When do you have to change your car's summer/winter tyres in Austria?
- Graham Crewe
- Apr 10, 2023
- 3 min read
Updated: Mar 9
The time for compulsory winter tyres (tires in US English) in Austria is between 1 November and 15 April.
The law requires winter tyres in “winter conditions” so you can have summer tyres between these dates if you don’t drive in snow and ice. (Please read the official guidance - this statement might not help you much in the event of an accident. If you do have an accident in winter whilst driving with summer tyres there is a reverse burden of proof. This means that it is YOUR responsibility to prove that the conditions were not a contributory factor to the accident.)
How to change your car's summer/winter tyres
For those who don’t know, you can change your car's summer/winter tyres yourself (takes me about 40 minutes; check the air pressure on the “new” tyres) or go to a place like BestDrive but you might need an appointment. A workshop will often store your tyres for you for a fee which is handy if you have no storage yourself.
If you want to change your own tyres, it is a good idea to find a video on YouTube like the one below and do it the first time with an experienced friend.
Air pressure
Don’t forget to check the air pressure when your new tyres are on. You can do it for free at most petrol stations. You’ll find the recommended pressure on a label inside the driver’s door frame.
What are the legal minimum tread depths?
Minimum tyre tread for summer tyres (cars) is 1.6mm (there are raised indicator markers in the tread), so check this when you change them or you won’t be covered by insurance in an accident. Minimum tread for winter tyres is 4mm.
Note that these are legal minimums. There is advice in our Facebook group that summer tyres should be changed at not much less than 3mm since the risk of aquaplaning in heavy rainfall is higher with so little tread. Changing at 4.5mm for winter tyres would be wise too.
Winter tyres that no longer reach the 4mm minimum tread depth, but are above the 1.6mm minimum tread depth of summer tires, may in principle be used as summer tyres. However, with regard to road safety and fuel economy, it is recommended to always use tyres specially developed for the season. (Source)
How can you tell that a tyre is a winter tyre?
For a tyre to qualify as a winter tyre in Austria, it must display the label "M+S", "M.S." or "M&S"(= Matsch & Schnee = Slush & Snow), or a snowflake symbol (which may appear with or without the other labels).
Note that since 1 October 2024 in Germany the M+S label (which was depreciated in 2018) alone is no longer sufficient. The snowflake/mountain symbol (below) MUST be displayed on the tyre. (Source)
Can I use old tyres?
Legally yes, there is no legislation regarding the age of tyres on cars. However...
Germany's ADAC motoring organisation has tested tyres and found that their performance does degrade with age. They recommend that, when buying new tyres, you should insist on ones that were manufactured within the last 2 years.
The date of manufacture is stated on the wall of the tyre. e.g. "0223" tells us that they were manufactured in week 2 of 2023. It is not recommended that winter tyres should not be older than 8 years old. Summer tyres 8-10 years old.
Winter tyre laws in other countries
This article provides a quick and easy guide to the law regarding winter tyres in other countries: https://www.europe-consommateurs.eu/en/travelling-motor-vehicles/motor-vehicles/winter-tires-in-europe.html
Sources:
Links
See here for the official guidance:
