Member Since: 11 May 2008
Location: UK
Posts: 6415
anyone had any issues driving through germany in winter??
do I really need go winter rubber for Germany????
16th Nov 2010 2:42 pm
J@mes
Member Since: 10 Nov 2008
Location: Bomber County
Posts: 4547
My missus' dad has driven to Austria, via Germany every winter for the past 15 years and not had any issue with not having winter tyres on. Always has the chains with him as he drives to the ski resorts. I did it last year and had no trouble, I'll be doing it this year and won't have winter tyres either.
Now, I'm not saying it is right, that you aren't better off with winter tyres or that you won't be breaking the local laws by not having winter tyres, just that we haven't had any issues with all-season tyres.
2014 D4 XS
2005 D3 SE - Gone
16th Nov 2010 2:49 pm
adam
Member Since: 20 Sep 2005
Location: Home and Happy
Posts: 6917
I think Montgomery found some parts tough going
I'll get my coat
16th Nov 2010 2:51 pm
DSL Keeper of the wheelie bin
Member Since: 11 May 2006
Location: Off again! :-)
Posts: 73134
That was North Africa!!
16th Nov 2010 2:53 pm
J@mes
Member Since: 10 Nov 2008
Location: Bomber County
Posts: 4547
On some countries it mentions that winter tyres are compulsory, but on Germany it says you are "obliged to have the correct tyres for the conditions" which IMO can be open to interpretation.2014 D4 XS
2005 D3 SE - Gone
16th Nov 2010 2:55 pm
grzesiul
Member Since: 11 May 2008
Location: UK
Posts: 6415
I found some info saying it is prohibited to frive on snow not having winter rubber fitted and if cought be fined to drive on summer rubber on roads covered with snow or ice....
16th Nov 2010 3:48 pm
MogulBoy
Member Since: 07 Feb 2010
Location: Devon
Posts: 140
That e-tyres site is badly written up. The Switzerland section for example starts off with a reference to Austria! I wouldn't take it as gospel.
Saying that, I'm afriad that I have no idea what the rules are in Germany but I would be amazed if there is a National law on it.
P.S. I have 10 years in Switzerland so can say that the rules here are that winter tyres are not mandatory, but if you are involved in an accident your Swiss insurer may not pay out if you wern't properly equipped (same goes if you have an accident in summer whilst still using your winter tyres) and the Police may addtionally press charges for 'loss of control' leading almost inevitably to a ban of a certain duration. People out here who live in the cities and who don't habitually go into the mountains don't always bother to use winter tyres and simply leave their cars and take public transport when conditions get difficult. You certainly don't often see people struggling-on regardless like you do in the UK (but of course your public transport isn't as good!)
Last edited by MogulBoy on 16th Nov 2010 3:54 pm. Edited 1 time in total
Re: anyone had any issues driving through germany in winter?
grzesiul wrote:
do I really need go winter rubber for Germany????
yes The next American ex-pat that calls it a "truck" is going to find out what 2.7 tons feels like on their foot...
Club "yes, I too have had the EGR's replaced..."
Club "yes, I too have had the compressor replaced..."
Club "yes, I too once had the car at the dealer for a couple of weeksnearly 4 weeksover 4 weeks...5 weeks"
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16th Nov 2010 3:54 pm
J@mes
Member Since: 10 Nov 2008
Location: Bomber County
Posts: 4547
from the AA website:
Visiting Germany
If during the winter months a vehicle becomes stuck because the tyres are unsuitable, drivers are liable to an on the spot fine in Germany. If the vehicle causes an obstruction and aggravation to other traffic, the fine may be doubled. The fine may not refer specifically to the fitment of 'incorrect' tyres though but relate instead to the fact that the vehicle could not make normal progress in inclement conditions!
The German law requiring 'appropriate tyres' is national legislation only. The UK Department for Transport have confirmed that International conventions permit vehicles to circulate in international traffic as long as they satisfy general technical requirements which as far as tyres are concerned mean only "pneumatic tyres ensuring good adhesion, even in the wet".
So as far as the law is concerned your normal tyres that meet UK regulations will be OK for a winter trip to Germany though you must take measures to ensure that you can make normal progress in inclement conditions.
In practice this means carrying snow chains and using them whenever conditions or local signs require.
so in reality, NO, you don't NEED winter tyres on your D3 to drive in Germany, purely because UK all season tyres are permitted and the likelyhood of you getting stuck is low due to the traction aids built in to the D3.
But I'd still take chains!2014 D4 XS
2005 D3 SE - Gone
16th Nov 2010 4:00 pm
Ken
Member Since: 20 Feb 2006
Location: Here
Posts: 10865
Winter Tyres
16th Nov 2010 4:04 pm
Ted Newman
Member Since: 09 Oct 2010
Location: SE London
Posts: 840
I have been driving in Germany - Summer and Winter - since 1955 and have never had any problems with the "law" regarding tyres, obviously a lot depends on where you are going and if that includes the the Alpine regions then it is wise to have snow chains otherwise just make sure your tyres are nice and meaty!
Many locals to where my mother in law lives near Munich have a second set of wheels for winter and in most case they are much narrower section tyres than normal - they cut through the snow better - but they do have a good tread.
There are a lot of myths regarding driving in Germany however in all my time driving there -n and I probably do more miles in Germany than the UK - I have only ever had on "nick" and that was my own silly fault for getting caught speeding, 90 kmh in a 70 kmh zone!LR Discovery 4 XS pulling an Airstream 532 Caravan also own (since new) a 1996 MGF
16th Nov 2010 4:16 pm
grzesiul
Member Since: 11 May 2008
Location: UK
Posts: 6415
OK cool thank u all for replies still confused as Polish law does not enforce it at all I guess time to get chains or waffles or something simmilar but I think A2 / A4 should be good for winter driving not going anywhere close to mountains just crossing the DE
the law changed for this year - you must have winter tyres fitted. applicable for residents and visitors alike.The next American ex-pat that calls it a "truck" is going to find out what 2.7 tons feels like on their foot...
Club "yes, I too have had the EGR's replaced..."
Club "yes, I too have had the compressor replaced..."
Club "yes, I too once had the car at the dealer for a couple of weeksnearly 4 weeksover 4 weeks...5 weeks"
Club "yes, I too have had EPB failure..."
Club "yes, I too get mysterious bings and bongs..."
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