General Altimax Arctic 12: Drive with complete winter confidence

Introducing the next generation of General’s acclaimed Altimax Arctic winter tire, the Altimax Arctic 12.

The stress and challenge of treacherous winter driving visits us all, no matter vehicle type and regardless of two-, four-, or all-wheel drive traction systems. If you’re an experienced and weary winter driver, it may seem that there’s just no answer to being on the back foot during the winter driving season.

So, what are you missing? Is there a way to get a leg up on winter, greatly improve wintertime vehicle performance as well as your peace of mind?

If you want to forever change the course of your winter driving for the better, there’s only one reliable way: winter tires.

Far from being a distinction without a difference, winter tires are specialized performance products that can be transformational for your vehicle in wintertime. As in, a zero to hero type transformation.

General Tire has equipped vehicles and drivers with powerful winter tires for decades, and their current generation Altimax Arctic 12 is the product of all that know-how and experience. The Altimax Arctic 12 is a great match for most vehicles on America’s roadways, including cars, minivans, crossovers, and SUVs.

Here’s how the Altimax Arctic 12 can help you drive with complete winter confidence.

Specialized winter tire technologies & performance

“The new General Altimax Arctic 12 will continue to strengthen that reputation as it takes winter traction and handling to a new level.” – Travis Roffler, Director of Marketing for General Tire

General Tire has honed its winter tire technologies through decades of testing and development. The Altimax Arctic 12 integrates their latest proven technologies to deliver exceptional, improved snow and ice traction.

• An updated and innovative winter tread compound, which is the chemistry of the tire’s outermost tread layer, is the foundation of its superior wintertime traction. In sub-freezing conditions the Altimax Arctic 12’s tread remains soft and pliable on the road surface. If you’ve ever sensed that your vehicle was “skating” across frigid roadways, that’s probably because your tires have, in effect, frozen and are no longer interacting with the road surface. Their tread compound/chemistry isn’t optimized or designed for sub-freezing temperatures.
• Angled tread blocks and countless winter sipes provide substantial “bite” in inclement conditions while also reducing tread squirm and block deformation.
• Just about every tread element on the Altimax Arctic 12 is designed to contribute traction. Even deep in the tread grooves Snow Traction Ridges work to establish grip in snow or slush conditions.

Studdable for increased traction in icy, slick road conditions

With the Altimax Arctic 12 you don’t need to have studs installed to enjoy world-class winter tire performance, but for those seeking next-level traction on icy and slick roadways, the option is available. (See studded tire laws by state along with pros and cons of studdable tires.)

Optimized for dry & wet handling, too

Winter road conditions are widely variable. Snowy roads turn to slush and then become wet after salt application; sunny days even bring out the occasional dry conditions. The Altimax Arctic 12 is optimized for all of those conditions, too.

On wet roads, the Altimax Arctic 12’s high void angled grooves effectively channel water away to guard against hydroplaning.

Older generations of winter tires can leave drivers wanting for more handling in dry conditions, but the Altimax Arctic 12 addresses that too with a strong center rib structure that improves steering response and boosts overall dry handling grip.

V-Shaped directional tread pattern

For maximum drive, traction, and performance, the Altimax Arctic 12 features a V-shaped directional tread with grooves.

Wider contact patch = improved treadlife

With proper care, including tire rotation and seasonal swaps once the temperatures warm up, drivers can enjoy three to four winter seasons of use with the Altimax Arctic 12.

Some of this extended treadlife comes down to a wider contact patch with a more even tread contour, which more evenly distributes the vehicle load and therefore wear across the tread.

Available in 47 sizes, from 14-19-inches in diameter

General offers numerous sizes so the Altimax Arctic 12 is a direct fit for your factory wheels. Seasonal tire swaps can be executed with a visit to the tire shop – no second set of wheels required.

And no matter your factory tire size, the Altimax Arctic 12 is priced very economically, especially considering the performance gains and many seasons of winter use.

The bottom line: No matter your vehicle type and traction system, the General Altimax Arctic 12 is one of the surest and most affordable paths to driving with complete winter confidence.

“I have bought these snow tires before and will continue to buy them above any other brand of snow tires. The reason I keep going back to them is not only are they excellent in the snow, but they are the best tire I have found in the slush.” – Altimax Arctic 12 TireBuyer customer review

Ready to put the Altimax Arctic 12 to work for you this winter, or still have some questions? Give our team of tire experts a call at 866-961-8668.