend that tyres should be changed when they have 3mm – or even 4mm – of tread remaining.

But Michelin believes this is unnecessary, costly to motorists and the fleet sector, and harmful to the environment.

Jonathan Layton, Michelin’s head of fleet in the UK and Ireland, said: “These results are vital for the fleet market as they prove Michelin’s commitment to long lasting performance is streets ahead of its competitors.

“If you’re looking to run a fleet of vehicles on tyres that reduce your replacement costs, save on fuel and help maximise safety year-round, there really is no more obvious choice than the Michelin CrossClimate+.”

Layton added: “We are at the forefront of using modern technology that makes it possible to provide high levels of performance and grip from new and throughout the tyre’s life down to the legal wear limit of 1.6mm.

“This test is a clear demonstration that changing tyres early does not guarantee greater safety, and no current studies have established a direct link between accident levels and tyre tread depth.”

A Michelin-commissioned report from Ernst & Young found that changing tyres at 3mm instead of 1.6mm would cost European drivers an extra £6 billion a year in additional tyre purchases and increased fuel consumption because tyres use less fuel as they wear.

The report also found that changing at 3mm instead of 1.6mm would lead to an additional 6.6 million tonnes equivalent of CO₂ emissions because of the need to make more tyres and increased fuel consumption.