Summer tires, winter tires, all-weather tires - mandatory?

Thomas Wachsmuth 11 November 2020 Test sites, laws, offenses, information

Reading time 8 Min.

Recently updated on April 14, 2021 at 01:31 am

Many drivers wonder if there is one Summer- or one winter tires-Duty there and whether so-called All season tires are also allowed in winter. What are all-season tires like this and for whom are they actually suitable? As everyone knows, the is available to motorists twice a year tire change at. The winter tires are fitted when it gets colder and black ice and snow can be found on the roads. However it is not be sure necessary to change the tires twice a year. The solution for this are so-called All season tires or All season tires. These only have to be pulled up once and can then be driven in both summer and winter. At least that's what the manufacturers say! Now you are certainly wondering what the exact advantages of all-weather tires are, what disadvantages there are and what the situation is with regard to them German legislation and insurance looks like. We want to answer exactly these questions in this article and we also provide you with some additional useful information.

Summer tires, winter tires, all-weather tires

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What are all-season tires anyway?

Strictly speaking, all-season tires are winter tires, but you can also drive them in summer. This means that all-weather tires are in principle a compromise between summer and winter tires. For this reason you will also find the M + S or M&S marking on all-season tires. The M stands for Matsch (mud) and S stands for Snow. There is also a symbol of a snowflakewhich can usually also be seen on the all-weather tires. However, so that the tires can be driven in winter, the elementary condition is M + S marking. Furthermore, since the beginning of 2018, the rule has also been in place that winter tires have the so-called Alpine marking (Back to overview) must have. This is a symbol that represents a Mountain shows, in the middle of which is a snowflake is located. However, there is still a transitional regulation according to which winter tires bought before 2018 do not have to display the Alpine symbol until September 30, 2024. This regulation serves to relieve the consumer so that they do not have to invest directly in a new, compliant set of winter tires. Back to overview

Can all-weather tires be used in winter?

Generally applies in Germany no winter tire requirement from a specified date, but the obligation depends on the weather conditions (so-called situational winter tire requirement Back to overview). Many are of the opinion that winter tires are compulsory in Germany from October to Easter ("O-to-O rule" Back to overview) applies, but it is only a rough guide or a rule of thumb.

Tip: It is important to pay attention to this when a tire change is due for a tire with TPMS.

So if you live in a region where it remains relatively mild in winter, you will benefit from this regulation insofar as you can continue to drive with your summer tires: After all, the conditions of the situational regulation are not met. Even if you live in a region in which there is usually no strong onset of winter, you can also drive here with summer tires, provided the weather is right. Back to overview

Directive 92/93 / EEC

If you look at Section 2, Paragraph 3a of the Road Traffic Act or StVO, it says that winter tires that are compliant according to Directive 92/93 / EEC (Annex II, No. 2.2) are mandatory. This rule takes effect as soon as the road surface is slippery due to snow, mud, ice or frost. This means that those M + S tires must be used as soon as one of the mentioned conditions prevails. What the Minimum tread depth ( Back to overview), it must be 1,6 mm for winter tires and all-weather tires (in winter). Just like with summer tires. However, various experts, including the ADAC, recommend a minimum profile depth of 4 millimeters, as the safety is significantly higher with this value. Back to overview

Motorcycles with winter tires?

Some also wonder whether Motorcycles over winter tires must have. True, motorcycles are not from the situational duty affected, but the tires must also be Alpine marking exhibit. This means that all-season tires that have the appropriate marking can also be driven in winter and for this reason you do not violate the winter tire obligation. Back to overview

What are the fines?

If you do not adhere to the situational winter tire requirement, you can face some consequences. If you are stopped with non-compliant tires it will result in 75 euros fine and a point in Flensburg. The fine can even increase if one Danger or disability caused by your violation. It is therefore all the more important that you ensure that the tires are properly labeled so that you are spared the consequences. The consequences concern, however not the holder of the vehicle, but always the Driver. Back to overview

What happens in the event of a breakdown with the winter bike?

The exception is if you break down. If that is the case, you can also use one in an emergency summer tires as a Spare tire use and do not have to reckon with the consequences already mentioned. Please note, however, that this is only an emergency solution and that it is essential to maintain a defensive and cautious driving style. You should go to a workshop as quickly as possible and have the tire replaced with a winter tire. It may also be that the tires can only be exchanged for each axle. In this case, at least 2 new winter tires must be purchased. Back to overview

How to change the wheel set or a single tire, we'll show you in our Wheels and tires change Info report.

Advantages and disadvantages of all-season tires?

All-weather tires do have a few BenefitsHowever, as is often the case, there are also some disadvantages. The most obvious advantage is that the tires do not have to be changed in winter or summer and are therefore fitted to your car all year round. This saves you time and money. Furthermore, of course, you save the amount that would otherwise have been due for a new set of tires. In addition, there are no additional costs for storing the unused set, since you only have one wheel set and use it permanently.

As already mentioned, there is also Disadvantages. The principle of all-weather tires is a disadvantage: it is just one Compromise between summer and winter tires. This means that they are never as good as a tire that is solely for use in the Summer or im Winter was designed. If you use all-season tires in the summer, you need to be clear with one higher fuel consumption And also expect that the all-weather tires wear out much faster than conventional summer tires due to their different properties. In addition, compared to summer or winter tires, all-weather tires are relative in terms of one-time purchase expensivewhich of course makes rapid wear all the more annoying. Back to overview

Insurance and all season tires

Does the insurance apply if you drive all-season tires in winter? Here it again depends on whether the tires used have the appropriate Labeling feature. If this is the case, full insurance cover naturally applies when driving in winter, since winter tires are generally fitted. If you are involved in an accident, however, it is very likely that the insurance will check whether there has been gross negligence. If this is the case, it is possible that your benefits will be reduced or that they will even cease to exist. This not only applies to damage to other vehicles, but also to damage to your own, which would otherwise be covered by partial or fully comprehensive insurance. Back to overview

Accident with winter tires in summer

What many do not know: It is similar with one Accident with winter tires in summer. Although this is not prohibited by law, the insurance company can offer you another one gross negligence assume, thereby attaching complicity to you and thereby also reducing or even canceling benefits. This is due to the fact that the braking distance is correspondingly longer with fitted winter tires and the vehicle would have come to a standstill earlier with summer tires. In addition, it is of course completely pointless, both economically and ecologically, to drive with winter tires in summer. Back to overview

Is it worth driving with all-season tires in winter?

In conclusion, it can be said that all-weather tires are definitely an alternative to conventional winter tires that are relatively practical and also legally legal. However, the recommendation for such all-weather tires cannot be generalized. This is because everyone has their own driving style, which is why the tires are more suitable for some and less suitable for some. In the mountains with a lot of snow, all-weather tires are certainly suitable not recommendable. But if you live in the lowlands, then such a tire is worth considering. But since he is neither particularly good in summer nor in winter, we recommend two classic wheel sets for summer and winter. Therefore, weigh in advance whether the all-weather tires are suitable for your everyday use and whether you want to accept the disadvantages that such tires bring with them. Info: What is the truth of the rumor that nitrogen in tires is much better than air? We did some research. More information on the topic Tubes is there in our little one Tire ABC!

Back to overview

Of course that had not been the case.

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