Tufty
Member Since: 13 Jul 2010
Location: UK
Posts: 481
  
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Evening alll.
So, The Good Mrs T is planning a trip which involves driving through France and into Switzerland in February next year.
I know I need winter tyres (which I now have 4 of thanks to azurar01  ) my question is the spare.
I've done some Googling and it seems the law is you "need 4 winter tyres on your car" but is there any leniency if you get a puncher/flat and put a standard tyre on (especially if the winter tyre is there to see).
Or do people travel with a set of 5?
I know this is only if the worst happens but I'd rather be prepared than shot by the French police for not having 4 on  2005 D3 SE Manual - Gone but not forgotten.
2009 D3 HSE Auto - and so it all begins again...
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 15th Nov 2022 8:02 pm |
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nebc100
Member Since: 20 Sep 2017
Location: Altlinster
Posts: 419
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4 is sufficient
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| 15th Nov 2022 10:05 pm |
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Tufty
Member Since: 13 Jul 2010
Location: UK
Posts: 481
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2005 D3 SE Manual - Gone but not forgotten.
2009 D3 HSE Auto - and so it all begins again...
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| 16th Nov 2022 7:56 am |
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flydive
Member Since: 21 Aug 2007
Location: Lugano
Posts: 1535
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In Switzerland winter tyres are not mandatory
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| 16th Nov 2022 8:00 am |
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Tufty
Member Since: 13 Jul 2010
Location: UK
Posts: 481
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flydive wrote:In Switzerland winter tyres are not mandatory
Hi, thanks.
I read this but it also mentioned if you are sliding with normal tyres on and hit something you will get charged for not having the correct tyres for the conditions. It would be prudent to have them as we are going into the mountains.
I need to go through France anyway. 2005 D3 SE Manual - Gone but not forgotten.
2009 D3 HSE Auto - and so it all begins again...
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| 16th Nov 2022 9:47 am |
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Tufty
Member Since: 13 Jul 2010
Location: UK
Posts: 481
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NJSS wrote:Try these links:-
https://www.michelin.co.uk/auto/advice/win...regulation
https://www.theaa.com/european-breakdown-c...nter-tyres
https://www.rac.co.uk/drive/travel/driving-in-europe/winter/
Interestingly there are differences between them  so you would be advise to read a number of websites & IMHO err on the cautious side.
I always have 5 winter tyres & carry a pair of chains. I have never had to use the latter, but have been stopped to check that I was carrying chains in Italy in Decenber.
NJSS
Thanks, like you say 2 say France doesn't require them but 1 does (which I have also read elsewhere).
Interestingly they also say there's mandatory snow chain zones in both France and Switzerland...
Looks like I need to do more shopping  2005 D3 SE Manual - Gone but not forgotten.
2009 D3 HSE Auto - and so it all begins again...
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| 16th Nov 2022 9:53 am |
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flydive
Member Since: 21 Aug 2007
Location: Lugano
Posts: 1535
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That is correct.
Even if you do not hit anything but create problems to the traffic you can be fined.
As you said is just the prudent thing to do.
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| 16th Nov 2022 9:54 am |
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Tufty
Member Since: 13 Jul 2010
Location: UK
Posts: 481
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Shamrock wrote:Hi guys !
All details available on this website :
https://www.securite-routiere.gouv.fr/chac...e/nouveaux
Unfortunately, no translation available on the site, neither informations about the spare wheel... That's typically French.
Thanks....
Again that's also different, that one says you need either winter tyres or snow chains between November and March
Quote:Cars and light commercial vehicles (M1, N1)
The driver has the choice:
have at least two chains (or other equivalent removable anti-slip devices)
equip your vehicle with at least 4 winter tyres, mounted on at least 2 wheels on each axle.
 2005 D3 SE Manual - Gone but not forgotten.
2009 D3 HSE Auto - and so it all begins again...
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| 16th Nov 2022 10:01 am |
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Tufty
Member Since: 13 Jul 2010
Location: UK
Posts: 481
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I think trawling through I going to not worry about the spare having a winter tyre fitted but going to use the old proverb "if you've got it you won't need it" and also get some chains to play safe.
Any recommendations for snow chains (and any to avoid)? 2005 D3 SE Manual - Gone but not forgotten.
2009 D3 HSE Auto - and so it all begins again...
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| 16th Nov 2022 10:05 am |
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Trailered Movements
Member Since: 16 Jan 2020
Location: East/West Sussex Coast Borders
Posts: 1200
  
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I've never tried them, but a few years back there were things called 'Snow Socks'.
If they are still available/legal, they both weigh a lot less and take up a lot less space than chains, not to say, cost considerably less too.
If you're hope is not to use them anyway, this might be an option.
When trucking, the general view was if you needed snow chains (at least in western Europe), it was time to put the kettle on and pull the curtains.
Dave 2011 Discovery 4 Commercial SDV6 (Gone)
2010 RRS TDV8 (Gone)
1980 OBLIC 4.0ltr Range Rover (went a long time ago)
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| 16th Nov 2022 11:28 am |
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Shamrock
Member Since: 16 Jun 2022
Location: South Kerry
Posts: 114
 
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Take care ! From 1st November, ONLY 3PMSF tyres are accepted in the locations shown on the map ! Simple "M+S" are no longer suffisant, except if you have snow socks or chains onboard.
As explained on the French website, the goal is not so much individual security, but to avoid some vehicles could jam all the trafic as seen previously.
https://www.securite-routiere.gouv.fr/chac...e/nouveaux
Last edited by Shamrock on 16th Nov 2022 11:54 am. Edited 2 times in total
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| 16th Nov 2022 11:49 am |
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RRSTDV8
Member Since: 07 Apr 2014
Location: Here
Posts: 13509
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On a general note, I'm of the opinion that having winter-rated tyres fitted in the UK makes sense. These days, there is an increasing number of winter-rated tyres that are suitable for year-round use e.g. the Michelin CrossClimate. And if one wants an AT then there are those available too.
Yes, we get little snow in most of the UK but these tyres work well all year round and so avoid the need to have separate tyres (and the reasonable excuse that they're an expense for 2 days of snow). Yes, they aren't quite as good as a dedicated summer tyre and dedicated winter tyre in their respective seasons, but they're close enough for most motorists. Visiting from rrsport.co.uk
2012 RRS SDV6
2008 RRS TDV8
"When you fire that first shot, no matter how right you feel, you have no idea who's going to die! You don't know who's children are going to scream and burn. How many hearts will be broken. How many lives shattered. How much blood will spill, until everybody does what they were always going to have to do from the very beginning: SIT DOWN AND TALK!"
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| 16th Nov 2022 11:49 am |
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