The usefulness of snow tires

Should you equip your VSP with winter tires?

With the arrival of cold weather and snow, every year many of our customers ask our opinion on whether or not to invest in snow tires for their VSP.

Before giving you our opinion, let's remind you what a winter tire is

A winter winter tires feature sipes, i.e. fine grooves or stripes, which act like studs to ensure better grip on the road, as well as deeper grooves for easier evacuation of water and/or mud.

Winter tires essential in certain regions

Winter tires winter tires sell very well in eastern France, the Alps and the Pyrenees. In short, in regions where their usefulness seems obvious. But professionals and the French road safety organization Prévention Routière are urging us to adopt them more widely.

"Even on dry roads, from 7°C upwards, winter tires mean safety!" proclaims the campaign launched in early October 2011. It's no longer about snow or wet surfaces. The message focuses on the drop in temperatures, which alone would justify changing tires.

But the 7°C mark is an average below which tires would have less grip. So if you live in a region where the 7°C mark is regularly reached, it's best to buy winter tires.

Are winter tires a legal requirement?

The French Ministry of Transport gave a clear answer in August 2011 in the Journal Officiel: "The wide range of climatic conditions encountered in our country does not justify the introduction of a general obligation to fit snow tires... Moreover, this is a relatively expensive piece of equipment, requiring specific mounting and dismounting by a professional, which it is not worth imposing on all our fellow citizens in view of the small benefits expected in terms of road safety."

Can I drive all year round on winter tires?

It's best to avoid driving on winter tires all year round. They brake better when it's cold, but less well than summer tires when the temperature rises. So you lose out on safety!

As well as having more grip on the road, these tires also consume more fuel.

How do you keep your winter tires in good condition over the summer?

We advise you to clean them (remove stones and other rubble), rinse them with water and dry them before storing them for the summer in a dry place (temperate if possible) away from light. A little tip: remember to identify your tires (rear, front, left, right...) to make the next fitting easier ;)

Find our full range of winter and all-seasontires on our website PieceSansPermis.fr

Our no-license experts have selected this specific range of tires from the market's leading suppliers for their grip and longevity. As tires are an essential part of your licence-free car's safety, it's best to choose good-quality tires!

2.5.0.0