What's the difference in snow traction between an M+S (Mud & Snow) br&ed tire, an all-season tire & a purpose-built winter/snow tire? While many drivers probably aren't absolutely sure, it can be the difference between getting to work, getting home or getting stuck.

The original definition of M+S tires is based on the geometry of the tread design. The M+S designation was first used to differentiate the knobby, bias ply tires intended for use on muddy &/or snow-covered roads from the straight rib tires used on early cars or trucks. Tires with tread designs that meet the definition may be br&ed with the letters "M" & "S" in several different ways (e.g., M&S, M+S, M/S, MS, etc.) at the discretion of the tire manufacturer.

When early radial ply tires were also found to deliver more snow traction than the straight rib, bias ply tires, the tire companies introduced all-season tires. Supported by advertising, all-season tires have presented an unspoken promise that they, throughout their life, can provide traction for all seasons...through spring's rain, summer's heat, fall's cooling & winter's snow. While this combined offering has made all-season tires popular, many drivers have learned that a geometric definition doesn't guarantee winter snow & ice traction.

In 1999, The U.S. Rubber Manufacturers Association (RMA) & the Rubber Association of Canada (RAC) agreed on a performance based standard to identify passenger & light truck tires that attain a traction index equal to, or greater than 110 (compared to a reference tire which is rated 100) during the specified American Society for Testing & Materials traction tests on packed snow. The new standard helps ensure that drivers can easily identify tires that provide a higher level of snow traction.

A mountain/snowflake symbol br&ed on the tire's sidewall identifies tires that met the required performance in snow testing. The mountain/snowflake symbol is expected to be fully implemented on new tires by now, however there still may be a few winter/snow tires in the marketplace that meet the requirements but were produced in molds manufactured before the symbol was developed.

Download "Tires Suitable for Use in Severe Snow Conditions" that lists all tires offered by Tire Rack meeting the above described standard. The document may also be used to meet the state of Oregon's requirements for winter/snow tires & can be presented to authorities when required.

NOTE: A Highway Safety Code regulation passed September 17, 2008 for Quebec, Canada, stipulates that:

"Between 15 December to 15 March, the owner of a taxi or passenger vehicle registered in Quebec may not put the vehicle into operation unless it is equipped with tires specifically designed for winter driving, in compliance with the standards prescribed by government regulation. The prohibition also applies to any person renting out passenger vehicles not equipped with that type of tires."

While dedicated winter/snow tires bearing the mountain/snowflake symbol are available in sizes for most passenger cars & minivans, the wide range of sizes & load ranges for tires used on crossover vehicles, sport utility vehicles, pickup trucks & full size vans encouraged Quebec to temporarily exp& its definition of acceptable tires to implement this law.

Alternate tires not bearing the mountain/snowflake symbol which have one or more of the following terms br&ed in their tire name or tire size are temporarily acceptable: Alaska, Arctic, A/T or AT Blizzard, Ice, LT, Nordic, Snow (but not mud & snow), Stud, Ultratraction or Winter.

While the inclusion of LT in this list means that any LT-metric, Flotation LT or LT-numeric sized tire is acceptable, drivers facing challenging winter driving will be best served by selecting dedicated winter/snow tires, followed by On-/Off-Road All-Terrain or Commercial Traction tires.

Starting December 15, 2014, the Highway Safety Code regulation specifies only tires bearing the mountain/snowflake symbol will be considered acceptable winter/snow tires in Quebec.

This list of temporarily acceptable tires only applies to drivers in Quebec.

 

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