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Everything to change: tire expert clears up myths

2022-11-14T03:51:55.590Z


Everything to change: tire expert clears up myths Created: 2022-11-14 04:46 By: Max Wochinger When there's snow on the roads, it's too late to change tires, says master mechanic Otto Widholzer. © mw At Reifen Widholzer in Ottobrunn, things are happening in quick succession: a different car every 20 minutes. It's tire change time. Otto Widholzer, 60, master mechanic, 30 years of workshop experi


Everything to change: tire expert clears up myths

Created: 2022-11-14 04:46

By: Max Wochinger

When there's snow on the roads, it's too late to change tires, says master mechanic Otto Widholzer.

© mw

At Reifen Widholzer in Ottobrunn, things are happening in quick succession: a different car every 20 minutes.

It's tire change time.

Otto Widholzer, 60, master mechanic, 30 years of workshop experience, explains why the “O to O” rule is actually not correct.

Myth 1: You only have to put on winter tires when it snows!

That's wrong.

When there is snow on the roads, it is too late to change tires.

"I advise you to start changing as early as September," says expert Widholzer.

It depends on the temperature: if the thermometer falls below seven degrees at night, you should put on winter tires.

The reason: Winter tires have better grip in this weather because the rubber compound is softer.

The saying "O to O", i.e. from Easter to October, should therefore only be understood as a rough rule of thumb.

Myth 2: Winter tires are compulsory in Germany!

That is not completely right.

"We have a situational winter tire obligation in Germany," says Widholzer.

Winter tires only need to be fitted in wintry conditions.

Your own judgment is required here: Precociousness in the morning, for example, is considered wintry.

There is no statutory date for driving with winter tires like in Austria or Switzerland.

Myth 3: M+S tires are equal to winter tires!

M+S stands for mud and snow;

the designation is also on all-season tires.

In the meantime, however, there is new legislation, according to Widholzer: winter or all-season tires must now bear the "snowflake symbol".

Then the tires are approved for winter use.

In the event of weather-related traffic accidents, police officers pay attention to the symbol.

Myth 4: You can also drive all-season tires instead of winter tires!

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The use of all-season tires depends on the application and the car.

The expert advises owners of high-horsepower cars who sometimes go skiing in the Alps to buy winter tires.

"All-season tires that are driven in summer at 35 degrees and in winter at minus 15 degrees cannot have the same performance as winter tyres." All-season tires are sufficient for the second car.

Myth 5: Tread depth is more important than tire age!

The legal minimum depth is 1.6 millimeters.

"But everything that's less than four millimeters should be replaced," says the professional.

Age is also important: tires should be replaced after seven years because the rubber compound hardens.

By the way, you can tell that tires are old because they spin when they are wet.

Myth 6: Winter tires are louder than summer tires when driving!

before, yes

At that time there were still coarse tread blocks in winter tires.

Nowadays there are no big differences anymore;

almost all tires are so-called lamellar tires - and they are quieter.

Myth 7: I can do the tire change myself!

It depends: Modern cars from France, for example, have an air pressure control;

this must be reset in the system after the tire change.

But that only works with a control unit from a specialist workshop, says the auto professional.

With most German vehicles you can adjust it yourself by hand.

But be careful: If you don't know much about cars, you should have your tires changed in a workshop.

New winter tires for a VW Golf, for example, cost around 600 euros with specialist advice and fitting.

Advice is important, according to Widholzer, test winners from magazines are not always the best choice.

Myth 8: The better tires always belong on the front axle!

No!

The tires with the better profile must always be on the rear axle - even with front-wheel drive.

Cars with worn tires on the rear axle quickly start to skid.

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

Source: merkur

All news articles on 2022-11-14

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