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On four wheels through the winter - but on which tires?
Photo: Rene Traut / imago images
Is there a requirement for winter tires?
In Germany there is no general but rather a "situational" requirement for winter tires.
That means: In winter conditions - and this includes, for example, slippery snow, slush, black ice or slippery frost - you may only drive with winter tires, and they must be fitted on all wheels.
Infringements are punished with a fine of 60 euros and one point in the traffic offenders' register in Flensburg;
if other road users are hindered, the fine increases to 80 euros.
When should you put on winter tires?
As the name suggests, you should equip your car with winter tires during the cold months of the year.
"As a rule of thumb, the phrase from O to O has proven its worth, from October to Easter," says ADAC technology expert Matthias Zimmermann.
What is special about winter tires?
Winter tires differ from summer tires in three main features: firstly, they are made from a softer rubber compound, secondly, they have a coarser profile with wider grooves, and thirdly, there are up to 2000 small cuts, so-called sipes, in the tire surface.
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The coarser profile and the sipes are intended to ensure that the tire can build up as much grip as possible even on wet, snowy or icy roads and thus optimally transfer the drive, steering and braking forces to the road.
The softer rubber compound supports this effect, because it keeps winter tires supple even at sub-zero temperatures, while the rubber compound of summer tires increasingly hardens and significantly loses grip at single-digit temperatures.
Aren't all-season tires much more practical?
All-season or all-weather tires, that sounds promising.
And in fact, you save the purchase of a second set of tires and changing from summer to winter tires and vice versa every six months.
However, experts recommend all-season tires only for lighter vehicles with little mileage that can be left standing in extreme weather conditions.
Because all-season tires are always a compromise.
The more wintry the weather, the more they fall behind special winter tires.
And the more summery the weather, the more special summer tires offer better driving characteristics.
All-season tires can be a sensible alternative for certain purposes - but they are not recommended for frequent drivers.
What do winter tires bring?
In short: more security.
And not only when there is snow or ice on the road, but also in normal, cold winter weather with temperatures in the single-digit range.
The ADAC tested winter and summer tires of comparable quality under winter conditions.
A car with winter tires had to stop on a snow-covered road at minus 3 degrees Celsius after a good 29 meters;
after this distance the car was still 37 km / h fast when testing with summer tires (braking distance: 63 meters).
In a comparison on a wet road with an asphalt temperature of 7 degrees Celsius and an approach speed of 80 km / h, the car with winter tires stopped after 36 meters;
at this distance the car with summer tires was still 31 km / h fast (braking distance: 43 meters).
How do you recognize winter tires?
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Alpine symbol on winter tires
Photo: Robert Guenther / picture alliance
Since January 1st, 2018, winter tires have to bear the "Alpine mark".
It shows a stylized mountain peak with a snow crystal pictogram.
Winter tires produced before that still bear the "M + S" mark.
Tires marked with "M + S" still meet the winter tire requirement until September 30, 2024, so they can still be used until then.
How long do winter tires last?
Two factors determine that a winter tire has become unsuitable.
One is the tread depth.
A minimum tread depth of 1.6 millimeters is required, but tire manufacturers recommend a tread depth of at least 4 millimeters.
The second factor is the age of the tire.
"A winter tire should not be more than eight years old," says ADAC expert Zimmermann.
"However, high temperatures and solar radiation have a significant impact on a tire, so that it may become brittle much earlier and can no longer perform its function optimally."
How old a tire is can be read from the DOT number on the tire wall.
This is a four-digit number, the first two digits of which indicate the calendar week, the digits three and four the year of manufacture.
(DOT 2219 means as: manufactured in week 22 of 2019)
Do winter tires need special care?
Basically - not only with winter tires - drivers should regularly check the inflation pressure of their car tires.
Experts recommend a check-up once a month.
In addition, those who switch between summer and winter tires depending on the season should ensure that tires that are not currently in use are stored properly.
Important: Clean the tires with water before storing them and let them dry;
Store tires mounted on rims lying flat or hanging;
store removed tires upright;
Choose a storage room that is as cool and dark as possible (cover the tires if necessary).
Should you switch to winter tires in regions where it rarely snows?
more on the subject
Have a good trip: tire check - do it yourself by Martin Wittler
Have a good trip: Check the oil level, top up the cooling water - that's how it worksBy Jürgen Pander
Have a good trip: This is how you get your car ready for your vacationBy Matthias Kriegel
Clear answer: it depends.
Namely, on whether or not you are regularly dependent on the car.
Because when one of the rare snowfall days comes, you are not allowed to drive the car with summer tires, you may have to switch to other means of transport.
It should also be considered that winter tires offer significant safety advantages over summer tires, not only on slippery roads, but also at low temperatures.
Can winter tires be used all year round?
You can, it's not forbidden in Germany.
However, it would be completely absurd, because winter tires have considerably longer braking distances than summer tires in summer temperatures.
In addition, winter tires offer less driving stability in summer due to their coarser profile, they generate a louder rolling noise and they are subject to greater wear.
Therefore, in summer and winter alike, it is much cheaper to mount the right tires than to bear the costs of an accident that resulted from choosing the wrong tire.
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