winter tyres europe
Discussion
Hi, I have just been reading up about the law in European countries regarding winter tyres, as I'm thinking of driving to an Austrian ski resort. It looks as though I need winter tyres by law to drive though Germany and I would have to carry chains. If this is the case it makes driving an expensive option, is there a cheaper way, or have I just got to fly or go to France? The car in question is a 330i SE E46 tourer.
I am pretty sure that you are NOT required by law to use winter tyres in Germany, but to be honest if you are driving to a ski resort then these will be an absolute must so why does it matter? Additionally, using winter tyres in the UK in the winter is prudent anyway, one doesn't use winter tyres purely when it snows as I am sure you are aware???
Yes, it is slightly more expensive to run 2 sets of wheels and tyres due to the cost of the wheels but you are only wearing one set of tyres at any time.....
Chains may of course be necessary depending on high altitude conditions - again not sure why cost comes into it - you either want to be as sure as possible you will make it to your destination....or not.....?
I would recommend "snow socks" over chains if available. Much easier to get on and off imho.
Yes, it is slightly more expensive to run 2 sets of wheels and tyres due to the cost of the wheels but you are only wearing one set of tyres at any time.....
Chains may of course be necessary depending on high altitude conditions - again not sure why cost comes into it - you either want to be as sure as possible you will make it to your destination....or not.....?
I would recommend "snow socks" over chains if available. Much easier to get on and off imho.
Robmilford said:
Hi, I have just been reading up about the law in European countries regarding winter tyres, as I'm thinking of driving to an Austrian ski resort.
I wouldn't worry about meeting the minimum legal requirement,I'd worry about what's sensible and practical (i.e. more than the minimum).
Winter tyres would be very sensible. I'd also drain and restock
antifreeze for the cooling system and the screenwash.
While -5C or -10C coverage might be ok in the UK, if you
are halfway up an Austrian Alp, then -30C coverage would be much
better.
BTW, which Austrian ski resort ? I've been to most of them
over the years.
Robmilford said:
Hi, I have just been reading up about the law in European countries regarding winter tyres, as I'm thinking of driving to an Austrian ski resort. It looks as though I need winter tyres by law to drive though Germany and I would have to carry chains. If this is the case it makes driving an expensive option, is there a cheaper way, or have I just got to fly or go to France? The car in question is a 330i SE E46 tourer.
There must be someone on here who know specifically, but as I understand it you probably do need to have winter tyres in both Germany and Austria. There's a certain amount of vagueness about the regulations though - unlike other countries there are no specific dates for winter use and I think, unhelpfully, they say something about winter tyres needing to be used when conditions are wintery!Greetings from Austria!!
The laws here are, surprise surprise, rather ambiguous. Winter tyres (in Austria) are not a legal requirement, however if you have an accident during the winter tyre months (1st Nov - 15th April) and are not on winter rubber, then your insurance company may not cover you, meaning you're driving without insurance which is illegal.
However as an aside, if you're caught driving on snow without winter tyres, this can be considered dangerous driving and you'll be fined.
If it were me, and I've just come back from skiing in Schladming over the Xmas period, I would 100% be on winter tyres without any shadow of a doubt. Depending on where you'll be going, then snow chains would be of importance too, but this does depend on your plans.
Remember also that you'll need a vignette to drive on the Austrian autobahns, however these are easy to buy in both Germany and at the border at the austbahn service stations. The fines for not buying one are BIG!
The laws here are, surprise surprise, rather ambiguous. Winter tyres (in Austria) are not a legal requirement, however if you have an accident during the winter tyre months (1st Nov - 15th April) and are not on winter rubber, then your insurance company may not cover you, meaning you're driving without insurance which is illegal.
However as an aside, if you're caught driving on snow without winter tyres, this can be considered dangerous driving and you'll be fined.
If it were me, and I've just come back from skiing in Schladming over the Xmas period, I would 100% be on winter tyres without any shadow of a doubt. Depending on where you'll be going, then snow chains would be of importance too, but this does depend on your plans.
Remember also that you'll need a vignette to drive on the Austrian autobahns, however these are easy to buy in both Germany and at the border at the austbahn service stations. The fines for not buying one are BIG!
ghibbett said:
Greetings from Austria!!
The laws here are, surprise surprise, rather ambiguous. Winter tyres (in Austria) are not a legal requirement, however if you have an accident during the winter tyre months (1st Nov - 15th April) and are not on winter rubber, then your insurance company may not cover you, meaning you're driving without insurance which is illegal.
However as an aside, if you're caught driving on snow without winter tyres, this can be considered dangerous driving and you'll be fined.
As ghibbett said there, this is also the case in Germany. I'm currently serving here in the forces and the deal with winter tyres is:The laws here are, surprise surprise, rather ambiguous. Winter tyres (in Austria) are not a legal requirement, however if you have an accident during the winter tyre months (1st Nov - 15th April) and are not on winter rubber, then your insurance company may not cover you, meaning you're driving without insurance which is illegal.
However as an aside, if you're caught driving on snow without winter tyres, this can be considered dangerous driving and you'll be fined.
- There is no SPECIFIC time as to when/how long you have your winter tyres on for here in Germany.
- If you are stopped by the German police in what is considered to be winter weather conditions and you don't have winter tyres on, you get fined €40 (I'm pretty sure it's that).
- If you get stopped by the German police in what is considered to be winter weather conditions and you don't have winter tyres on, and you are found to be the cause of traffic jams/holding traffic up etc, then the fine is doubled.
- If you have an accident in winter conditions and you have summer tyres on, then your insurance is considered invalid, which is therefore illegal.
This is the case for German law, i'm not too sure about UK insurers and winter tyre rule whilst travelling accross europe. Check with them and see what they say.
Once you have driven on winter tyres, you will never look back.
They are "cold weather tyres", designed for use below 7C - November to March inclusive in the UK even.
Reasons why it makes sense to have them, and some spare rims to save the costs of swapping each season:-
Winter tyres wear less in winter than summer tyres in winter - so some of your money spent comes back to you.
Winter tyres work fine even at 20C - their deficit at 20C is MUCH less than a summer tyres deficit on a dry or wet road at 7C. So winter tyres year round is safer than summer tyres year round (but I wouldn't...). There is no "cliff" that performance falls over - change your tyres when the clocks change would be a perfect suggestion.
Winter tyres are so much more dependable as the temperature drops - wet or dry.
This is all without snow. In the snow, winters are simply phenominal. Just google "Auto Car Winter Tyre Test" and watch the video. 27m stop vs 85m on summer tyres. The only downside is that with 99% of the populus on summer tyres, you will be in snow jam anyway, or get rear ended by someone else, but if you can get out and about on empty roads in the snow, they are just the business. I had so much fun last year getting out sledding with teh kids when no one else could move.
You do get filthy looks from people as you whizz past at 30mph when they are crawling at 15mph. That's on an open road, not in town - clearly you have to slow down a lot compared to non-snowy roads, but not to crawling pace.
I know it does not answer your question, but it may make the decision less painful. If you keep a car a long time, I reckon they will pay for the additional wheels over the life of the car due to reduced wear rate. Not to mention the saved fender bender.
Three tyres to look out for which top most tests, depending on your size need:-
Goodyear Ultra Grip 8
Dunlop Winter 4D
Goodyear Ultragrip Performance 2 (Like UG8 for bigger wheels)
Dunlop 3D and UG2 are available in BMW approved * ratings. Not sure on UG8 or 4D - probably not as they are both new - but I bet they will be approved by next winter.
I have UG7+ and they are brilliant. UG8's are supposed to be better still.
They are "cold weather tyres", designed for use below 7C - November to March inclusive in the UK even.
Reasons why it makes sense to have them, and some spare rims to save the costs of swapping each season:-
Winter tyres wear less in winter than summer tyres in winter - so some of your money spent comes back to you.
Winter tyres work fine even at 20C - their deficit at 20C is MUCH less than a summer tyres deficit on a dry or wet road at 7C. So winter tyres year round is safer than summer tyres year round (but I wouldn't...). There is no "cliff" that performance falls over - change your tyres when the clocks change would be a perfect suggestion.
Winter tyres are so much more dependable as the temperature drops - wet or dry.
This is all without snow. In the snow, winters are simply phenominal. Just google "Auto Car Winter Tyre Test" and watch the video. 27m stop vs 85m on summer tyres. The only downside is that with 99% of the populus on summer tyres, you will be in snow jam anyway, or get rear ended by someone else, but if you can get out and about on empty roads in the snow, they are just the business. I had so much fun last year getting out sledding with teh kids when no one else could move.
You do get filthy looks from people as you whizz past at 30mph when they are crawling at 15mph. That's on an open road, not in town - clearly you have to slow down a lot compared to non-snowy roads, but not to crawling pace.
I know it does not answer your question, but it may make the decision less painful. If you keep a car a long time, I reckon they will pay for the additional wheels over the life of the car due to reduced wear rate. Not to mention the saved fender bender.
Three tyres to look out for which top most tests, depending on your size need:-
Goodyear Ultra Grip 8
Dunlop Winter 4D
Goodyear Ultragrip Performance 2 (Like UG8 for bigger wheels)
Dunlop 3D and UG2 are available in BMW approved * ratings. Not sure on UG8 or 4D - probably not as they are both new - but I bet they will be approved by next winter.
I have UG7+ and they are brilliant. UG8's are supposed to be better still.
Edited by Thirsty33 on Tuesday 24th January 18:30
Do you have to have winter tyres or are you OK with snow socks to pop onto your regular tyres when appropriate.
I ask as I drove through Mont Blanc at the end of December and although the X5 running regular 19" rubber coped fine I was concerned that if stopped my boots would be frowned upon. The snow was much worse than previous years.
I have also just spoken to a freind that drove through Austria to Italy at the weekend and found the conditions pretty bad. He had snow socks but didn't have to use them as his Vitara coped well with the conditions.
I ask as I drove through Mont Blanc at the end of December and although the X5 running regular 19" rubber coped fine I was concerned that if stopped my boots would be frowned upon. The snow was much worse than previous years.
I have also just spoken to a freind that drove through Austria to Italy at the weekend and found the conditions pretty bad. He had snow socks but didn't have to use them as his Vitara coped well with the conditions.
rassi said:
I would just question the wisdom of driving a RWD car on summer tyres to the Alps or indeed any place where there will be snow.
THIS. Although given how cheap car rentals in Germany can be, with winter tyres included, I'd probably EasyJet into Munich and drive the hour or two down to the Austrian border.Gassing Station | BMW General | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff