Member Since: 20 Feb 2006
Location: Here
Posts: 10865
James the answers the same Yes
The problem is in Germany the rules are very open to interpretation (same as a few other states) so the only safe / sure way is to bite the bullet and run a winter set that way you are on the right side should inclement weather take hold, some will take a chance some will get away with it but as our friend said above Winter Tyres make a demonstrable difference in cold weather.
One thing is very clear (even for the UK) the next few winters will decide weather people will have to run winter tyres or not
16th Nov 2010 9:28 pm
Bogblaster
Member Since: 17 Nov 2005
Location: Glawstershire
Posts: 539
BBD4 HSE Luxury SDV6,
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16th Nov 2010 9:33 pm
grzesiul
Member Since: 11 May 2008
Location: UK
Posts: 6415
question was from legal point of view but found no reference in me search to any straight answer from German authorities web sites
Ken - I survived not one winter on non winter tires still alive it is up to skills and having brains when driving on snow and ice but agree different compound does make slight difference
ATR are mud and snow rubber so from legal poit of view I should be covered Ihope
cheers all
16th Nov 2010 9:36 pm
flydive
Member Since: 21 Aug 2007
Location: Lugano
Posts: 1536
From the Swiss AA
Germany: snow tyres mandatory on all 4 wheels if driving on snow or ice covered roads. Studded tyres prohibited.
Austria: Snow Tyres mandatory on all 4 wheels from Nov.1st to Apr. 15nt. Studded tyres allowed fro Oct 1st to May 31st, must be on all wheels(trailer included)
Switzerland: Snow tyres not mandatory, but if you create problems to the traffic you will be fined. Studded allowed from Oct 24th to Apr. 30st, you need a 80Km/h sticker, prohibited on highways. If there is a panel saying so you have to have chains(4wd are usually exempted)
I hope this is that last time I type this, christ knows I've typed it enough in the past.
They are WINTER tyres, not snow tyres. From November to end Feb and even into March, temps are typically below 7deg and it's often damp with it. Those are the conditions these tyres are designed to deal with, not just snow.
I'm putting my winter tyres on this weekend. Will be the third year (and probably last) on this particualr set and in using them I'm increasing the life on my other tyres. Will I replace them with new winter tyres when they reach 4mm? You betcha. 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 9:54 pm
grzesiul
Member Since: 11 May 2008
Location: UK
Posts: 6415
OK not a good news Bogblaster
next question is does ATR qualify as all season?
16th Nov 2010 9:59 pm
J@mes
Member Since: 10 Nov 2008
Location: Bomber County
Posts: 4547
Thanks for the link BB, that clears it up.
Apologies to Ken, shouldn't have barked at you. In a bad mood cos I got a hernia this morning and have to go to work tonight
Might be putting some snow tyres on for the annual trip to Lech this year then! 2014 D4 XS
2005 D3 SE - Gone
16th Nov 2010 10:13 pm
DSL Keeper of the wheelie bin
Member Since: 11 May 2006
Location: Off again! :-)
Posts: 73134
Road up to the Lecht winter before last. "Road Closed" signs kind of got ignored.
Click image to enlarge
16th Nov 2010 10:18 pm
PaulP
Member Since: 04 May 2007
Location: Barcelona
Posts: 4317
grzesiul wrote:
next question is does ATR qualify as all season?
Pirelli ATR's are all-season tyres.
They are also M+S marked which as explained means that the tread geometry meets some long-forgotten specification that means they are designed for extra traction in mud and snow.
They are NOT winter (or Extreme Snow Conditions) tyres (i.e. they are not marked with the mountain/snowflake symbol).
So, although common sense would say that should let you drive through a snowed in mountain pass using M+S tyres without making you put chains on, they are not the same as winter tyres as mandated by zee Germans..... 2006 Discovery 3 TDV6 SE AutoBuckingham Blue 2007 Golf GT DSG
16th Nov 2010 10:26 pm
grzesiul
Member Since: 11 May 2008
Location: UK
Posts: 6415
latest info on legislation I found is this:
Germany
Motorists are obliged to make sure they have correct tyres to suit the winter weather conditions. This may mean the use of winter tyres (with M&S or snowflake symbol) and in extreme weather, the additional use of snow chains.
Vehicles with summer tyres fitted are not allowed to be driven on roads covered with snow and ice. Fines are in place for vehicles found to be doing so.
not going any close to any mountains
16th Nov 2010 10:28 pm
grzesiul
Member Since: 11 May 2008
Location: UK
Posts: 6415
Paul where u got your info from
been all over German embassy site autobahn site and nothing on it ...
16th Nov 2010 10:58 pm
PaulP
Member Since: 04 May 2007
Location: Barcelona
Posts: 4317
We've been having the same discussion on the spanish forum over the last few weeks as the snow has started falling in Andorra and in some of the spanish mountain ranges.
Can't remember where the info is from, but if you google snowflake, m+s, winter, tyres and words like that you should find plenty of info - although it is generic and related to the differences between M+S and winter tyres and not directly related to German traffic laws 2006 Discovery 3 TDV6 SE AutoBuckingham Blue 2007 Golf GT DSG
16th Nov 2010 11:01 pm
grzesiul
Member Since: 11 May 2008
Location: UK
Posts: 6415
written to autobahn regulation agency with questions see what they gonna reply with
cheers
16th Nov 2010 11:09 pm
grzesiul
Member Since: 11 May 2008
Location: UK
Posts: 6415
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people will have to run winter tyres or not 
