In many countries legislation exists that requires the use of winter tyres during specified periods of the year.
M+S (mud and snow) tyres have a recognised level of winter performance and need not be renewed. The M+S marking on the tyre's sidewall indicates an 'all season' tyre designed for use all year round, including cold temperatures, snow and ice.
This symbol identifies dedicated winter tyres, which can be fitted if optimum winter traction is required, or the vehicle is to be used in more extreme winter conditions.
Note: A dedicated winter tyre often has a lower speed rating than the original equipment tyre, and the vehicle must; therefore, be driven within the speed limitation of the tyre. Consult your Retailer/Authorised Repairer for further information. In markets that require a tyres maximum speed label to be fitted, the tyre's maximum speed label should be placed within the driver's field of vision.
These can be obtained from the tyre Retailer.
The tyre pressures indicated on the tyre information label are for use in all conditions on the original equipment tyres. If a reduced speed rating tyre is fitted, the recommended pressures are only suitable for use below 160 km/h (100 mph).
For optimum traction, tyres should be run in for at least 160 kilometres on dry roads, before driving on snow or ice.
Note: * Studded tyres are market dependent. Consult a Retailer/Authorised Repairer.
Note: The vehicle's speed should be limited to a maximum of 180 km/h (112 mph) when recommended winter tyres are fitted. Failure to comply with this speed restriction will mean that the tyres are underinflated for the vehicle's speed. In addition the TPMS will fail to warn of underinflation at the correct pressure thresholds for these higher speeds.
Contact your Retailer/Tyre distributor for the supply of an appropriate label, which should be placed within the driver's field of vision, as a reminder of this speed restriction.
Use of dedicated winter tyres may require a change of wheel size, depending on the original choice of wheel. All 4 wheels must be changed.
If fitted with standard rubber valves, the Tyre Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) warning lamp will flash for 75 seconds and then remain illuminated. The Message centre will also display TYRE PRESSURE MONITORING SYSTEM FAULT.
When the original wheels and tyres are refitted, the vehicle will need to travel a short distance to reset the TPMS and extinguish the warning lamp.
For more information on winter tyres, contact a Retailer/Authorised Repairer.