For Trucks, Buses and Coaches

Goodyear Winter Guide

What is a winter tyre?

A winter tyre (or “snow tyre” according to EU Regulation 661/2009) is defined as a “tyre whose tread pattern, tread compound or structure is primarily designed to achieve in snow conditions a performance better than that of a normal tyre with regard to its ability to initiate or maintain vehicle motion”.

Winter tyre marking

Winter tyre marking

M+S (also M.S or M&S) has been the widely used marking on winter tyres, stipulated in EU legislation1.

On 1 November 2012 Regulation 117 made a new marking official in the EU – the “Alpine” symbol, or the three-peak-mountain with snowflake (“3PMSF”). Unlike the M+S marking, the 3PMSF can only be legally used if the tyre passes a minimum performance threshold requirement on snow, the so called “snow grip index”.

However, M+S remains as a permitted marking, but not legally linked to a minimum guaranteed performance in winter conditions. M+S tyres have better snow traction than regular tyres but do not necessarily pass the snow grip threshold legal requirement to qualify for the new three-peak snowflake identification.

 

1 Council Directive 92/23/EEC of 31 March 1992 relating to tyres for motor vehicles and their trailers and to their fitting.
   
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Benefits of winter tyres

The use of winter tyres ensures that vehicle performance is optimized when temperatures are low and in particular when roads are affected by snow and ice. Tyres react differently according to temperature, so specific compounds and tread patterns are necessary for such conditions. Good grip is of course essential for steering and braking control as well as traction. At lower temperatures some other tyres do not give the same performance as they provide in their normal temperature range. A more aggressive tread pattern is also necessary, not only for good grip in snow but also on ice and to efficiently clear surface water.

The benefits of commercial winter tyres are particularly important for mobility in challenging weather conditions. Avoiding road blockages has not least certain economic pluses, e.g. preventing losses from delayed deliveries, spoilt goods, etc...

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Goodyear winter tyre ranges.

Ready to meet all winter conditions.

 

Goodyear’s winter truck, coach and bus tyre ranges are developed to cope with today’s demanding winter transport operations.

ULTRA GRIP WTS, WTS City, WTD, WTD City, WTT, ULTRA GRIP Coach and ULTRA GRIP MAX S, D and T have been specifically designed to provide excellent winter capabilities to face the toughest and most extreme winter conditions.

All tyre designs below are M+S and 3PMSF marked and comply with the most restrictive European winter tyre regulations.

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Winter tyre markings on Goodyear tyre ranges

Almost all Goodyear truck and bus tyres are marked with the M+S and the 3PMSF symbol. Following Goodyear tyres ranges qualify for the 3PMSF marking:

Our Winter Specialist Tyre Range

ULTRA GRIP MAX S

ULTRA GRIP MAX S

A specialist steer tyre designed for winter and mountain applications, offering improved lateral stability on ice and snow, along with excellent mileage.

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ULTRA GRIP MAX D

ULTRA GRIP MAX D

A specialist drive-axle tyre designed for winter and mountain applications, offering improved traction on ice and snow, along with excellent mileage.

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ULTRA GRIP MAX T

ULTRA GRIP MAX T

A specialist trailer tyre designed for winter and mountain applications, offering improved lateral stability on ice and snow, along with excellent mileage.

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Winter tyre requirements for heavy commercial vehicles in Europe

Countries with no requirements for winter tyres

Countries with local requirements for winter tyres/use of chains

Countries with requirements for winter tyres and/or other winter equipment in certain circumstances or on certain roads (e.g. “partial obligations for winter tyres”)

Countries with mandatory winter tyres legislation throughout a whole fixed period and on all roads, irrespective of whether there is snow and/or ice (e.g. “overall winter tyre laws”)

Winter conditions, depending on region/road

  • Winter tyres legislation
    None
  • Use of chains
    Compulsory chains in certain regions
    This obligation applies to truck drive and trailer axles
  • Use of studded tyres
    Prohibited

November 1 – April 15 + winter conditions

  • Winter tyres legislation
    M+S on at least one drive axle with min 6 mm tread depth for bias tyres and 5 mm for radials
  • Use of chains
    Chains for at least two tyres on drive axle have to be carried along
  • Use of studded tyres
    Prohibited for vehicles >3.5 t.

  • Winter tyres legislation
    None
  • Use of studded tyres
    Prohibited

November 1 – April 1

  • Winter tyres legislation
    M+S tyres on drive axles with min 4mm tread depth
  • Use of chains
    Summer tyres with min 4mm tread depth plus chains allowed on drive axles
  • Use of studded tyres
    Prohibited

November 15 – March 1

  • Winter tyres legislation
     M+S tyres mandatory with 1.6mm tred depth; alternatively  summer tyres with 4mm tread depth
  • Use of chains
    Chains to be carried in the vehicle from November 1 – March 31 if  indicated by road signs
  • Use of studded tyres
    Prohibited

November 15 – April 15

  • Winter tyres legislation
    M+S tyres on drive axles with min 4mm tread depth
  • Use of chains
    Alternative summer tyres with min 4mm tread depth plus chains on drive axles
  • Use of studded tyres
    Prohibited

  • Winter tyres legislation
    None
  • Use of studded tyres
    Prohibited

November 1 – March 31 + winter conditions

  • Winter tyres legislation
    M+S tyres on drive axles with min 6mm tread depth
  • Use of chains
    Compulsory on at least 2 drive tyres if indicated by road signs
  • Use of studded tyres
    Prohibited

  • Winter tyres legislation
    None
  • Use of studded tyres
    Allowed from November 1 - April 15

December 1 - March 1

  • Winter tyres legislation
    Only vehicles up to 3.5 to.:
    • Snow tires (with the marking M+S, MS, M.S. or M&S) shall be used from December 1 to March 1 on vehicles of categories GVW < 3500 kg
    • From December 1, 2022, non studded snow tires shall bear 3PMSF marking (POR marked tires exempted)
    • Minimum tread depth rules apply
  • Use of chains
    Only allowed on roads covered with snow and ice
  • Use of studded tyres
    Allowed from October 15 - March 31 In case of winter road and weather conditions, studded tires may be used from October 15 to April 30

December 1 – March 1

  • Winter tyres legislation
    M+S tyres with min. 5mm tread depth on drive axles and 3mm on   all other axles
  • Use of studded tyres
    Allowed from November 1 - March 31

Between November 1 and March 31

  • Winter tyres legislation
    M+S or 3PMSF required (except trailer tyres) as of November 1,   2021.
    Rules apply to mountainous regions only. Decision to be taken by   local authorities.
    Transitional period for M+S or 3PMSF until October 31, 2024;   3PMSF marking will be mandatory as of November 1, 2024.
  • Use of chains
    No winter marking requirements if chains are mounted on drive   axle
  • Use of studded tyres
    Prohibited

  • Winter tyres legislation
    None

Winter conditions

  • Winter tyres legislation
    3PMSF tyres on steer and drive axles; transition period for M+S marked steer axle tyres no later than DOT 5217 until 30 Sept 2024
  • Use of chains
    Alternative with 50km/h speed limit
  • Use of studded tyres
    Prohibited

October to April; depending on weather conditions

  • Winter tyres legislation
    Mandatory equipment of winter tires (M+S or 3PMFS) or chains
  • Use of chains
    Mandatory if no winter tyres mounted
  • Use of studded tyres
    Prohibited

  • Winter tyres legislation
    None
  • Use of studded tyres
    Prohibited

  • Winter tyres legislation
    None
  • Use of studded tyres
    Prohibited

November 15 – April 15 in winter conditions (signs indicate)

  • Winter tyres legislation
    M+S tyres on drive axles
  • Use of chains
    Must be carried in the vehicle when driving on mountain roads without M+S tyres

In winter conditions

  • Winter tyres legislation
    M+S tyres on drive axles
  • Use of chains
    Obligation for chains on drive axles when indicated
  • Use of studded tyres
    Prohibited

  • Winter tyres legislation
    None
  • Use of chains
    Not allowed
  • Use of studded tyres
    Allowed from October 1 - April 30

  • Winter tyres legislation
    None
  • Use of chains
    Not allowed
  • Use of studded tyres
    Allowed from November 1 - April 10

Winter conditions

  • Winter tyres legislation
    M+S tyres on drive axles
  • Use of chains
    Alternative of summer tyres with min 6mm tread depth and chains on all axles
  • Use of studded tyres
    Prohibited

  • Winter tyres legislation
    None

December 1 – March 31 when road covered by ice/snow

  • Winter tyres legislation
    M+S tyres on drive axles
  • Use of chains
    Allowed

November 15 – March 31

  • Winter tyres legislation
    M+S tyres on drive axles
  • Use of chains
    Alternative of summer tyres with min. 4mm tread depth and chains
  • Use of studded tyres
    Prohibited

  • Winter tyres legislation
    None
  • Use of chains
    Not allowed
  • Use of studded tyres
    Prohibited

November 15 – March 15

  • Winter tyres legislation
    M+S tyres on drive axles with min 6mm tread depth
  • Use of chains
    None
  • Use of studded tyres
    Prohibited

November 15 - March 31
October 16 - April 30 in Nordland, Tromms and Finnmark

  • Winter tyres legislation
    3PMSF on front steering and drive axles (transition period for upgrading from M+S to 3PMSF until November 15, 2020), M+S on all other axles incl. trailer axles; POR truck tyres are considered winter tyres
    Min. 5mm tread depth from November 1 – 1st Monday after   Easter/October 16 – April 30 in Nordland, Tromms and Finnmark
  • Use of chains
    Obligatory to have min. 3 to 7 sets of chains depending on number of axles (November 1 – 1st Monday after Easter/ October 16 – April 30 in Nordland, Tromms and Finnmark)
  • Use of studded tyres
    Allowed;
    North: October 16 - April 30
    South: November 1 - first Monday after Easter

  • Winter tyres legislation
    None
  • Use of chains
    Obligation for chains where indicated on roads
  • Use of studded tyres
    Prohibited

  • Winter tyres legislation
    None
  • Use of chains
    Allowed by road signs
  • Use of studded tyres
    Prohibited

In winter conditions (snow and ice)

  • Winter tyres legislation
    M+S tyres on drive axles, min. 6mm tread depth
  • Use of chains
    Alternative summer tyres plus chains on drive axles
  • Use of studded tyres
    Prohibited

December 1 – February 28 ; this period may be expanded depending on weather or climate conditions

  • Winter tyres legislation
    Only N1 vehicles: M+S or 3PMSF tyres on all axles with min 4mm tread depth
  • Use of chains
    Allowed by regional legislation
  • Use of studded tyres
    Allowed from September 1 - May 31

November 1 – April 1 + winter conditions

  • Winter tyres legislation
    M+S tyres on drive axles with min 4mm tread depth
  • Use of chains
    Summer tyres with 4mm tread depth plus chains on drive axles
  • Use of studded tyres
    Prohibited

November 15 – March 31 + winter conditions

  • Winter tyres legislation
    M+S tyres on drive axles with min 3mm tread depth
  • Use of chains
    To be carried in the vehicle; usage indicated by road signs
  • Use of studded tyres
    Prohibited

November 15 – March 15

  • Winter tyres legislation
    M+S tyres on drive axles with min 3mm tread depth
  • Use of chains
    Alternative summer tyres with min 3mm tread depth plus chains on drive axles
  • Use of studded tyres
    Prohibited

Depending on weather conditions or road signs

  • Winter tyres legislation
    M+S on drive axles if winter tyres are required
  • Use of chains
    Obligation for chains where indicated on roads

December 1 – March 31 in winter conditions.

  • Winter tyres legislation
    3PMSF on front steering and drive axles (transition period for upgrading from M+S to 3PMSF until November 30, 2024), M+S on all other axles incl. trailer axles. POR truck tyres or studded tyres are considered winter tyres. Min. tread depth 5mm on trucks   (GVW >3500kg), 1.6mm on trailers
  • Use of chains
    Allowed as alternative equipment
  • Use of studded tyres
    Allowed as alternative equipment from October 1 - March 15

  • Winter tyres legislation
    None
  • Use of studded tyres
    Allowed for vehicles >7.5 t. from November 1 - April 30

December 1 - April 1 + winter conditions (can be extended to an additional month if weather conditions require)

  • Winter tyres legislation
    M+S and/or 3PMSF on drive axles of trucks, tow trucks, tankers, buses with min 4mm tread depth
  • Use of chains
    Allowed but not as an alternative for winter tyres
  • Use of studded tyres
    Prohibited

  • Winter tyres legislation
    None
  • Use of chains
    Chains only allowed on roads covered with snow and ice
  • Use of studded tyres
    Allowed

  • Winter tyres legislation
    None
  • Use of studded tyres
    Prohibited (only allowed on compacted snow)

Source: Goodyear. Data as of October 2023. Please check local legislation for possible changes before entering a country.