Designed for use in difficult conditions, can winter tires also be used the rest of the year?
That’s it, winter is approaching, and with it the cold and bad weather. As the weather conditions deteriorate, the Winter tires are making their comeback on French roads, especially since they are now compulsory in 48 departments located in mountain ranges. Designed to provide optimum grip on snow and ice, these specific compounds are particularly recognizable by their markings on the sidewall. There are then two types: snow tires, marked M + S (mud + snow) and winter tires, more efficient and stamped with the acronym. 3PMSF as well as the alpine symbol, representing a snowflake in a mountain with three peaks. If the two differ slightly, especially in terms of efficiency, they nevertheless have the same objective: to limit the loss of grip on snowy and icy surfaces. It is therefore recommended to install them as soon as the temperature drops below 7 ° and to remove them in the spring, around the date of the change to summer time.
Maps affected areas | New panel | What fines? | 4-season tire test | How many winter tires? | When to change? | Tires or chains? | Where to store?
However, many motorists prefer to keep their winter tires on all year round, especially for financial reasons. But is it allowed? Well, yeah. Indeed, no law prohibits the circulation of winter tires in summer, and only the wearing of studded tires is regulated. On the other hand, it is above all a question of security. Indeed, snow tires are designed with different materials from summer tires, and are in particular composed of a softer rubber, known as “thermogum”, which retains its elasticity even when the temperatures become negative and which then does not harden. If it is therefore quite designed for the conditions of extreme cold, the winter tire is not made for higher temperatures, as the rubber may be damaged more quickly. Premature wear which then increases the risk of bursting and significantly reduces performance, particularly in terms of aquaplaning and braking. In addition, fuel consumption increases, as does road noise, affecting your comfort.
4-season tires, a good solution?
But then, is it really economical to keep your winter tires all year round? Well not necessarily, since these consume more fuel, while wearing out much more quickly, forcing you to change them more regularly. Not sure that this is very interesting for your finances! It is therefore best to follow the recommendations of the specialists, and to put back your summer tires as soon as the winter season is over. You can also opt for all-season tires, which are more versatile and which can be kept all year round. Be careful though, they must be stamped M + S or 3PMSF to be able to be used in the departments concerned by the obligation to wear winter tires. Otherwise, you will risk a € 135 fine and immobilization of your vehicle from November 1, 2022.
Also read on Auto-Moto.com:
Mandatory winter tires: all you need to know
Snow tires and winter tires: is there a difference?
Winter tires compulsory: can chains replace them?
Designed for use in difficult conditions, can winter tires also be used the rest of the year?
That’s it, winter is approaching, and with it the cold and bad weather. As the weather conditions deteriorate, the Winter tires are making their comeback on French roads, especially since they are now compulsory in 48 departments located in mountain ranges. Designed to provide optimum grip on snow and ice, these specific compounds are particularly recognizable by their markings on the sidewall. There are then two types: snow tires, marked M + S (mud + snow) and winter tires, more efficient and stamped with the acronym. 3PMSF as well as the alpine symbol, representing a snowflake in a mountain with three peaks. If the two differ slightly, especially in terms of efficiency, they nevertheless have the same objective: to limit the loss of grip on snowy and icy surfaces. It is therefore recommended to install them as soon as the temperature drops below 7 ° and to remove them in the spring, around the date of the change to summer time.
Maps affected areas | New panel | What fines? | 4-season tire test | How many winter tires? | When to change? | Tires or chains? | Where to store?
However, many motorists prefer to keep their winter tires on all year round, especially for financial reasons. But is it allowed? Well, yeah. Indeed, no law prohibits the circulation of winter tires in summer, and only the wearing of studded tires is regulated. On the other hand, it is above all a question of security. Indeed, snow tires are designed with different materials from summer tires, and are in particular composed of a softer rubber, known as “thermogum”, which retains its elasticity even when the temperatures become negative and which then does not harden. If it is therefore quite designed for the conditions of extreme cold, the winter tire is not made for higher temperatures, as the rubber may be damaged more quickly. Premature wear which then increases the risk of bursting and significantly reduces performance, particularly in terms of aquaplaning and braking. In addition, fuel consumption increases, as does road noise, affecting your comfort.
4-season tires, a good solution?
But then, is it really economical to keep your winter tires all year round? Well not necessarily, since these consume more fuel, while wearing out much more quickly, forcing you to change them more regularly. Not sure that this is very interesting for your finances! It is therefore best to follow the recommendations of the specialists, and to put back your summer tires as soon as the winter season is over. You can also opt for all-season tires, which are more versatile and which can be kept all year round. Be careful though, they must be stamped M + S or 3PMSF to be able to be used in the departments concerned by the obligation to wear winter tires. Otherwise, you will risk a € 135 fine and immobilization of your vehicle from November 1, 2022.
Also read on Auto-Moto.com:
Mandatory winter tires: all you need to know
Snow tires and winter tires: is there a difference?
Winter tires compulsory: can chains replace them?
