Winter tires: The obligation to fit suitable tires for the cold season has begun. The obligation applies to many Italian roads - but not all - and will last until April 15, 2023. Almost all Italian regions have road or highway sections subject to this obligation, decided by road network managers and indicated with specific vertical signage. Admissible alternatives: snow chains on board and snow socks (we will discuss them soon), authorized by the Ministry of Interior with a circular dated October 27, 2022. The still mild temperatures are not a justification: winter will come, and it is good to be prepared. To avoid fines but - above all - to travel safely.
What are the characteristics of a winter tire? A softer silica-based compound that performs best at temperatures equal to or below 7 degrees, ensuring the best road holding. It is no coincidence that they are also called thermal tires. The tread, with deeper grooves and sipes that allow for greater grip even on ice and snow.
To comply with the regulations, it is sufficient to fit winter tires only on the drive wheels. However, for maximum grip, it is better to fit them on all four wheels, perhaps rotating them every 10,000 km; with only one pair, the car becomes more unstable.
How do you recognize thermal tires? Be careful. If you choose tires with the M+S symbol on the sidewall, you comply with the law: you have fitted winter tires. In reality, these are more accurately classified as all-season tires. They are suitable for driving in winter, but - in the presence of intense cold or snow - they cannot guarantee optimal grip; it is better to use them in areas with predominantly mild winter temperatures. For maximum safety, it is better to look for the "alpine pictogram," a symbol representing a three-peak mountain with a snowflake inside. The symbol indicates the passing of a specific homologation test on snow and the superior characteristics of the tire in adverse weather conditions.
For those who do not comply: a monetary fine from 41 to 168 euros in urban areas; from 84 to 335 euros on extra-urban roads.
How much do winter tires cost? They are expensive. Approximately 20% more than summer tires, with prices varying from manufacturer to manufacturer. But in this case, pay attention to quality rather than price, as our and others' road safety is at stake.
On the Autostrade per l’Italia website, all highway sections where the obligation applies: read here
We covered the opposite season change here
