The condition of winter tyres and changing them at the correct time affects traffic safety significantly. In a passenger car, winter tyres should be used between November and March if the weather so requires. Remember to check the tread depth as well as the age of the tyres before leaving — non-studded winter tyres must have a three-peak mountain snowflake symbol.
In a passenger car, winter tyres must be used during November and March if the weather so requires. The depth of the principal tread grooves of a passenger car winter tyres must be at least 3.0 mm.
“It is preferable to change your tyres into winter tyres a week too early rather than a day too late – this way, you improve traffic safety and reduce stress. “Regarding non-studded winter tyres, changing in advance does not cause any harm, but changing into studded winter tyres should be considered more carefully in terms of the approaching winter and car use,” says Senior Inspector Tatu Siivonen.
“The condition of the tyres affects traffic safety significantly. In addition to the tread and studs, it is important to check the manufacture week and year of the tyres, which can be found on the tyre sidewall. After six years of use, the tires harden and lose grip, and 10 years from manufacture is the indicative maximum lifespan of the tyre,” states Siivonen.
Non-studded winter tyres must have a three-peak mountain snowflake symbol – icy mountain symbol indicating tyre ice grip ensures the tyres are suited for challenging winter conditions
You should check when changing your tyres that the winter tyres have the three-peak mountain snowflake symbol. From the beginning of December, the symbol is mandatory for passenger car and van non-studded winter tyres.
“In December, you cannot use non-studded winter tyres that do not have the three-peak mountain snowflake symbol in winter conditions. The symbol on the tyre sidewall indicates that the tyre has been tested and fulfils the minimum requirements of snow grip,” tells Traficom’s Senior Inspector Reetta Kinisjärvi.
The symbol on the tyre sidewall indicates that the tyre has been tested and fulfils the minimum requirements on icy roads. “The icy mountain symbol for winter tyres is not mandatory, but it indicates the tyres are better suited for challenging winter conditions than those with just the three-peak mountain snowflake symbol. I recommend you look for this symbol when buying new tyres,” states Kinisjärvi.
Tips for changing tyres:
- Check the symbols on the tyres, the condition of the tyres and, if necessary, replace a worn, damaged or old tyre.
- The minimum tread depth required by law for winter tyres is 3.0 mm.
- Make sure the rotation direction of the tyre is correct.
- Check the air pressure in the tyres, including the spare tyre.
- Remember to carefully tighten the tyre bolts and tighten them again after about a 100 km of driving.
Further information
Information about winter tyres
Road Traffic Act, section 105 (in Finnish): Winter tyres (External link)
Road Traffic Act, section 106 (in Finnish): Anti-skid devices of vehicle tyres (External link)
Traficom Regulation: Use of vehicles on the road (External link) (in Finnish)