In addition to the tire size designation and index, when choosing tires, it is important to choose the correct purpose, so that your vehicle is safe and in accordance with legal regulations. That is why in this text we will try to explain to you in the simplest way what is the purpose of which tires and in which conditions it is used, and in which it should not be.
Let's be clear - the difference between winter and summer tires is not only in the depth and type of pattern, but also in the material from which they are made. Winter tires are made of a softer compound, which retains good characteristics even when the temperature goes far below zero, with the characteristic deep pattern helping to adhere to snow and ice.
Due to the poorly defined, and even worse interpreted law in our country, a large number of drivers are mistaken. How did that come about? The law says that from November 1st to April 1st, all four tires that have the M + S mark I must be fitted on the vehicle, and that the depth of the pattern must not be less than 4 mm. However, even though you are fulfilling a legal obligation by using tires marked M + S, that does not mean that these are real winter tires! The designation M + S practically means only the geometry of the pattern and nothing more. There is no criterion that a tire must meet in order for a manufacturer to put this mark. Only the mark 3PMSF - Snowflake and three mountain peaks is relevant, because only this mark shows that it is a winter tire.
The designation M + S (MS or M&S), on the sidewall of the tire, in fact does not indicate either a winter tire or a tire for all seasons, but only the geometry of the pattern. The letter M denotes mud (Mud), and the letter S denotes snow. In order for the tire to be winter, in addition to the M + S mark, it must have three mountain peaks drawn with a snowflake in the middle (3PMSF mark), which means that the tire has passed a series of tests in cold weather. Only the M + S label can be worn, and some summer tires have a "rougher" pattern, as do SUV off-road tires.
3PMSF label
Winter tire has the M + S label, but next to it it also has the label of three mountain peaks and snowflakes in the middle (3PMSF) and usually in the name of its pattern it has a word characteristic of winter: Winter, Snow, Ice ...
All-season or universal tires are specially marked by the manufacturer. For example All Season, All Weather or a series of the following symbols: sun, leaf, rain cloud and snowflake. This tire can have both the M + S mark and the 3PMSF mark, but this does not characterize it as winter. Every all-season tire is always more oriented towards summer or winter tires, depending on the manufacturer.
The summer tire can have the M + S mark, but that only shows the shape of the pattern.
Another important difference between tires for different purposes is that on most winter tires on the tread blocks there are small lamellae that support grip on snow and ice. On summer tires these lamellas are usually absent, while on all-season tires they may exist depending on the orientation of the all-season tires.
As we stated earlier in the text, the law is such that it leaves a lot of room for subjective interpretation, which is why our drivers most often mix the M + S label with universal, ie all-season tires. Since the law did not define the mandatory use of summer tires, many drivers concluded from the context that an M + S tire can be driven all year round. To some extent, this is logical, because they are mandatory in winter, and there is no obligation to take them off in summer, but still it is not correct unless they are all-season tires that have the M + S label on them.
We believe that this text, although it should have solved the dilemma of how to choose a tire, may have created even more confusion about the choice, so we would like to note that you do not hesitate to send us all your questions and dilemmas to onlineshop @ kingtire. .rs or call us on the phone number 015 / 370-789 so that together we can try to find the best solution for you!