Winter tires

North American tire manufacturers and the Rubber Manufacturers Association (RMA) have established a voluntary, industry-wide definition for passenger and light truck tires intended for use in SEVERE SNOW CONDITIONS.

Tires must meet a performance- based criteria feature tread pattern, construction elements, and materials which generally provide snow performance superior to that of tires bearing the RMA's current M&S Rating. RMA Severe Snow Conditions-Rated.

This new standard is intended to complement the current M&S rating and make it easier for consumers to distinguish all-season M&S rated tires from those specifically designed for SEVERE SNOW CONDITIONS. Tires that meet this new standard will now carry both the M&S-rated marking and the accompanying mountain/snowflake pictograph shown to the right.

IMPORTANT SNOW TIRE SAFETY INFORMATION

Never mix radial snow tires with tires of other construction, size, ply rating, performance rating or pattern type.

Always match the performance ratings of the original tires or follow vehicle's Owner's Manual snow tire replacement instructions.

For the best driving results, it is recommended that a complete set of four snow tires be mounted on a vehicle. On front-wheel-drive vehicles, snow tires must be fitted in complete sets of four tires. If high traction snow tires are mounted on the front and lower traction tires are mounted on the rear, the rear of the vehicle can lose traction during cornering or braking on snow or ice and spin out. This is a difficult condition for most drivers to control. Snow tires on all wheel positions will provide the most effective and safest winter driving.