The General Altimax Arctic 12 is a studdable winter tire designed for passenger cars, crossovers, SUVs, and light trucks. It is developed with innovative compound and tread pattern technologies for superior traction on wet, snow, and ice-covered roads, making it an ideal choice for drivers in severe winter conditions. This tire carries the 3-Peak Mountain Snowflake symbol, which certifies its performance in extreme winter weather.
The Altimax Arctic 12 tire is an improvement from its predecessor, the Altimax Arctic 11. It is available in 47 T-rated, XL load range sizes ranging from 14- to 19-inch wheel diameters, with a Q speed rating and the largest rim diameter at 17 inches. The tire features a winter-focused compound molded into a highly directional tread pattern, which provides traditional wintertime traction on dry, wet, and snow-covered roads.
The General Altimax Arctic 12 tire is a popular choice among drivers who demand confident performance and stability in low winter temperatures. Its interwoven center tread and straight siping provide a rigid structure for great steering response and stable dry handling, while the directional tread design offers exceptional water evacuation and hydroplaning resistance.
General Altimax Arctic 12 Overview
The General Altimax Arctic 12 is a studdable winter tire designed for passenger cars and crossovers. It is the next generation of General’s acclaimed Altimax Arctic winter tire, providing complete winter confidence for drivers. The tire is developed with innovative compound and tread pattern technologies for superior traction on wet, snow, and ice-covered roads. The Altimax Arctic 12 carries the 3-Peak Mountain Snowflake symbol for severe winter conditions, making it a reliable choice for winter driving.
The Altimax Arctic 12 is manufactured by General Tire, a subsidiary of Continental Tire, a leading global tire manufacturer. The tire meets the severe snow service requirements of the U.S. Tire Manufacturers Association (USTMA) and the Tire and Rubber Association of Canada (TRAC). It offers excellent grip in low temperatures and is molded into a highly directional tread compound.
According to user reviews on 1010tires, the Altimax Arctic 12 tire earned a 4.3 out of 5 from 109 reviews. Users gave the tire a 4.1 out of 5 for dry handling, 4.4 for wet handling, 4.6 for snow handling, and 4.3 for handling. The tire provides superior traction in low temperatures on dry, wet, snow-covered, or icy roads.
In summary, the General Altimax Arctic 12 is a reliable choice for winter driving. It offers superior traction on wet, snow, and ice-covered roads and carries the 3-Peak Mountain Snowflake symbol for severe winter conditions. The tire meets the severe snow service requirements of the U.S. Tire Manufacturers Association (USTMA) and the Tire and Rubber Association of Canada (TRAC).
Performance and Handling
The General Altimax Arctic 12 is designed to deliver exceptional handling and performance in winter conditions. The tire’s innovative winter tread compound and unique tread pattern technologies provide superior traction on wet, snow, and ice-covered roads, making it an ideal choice for drivers who need reliable winter performance.
Dry Handling
The Altimax Arctic 12 offers good dry handling performance, with excellent steering response and cornering stability. The V-shaped directional treads with grooves provide even wear and tear on the tire, resulting in extended tread life. All sizes of tires have a T-speed rating, which means they are rated for speeds up to 118 mph.
Wet Handling
The wet performance of the Altimax Arctic 12 is excellent, with great hydroplaning resistance and wet traction. The tire’s innovative compound and tread pattern technologies provide superior grip on wet roads, making it a reliable choice for drivers who need to navigate wet winter conditions.
Snow and Ice Conditions
The Altimax Arctic 12 is designed to provide superior traction on snow and ice-covered roads. The tire carries the 3-Peak Mountain Snowflake symbol for severe winter conditions, which means it has been tested and approved for use in severe winter conditions. The tire’s innovative compound and tread pattern technologies provide superior grip on snow and ice, making it a reliable choice for drivers who need to navigate snowy and icy winter conditions.
In summary, the General Altimax Arctic 12 is an excellent choice for drivers who need reliable winter performance. The tire’s innovative compound and tread pattern technologies provide superior traction on wet, snow, and ice-covered roads, making it a reliable choice for drivers who need to navigate winter conditions. The tire’s excellent dry handling performance, good wet handling performance, and superior traction on snow and ice make it a top choice for drivers who need reliable winter performance.
Tire Design and Features
When it comes to the General Altimax Arctic 12, its tire design and features are what make it stand out from the competition. Let’s take a closer look at the different aspects of the tire design that make it unique.
Tread Pattern
The tread pattern of the General Altimax Arctic 12 is designed to provide superior traction on wet, snow, and ice-covered roads. The tire features angled grooves that help to channel water away from the tire, reducing the risk of hydroplaning. Additionally, the angled tread blocks provide extra biting edges for improved traction on snow and ice.
Compound
The innovative compound used in the General Altimax Arctic 12 is designed to provide excellent grip in low temperatures. This compound allows the tire to remain flexible even in extremely cold conditions, providing improved traction on snow and ice.
Pressure Distribution
The General Altimax Arctic 12 features a balanced pressure distribution system that helps to ensure even wear across the tire. This system helps to extend the life of the tire, providing you with more value for your money.
Overall, the General Altimax Arctic 12 is an excellent choice for drivers looking for a reliable winter tire. Its innovative compound and tread pattern technologies provide superior traction on wet, snow, and ice-covered roads, while its balanced pressure distribution system ensures even wear across the tire.
Suitability for Vehicle Types
When it comes to choosing the right winter tire, it is essential to consider the type of vehicle you drive. The General Altimax Arctic 12 is a popular choice among drivers of various vehicle types, including passenger cars, SUVs and crossovers, minivans and vans, and compact SUVs.
Passenger Cars
If you drive a passenger car, the General Altimax Arctic 12 is an excellent choice for winter driving. Its directional tread design and high-density siping detail provide excellent grip on snow and ice-covered roads, while its optimized block edges and straight sipes enhance lateral grip and braking capability.
SUVs and Crossovers
For drivers of SUVs and crossovers, the General Altimax Arctic 12 is a top-performing winter tire. Its unique compound and tread pattern technologies provide superior traction on wet, snow, and ice-covered roads, making it an ideal choice for winter driving.
Minivans and Vans
Minivans and vans require a tire that can handle heavy loads and provide excellent traction in winter conditions. The General Altimax Arctic 12 is a studdable tire that offers excellent grip on snow and ice-covered roads, making it an excellent choice for drivers of these vehicles.
Compact SUVs
Compact SUVs require a tire that can handle a variety of road conditions, including winter weather. The General Altimax Arctic 12 is a studdable tire that provides superior traction on wet, snow, and ice-covered roads, making it an excellent choice for drivers of compact SUVs.
Overall, the General Altimax Arctic 12 is a versatile winter tire that is suitable for a wide range of vehicle types, including the Ford Fusion and Ford Focus. Its unique compound and tread pattern technologies provide superior traction on wet, snow, and ice-covered roads, making it an ideal choice for winter driving.
Additional Features and Benefits
The General Altimax Arctic 12 is packed with features and benefits that make it an excellent choice for drivers looking for a reliable studdable winter tire. In this section, we will take a closer look at some of the additional features and benefits of the Altimax Arctic 12.
Studdable Option
The Altimax Arctic 12 comes with the option to be studded, which makes it an excellent choice for drivers who live in areas with heavy snow and ice. The studdable option provides additional traction on icy roads, which can help reduce the risk of accidents. However, it is important to note that studded tires are not legal in all states, so drivers should check their local laws before purchasing studded tires.
Hydroplaning Resistance
The Altimax Arctic 12 features a V-shaped tread pattern that helps to evacuate water and slush from the tire’s contact patch. This design provides excellent hydroplaning resistance, which can help improve traction on wet and slushy roads. The tire’s wide circumferential grooves and 3D sipes also help to improve wet and snow traction.
Treadwear Warranty
The Altimax Arctic 12 comes with a limited treadwear warranty of up to 45,000 miles, depending on the tire size. This warranty provides drivers with peace of mind, knowing that their tires are protected against premature wear. However, it is important to note that the warranty does not cover damage caused by road hazards, punctures, or other types of abuse.
Speed Rating
The Altimax Arctic 12 has a Q speed rating, which means that it is rated for speeds up to 99 mph. This speed rating makes the tire suitable for most passenger cars and SUVs. However, it is important to note that drivers should always follow posted speed limits and drive according to the road and weather conditions.
In summary, the General Altimax Arctic 12 is a reliable studdable winter tire that offers excellent hydroplaning resistance, a limited treadwear warranty, and a Q speed rating. Drivers who live in areas with heavy snow and ice should consider the studdable option for additional traction.
Performance in Low Temperatures
The General Altimax Arctic 12 winter tire is designed to perform exceptionally well in low temperatures. The tire features an innovative compound and tread pattern technologies that provide superior traction in wet, snow, and/or ice conditions. The strategically angled tread blocks with serrated winter sipes provide excellent traction and braking capability in all directions on snow and ice.
The tire’s 3-Peak Mountain Snowflake certification and studdable capability ensure reliable braking on wet, snow, or ice-covered roads. Additionally, the Altimax Arctic 12 offers superb steering response and dry handling, making it a versatile tire for winter conditions.
The directional tread design of the Altimax Arctic 12 ensures even wear of the tread, and the increased grip promises superior traction levels on snow and ice. The tire’s hydroplaning resistance also provides confidence on wet roads.
Overall, the General Altimax Arctic 12 winter tire is an affordable and high-quality studdable winter tire that offers excellent traction and grip on harsh and light snow conditions. Its smooth ride and comfortable traction on dry and wet conditions make it an excellent choice for winter driving.
Snow-Covered Roads Performance
When it comes to driving on snow-covered roads, the General Altimax Arctic 12 tire is designed to provide confident performance. The tire features serrated winter sipes that are specially designed to provide better traction on snow and ice. These sipes help to increase the number of biting edges on the tire, which improves its grip on slippery surfaces.
The directional tread pattern of the Altimax Arctic 12 also helps to enhance its performance on snow-covered roads. The V-shaped grooves in the tread help to channel snow and slush away from the tire, which improves its grip on the road surface. The tire also features a specialized winter-focused compound that remains pliable in cold temperatures, which helps to maintain its grip on snow and ice.
In addition to its snow performance, the Altimax Arctic 12 also features serrated sipes that help to improve its grip on wet and slushy roads. These sipes are designed to provide more biting edges on the tire, which helps it to maintain its grip on wet surfaces. The tire also features hydroplaning resistance, which helps it to maintain its grip on wet roads and reduce the risk of losing control.
Overall, the General Altimax Arctic 12 is a reliable choice for drivers who frequently encounter snow-covered roads. Its specialized compound, directional tread pattern, and serrated sipes all work together to provide confident performance on slippery surfaces.
Wear and Durability
When it comes to winter tires, wear and durability are important factors to consider. The General Altimax Arctic 12 boasts a treadwear warranty of up to 50,000 miles, which is impressive for a winter tire. However, it’s important to note that this warranty is only valid if the tires are properly maintained and rotated regularly.
In terms of actual wear, the Altimax Arctic 12 performs well. The tire’s innovative tread pattern and rubber compound give it superior traction on wet and snowy roads, which can help to reduce wear. Additionally, the tire features maintenance indicators on the sidewall, which can help drivers determine when it’s time to replace or rotate their tires.
Durability is another important factor to consider when choosing winter tires. The Altimax Arctic 12 is designed to withstand harsh winter conditions, with features like a high-density sipe pattern and a reactive contour technology that helps to maintain contact with the road surface. These features can help to reduce the risk of damage to the tire, which can prolong its lifespan.
Overall, the General Altimax Arctic 12 is a durable and long-lasting winter tire that can provide reliable performance in a variety of winter conditions. However, as with any tire, proper maintenance and care are essential to ensure optimal wear and durability.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the mileage rating for the General Altimax Arctic 12?
The mileage rating for the General Altimax Arctic 12 varies depending on the size of the tire. However, General Tire offers a limited warranty of up to 45,000 miles for the Altimax Arctic 12.
How does the General Altimax Arctic 12 compare to the Blizzak?
The General Altimax Arctic 12 and the Blizzak are both highly rated winter tires. However, the Altimax Arctic 12 offers better dry handling and a longer tread life than the Blizzak. On the other hand, the Blizzak provides better traction on ice.
What is the tread depth of the General Altimax Arctic 12?
The tread depth of the General Altimax Arctic 12 ranges from 11/32″ to 12/32″. This tread depth provides excellent traction on snow and ice-covered roads.
Is the General Altimax Arctic 12 a directional tire?
Yes, the General Altimax Arctic 12 is a directional tire. This means that the tire has a specific tread pattern that is designed to rotate in one direction only. It is important to ensure that the tires are installed correctly to ensure optimal performance.
Who manufactures the General Altimax Arctic?
The General Altimax Arctic is manufactured by General Tire, a subsidiary of Continental AG. General Tire is a well-known tire manufacturer that has been in business for over 100 years.
Which winter tire from General Tire is being replaced by the Altimax Arctic 12?
The General Altimax Arctic 12 is the latest winter tire from General Tire and is not a replacement for any specific tire model. However, it is an improved version of the previous Altimax Arctic tire, which was also highly rated for winter driving.