Six Myths About Winter Tires: A Dealer Explains What You Need to Know

Created: 11/30/2022, 12:00 p.m

The tires are greased before they are fitted so that they slide better over the rims: Sako Hassan, Marlon Seiter and Christian Stelzl (from left).

©sim

Temperature, tread depth, manufacturer: an expert explains how to be safe on the road and whether winter tires are still needed despite climate change.

Dachau

– The temperatures are falling, and drivers in the city and district of Dachau are also due to change tires.

Many have already made the obligatory appointment at their authorized workshop or tire dealer.

But do you actually still have to have winter tires fitted in times of climate change?

And how was that again with the tread depth?

There are a number of myths surrounding the topic of tires and tire changes.

The

want to create clarity.

Christian Stelzl, Managing Director of "Reifen Stelzl GmbH", has been in the business for 18 years, but has been involved with tires since he was a child.

Because his grandparents and parents had already run a tire shop in Dachau.

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

The summer tire loses adhesion at as little as seven degrees plus.

This can be dangerous if you brake hard.

So it's also due to the temperatures and not just whether it's snowing.

You should therefore put on winter tires at temperatures below seven degrees.

Myth #2: Tread depth comes before tire age

Not correct.

The tread depth is regulated by law.

In Germany there is a rule that there must be a depth of at least 1.6 millimeters.

But it should be at least four millimeters so that the tires are suitable for winter.

But the age of the tires is also important, which again is not regulated by law.

Rubber is a natural product and is therefore subject to an aging process.

The function then decreases, even if the tread depth is still correct.

Myth no. 3: M+S tires, the letters stand for mud and snow, are equivalent to winter tires!

You shouldn't use the M+S seal as a guide, but look out for the "Three Peak Mountain Snowflake symbol", i.e. a snowflake.

The M+S seal can also appear on summer tires, but it doesn't really belong on them.

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Myth #4: The better tires always belong on the front axle!

Not correct.

The better tires belong on the rear axle.

The rear axle is the trend-setting axle.

With a one millimeter difference in tread depth, that might not be an issue, but with three or four, it is.

And it doesn't matter whether the car has front- or rear-wheel drive.

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Myth No. 5: I'm always right with the test winner!

And then I mount the tire myself.

With modern cars you will need a professional.

With older models, it depends on your manual skills.

In any case, you should retighten the screws after 50 to 100 kilometers.

As far as the tires themselves are concerned, I can only say that we, as a specialist company, give the customer expert advice.

Because not every tire that performs well in the test is suitable for the customer's car.

We can also make the right offer for everyone in terms of price.

Myth no. 6: In our region, all-season tires are sufficient to get through the winter!

Everyone notices climate change, but winter and snow still exist.

And if someone needs their car in winter, they need winter tires on it in October.

Interview: Simone Wester