Experts, noting that the characteristics winter tires must possess are determined by international regulations, state that tires without the 'Three-Peak Mountain Snowflake (3PSF)' logo on the sidewall, meaning only having the M+S logo, are not winter tires. Safe Driving Expert Lecturer Özgür Şener, also stating that winter tires are not a luxury, said, “Winter tires should be used not only on road vehicles carrying passengers and goods, but on all road vehicles, including automobiles.” Şener pointed out that winter tires are not superheroes that can take the driver everywhere no matter the conditions, and also stated that winter tires are not equipment that can perform the task of snow chains.
Üsküdar Üniversitesi Occupational Health and Safety Department Lecturer Özgür Şener addressed the topic of winter tires, explaining why they should be used.
Road holding performance does not decrease in weather conditions below 7 degrees Celsius
Şener stated that winter tires are specially produced tires aimed at enabling road vehicles used in weather conditions of 7 degrees Celsius and below to travel safely, and that these tires have a structure that does not harden and does not reduce road holding performance in weather conditions below 7 degrees Celsius.
Şener said, “In a general sense, winter tires are tires for which the characteristics they must possess have been determined and certified by international regulations, produced for use in winter conditions in accordance with these standards, and have the Three-Peak Mountain Snowflake (3PSF) logo along with the M+S logo on their sidewalls.”
Tires without the ‘Three-Peak Mountain Snowflake (3PSF)’ logo are not winter tires
Şener stated that winter tires have 10 times more fine slits (called sipes), which are structures resembling capillaries, on their surfaces compared to tires without winter tire features. He continued, “They have surfaces created with channels that provide good water drainage. Thanks to their special compound structure, they do not harden in weather conditions of 7 degrees Celsius and below, and they provide good road holding.”
Şener also noted that tires without the ‘Three-Peak Mountain Snowflake (3PSF)’ logo on the sidewall, meaning only having the M+S logo, are not winter tires. He said, “Expecting the safe driving characteristics of a true winter tire from tires with only the M+S logo leads to traffic accidents.”
Winter tires are not a luxury
Özgür Şener provided the following information:
“Winter tires are not a luxury, but a necessity for safe use on all road-contacting tires of all road vehicles in winter conditions. It is not merely a rule to be formally observed to avoid being penalized with a traffic fine for not using winter tires. It is equipment so important and critical that it can cause traffic accidents, leading to deaths and injuries.”
If conditions worsen, driving should not continue relying solely on winter tires
Şener stated that while winter tires offer an advantage on snowy and icy surfaces compared to non-winter tires, they do not guarantee safe driving in such conditions. He warned, “In these types of ground and weather conditions, the safest behavior, if not obliged, is not to hit the road. If one has set out and conditions have worsened, driving should not continue by relying solely on winter tires. Speed should be reduced, following distance increased, and driving should be done by monitoring the behavior of other drivers and traffic flow much more carefully. If driving is deemed unsafe, one should go to a safe area and end the journey.”
Winter tires are not superheroes that can take the driver anywhere, no matter the conditions
Safe Driving Expert Şener noted that winter tires are not superheroes that can take the driver and their vehicle anywhere, regardless of the conditions, as depicted in tire advertisements. He said, “The contribution of tires to safe driving should be evaluated along with many components such as ground conditions, weather conditions, vehicle load status, and vehicle technical specifications. The recommended safe tread depth is 4 centimeters. Tires below this tread depth will not be able to fully perform the characteristics of winter tires. A winter tire is not equipment that can perform the task of a snow chain. It is necessary to install chains for safe driving on snowy and icy surfaces.”
Why should winter tires be used?
Özgür Şener stated that winter tires provide better ground grip in winter conditions compared to other tires, saying, “They provide better water drainage in rainy weather, and thus better ground grip. They provide an advantage at initial take-off by ensuring good grip on slippery surfaces. When braking on slippery surfaces, the stopping distance with winter tires is much shorter compared to tires without winter tire features. On some slippery surfaces, summer tires provide a stopping distance 3 times longer than winter tires.”
When should they be used?
Şener also pointed out that despite being called winter tires, they should be used when the air temperature drops below 7 degrees Celsius, regardless of the season and date, and concluded his words as follows:
“In our country, vehicles used for passenger and goods transportation are required to use winter tires annually between December 1st and April 1st. Unfortunately, as a wrong practice, tires that are mandatory for winter and those that are not can be used on the same vehicle. We would like to remind you again; winter tires should be used not only on road vehicles carrying passengers and goods, but on all road vehicles, including automobiles, and on all tires of vehicles that come into contact with the road.”