All about winter tires
Greetings, I am a winter tire. You know me, because you might even have me on the axles of your car right now. Depending on the region, this would at least be good advice. But let's start from the beginning. Why should you bet on me? What makes me better in the cold season compared to summer tires? Where am I obligatory, where again not at all necessary? These are the questions I want to answer.
First of all there is the famous tire rule: from O to O. So Easter to October respectively. October until Easter. This one traditionally tells you to change from summer to winter tires and back again. Admittedly, this rule of thumb is not always so appropriate, but if you stick to it, you are on the safe side. Finally, it is usually true that from October to Easter the cold months begin – in which I then play my advantages out.
What is a winter tire?
I would like to start with my advantages. So, what distinguishes me from a summer tire? In any case, the color is not. In fact, the differences between me and my buddy, the summer tire, are mainly in the material composition. I'm significantly softer than a summer tire, which gives you more grip in cold temperatures – anything below seven degrees Celsius. Because my soft rubber gets warm faster and thus comes faster to operating temperature. You may know this from motorsports. The warmer a tire, the better the grip. On the road it is admittedly about the compromise between grip and durability.
As a winter tire I offer you even more advantages, for example more grip on snow or even ice. On the one hand because of the softer rubber, on the other hand because of my special profile. The result should be clear: Thanks to better grip in cold weather I promise more safety. It's not only about your safety, but also the safety of other road users, because my braking distance in cold weather is much shorter than with summer tires. So I save lives in the worst case or save you an expensive repair, because I bring your car to a stop in time.
How to recognize a winter tire?
By the way, you can recognize me by the abbreviations "M+S", "M&S" or "M.S." on my flank. These abbreviations stand for "mud and snow" and "snow" respectively. "slush and snow". The problem: the label is not protected. So in 2017, lawmakers introduced the snowflake in a mountain relief: the Alpine sign. This was necessary because some manufacturers from China marked summer tires as "M+S" themselves. I get the new Alpine symbol only after a special braking test on snow.
Winter tires: Why I'm not mandatory
Compulsory in Germany I am nevertheless not – not yet. According to the StVO, I am not required until 2024. Until then, so-called all-season or all-weather tires are also sufficient, if they are designated as M+S. However, you are better off with me, because you are required by law to put tires on your car that are appropriate for the weather. M+S-rubbers are allowed, but in case of an accident there can be trouble – especially with your car insurance. By the way, if you have an accident with summer tires in winter, you can face a fine of up to 120 euros and 1 point in Flensburg.
Bottom line: winter tires aren't mandatory (yet), but all-season tires sure are. Important is here as said the abbreviation M+S. Important: Summer tires are definitely not enough in winter.
Winter tires: Why caution applies abroad
In Austria it is a bit different. In the Alpine state, from 1. November until 15. April a so-called winter equipment obligation. I am not specifically prescribed, but in winter conditions summer tires are not allowed. Violations punish the Austrians with 35 to even 5.000 euros. In case of an accident you will be partly responsible for the accident. Apart from that, Austria requires a minimum tread of four millimeters. In Germany are for comparison only 1.6 millimeters. For safety reasons, however, experts advise a tread depth of at least four millimeters.
Why I am not a good idea in summer
Speaking of Germany: In our country, good all-weather tires are sometimes enough. If you live on the coast or in the lowlands, winter tires are not really necessary. In the mountains, in the Harz or in the Black Forest and of course in the Alps I may be your lifesaver in winter. So don't save at the wrong end or leave your car in principle.
By the way: In summer I am not a good idea. Because of my soft rubber, my wear is extremely high in the heat. Therefore I offer less stability, which increases the braking distance. According to the ADAC, I need up to 16 meters more to come to a standstill compared to a summer tire. In addition, I cost more fuel and thus simply more money.