The Scandinavian Tire & Rim Organization

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Information / Choice of winter tires

Choice of winter tires

When choosing winter tires, you can make several choices. As winter tires are a safety feature, and in order to get maximum safety from the tires, it is important that you make your choice of winter tires according to the needs and driving conditions you have.
The choice of tires affects not only road safety but also the environment.

There are currently three types of winter tires:

• Studded winter tires for Nordic conditions
• Studless winter tires for Nordic conditions
• Studless winter tires for Central European conditions

For comparison, we have included in this table so-called “All-season tires”. As several of these correspond to the winter tire requirements whent they have the snow grip label 3PMSF, but are not adapted and developed for the more difficult winter conditions we have here in the north.

Studded tires generally work better on ice, and especially on wet ice. Studless winter tires can be beneficial for those who drive a lot on bare or salted and plowed roads. Studless tires for Nordic conditions generally have comparable winter properties with studded winter tires at winter road conditions, except on ice. If you drive on mostly dry, wet or slushy winter roads, studless Central European winter tires can be a good and functional solution.

However, there are no perfect tires for all situations and road conditions. You can make your choice according to your own needs. However, summer tires are never an option when driving on winter road conditions! The rubber compound in summer tires is adapted to summer use, which makes it too hard when the temperature is low during the winter.

The table below can be helpful in choosing the right winter tire for your needs and conditions.