Winter Tires
Using Winter Tires
From May 1, 2006, the road traffic regulations were changed to include the following: "Vehicle equipment must be adapted to the weather conditions. This includes suitable tires and freeze protection in the windshield washer system."
Inform the customer that since May 1st, 2006, he or she is obligated to adapt vehicle equipment, especially tires, to winter weather conditions.
For the winter operation, it is recommended to mount winter tires in the sizes shown in the parts certificate table.
Always applicable:
All tire sizes listed in the vehicle papers can also be driven as winter tires!
The handling characteristics may be affected due to the use of winter tires the resulting changes in wheel and tire dimensions. For this reason, driving speed must be adapted to the changed handling characteristics and road conditions.
To attain best handling characteristics winter tires must be mounted on all wheels.
If while mounting the winter tires, the vehicle is equipped with rims that are not factory-fitted, the following must be observed:
- Wheels and wheel bolts are coordinated to each other!
- When retrofitting to different wheels, the corresponding wheel nuts with the correct length and cup shape 1 must be used. The secure seating of the wheels and the function of the brake system depend on it!
- Winter tires with tread depth of less than 4 to 5 mm are only for limited use during winter operation.
- In some countries, at least 4 mm tread depth are required for winter tires.
- It is recommended to not use winter tires longer than six years. The aging process reduces the particular "winter characteristics" of these tires independently from the mileage.
Vehicles with Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS)
On vehicles with tire pressure monitoring system, the tire pressure must be resaved or adapted after each change from summer to winter tires or vice versa. Refer to the suspension repair Service Information for respective model.