Various myths about winter tires: That's really behind them

Created: 03/11/2022 15:16

By: Raphael Scherer

"A winter tire needs its remaining four millimeters of tread depth, anything below that becomes difficult," says Roland Gfullner, Managing Director of Reifen Füchsl in Hohenlinden.

© Johannes Dziemballa

What you should know about tread depth, M+S tires and test winners when changing tires from winter tires to winter tires.

An expert explains.

Hohenlinden/district - Currently, the day of the tire dealer in the district of Ebersberg could also have 30 hours and more.

The order books are overflowing, many drivers call to get an appointment quickly.

The phase of changing tires in autumn and spring is always a time of myth.

Our newspaper picked up on some of them and gets to the bottom of them with the help of Roland Gfullner, Managing Director of Reifen Füchsl in Hohenlinden.

Myth no. 1: You only have to put on winter tires when it snows!

If someone is so late, they probably won't be able to get an appointment that spontaneously.

The old winter tire rule of thumb "From O to O", i.e. from October to Easter, makes more sense.

And to be honest: If someone drives around with winter tires four weeks before the first snow, it won't be serious either.

In general, it is optimal for a safe drive to have softer tires on the rims as soon as the temperature falls below seven degrees Celsius.

Myth #2: Tread depth comes before tire age!

A winter tire needs its remaining tread depth of four millimeters, anything below that becomes difficult.

If the status is alarmingly close to this value, a new purchase should be considered.

This value is reached by most drivers after six to eight years at the latest.

Even older, intact tires are rare.

M+S marking: That's behind it

Myth #3: Summer tires are significantly quieter than winter tires!

You don't notice any difference nowadays.

While there used to be significant differences in volume, winter tires of all common types are now just as quiet as their summer counterparts.

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Myth #4: M+S tires, the letters stand for mud and snow, are equivalent to winter tires!

The legal guideline shows the logo of a snowflake in front of an iceberg: This is the identifier that this tire can also be driven in winter, everything else does not count.

The Americans imported the M+S label to Europe, but it no longer has any legal significance here.

One in five uses all-season tires

Myth No. 5: In our region, all-season tires are sufficient to get through the winter!

Basically yes.

We clearly notice the trend towards buying all-season tyres, in about every fifth vehicle.

In the case of second cars in particular, which the drivers only use in the district, they fully serve their purpose.

But if I want to go skiing, that's different, winter tires make more sense.

Myth #6: The better tires always belong on the front axle of the car!

No, on the rear axle.

The fuse of a car is always at the back.

This realization has meanwhile also reached the tire manufacturers and their consultants.

If the worse tires are at the back, that means a loss of grip. Then you end up very quickly in the gravel or in a ditch in a curve.

Security is the top priority despite inflation

Myth no. 7: I'm always right with the test winner!

At least it's not that bad.

With all brands in the premium sector, such as Michelin, Conti or Donlop, you get a top product.

With the Asians, on the other hand, it will be difficult.

This often has nothing to do with a tire that is offered there.

Don't be fooled by the cheap prices.

The tires perform poorly in tests.

So: Premium instead of rubbish, because you can have fun with tires and driving.

Our customers continue to have a penchant for premium products, even though everything else gets expensive.

This shows that safety is the most important thing for drivers.

You can read more news from the Ebersberg region here.

By the way: everything from the region is also available in our regular Ebersberg newsletter.