Tires : symbols, snow ?, mud, what do they mean ?

[jessef]

Police are already checking between Squamish/Whistler on the Sea to Sky highway for snow rated tires.

Don't want to be slipping everywhere, so get some good winter tires on if you don't already.

If you are not sure about your tires, please look for either one symbol below :

Severe snowflake symbol commonly found on snow tires and some all-terrain tires -



or for M + S (mud and snow) -





1. The peaked mountain with snowflake symbol indicates a snow tire.
2. M+S (Mud and Snow) indicates an all-season tire.
3. P stands for Passenger vehicle (or you may find L for Light-Duty Vehicle)
4. 195 is the width of the tire in millimeters.
5. 60 is the "aspect ratio" - the ratio of the height of the sidewall to the width, expressed as a percentage.
6. R Means the tire has radial construction
7. 15 represents the wheel diameter in inches.
8. 87 is the load index.
9. Q is the speed rating.

[Green1]

They actually accept the M+S? every all season tire has that rating, and it means... well nothing actually, which is why the snowflake symbol came in to existence, to indicate something that can actually handle snow and ice!

[jessef]

BFG AT KO, Procomp AT's are discontinuing the snowflake and using the M+S symbol.

I think there are others as well. I went to a few tires shops today looking for some meats for a Jeep and was surprised to see the lack of snowflake symbol I'm used to seeing on many tires in the past. Even snow tires that are clearly real snow tires.

I wonder if they are doing away with it.

[flyfishn]

I would wager that these manufacturers don't meet the guidlines to have the snowflake on the sidewall.

"Transport Canada and the Rubber Association of Canada advise motorists to think about safe driving in winter. Snow Tires marked with the pictograph of a peaked mountain with a snowflake meet specific snow traction performance requirements, and have been designed specifically for use in severe snow conditions".

Just like people think all season works in the snow and ice. Regular tires at below 5-7 degrees act like hockey pucks.

I have AT tires (they were a blast at Cypress last week) but I will be purchasing Goodyear Nordics. I want that added safety. $500 will be well spent.

[Green1]

BFG AT KO, Procomp AT's are discontinuing the snowflake and using the M+S symbol.

I asked at Kal Tire and they said that the certification had been revoked on the BFGs because they weren't considered good enough on ice and snow.
This doesn't surprise me at all, the only people who like BFGs are the ones who run them, and frequently because they have little to compare them to. unbiased reviews usually have very little good to say about them.

M+S means nothing, any manufacturer can stamp that on any tire they like, and every all-season tire has it. places with "snow tire" laws usually won't accept "M+S", they will require the snowflake.

[jessef]

Just made a trip up to whistler and back.

The snow is everywhere now.

Police are out in large numbers doing roadside checks/roadblocks checking for snow tires (snowflake symbol) and/or chains.

If you don't have either one, they turn you around. 4x4, big mud tires, it doesn't matter.

I've been asking around the local tire shops and there are very few remaining tire brands that have the mountain snowflake symbol on non-dedicated snow tires.

I have a set of Goodyear Duratrac AT tires. They carry the mountain snowflake symbol.

After driving around all summer, playing in the mud/rock and now rain/ice and heavy snow, they rock.

I put my L400 into AWD mode in Vancouver and just drove straight to whistler, played around on some snow covered logging roads and it was great.

Thumbs up for these tires along with the Kevlar MTR's that are on Turtle. They both work great in snow.

Just a head's up for anyone venturing on the highways in BC. When I spoke with the policeman at the roadblock who was checking for snow tires/chains, he said that they are now going to be everywhere and will setup some permanent roadcheck to be prepared for the Olympic rush of vehicles.

Head's up.