What is the law on winter tyres in Germany?

In November 2010, the Bundestag, Germany’s parliament, passed a federal law that is much more specific about winter tires. All of these vehicles must be equipped with winter tires if you drive in snow or icy conditions. Winter tires must be marked with the 3-peak mountain and snowflake by Sept. 30, 2024.

Can I use all weather tyres in Germany?

In short: only winter tyres or all-season tyres that have the Alpine symbol (a symbol that looks like a snowflake) still comply with the new rules. German law does not refer to winter tyres, but to “tyres with winter properties”. It is mandatory to use this type of tyre in winter conditions.

When should I change my winter tyres in Germany?

Most German motorists know the old rule of thumb for putting snow tires on the vehicle: “von O bis O,” which means “from O to O.” It is short for “von Oktober bis Ostern,” meaning “from October to Easter.” It is recommended that motorists make the change from regular tires to snow tires in October and leave them on …

What is the legal tyre limit in Germany?

1.6 millimeters
The minimum legal tire tread depth for Germany is 1.6 millimeters, although ADAC recommends 4 millimeters for winter driving.

Can I use all season tires in winter in Germany?

German federal law mandates the use of winter tires when conditions are icy. All-season or all-weather tires may also have the M+S marking and are acceptable for winter driving. The laws also apply to motorbikes, trucks and buses, regardless of whether the driver is the owner or is renting the vehicle.

Can you use all season tires in the winter?

All-season tires are designed for a smooth, quiet ride in most conditions. While a set of all-season tires can offer some traction in light snow and the occasional winter storm, they’re not designed for deep snow, ice, and cold weather (when temperatures stay below ~45º F).

How fast can I drive with winter tires?

To answer the first questions, Toyota recommends that drivers not exceed speeds of 75 mph when traveling with snow tires on a Toyota Corolla. The tires are intended to add grip in icy or snowy conditions, so driving highway speeds can damage the wheelbase and significantly decrease fuel economy.

Do winter tires cost more than all season?

Those are miles you won’t be putting on your all-season tires. So if you go the full monty and buy new wheels, the true cost of winter tires comes out to about $150 per year for the first five years. Then if you buy a second set for those same wheels, the cost drops to just $65 per year.

Are all season tires as good as winter tires?

While winter tires have biting edges to grip on snow and ice, the real difference is the rubber. While some all-seasons are getting better on snow and ice, Consumer Reports tests show that winter tires deliver better grip on snow and ice.

Do winter tires need to be broken in?

New winter tires begin with deeper tread depths and more open tread designs than the tires used during the rest of the year. Tires are comprised of many layers of rubber, steel and fabric that require a break-in period to assure they achieve their maximum performance and your maximum satisfaction.