Winter or snow tyres that receive the official snowflake marking, also known as the 3PMSF ‘3 Peak Mountain Snow Flake’ symbol, provide verified safety for demanding snow conditions.
The definition of a winter tire is stated in the European ECE regulation 117.02. It states that the tire’s tread pattern, tread material or structure must be primarily designed in order to provide better characteristics than ordinary tires in terms of acceleration, traction and stopping under demanding winter conditions, and that it must be verified.
The 3PMSF symbol is standardized and controlled by EU authorities, guaranteeing that the product meets the conditions of rigorous testing and is suitable for operation in difficult weather conditions.
3PMSF marked tires have been approved through regulation tests to guarantee a higher level of performance under winter conditions stated in the European ECE regulation 117.02.
3PMSF winter tires are designed to stay flexible in temperatures below 7°C and provide excellent grip on snow, slush, wet roads and bare asphalt. The aggressive tread design and siping provides grip and stability in snow and will disperse away water and wet snow slush.
Compared to M+S tyres, 3PMSF winter tires offer superior braking and cornering performance on wet and rough ice, soft and hard-packed snow, and slush. A tire without the 3MPSF marking cannot be marketed as a snow tire or a winter tire.
