Tyre Advice For Your Customers Driving to a Skiing Holiday In Europe.

Cold Weather Tyres – potential for developing the market…..

Previous NTDA Service Bulletins have been devoted to the subject of cold weather tyres, explaining how stopping distances are dramatically reduced on cold, damp roads, when the temperature falls below 7ºC.

There is a small, yet growing, market for cold weather tyres in the UK and this can provide tyre retailers with additional profit opportunities for a little extra effort.

The main obstacle to selling cold weather tyres is lack of knowledge on the part of the customer – the chances are that he has never heard of

cold weather tyres, or if he has, then it was probably as "winter" rather than "cold weather".

If it is explained how the tread pattern, compound and construction of cold weather tyres improve grip and thus enhance safety, the customer might be persuaded to invest in a set.

Some retailers offer the facility of a "tyre hotel", storing the second set of tyres and rims for the

NTDA Service Bulletin

We have a team of tyre technicians waiting to answer your technical problems – call our freephone number 0121 386 4624 (members password “explorer”)

NTDA Technical Helpline 0121 386 4624 (members only – password protected 01 /09

TYRE ADVICE FOR YOUR CUSTOMERS DRIVING TO A SKIING HOLIDAY IN EUROPE

motorist, usually either free or at a nominal charge. The potential commercial advantages of having a customer visit your depot twice a year are self-evident.Another argument to back up the safety angle is that of legislation; while it is true that there are no laws concerning the use of cold weather tyres in the UK, the same is not true for many of our mainland European neighbours and the motorist who takes his vehicle across the English Channel could unwittingly be breaking the law. If you can inform your customer of the

legal requirements in countries that he may be visiting, it may lead to a sale.

Below are details of what is and isn't allowed, or required, in certain European countries. Incidentally, referring back to the UK, a frequently-asked question is whether or not spiked tyres are allowed on UK roads? The answer is "yes", with the proviso that the spikes do not cause damage to the road surface.

WINTER TYRE LAWS IN EUROPE

Austria

The legislation in Austria regarding cold weather tyres is both complex and comprehensive and varies according to type of vehicle.

For vehicles carrying more than eight passengers, it is compulsory to have winter tyres at least on the drive axle from 1st November to 15th March. For goods transport vehicles with a GVW in excess of 3.5 tons, this is compulsory from 1st November to 15th April.

For passenger cars, the use of winter tyres can be enforced through road signs in certain areas and it is recommended to have winter tyres fitted from 1st November to 15th April and outside these dates if roads are snowy and icy.

Snow chains are permitted and may be compulsory in some regions.

A winter tyre is defined as having the M+S mark and at least 4mm of tread.

Spikes are allowed and vehicles with spiked tyres are subject to reduced speed limits.

Belgium

Winter tyres are not compulsory.

Snow chains are permitted.

Spiked tyres are allowed from 1st November to 31st March, with speed limits of 90 km/hr on motorways and 60 km/hr on other roads.

Bosnia Herzegovina

Winter tyres compulsory from 15th November to 15th April.

From 1st November to 15th April it is compulsory to have snow chains and a shovel on board.

Spiked tyres are forbidden.

Bulgaria

Winter tyres are not compulsory.

Between 1st November and 31st March it is compulsory to have snow chains (at least one set for the drive wheels) on board and their use is mandated by road signs.

Spiked tyres are forbidden.

Croatia

In winter (no dates specified) a vehicle must have M+S tyres on the driving wheels at least or summer radials on all four wheels. Minimum tread depth is 4mm.

Winter equipment (shovel and snow chains for at least the drive axle) must be carried (no dates specified).

Spiked tyres are forbidden.

Denmark

Winter tyres are not compulsory.

Snow chains are allowed (recommended by the AA).

Spiked tyres (all four wheels) are permitted from 1st November to 1st April. Speed limits for spiked vehicles are 110 km/hr on motorways and 80 km/hr on other roads.

France

No general requirement for winter tyres, but in some areas they may be compulsory, mandated by road signs.

Snow chains (at least two for driving wheels) may be compulsory in some areas, so it is recommended to carry them.

Spiked tyres are allowed for goods-carrying vehicles.

Germany

Winter tyres are not compulsory, but tyres fitted must be suitable for the weather conditions, or

motorists face an on-the-spot fine and possible reduction in insurance pay out. The fine may be increased if an incident causes a traffic hold-up. Winter or all-season tyres must carry the M+S mark or snowflake symbol on the sidewall.

Snow chains are recommended, as their use may be compulsory in certain areas.

Spiked tyres are not allowed.

Hungary

No legislation regarding winter tyres.

The carrying of snow chains (drive axle at least) is compulsory and may be necessary to obtain entry to the country.

Spiked tyres are not allowed.

Italy

Winter tyres and snow chains are not compulsory, (except locally in some areas) but not having them could weigh against you if there is an accident. As they are compulsory in some areas, it is best to have them.

Snow chains must be at least for the drive axle.

Spiked tyres are allowed but speed limits are reduced.

Luxembourg

Winter tyres are not compulsory, but lack of them will be taken into account should the vehicle be involved in an accident. If the speed rating of the winter tyres is less than that of the car, the tyres cannot be used between 1st April and 30th October.

Snow chains are permitted on snowy or icy roads.

Spiked tyres are allowed from 1st December to 31st March. Reduced speed limits apply.

Netherlands

There is no legislation covering winter tyres.

Snow chains are not permitted.

Spiked tyres are not permitted.

Portugal

Portugal has no legislation covering winter tyres.

Snow chain use (drive axle) is compulsory where indicated by road signs.

Spiked tyres are not permitted.

Spain

In certain areas, winter tyres or snow chains are compulsory, as mandated by road signs, so it is recommended to fit/carry them.

Spiked tyres are permitted on snow and ice from 15th November to 31st March.Switzerland

Winter tyres are compulsory on certain roads, as mandated by road signs. While there is no general requirement to fit winter tyres, lack of them will be taken into account in case of an accident, so they are recommended.

Snow chains are compulsory in some areas, as mandated by signs.

Spiked tyres (all four wheels) are allowed from 1st November to 30th April. Speed limit is reduced to 80 km/hr.

POINTS TO NOTE WHEN FITTING WINTER TYRES

Cold weather (winter) tyre technology has improved tremendously over the years. The increased performance of modern motor vehicles and higher driver expectations mean that the benefits of cold weather (winter) tyres are significant for both driver and manufacturer.

Many manufacturers have winter tyres within their tyre approval program and this trend is

growing. It is advised however that should the cold weather (winter) tyre fitment have a lower speed symbol than the manufacturer approved summer equivalent on the vehicle, that a reminder to the driver in the form of a sticker be placed on the dashboard, and the drivers insurance company be advised of the new tyre fitment.

No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without the prior permission in writing of the publishers.

Although great care has been taken in the compilation and preparation of this bulletin to ensure accuracy, the publishers cannot in any circumstances accept responsibility for errors or omissions or advice given in this publication.

Copyright ©NTDA 2008

Published by the NTDA in association with

Tyre Fort, 88-89 Wingfoot Way,Erdington, Birmingham, B24 9HYTel: 0121 382 4825 Fax: 0121 382 6109e-mail: info@entyrety.co.uk