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Winter driving - Frequently Asked Questions

Tips & Advice for Car, SUV & Van tyres
Uses:

When should I check my tyre pressure?

Winter tyre pressure must be checked at least once a month. You should also think about checking them before starting a long journey or whenever the vehicle is heavily loaded. To ensure that the reading is both precise and reliable, your snow tyres must have covered less than 3 km. 

How can I protect my winter tyres properly during summer?

In temperatures higher than 7°C, there are advantages to switching your winter tyres to summer tyres. 

Where should I store my winter tyres?

Your winter tyres must be suitably stored in order to protect them ready for the next use. 

 

Ideally, they should be stored in:
 

  • A clean, dry, mild and ventilated area, away from direct sunlight and away from the elements.
  • Away from chemical substances, solvents or oils liable to damage the rubber.
  • Away from anything which might pierce the rubber (nails, splinters, etc.).
  • Away from any source of heat, flames, burning objects or  equipment which could set off sparks or power surges. 
  • Away from any source of ozone (transformers, electric motors, welding stations, etc.). 
  • Away from anything liable to crush the tyres.

How should I store my winter tyres?

If you have enough space in your garage, you can store the winter tyres in piles, preferably on palettes, in a place where they will not get squashed.

The height of the pile must not exceed 1.20 m.

If you don’t have enough space at home to store your tyres conveniently, bear in mind that the most tyre dealers offer a tyre storage service.

Enquire at your local tyre shop.

 

If your winter tyres already have rims attached and you have the space to store them, you should stand your inflated tyres upright or lay them beside each other on shelves, in a single layer.

Another solution is to leave the storage and care of your winter tyres to a professional, such as your tyre dealer.

How to store my rim mounted tyres?

If your winter tyres already have rims attached and you have the space to store them, it is best to stand your inflated tyres upright or lay them beside each other on shelves, in a single layer.

Another solution is to leave the storage and care of your winter tyres to a professional, such as your tyre dealer.

 

Do winter tyres pick up more wear and tear than summer tyres?

Contrary to popular belief, for the majority of brands, winter tyres used in winter conditions do not wear out faster than summer tyres used during the summer months.

Thanks to advanced technologies, Michelin’s high performance winter tyres are guaranteed to last almost as long as their summer tyres

How often should I check my winter tyres for wear and tear?

No matter the tyre type, it is recommended to make regular checks on the condition of your tyres: for example, as part of routine vehicle upkeep.

How often should I replace my winter tyres?

Like summer and all season tyres, winter tyres can be used up until the degree of wear reaches the legal tyre tread indicator found on the tyre tread. In Ireland, all car, van and SUV/4x4 tyres can be used down to the minimum permitted tread depth of 1.6mm over the central 3/4 s of the tread width.

Changing tyres early has a significant environmental impact.

Rest assured that Michelin is committed to designing tyres with a considerable lifespan which perform to a high standard throughout this time. Once the legal wear indicator has been reached, it is time to replace your tyres.

After 5 years they should be regularly inspected by a tyre delaer. As a precaution, even if their general condition seems good and they have not reached the legal wear indicator, Michelin recommends replacing tyres that are ten years old.

Can I choose a winter tyre with a tyre speed index lower than the one recommended by the manufacturer?

Yes. If the vehicle is fitted with winter tyres marked (M+S and 3PMSF), and the tyre speed index is lower than the maximum speed of the car, they can still be fitted as long as a sticker indicating the new maximum speed is in the driver’s field of vision.

For example: a car with a maximum speed of 205 km/h would normally be fitted with tyres which have a speed index of H. If you instead fit the car with winter tyres marked M+S or 3PMSF and with a speed index of T, you should use a sticker indicating that the maximum speed for this car is 190 km/h.

How often should I check my tyre pressure?

Winter tyre pressure  must be checked at least once a month. You should also think about checking them before starting a long journey or whenever the vehicle is heavily loaded. To get a reading that’s precise and reliable, your snow tyres must have covered less than 3 km.

What’s the best way to protect my winter tyres during summer? 

In temperatures higher than 7°C, you should switch your winter tyres with summer tyres. Before storing away your winter tyres for the summer, be sure to check their condition. 

Are studded tyres legal?

In Ireland there are no regulations specifically relating to the use of studded tyres. If you’re travelling to Europe we recommend checking the local regulations around tyre requirements. 

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