Do you change tires in your car? Here is the most common designation for all-season tires!

Each tire has many different markings. They allow you to choose the right tires according to your expectations and needs, as well as the requirements of the vehicle. These symbols inform drivers about parameters such as size, load and speed index, homologation, reinforcement, rim protection and pressure. Reading them is not very difficult even for amateurs, but understanding the meaning of these symbols is a little more difficult. Get to know the most common all-season tire designations.

Designation of all-season tires - how to distinguish them?

Tires used in our country can be divided into three main types - winter, summer and all-weather. When you go shopping, how can you tell them apart and choose the right ones? The most common labels are All Weather, 4Seasons or All Seasons. Translated from English, this means that they are designed to be used at any time of the year. The most common designations for all-season tires are also M+S and 3PMSF. About a dozen years ago it was difficult to determine which tires were winter and which were all-season. However, in 2012, rules were introduced regarding the symbols placed on them. EU authorities have agreed that all signs in the EU will look the same.

Marking of all-season tires - M+S symbol

One of the most common symbols is the tire designation M+S. Sometimes also spelled M/S, M&S, or simply MS. These are the first two letters of English words mud i snowthis is what "snow and mud" means. This type of tire provides good grip on muddy and snowy roads. Do they only have winter tires? This symbol is standard on them, but not all M+S tires are winter tires. - it is often found on all-season tires and even summer tires. What does this mean in practice? This is just a manufacturer's statement that the tires are adapted to driving in difficult weather conditions, which, however, does not guarantee any safety.

3PMSF winter and all season tires - meaning

The 3PMSF symbol is another marking that can be found on tires. This is an abbreviation for English words snow flake mountain three peaks. Most often it takes the form of a snowflake against the backdrop of mountain peaks and is sometimes also called the Alpine symbol. It is found on all winter tires, guaranteeing safe movement in sub-zero temperatures and on snowy surfaces. We can also find it on all season tires. – then it gives us a guarantee that it is a reliable product that will provide us with the desired driving comfort and safety throughout the year. When choosing good all-season tires, you should pay attention to the 3PMSF marking on their sidewalls.

3PMSF and M+S tires - what's the difference?

Since both the MS and 3PMSF markings indicate that the tires are designed for driving in difficult conditions, what is the difference between them? Significant! Unlike the previous symbol, 3PMSF confirms the actual properties on the snow layer, which has been confirmed during complex tests. Some tire models are tested by independent automotive media. This symbol can only be placed on them if they have succeeded. On the other hand, the M+S marking can be found on any tire even without additional external tests and is not a guarantee of proper parameters, so it should be treated with caution.

Assignment of the 3PMSF symbol - how are you?

How does the process of assigning the 3PMSF mark to car tires work? It's quite difficult. Tires are tested on a snowy track with a slight slope. Important parameters are the length and width of the track and the thickness of the lower and upper layers - they should be 3 and 2 cm. During the tests, the air temperature at a height of 1 meter should be in the range from -2 to 15 degrees C. cm should be between 1 and 4 degrees C. After these conditions are met, the behavior of the tire is tested. Although its results are usually not disclosed, the 15PMSF symbol is only awarded to certain models that achieve a successful result.

Designation of all-season tires - what you should know about the tread?

Buying seasonal tires is never easy, because they need to provide comfort and safety all year round. When deciding on a specific model, it is worth considering the tread in detail - this is the most important element that guarantees grip and safety on the route. He is responsible for the operation of the outer layer of the tire, which is in contact with the asphalt and takes on all the efforts and pressure, which is several hundred kilograms. The tread height affects many factors such as vehicle fuel consumption, braking time and distance, vehicle start and acceleration. How to find out his condition? To do this, you should pay attention to another marking of all-weather tires - the tread wear indicator.

Tread wear indicator for all season tires or TWI.

There is no need to carry a special gauge to estimate the tread depth. Tire manufacturers put English TWI on them Tire wear indicator, which is a wear indicator. It is usually located on the edge of the tread and can take several forms. In winter tires, they act as high ridges that show up faster than wear indicators. The tread of all-season tires can also be marked with layers of rubber in bright colors that show up when the top layer is rubbed. Tires with a tread less than 3 mm should not be used, as this significantly reduces their grip on wet surfaces.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does 3PMSF stand for?

The designation is short for snow flake mountain three peaks it is also called the Alpine symbol. Most often, it depicts a snowflake against the backdrop of mountain peaks and means that the tires guarantee reliability and safety on snow and in sub-zero temperatures. This symbol may only be placed on officially certified tyres.

What does the symbol on the M plus S tire mean?

The M+S marking can be found on any tire even without any additional external testing and does not guarantee proper performance. This is only a statement from the manufacturer that this model feels good on snowy surfaces.

Are MS tires all season?

This is one of the most common symbols on tires. It is commonly used on winter tyres, but is often found on all season and even summer tyres. Tires with this marking do not have official certificates, but are a manufacturer's declaration that the tires are adapted to driving in difficult conditions.