Not Sure Which Tires to Buy? Check These Three Symbols

DAYTON, Tenn. – Tires may look similar, but there are key differences tt can make a big difference for driver safety, especially in the winter months. Nokian Tyres, the inventor of the winter and all-weather tires, is here to educate drivers about three symbols on tires’ sidewalls that send an important message about how they’re designed to perform.

M+S Marking

Most tires on the market carries the “M+S” marking. It stands for “Mud and Snow.” According to Nokian Tyres experts, it is mainly used to set all-season tires apart from summer tires.

“The ‘Mud and Snow’ designation does not require testing or certification,” said Nokian Tyres North America Director of Products Steve Bourassa. “It is only a design requirement for tires to include a certain volume of grooves and certain shapes for tread blocks included in the tread pattern. There are no performance requirements to qualify for M+S in any weather conditions.”

Nokian Tyres encourages tire buyers to look past M+S and instead search for two other symbols that paint a clearer picture of a tire’s winter capabilities.

Three-Peak Mountain Snowflake

To officially be labeled suitable for winter, a tire needs to have the Severe Service Emblem, better known as the three-peak mountain snowflake. Drivers can find the symbol on all winter and all-weather tires, as well as some all-terrain tires.

In order to qualify for the three-peak mountain snowflake (3PMSF), a tire needs to exceed a standard reference tire’s performance in a snow traction test. All-season tires are not designed for use in temperatures below 45 degrees Fahrenheit (7 degrees Celsius) and do not come with the Severe Service Emblem.

“Tires emblazoned with the snowflake are certainly better than all-season tires in snowy conditions,” Bourassa said. “Anyone who visits winter, or sees winter visit them, should consider driving tires that have the Severe Service Emblem on the sidewall.”

Ice Grip Symbol

But not all tires that have the three-peak mountain snowflake are created equal. That’s where a new, more rigorous standard comes into play.

In 2021, the tire industry created the Ice Grip Symbol to distinguish winter-capable tires from elite winter tires. To be eligible for the ice grip marking, tires must brake at least 18 percent better on ice than a standard reference test tire in a certified test. Nokian Tyres’ latest winter products, the Nokian Tyres Hakkapeliitta 10 and Hakkapeliitta R5, both carry the Ice Grip Symbol on their sidewalls. All-weather tires do not meet the standards for the new emblem.

“If a tire has the Ice Grip Symbol, it is designed to perform in the most dangerous winter conditions and driving surfaces,” said Bourassa. “Winter tires that come with the Ice Grip Symbol are the safest possible choice for drivers who experienced sustained snow and ice.”

Nokian Tyres and other tiremakers established the emblem through ISO, the International Standardization Organization, a global network of experts that establishes independent standards for product quality and safety.

Nokian Tyres invented the winter tire 90 years ago and introduced the all-weather tire 25 years ago. The King of Winter invites drivers to uncover more winter driving safety tips by visiting NokianTyres.com/WinterLegend.