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CONSUMER REPORTS RATES GOODYEAR FORTERA HL EDITION BEST

IN TESTS OF ALL-SEASON, LIGHT-TRUCK TIRES
FOR SUVS AND PICKUPS
Pirelli Scorpion STR A & Hankook DynaPro AS RH03
also rated highly in CR’s battery of tests

YONKERS, NY — In side-by-side comparisons, Consumer Reports

Consumer Reports: Expert, rated the Goodyear Fortera HL Edition best overall in tests of 22 different
Independent, Nonprofit
all-season light-truck tires. The Pirelli Scorpion STR A and Hankook
• Expert–Consumer Reports has 19
automotive engineers and technicians at its DynaPro AS RH03 placed second and third respectively in the rankings. All
327-acre auto test facility who test cars and
trucks at our track and on public roads for
three posted “Very Good” overall scores.
performance, convenience, comfort, and
safety. CR’s team of survey experts
compile and analyze reliability data on
Consumer Reports tested models in the common P235/70R16 size
more than 500,000 vehicles each year— with an S (112 mph) and T (118 mph) speed rating. Those tire models are
the largest consumer survey of its kind in
the U.S. All are dedicated only to the typically found on sport-utility vehicles and pickups such as the Chevrolet
consumer.
• Independent–Consumer Reports accepts Blazer, TrailBlazer, and Tahoe; the Ford Explorer and F-150; the Jeep
no paid advertising, no free samples of the Grand Cherokee; and other top-selling light-truck models.
products it reviews, no free trips, no free
lodging, no freebies at all.
• Nonprofit–Consumer Reports is published Versatile performance on the road, where most SUVs spend their
by Consumers Union, whose mission is to
work for a fair, just, and safe marketplace time, has helped all-season tires displace all-terrain models on many of these
for all consumers.
vehicles.

“Most of these all-season light-truck tires performed well overall,” said David Champion, senior
director of Consumer Reports’ Auto Test facility in East Haddam, Connecticut, where tire testing took place.
“Tires that score highest blend short dry and wet stopping capability with competent handling and
hydroplaning resistance.”

A full report on the light-truck tire testing appears in the November issue of Consumer Reports,
which goes on sale October 5. The complete report is also available to subscribers of
www.ConsumerReports.org. The issue also includes a separate story on car batteries. Four group sizes
were tested: 65, 75, 24, and 34/78.

Consumer Reports’ overall tire scores emphasize safety-related tests including braking, handling,
and hydroplaning. Engineers measured braking on dry and wet surfaces, handling, hydroplaning (where
standing water causes tires to lift off the road surface, leading to a loss of grip and steering control),

Consumers Union
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rolling resistance, snow traction, ice braking, ride, and noise.

Consumer Reports’ engineers tested all rated tires using a 2003 Ford Explorer XLT 4x4. Consumers
can use CR’s overall judgments as a yardstick for other 15- through 17-inch sizes of these models. Most
models tested carry 50,000 to 65,000-mile tread-wear warranties. (No tire durability or tread wear testing
was conducted.)

Here are Consumer Reports’ Quick Picks for all-season, light-truck tires. Prices shown below are
approximate retail for the P235/70R16 size used on CR’s test vehicle, a 2003 Ford Explorer XLT 4X4:

Best for most; fine year-round grip:

• Goodyear Fortera HL Edition, $115
• Kelly Safari Signature, $90
• Dayton Timberline HT, $75

Superb braking and the best blend of all-weather grip make the Goodyear the most versatile choice.
But the Kelly and Dayton perform nearly as well for less money. Consider the Kelly for its quietness and
capable ice braking, the Dayton for its smooth ride.

If winter driving is not a factor:

• Pirelli Scorpion STR A, $110
• Hankook DynaPro AS RH03, $80
• Dunlop Radial Rover AT, $85

The pricey Pirelli buys you the best handling of this group. But the Hankook comes close overall and
delivers better wet-weather grip and much lower rolling resistance for better fuel efficiency at a lower price.
Though less capable in handling, the Dunlop delivers a relatively smooth, quiet ride.

Good choices for all-terrain tires (tested in 2002):

• Dayton Timberline A/T, $65
• Bridgestone Dueler A/T 693, $80

Both of these models were high scorers in CR’s November 2002 report on all-terrain tires and are
still being marketed. Consumer Reports also found both tires reasonably priced for the P225/75R15 size CR
tested.

Consumer Reports is one of the most trusted sources for information and advice on consumer
products and services. CR has the most comprehensive auto-test program of any U.S. publication; CR’s auto
experts have decades of experience in driving, testing, and reporting on cars. To subscribe to Consumer
Reports, call 1-800-234-1645. Information and articles from Consumer Reports can be accessed online at
www.ConsumerReports.org.

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NOVEMBER 2004
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Consumer Reports® is published by Consumers Union, an expert, independent nonprofit organization whose mission is to work for a
fair, just, and safe marketplace for all consumers and to empower consumers to protect themselves. To achieve this mission, we test,
inform, and protect. To maintain our independence and impartiality, CU accepts no outside advertising, no free test samples, and
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