European Winter Tire Legislation (A-L)
Although it isn’t necessary to drive with “M+S” branded tires everywhere in the Old World, it is still a must to use winter tires only on some roads or mountain passes. Continental company has summed up the rules that different European countries follow as regard to winter tires.
In 1992 the EU has defined winter tire as the tires featuring tread picture and internal construction optimized for driving on slush and in light snow, but they said nothing about the structure of rubber compound. Nevertheless, it was explained that only those tires that offer 7 per cent better braking performance than standard “M+S” tires can be given a snowflake marking.
So, let’s set off for a trip around Europe
Austria – Here winter tires must be used in a period from November 1st till April 15th. The tires tread should measure at least 4 millimeters in depth. Moreover, on some roads you’ll have to use anti-skidding chains. Studded tires can be used on vehicles weighing up to 3.5 tons.
Belgium, Netherlands and Luxemburg – There’s no law concerning winter tires, but studded tires are forbidden. Here you’d better use “M+S” - marked tires in winter.
The Czech Republic – Winter tires are a must on some highways from November 1st till March 31st, which is indicated by special road signs.
Denmark – Nobody is made to use winter tire here, but the Danes themselves use it to ensure their safety. Winter temperatures are low in the country, that’s why winter tires would be your good companion here. Studs are permitted yet rarely used.
Estonia - Winter tires are to be used from December 1st till the end of February, though depending on the weather the terms may be shifted. Studs are forbidden.
Finland – they drive on winter tires from December 1st till the end of October. The law is applied to those coming from outside the country.
France – there’s no law about winter tires, but you’d better use them in the French Alps. On some roads anti-skidding chains are required. Studded tires can be used from November till March at moderate speeds (33 mph and 50 mph in and outside the city respectively).
Germany – According to German road rules drivers must equip their cars in accordance with weather conditions and use winter tires depending on the situation. Vague wording it may be, drivers can be fined if they violate these rules.
Italy – Winter tires are not necessary except for on some roads. Studded tire owner must keep to moderate-speed driving – 30 mph in the city and 55 mph on highways.
Latvia - Winter tires are a must from December 1st till the end of February.
Lithuania – From November 1st till April 1st.
Delusions About Winter Tires
We all know that in winter one should use winter tires. It allows to minimize the effect of adverse weather conditions. Winter tires provide easier start, better steering control and more confident braking performance. But are You sure that You know everything about winter tires?
The use of winter tires is good even on one axle.
This is the most common mistake among drivers. On rear-wheel drive cars the use of two tires will solve only the problem of easier start. Such equipment will badly affect cornering stability and braking performance as front wheels will remain “slippery”. But the worst thing will happen if the drivers of front-wheel drive cars mount winter tires only on the front axle. At first it may seem that the problems of steering, braking and start will be solved as all this is provided by front drive wheels. And You feel calm and relaxed. Then suddenly on one of slippery turns rear axle skids and the car makes an U-turn! The only way out is to step on the gas pedal to make the car straight.
Do not spare on winter tires especially when You have a front-wheel drive car as the consequences can be quite sad. Mount winter tires on all four wheels.
Studs work only on clean dry ice with a 0,03-inch sickness.
It is also a very common delusion. Studs work always – on snow and thin ice as well as on wet ice covered with water film. But in the last case its effectiveness considerably falls. But any car without studs will be handled much worse in this situation.
Fall of two-three studs leads to imbalance.
This assumption applies only to tires equipped with random studs. Today’s stud weights less than one gram – the loss of even three neighboring studs will cause a three-gram imbalance.
You should reduce tire pressure on wet road.
This action is totally incorrect as it will lead to the increase of contact patch area what in its turn causes unit pressure reduction. As a result traction performance will worsen.
Classification Of Tires
Diagonal and Radial Tires
The carcass of diagonal tire consists of a certain number of rubberized cord plies the edges of which are twisted around wire circular bars (they enable the mounting of the tire on a wheel). All threads of the carcass and breaker cord are intersected in adjacent areas. The angle between carcass and breaker cord usually equals 45o – 60o. There are usually four adjacent areas. The design of diagonal tires is outdated but they are still produced (usually for old models of cars) as their production is comparatively cheap. Besides this, their carcass is more resistant to damage in case of strokes or cuts.
Radial tires (R type) all carcass cord threads are situated radially parallel from one bead to the other. The breaker cord threads are placed the same way as in diagonal tires but at a higher angle. Such design makes the carcass not strong enough to endure cornering and acceleration loads. That’s why it has to be supplemented with other tire elements. The carcass is usually reinforced by dual steel belt or is stabilized with nylon band.
Summer And Winter Tires
Summer tires usually have distinguished circumferential grooves that withdraw water from the contact patch, shallow lateral grooves and the absence of micro pattern. Besides this they always have rounded shoulder area.
The tires of such type provide maximum traction on dry and wet surface, high treadwear resistance level and perfectly suit for speedy driving. But they are not intended for off-road conditions (especially when the surface is wet).
Winter tires are used for the operation on ice- and snow-covered surface. The traction performance of such tires may vary depending on the situation, from minimal (smooth ice or slush) to average (snow-covered surface). The tread pattern of such tires has independent tread blocks as well as deep circumferential and lateral grooves. The blocks have special pattern to increase the lateral operating area.
Continental: Pseudowinter Tires With M+S Mark Overflowed The Market
Continental experts warn that one shouldn’t buy so-called winter tires in spite of the presence of M+S (Mud & Snow) mark as they are not suitable for winter conditions.
The reason is that the directive of the European Union doesn’t describe in detail the features that M+S tires must have. It means that the mark can be put according to the will of the manufacturer. The fact that the standard equipment of American cars includes all-season tires means that even summer tires produced in Asia are marked M+S. Of course, such tires are not intended for winter conditions.
The experts of Continental warn the consumers that they should be sure about the winter properties of the chosen tires.
Austrian motorcycle, automobile and tourist club OAMTC has recently tested summer tires with M+S mark. “The braking distance on the snow-covered surface at 30mph speed is two times longer if to compare with normal winter tires” – says Friedrich Eppel, the expert of OAMTC. “When the car equipped with winter tires had already stopped, the car equipped with low-quality tires continued to move at 25mph speed”.
Tests of haul capability at the beginning of the ride also showed alarming results – any driver who starts riding on snow-covered parking area or slippery road will threaten the safety of other road traffic participants due to the use of such tires. The tested car equipped with the tires needed twice as much time to pass a sprint from 0 to 20mph on snow.
Start from the crossing or slope will depend more on the luck that on the driving skills. Mr. Eppel concluded that one should buy exclusively winter tires and consult with experts instead of choosing the tire by the price. “If You buy cheap tires, You can face sad consequences later.”
Continental recommends to buy real winter tires marked with snowflake symbol and minimal tread depth of 0,15 inches.
