Winter Tyres – How to Choose the Right Protection for Winter Conditions

Difference between winter and summer tyres

Winter tyres use rubber compounds that remain flexible below 7°C, while summer tyres become hard and lose grip. Deeper sipes on winter tyres cut through the water film on ice and enable better traction on snow. The 3PMSF symbol (mountain with snowflake) guarantees the tyre has passed standardized snow testing and delivers significantly better performance than basic M+S tyres.

Premium vs budget brands – where's the difference

Brands like Michelin, Continental and Goodyear invest decades of research into new rubber compounds and sipe design, which translates to braking distance and longevity. Budget options such as Barum, Sava or Matador offer solid performance at more accessible prices – they often use proven technologies from their premium parent companies. For less frequent driving on snow and ice, brands like Nexen or Fulda represent a reasonable compromise.

What the numbers on tyre sidewalls mean

A marking like 205/55 R16 91H tells you a lot: 205 is the width in millimeters, 55 is the profile height as a percentage of width, R16 indicates rim diameter, while 91H defines load capacity (615 kg per tyre) and maximum speed (210 km/h). The Load Index (91 in this example) and Speed Index (H) must match your vehicle manufacturer's recommendations.

Tread depth and when to replace tyres

The legal minimum of 1.6 mm is far below the safe threshold for winter conditions. Manufacturers like Dunlop and Kelly recommend replacing winter tyres when depth drops below 4 mm, as sipes lose effectiveness on snow and ice. A new tyre set has 8-9 mm tread depth, ensuring optimal performance for 3-4 seasons with average mileage.

Production date – how old are your tyres

The DOT code on the tyre sidewall contains a four-digit number indicating week and year of manufacture (e.g. 2823 means 28th week of 2023). Tyres older than 6 years lose elasticity even without use, which compromises safety. Brands like Mitas and Ruma guarantee fresh stock when purchasing from authorized dealers.

What to check before buying

Verify the EU label – fuel efficiency class, wet grip and noise in decibels. Tyres rated C or D for wet braking have drastically longer stopping distances than A or B class. Always buy a complete set of 4 tyres of the same model – mixing different tyres disrupts vehicle stability and can be dangerous on icy surfaces.

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