Winter Regulations for Commercial Vehicle Tires: Continental Releases Updated Overview of National Rules

Hanover, Germany, September 23, 2021. The legal stipulations governing winter equipment on trucks and buses are quite different in many European countries. In Denmark, Italy and the Netherlands, for example, there remains no general obligation to fit winter tires on commercial vehicles. By contrast, Germany, Austria and Spain have put specific regulations in place for the fitment of winter tires. France has tightened up their winter equipment regulations for 2021 similar to Norway. With not long to go until the changeover window to winter tires, Continental has therefore compiled a summary of the current regulations – including the most important changes – for truck and bus/coach drivers and fleet managers. Continental’s new brochure entitled “Tackle winter with confidence.” explores the demands placed on tires by wintry road conditions and provides useful tire knowhow for the winter season. And the tire manufacturer has rounded off its wide-reaching winter portfolio with the Scandinavia Generation 3 winter tire line. These tires are designed to handle extremely tough winter conditions and boast high levels of traction without compromising on mileage. Continental provides a compelling proposition for its customers as an international solutions and service expert – with both its range of new products and an array of retreaded tires. New retread products have been added to the winter tire portfolio.

In some of Europe’s key transit countries – such as Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Belgium and Poland – no changes have been made to the winter equipment requirements for trucks and buses compared to last year. In France, winter equipment is already mandatory on specially marked roads. A new rule now explicitly refers to the 3PMSF marking instead of only to the M+S marking and affects passenger cars as well as commercial vehicles. From 1.11-31.03. at the discretion of the individual “départements” winter equipment stipulations apply on certain roads signaled by the road signs B26 [snow chains mandatory] and B58/B59 [winter tires mandatory]:

Trucks without trailers and buses must carry snow chains for fitment on at least two driven wheels or have at least two steered wheels for the main steering system and at least two driven wheels fitted with tires in M+S and 3PMSF marking (until 01.11.2024 tires with either M+S or 3PMSF specification are still accepted). Trucks with trailers must carry snow chains for fitment on at least two driven wheels.

This regulation applies from November 1 until March 31 at the discretion of the local authorities.  Already since season 2020/2021, Norway requires winter tires with the 3PMSF symbol for the drive axle and the front steer axle. Free-rolling axles must be fitted with tires bearing the 3PMSF symbol or M+S marking.

Information on winter equipment requirements is important, but choosing the right tires is even more so. Continental has rounded off its extensive range of winter tires for commercial vehicles for the winter season 2021/22 with a 22.5-inch tire. “We have developed the Scandinavia Generation 3 tire line for a broad spread of road surfaces and all weather conditions,” explains Hinnerk Kaiser, Head of Tire Development at Continental. This family of tires impress with their outstanding traction in winter conditions combined with a long lifespan. Optimized compounds provide excellent grip on snow, ice and in the wet without compromising in terms of mileage, wear or tread durability. “Our two-stage siping technology offers our customers all-round safety all year round,” adds Kaiser. “The tires provide secure performance in challenging weather conditions during the winter months and also help to enhance safety and efficiency in summer with their optimized rolling resistance and high mileage capability.” The Scandinavia line from Continental is therefore a safe bet for all axle positions and sizes. “The high natural rubber content of our tires gives them lower rolling resistance and the required flexibility in low temperatures,” says Kaiser. Optimized filler and oil content ensures better wear properties and therefore sustainability and efficiency.

This product line does everything required of a specialist tire for extreme winter use. But it also safely covers all the bases as an all-rounder for the variety of conditions presented by the winter months. The Generation 3 tires – the Conti Scandinavia HS3, HD3 and HT3 – are therefore equipped to contribute significantly to the operational safety of vehicles in a wide range of road and weather conditions. “We have pooled together our tire expertise for the Generation 3 winter tire family and employed new technologies to increase performance beyond existing boundaries,” says Kaiser.

Continental provides an overview of the current regulations for winter tires at https://www.continental-tires.com/transport/products/tires/winter-truck-tires.

The Conti Scandinavia HS3 steer axle tire is offered in the following sizes: 295/80 R 22.5, 315/80 R 22.5, 315/70 R 22.5, 385/65 R 22.5, 385/55 R 22.5.

The Conti Scandinavia HD3 drive axle tire is available in the following sizes: 295/80 R 22.5, 315/80 R 22.5, 315/70 R 22.5.

The Conti Scandinavia HT3 trailer tire is offered in the following sizes: 385/65 R 22.5, 385/55 R 22.5.