Member Since: 27 Jun 2017
Location: Alderton
Posts: 235
Alps tyre choice
Finally got round to booking a chalet in the Alps for a boarding holiday in February and readout looking forward to driving down there.
Question though. I have 4 very new wrangler all weather's on each corner. I'm but confused though. All the sites and reviews I've read say they are 'All weather' and can be used in the snow.
But can they be used like winter tyres?
Im not going to buy new corners but would like to know as it seems a bit middle of the road.
6th Nov 2017 10:49 am
stick
Member Since: 13 Jan 2010
Location: hants
Posts: 592
Do they have snowflakes on sidewalls?d4 HSE
6th Nov 2017 11:25 am
JMack
Member Since: 02 Aug 2014
Location: Edinburgh
Posts: 1517
Member Since: 23 Dec 2013
Location: under the car
Posts: 402
Mine are saying M&S on the sidewall. Apparently this Stands for Matsch & Schnee.
But no snowflake.
I am Not expecting the same traction on snow like on snow tyres.Achim
own garage certified LR tech
Disco 2 TD5 MY 2001 - gone but still driven by another owner
Defender 110 TD5 driving me bananas with all faults
Disco 3 TDV 6 HSE MY 2005 gone @280.000 km
Disco 4 SDV 6 HSE MY 2012
6th Nov 2017 12:33 pm
carroll493d
Member Since: 27 Jun 2017
Location: Alderton
Posts: 235
They don't have snow flakes or mountains on them but this is what's causing the confusion.
This is a copy and paste from Goodyear website detailing the wrangler
"Wrangler tires are designed to help offer confident traction in tough conditions such as deep mud or snow."
And what is 'All weather'?
To me that's winter conditions as well as summer
6th Nov 2017 10:34 pm
ArdbegBold
Member Since: 03 May 2015
Location: West Mercia
Posts: 272
This link should give you all the information you require:
Sum areas it is mandatory to use the appropriately marked tyres for winter driving.. I only use tyres with the 3PMSF symbol not only form a legal point of view but also the insurance aspect.
Hope this helps
6th Nov 2017 11:01 pm
carroll493d
Member Since: 27 Jun 2017
Location: Alderton
Posts: 235
Thanks for the link. From reading that you would assume that they are fine to use then as they are all weather and marked M & S.
Just wish this was a little clearer on their site. Outs like they are skirting around the issue
7th Nov 2017 7:34 am
OJ
Member Since: 01 Oct 2017
Location: Loch Leven
Posts: 725
Re: Alps tyre choice
carroll493d wrote:
Finally got round to booking a chalet in the Alps for a boarding holiday in February and readout looking forward to driving down there.
Question though. I have 4 very new wrangler all weather's on each corner. I'm but confused though. All the sites and reviews I've read say they are 'All weather' and can be used in the snow.
But can they be used like winter tyres?
Im not going to buy new corners but would like to know as it seems a bit middle of the road.
My understanding is the normal everyday M&S tyres are pretty good all round conditions all of the year, Winter tyres have a different compound that is more efficient in lower temperatures, tyres with a more open tread pattern or “chunky” are better in clearing out snow, mud etc giving better contact, the drawback is they are not so good when the temperatures increase and normally need swapped for normal or M&S road tyres around the time BST starts or ends.
If I were planning a trip similar to you I would be looking at a really good set of full winter tyres and a spare. Insurance companies may need to be informed the tyres are changed also just to keep things right. Good idea to sort out your screenwash at the same time. Some keep snow chains in the boot for emergencies but as good as they are they need to come off again if driving on clear roads.
Good luck on your trip
7th Nov 2017 7:57 am
Gazellio
Member Since: 09 Jan 2011
Location: Chilterns
Posts: 4130
If you venture onto snow covered "High Resort" mountain roads the police will/may check for winter tyres or chains and M+S will not necessarily be sufficient.
What's required in different European countries
Andorra
Winter tyres – RECOMMENDED*
*Note – from 1 November to 15 April and if roads are covered in snow, slush or ice outside these dates. Tyres must have a minimum tread depth of 4mm.
Snow chains – REQUIRED (should be carried and used as dictated by local signs or road conditions. Reduced speed limits may apply).
Austria
Winter tyres – MANDATORY*
*Note: Between 1 November and 15 April and at times outside these dates when there is snow, slush or ice on the roads. Minimum tread depth is 4mm.
Snow chains – REQUIRED (should be carried and used as dictated by local signs or road conditions. Reduced speed limits may apply).
France
Winter tyres – NOT REQUIRED
Snow chains – REQUIRED, must be fitted to vehicles using snow-covered roads. (Should be carried and used as dictated by local signs or road conditions. Reduced speed limits may apply).
Germany
Winter tyres – COMPULSORY
Germany introduced regulations in 2010 requiring all passenger cars and motorbikes to be fitted with winter tyres or all season tyres on all axles in wintry conditions.
Snow chains – REQUIRED (should be carried and used as dictated by local signs or road conditions. Reduced speed limits may apply).
Italy
Winter tyres – RECOMMENDED* - Between October and 15 April or, at other times if conditions dictate
Snow chains – REQUIRED* - Between October and 15 April or, at other times if conditions dictate
*Note: Some parts of Italy can introduce their own legislation making the use of winter tyres and snow chains compulsory.
Switzerland
Winter tyres – RECOMMENDED but not compulsory
*Note: However vehicles not equipped to travel through snow and ice and which impede traffic flow are liable to a fine.
Snow chains - REQUIRED (should be carried and used as dictated by local signs or road conditions. Reduced speed limits may apply).
Member Since: 11 May 2006
Location: Off again! :-)
Posts: 72787
I thought the German compulsory winter tyres rules classed M&S tyres as winters? They backed off from going the whole way.
7th Nov 2017 8:16 am
carroll493d
Member Since: 27 Jun 2017
Location: Alderton
Posts: 235
The link on ardberg reply days that most including the Germans accept M&S.
Del I'll be taking chains as I know you need them (regardless of wether they are needed or not) in France
7th Nov 2017 8:32 am
DSL Keeper of the wheelie bin
Member Since: 11 May 2006
Location: Off again! :-)
Posts: 72787
Missed that.
7th Nov 2017 8:42 am
Gazellio
Member Since: 09 Jan 2011
Location: Chilterns
Posts: 4130
DSL wrote:
I thought the German compulsory winter tyres rules classed M&S tyres as winters? They backed off from going the whole way.
Germany introduced regulations in 2010 requiring all passenger cars and motorbikes to be fitted with winter tyres or all season tyres on all axles in wintry conditions.....
7th Nov 2017 9:42 am
DSL Keeper of the wheelie bin
Member Since: 11 May 2006
Location: Off again! :-)
Posts: 72787
The reason I mentioned it is I have "all season" tyres on my little car (Vred Quadtrac 3s) and they are mountain/snow flake marked.
7th Nov 2017 9:45 am
Martin Site Admin and Owner
Member Since: 06 Nov 2004
Location: Hook Norton
Posts: 18452
Fairly sure M+S is not accepted as "All Season". It's a pretty arbitrary marking.06 D3 SE / 15 LR D90 XS SW / 88 LR 90 Td5 / 68 BMW 2000 ti
Any issues with the site let me know!
Last edited by Martin on 7th Nov 2017 9:48 am. Edited 1 time in total
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