TCS: Important tips on tires in winter
IT'S ABOUT YOUR SAFETY Year after year, drivers are surprised by the first snow. TCS experts provide the right answers to seven frequently asked questions about winter tires. For safety reasons, it is generally not advisable to run tires down to the legal minimum tread of 1.6 millimeters. With less than four millimeters, [...]
For safety reasons, it is generally not advisable to run the tires down to the legal minimum tread of 1.6 millimeters. With less than four millimeters, driving performance on winter roads deteriorates.
Should you drive winter tires until summer?
No. As soon as spring announces itself, summer tires should be mounted again. The TCS recommends running winter tires from October to Easter. In addition, pay attention to the tread depth.
Buying on the Internet - cheaper and easier?
No. The right choice of tires is important for the operational safety of the vehicle. The TCS therefore recommends buying tires from a specialist dealer who will provide competent advice and take care of fitting. With technical knowledge, however, a bargain can certainly be made online.
Winter tires mandatory in Switzerland?
No. The law does not stipulate that cars must be equipped with winter tires in winter. However, the driver must keep his vehicle in safe operating condition at all times. If he causes an accident because the vehicle was suitably equipped, the insurance company can take recourse against him.
Are winter tires only useful on snow?
No. Winter tires are safer than summer tires at low temperatures on wet roads and on icy roads.
All-season tires an ideal compromise?
No. While newer models have shown that they can perform as well as summer and winter tires in some cases, they only achieved the good results in certain disciplines in each case. All-season tires that are efficient on summer roads have weaknesses on snow, and tires with good winter properties perform less well on dry roads.
Are expensive winter tires more efficient?
No. This claim has been repeatedly refuted in TCS tire tests. A tire should be selected according to test results and personal needs, but not according to price. TCS recommends obtaining several offers including mounting and balancing and only then selecting.
Are different profiles unproblematic?
No. It is important that tires of the same brand, tread pattern and tread depth are mounted on at least one axle, because driving assistance systems no longer work reliably if the tires are not suitable.
