Published · 3 min read
Winter tyres: when to change, and what to look out for
October to Easter, the 7-degree rule of thumb, tread depth and tyre age: what applies in Switzerland and what we recommend.
Switzerland has no general winter tyre requirement. But a vehicle must be equipped to suit the conditions. If you get stuck in snow on summer tyres and hold up traffic, you risk a fine. After an accident, your insurer may claim money back from you.
When to change?
Two rules of thumb help:
- October to Easter: winter tyres from October until Easter.
- Below 7 degrees: once temperatures regularly drop below about 7 °C, winter tyres grip better than summer tyres. Their rubber compound stays softer in the cold.
If you cross a pass or head into the mountains in autumn, change earlier. And the days after the first snow are fully booked at every garage. Book in October and you can pick your slot.
How much tread does a tyre need?
The legal minimum is 1.6 mm of tread. The TCS recommends replacing winter tyres at 4 mm and summer tyres at 3 mm. Below that, grip on snow, slush and wet roads drops noticeably. When we change your tyres, we measure the tread on every wheel and note it down.
Age matters too
Rubber hardens over the years, even if a tyre has not been driven much. The date of manufacture is in the DOT code on the sidewall: the last four digits are the week and year. 2319 means week 23 of 2019.
Fine cracks in the sidewall show that a tyre should be replaced. Several tyre makers recommend replacing tyres after ten years at the latest, whatever the tread.
Alpine symbol or M+S?
When you buy, look for the Alpine symbol: a three-peaked mountain with a snowflake. It shows the tyre has passed a standardised snow test. The M+S marking on its own says nothing about that. In Germany, since October 2024 only tyres with the Alpine symbol count as winter tyres.
After the change
- Have the wheel bolts re-tightened after the first 50 to 100 kilometres. It takes a few minutes.
- Check the tyre pressure once a month and before long journeys, with the tyres cold.
- Stored wheels: we wash and label them, so every wheel goes back to its position at the next change.