Since Nokian Tyres invented winter tires and all-weather tires, it's our duty to inform about three symbols on tires’ sidewalls that drivers - especially winter weather drivers - need to know.
Tire Sidewall Markings: Here Are Three Symbols You Should Know
M+S Marking
Most tires on the market carries the “M+S” marking. It stands for “Mud and Snow.” It is mainly used to set all-season tires apart from summer tires.
“The ‘Mud and Snow’ designation does not require testing or certification,” says 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.”
We encourage 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 says. “Anyone who visits winter, or sees winter visit them, should consider driving tires that have the Severe Service Emblem on the sidewall.”
So - are winter tires worth it in areas that experience winter weather? Absolutely.
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. Our 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.”
We partnered with other tiremakers to establish the emblem through ISO, the International Standardization Organization, a global network of experts that establishes independent standards for product quality and safety.
Other winter driving tips
Wherever you’re driving this winter, your tires are the only part of your vehicle that will touch the road. It’s vital to make sure you’re on a set of rubber that will let you forget the forecast. For more driving safety tips that will help keep you safe in snow and ice, click here. Visit our Tips page to learn more about a wide range of important topics like winter tire pressure and winter tire tread depth recommendations, and when to put on winter tires.
Interested in buying a set of winter-ready tires? Check out our dealer locator to find a tire shop near you.
