Winter tyres: Safe on the road in the cold season
Stricter regulations for winter tyres have been in force since 1 October. Only tires with the Alpine symbol are permitted - the M+S symbol is no longer sufficient. What are the rules exactly, what does a good tire cost?
When the temperatures drop in autumn, drivers should check their tyres and replace summer tyres. According to the rule of thumb, winter tyres are recommended from October to Easter (O-to-O rule). Because during this time there can be black ice and snow and then the legislator prescribes winter or all-season tires.
When are winter tyres compulsory?
Sets a period for the use of winter tyres the Highway Code not fixed, so there is no general, but only a situational winter tire obligation. They are only prescribed if there are wintry conditions on the road with "black ice, slippery snow, slush, ice or frost". If you don't move your car in such conditions, you don't have to put on winter tires. Winter tires are not compulsory for motorcycles and other two-wheelers.
"Alpine" symbol indicates winter tyres
Winter tyres must bear the "Alpine" symbol, a three-pronged mountain pictogram with a snowflake. The label "M+S" (mud and snow) is not enough. All-season tyres are also considered winter tyres in the legal sense if they have the "Alpine" symbol.
What fine is there without winter tires?
If the police catch a motorist with summer tires on the road in black ice or slush, 60 euros and a point in the Flensburg "traffic offender register" are due. Anyone who obstructs other road users must pay 80 euros, and those who endanger others will be asked to pay 100 euros. If you cause an accident, even 120 euros are due. Vehicle owners can also receive a fine of 75 euros and a point in Flensburg if not they themselves, but someone else is caught at the wheel of the car with the wrong tires. According to the ADAC, this regulation affects car rental companies in particular.
Winter tyres: check tread depth regularly
Winter tires have a softer rubber compound than summer tires and a tread pattern with more small grooves. This ensures that the tyres grip better on slippery roads at low temperatures. The law prescribes a tread depth of at least 1.6 millimeters at each point of the tread. However, experts advise winter tires to have at least four millimeters of tread. A new tire has around nine millimeters.
Tyres lose their elasticity over time, and grip on the road decreases. The ADAC therefore recommends replacing winter tyres after six years - even if the tread is still good. The automobile club ACE advises replacing it after ten years at the latest. How long tires last also depends on the storage. A dark, cool, dry place without temperature fluctuations is ideal.
If you drive little and hardly wear out the tires, you can also use all-season tires. Since they stay on the car in summer and winter, more kilometres are covered.
How much does a good winter tire cost?
There are considerable differences in quality and price when it comes to car tyres, so it's worth making a comparison. Good winter tyres cost noisily Stiftung Warentest usually well over 100 euros per piece, which refers to a current Test by the ADAC Calls. The automobile club also has a Guide to winter and all-weather tyres brought out. Tip: If you choose a smaller tire size - possible tires are listed in the registration certificate or in the CoC (Certificate of Conformity, german: EU Declaration of Conformity) - you can save a lot of money.
In addition to the price of the tires, there are also the costs for installation. Here, too, there are considerable differences. Tip: When comparing prices, ask for the complete price with installation. If you change your tyres yourself, you should definitely pay attention to the direction of the wheels. Markings with chalk on the profile (e.g. VL for front left) help with this.
Buying winter tyres: Beware of fake shops
If you want to order cheap tyres from online retailers on the Internet, you should first clarify where and at what price the tyres will be fitted. Consumers should also beware of fake shops: In the past, there have always been problems with fake online shops that lured with car tyres at greatly reduced prices, but did not deliver any goods after payment.
When choosing the right tyre, a Label that sticks on every product. It provides information on wet grip, rolling noise, fuel efficiency and snow and ice grip. The automobile club ACE also recommends only buying tires whose production date is no more than 18 months ago.
How old is the tire?
The age of car tires can be recognized by an embossing on the tire sidewall. There are several numbers and letters there. The decisive factor is a combination of four digits, usually in an oval and after the letters DOT. The first two digits indicate the week of production, the last ones the year. Example: 1020 stands for the 10th week of the year 2020.
Insurance cover despite summer tires?
According to the German Insurance Association (GDV), liability protection for drivers with summer tyres remains in place if they cause an accident in winter. This means that the insurance company reimburses the accident victim for the damage. The situation can be different with fully comprehensive protection, which is intended to cover damage to your own car. If motorists have been negligent on the road with summer tyres, the insurance company can reduce the payment.
Rental car: Renter is liable for incorrect tires
Anyone caught with a rental car in snow and ice without winter tires must pay a fine. Renters are obliged to make sure that the car rental company has chosen the correct tires. If this is not the case, the renter can refuse to take over the vehicle.
source : Winter tyres: safe on the road in the cold season | NDR.de - Guide - Consumers