Tires have a lot of information on their sidewalls; some are important, especially the winter markings, to know if the tires are approved for winter use. If you see an M+S marking on the tire, it just means that the tread has been designed for handling mud and snow; this doesn’t necessarily mean that they are good for winter use.
If you see a 3-peak mountain with a snowflake inside, often referred to as the 3PMSF-symbol, it indicates that they have passed some performance tests on snow. This means that they are thus safe to use during the winter. If you need a winter tire, you will need to make sure that the tires have a 3PMSF-symbol on the tire’s sidewall. If not, then you should refrain from using them.
There are two different types of tires that are approved for winter use: winter tires, which are only to be used during the winter season and all-weather tires that can be approved for winter use. Don’t just trust the names, as, e.g., all-season tires shouldn’t be used during the winter season. You therefore need to study a bit more to understand which ones will be the best tires for you and your vehicle. You have winter and snow tires have the severe service emblem and you also have all-weather tires. With winter tires you combine them with all-season tires, while with all-weather tires you can use them all-year-round.
When you purchase new tires, it is usually advisable to purchase a tire with the same markings, as you don’t want to change the dimensions.
For more information regarding tire markings, visit: https://www.nokiantires.com/