Member Since: 11 May 2008
Location: UK
Posts: 6415
running ATR's at the moment a will during the trip and do not give two flying fecks about snow
16th Nov 2010 7:25 pm
Bogblaster
Member Since: 17 Nov 2005
Location: Glawstershire
Posts: 539
It is indeed law to have winter tyres between the dates of Oct 1st and Mar 31st, if you have an accident on the Autobahn with the wrong tyres your insurance is potentially void.
That said winter tyres are the way forward and are worth every penny, a quick search will show you how useful they are.
Get some winter rubber!
BBD4 HSE Luxury SDV6,
Cameras, tow assist
Defender 90 Adventure
A4 Avant 3.0l TDI
CLUB MTR
CLUB BLACK ALLOY
CLUB FFRR RIMS
CLUB VREDESTEIN WINTRAC 4 EXTREME
16th Nov 2010 7:26 pm
J@mes
Member Since: 10 Nov 2008
Location: Bomber County
Posts: 4547
well can someone point out where this information is then, as I can't find anything online in writing stating that the law has changed and what the exact law on it is. Even the AA don't know about it!
And Ken, its always hard to take advice on tyres from someone who is constantly peddling them through the forum. 2014 D4 XS
2005 D3 SE - Gone
16th Nov 2010 7:27 pm
Ken
Member Since: 20 Feb 2006
Location: Here
Posts: 10865
J@mes wrote:
well can someone point out where this information is then, as I can't find anything online in writing stating that the law has changed and what the exact law on it is. Even the AA don't know about it!
And Ken, its always hard to take advice on tyres from someone who is constantly peddling them through the forum.
Difference is I dont profit from the sale I give free advice and quotes like this is exactly why I dont offer them up any more Try AJS he sells tyres
\the question was clear do you need Winter tyres the Answer was yes and nowhere were any tyres offered so get of your soapbox
16th Nov 2010 7:32 pm
Ted Newman
Member Since: 09 Oct 2010
Location: SE London
Posts: 840
The latest information from the German Embassy through its official tourist arm states:-
Winter Driving in Germany & Snow Chains If driving to Germany between November and March you are strongly advised to buy or hire snow chains and to make sure that your existing tyres are in good condition and still have a generous amount of tread depth.
German cars are normally fitted with winter tyres; unfortunately these are difficult if not impossible to find in the UK. Snow chains are a cost effective alternative to winter tyres and are available from as little as £30. The maximum speed possible with snow chains is 30mph.
The new regulation, which came into force in May 2006, stipulates that winter tyres are not mandatory but on the spot fines of €20 can be imposed if vehicles are found to be unsuitable to cope with winter conditions. Vehicles causing an obstruction or if they are stranded because they are inadequately equipped whilst driving on ice or snow risk a maximum fine of €40.LR Discovery 4 XS pulling an Airstream 532 Caravan also own (since new) a 1996 MGF
16th Nov 2010 7:36 pm
J@mes
Member Since: 10 Nov 2008
Location: Bomber County
Posts: 4547
So the German Embassy and the AA say no, Ken says yes.
I know it's not considered "kind" to say no these days, but no. Just no, ok? And if it's not ok, still no.
16th Nov 2010 7:42 pm
grzesiul
Member Since: 11 May 2008
Location: UK
Posts: 6415
I agree no law like that I know of in Europe even we do not have it as compulsory having lots of snow
I will get some chains and stick ot awesome ATRs
16th Nov 2010 7:54 pm
grzesiul
Member Since: 11 May 2008
Location: UK
Posts: 6415
and besides I hear germans never run out of salt lol
16th Nov 2010 7:55 pm
highbayrack
Member Since: 09 Jul 2008
Location: Northamptonshire
Posts: 2776
Like Ted Newman, i've been driving in Germany on a regular basis since 1979 in all conditions and never had a problem, that said I may well have been breaking the current regulations recently from what i've heard tonight. I would have thought however that the D3 even with standard road tyres was better equiped to deal with most conditions than the majority of 2 wheel drive car even with snow tyres. However, to be on the safe side i'll buy myself a set of chains for my next trip in about 3 weeks On a mission to find the perfect Pork Pie. Just Found it (I think)..(Yes I have)
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16th Nov 2010 8:31 pm
Bogblaster
Member Since: 17 Nov 2005
Location: Glawstershire
Posts: 539
Having driven 1000's of miles on the Autobahn over the last 12 years - Mrs BB is a bloody foreigner! I type from experience.
The winter weather in Germany is quite different from over here (no smart ar$e comments please) it's a dry cold, so slush is not that common, nor is ice, when it snows they clear it fast and keep the roads going, but it packs down and becomes akin to pack ice, this is where the winter tyres come into their own, they have loads more sipes and also a higher content of silica so grip like to a blanket.
When I first drove to Cz my father in-law kept going on about Zimni Pneumatiky for our car, I got so off with him going on about them I got my brother in-law to get me a set of rims and tyres. It was amazing, I drove our Skoda Octavia for 2 weeks in all sorts of snowy conditions and never once got stuck or skidded, they are, in my opinion, worth every penny and definitely make for a safer journey.
I put a set on the front of my managers golf estate as he has a 25 mile rural journey too and from work each day, last year he was one of 20 cars at the bottom of Fish Hill in Broadway inc Disco's and Defenders, at the top there was him and the snowplough, half amile later the snow plpough let him past!
The M+S logo is not the same as the Mountain logo with the snowflake, M + S means it is recommended for Mud and Snow, the other means it is a winter tyre specifically designed for conditions below 8 degrees.
Finally, the idea of a forum is to get other peoples advice and opinions, it is not to snipe and stab at the answers you get. If you disagree, fair enough, but to make unnecessary comments is below the belt. Over the years I have found Ken to honest and approachable, I think it is wrong to acccuse him of trying to flog his wares when all he was doing was trying to help!
BBD4 HSE Luxury SDV6,
Cameras, tow assist
Defender 90 Adventure
A4 Avant 3.0l TDI
CLUB MTR
CLUB BLACK ALLOY
CLUB FFRR RIMS
CLUB VREDESTEIN WINTRAC 4 EXTREME
16th Nov 2010 8:36 pm
grzesiul
Member Since: 11 May 2008
Location: UK
Posts: 6415
dilemmas dilemmas but I agree Ken is top man so leave the geez alone
16th Nov 2010 8:43 pm
WOODY179
Member Since: 01 Jun 2005
Location: Chesterfield
Posts: 3656
Well said BB 1996 Discovery 1 300TDI ES Biarritz Blue, sold
1999 Discovery 2 TD5 ES Rioja Red, sold
2002 Discovery 2 TD5 ES Buckingham Blue, sold
2005 Discovery 3 TDV6 HSE Adriatic Blue, sold
2006 Discovery 3 TDV6 HSE Zambezi Silver, sold
2011 Discovery 4 SDV6 HSE Nara Bronze, sold
2016 Volvo XC60 D5 AWD Lux Nav Twilight Bronze, sold
2020 Range Rover Evoque P250 First Edition, Nolita grey, sold
2023 Range Rover Evoque P300e Autobiography, Carpathian grey
16th Nov 2010 9:02 pm
cleppard
Member Since: 06 Oct 2009
Location: Calgary
Posts: 42
Going off topic a bit, I would only take advice on the benefits of winter tires from those that have used winter tires.
It is difficult to explain how much of a difference they make, you can have 4 wheel drive and all the fancy electronics you want but at the end of the day it is only your tires that are in contact with the road. Snowflake winter tires are builts to deform more and to not 'harden' up when the temperatures get low.
Bottom line winter tires decrease your stopping distance dramatically as they let the tires grip the road. I personally would never venture into a situation where I expected winter conditions without them, remember is not just the cost of repairing your car is could be peoples lives at risk, both yours and other inocent people. Your ATRs may look cool and chunky and may even have a M+S symbol but all of these will be of no use once you lose grip due to the tire compound freezing.
16th Nov 2010 9:07 pm
J@mes
Member Since: 10 Nov 2008
Location: Bomber County
Posts: 4547
Grzesiul was the question from a legal point of view or a preference point of view?
That was my issue, everyone knows that winter tyres are better in winter due to their design but some don't want to spend or can't afford to spend £500+ on tyres they are going to use once a year, especially if it is not required by law to have them.
When I ask a question on the legality of something, I want facts, something I can look at from a reliable source that tells me the truth. Not just opinions or unfounded statements.2014 D4 XS
2005 D3 SE - Gone
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lots of snow
