Summer tires lose grip in cold temperatures even without snow so if you get negative temperatures, driving on summer tires is pretty irresponsible even without snow. Technicallh the crossover temperature for when winter tires start having more grip is above freezing but nobody really cares yet at like 8C

Thanks, that matches what we found. The map shows Denmark as “no winter-tyre law”, with the note that since 1 July 2025 “obviously unsuitable” tyres for the conditions can be fined (Færdselsstyrelsen, linked in the table).

One small difference from Germany: the Danish authority says M+S tyres count as approved winter tyres and only recommends the snowflake mark for hard winter driving, so it isn’t required the way it is in Germany.

It’s basically the same in Sweden.

Thanks, that matches what we read from Statens vegvesen: studs from 1 November to the first Sunday after Easter Monday 16 October to 30 April in Nordland, Troms and Finnmark, and longer when conditions call for it.

That’s why Norway is shown as “wintry conditions at any time” the grip rule is the one that decides. And Oslo’s stud fee applies even when you only drive through ofcourse.

The shades are close. Three on purpose: the lighter grey (Poland, Hungary, the Netherlands) means “no winter-tyre law” the darker one (Ukraine, Belarus, Moldova) means “not verified / not covered” we only map what we can read in a countries own law or traffic authority, Russia is just the base map, outside what is covered

If you’re in a country where there’s is snow or just cold temperatures, you don’t “randomly” have 4 extra tires. You literally need them for at least a few months. Typically you’d swap over in late October, then back in March/April depending on how it’s going. Swapping them yourself is trivial enough, but it’s also incredibly cheap to get them swapped at a shop.

Note that at least last I checked, the proper transition temperature isn’t “freezing” or “there is snow”, but about 7-8°C. That’s when winter tires will have better grip, and summer tires grip steeply diminishes below this. Once there is actual snow, your just actually up shit creek with no paddle on summer tires. But if you have to emergency brake at like 3°C for example, it makes a significant difference what kind you got on your vehicle.

Do people just randomly have 4 extra tires in their homes to change when the time comes?

That’s how many people do it. For people who don’t have the space at home, automotive workshops offer seasonal storage of the extra set of wheels as a service.

Maybe I should be glad to be in a country with no snow.

It’s not only about the snow, by the way, it’s also about temperature. Winter tyres don’t only have a different tread more suitable for snow, they are also are made of a a different (softer) rubber mix than summer tyres to provide improved grip at lower temperatures. You can use them in summer, but at the cost of increased wear. If you’re using up winter tyres that have too little treading left to be safe for another winter during the summer, you will save some wear on your summer tyres.

Pretty much yes! In the Nordics and the Alps most families own two sets, usually each on its own wheels (then you can change them by ourself, slo many times theres somekind of storage or you can use storaging and changing as a service), so the swap takes half an hour at home or a few minutes at a tyre shop. Many don’t keep them at home at all: tyre shops run “tyre hotels” that store your off-season set and swap it for you twice a year.

The other route is all-season tyres with the snowflake-on-a-mountain mark (3PMSF): in most countries with a winter rule, Germany included, they count as winter tyres, so one set does the whole year. Where winters are mild that’s the usual choice.

You can store the tires at services that swap them in spring and summer. In Canada, insurance companies offer lower rates if you use winter tires because they have the data that shows winter tires users have fewer crashes.

Every November, first icy day countless idiots in expensive cars with summer performance tires end up in guardrails. Because, when you spend $80,000 for a car, ain’t got money for the right tires.

summer tires harden in cold temperatures, making them less grippy even without ice or snow. and winter tires get too soft in warmer air, meaning they stretch more, which can lead to overheating and blowout. so you do need both. there are some tires that are allowed year-round, but they’re less efficient.

also it’s usually not just extra tires, but complete wheel sets. that way you can change them yourself.

These days there exist four-season tyres, which to my knowledge meet the requirements of countries that require winter tyres in winter or wintery conditions.

Do people just randomly have 4 extra tires in their homes to change when the time comes?

Yes. Either that or the spare set of tires is stored where they get their tires changed (and checked) twice a year.

PS: It’s a set of wheels including tires (often the cheaper steal rims as that’s not the stuff you drive fast with anyway…) for those having them at home of course. I would not actually change tires myself…

PPS: And as it’s completely normal, it’s not unusual to get a used car with a second set of wheels.

Yes. Either that or a workshops holds them for you (🤑).

I don’t have to change my tires but I do. They are stored in my shed, but people who don’t have space at home may pay for them to be stored at the mechanic’s facilities.

On days with fresh snow I often see several cars in ditches on my drive to work. I live in a rural area and have also had to dodge out-of-control cars and trucks so I want to make sure I can depend on the grip.

Eta: I once skidded right through an intersection on a red light because I was in a rental on summer tires. Never again lol!

Do people just randomly have 4 extra tires in their homes to change when the time comes?

Yes. Although, for my company car, they are stored at the dealership who in turn have three old shipping containers behind their building that they have fitted with custom tire shelves to store customer wheels off-season.

Yes even in places where there’s no legal requirement because it is better to do that and because insurer can fuck you up if you don’t have correct tyres

There are also all season tires (marked M+S I think) that work through all the year but not particularly well in any season. The problem with changing tires is winter tires life span which is typically 5 years. Thus if you don’t drive much, you end up disposing not much used ones every 5 years resulting in ecological and financial problems.