Ah yes , shall I go for the "all-season "or the "all terrain" ? Those winter tyres are just such a drag ...
For my own education, someone please let me know: -
From my understanding Zurich does not get too much snow: Is this accurate? (my information is derived form online sources). If that is the case, why do I need special winter tires (tyres..whichever you prefer)?
Won't "all season" radials do the job in snow upto 12" on city streets and highways away from mountains?
I am just asking because there does seem to be a unusually large number of rules associated with driving in Switzerland.... I was going through the expats website where it said something like "required by law in mountaineous regions to have special tyres with chains, blah blah", after something like "required to display permit at some inches away from center etc." and something about blue-line parking, white line parking and how many minutes you are allowed in each ONLY within some city limits and outside of which the amount of time reduces to something else.
Mountaneous must mean "Switzerland" right ?
I guess you must be a walking, talking law-book. I am a dumbass who is used to instructions like "Slow down, Get ticket", "tunnel ahead, take off sunglasses", "Wipers on, Headlights on" or my favorute "Turn headlights on at dusk".
I'm not sure whether I should answer this. And then how to.
Am I misunderstanding, or is the post quite cheeky?
1. Define too much snow. 1 inch? 6 inches?
It gets enough to turn the roads into a sludgy icy mess.
You don't need Siberia style snow drifts to make things a tad dangerous and exciting...
2. Winter tyres aren't just for snow.
Normal tyres lose flex below 7 degrees centigrade, hence lose grip.
It probably won't get above freezing in Dec/Jan.
3. All season are crap - a compromise that does neither season well.
Perhaps for 4x4s that really go off-road. (sorry, SUV for the yanks )
And if I've understood you right, you'd be hard pushed to buy cross ply tyres in Europe for private vehicles, they're all radials.
4. Parking - off topic.
5. Rules. Ah well, you're from that, er, shining example of driver quality, the US of A.
Some things need to be stated in law or on signs because they allow stupid people to drive cars.
HTH
In one of the French papers a couple of Sundays ago, it said that winter tyres were becoming compolsary in Germany from this winter onwards and it was only a matter of time before it came to CH.
With respect to Zurich you are right it gets little snow compared to many other parts of Switzerland but if you want to travel out of the city more than 20 Km more or less East, South or West you better be prepared for worse. And if you do not want to travel so far you should acquaint yourself with the Swiss public transport system which is better than most Americans can imagine
In my opinion all-season are fine. Some on this forum would not hear of using them but I would have no complaints. Winter tyres though are for the cold and not for the snow. That said they tend to have a higher profile so do grip better but no claims are made about snow capabilities.
When you head to the hills you often see signs saying snow chains compulsory. When you get there you see why as we are talking feet of snow...
When you get to Switzerland you will discover that there are many rules and regulations that you WILL learn that vary from each town to the next. I say you will learn because unless you are fortunate enough to know it in advance you will find out the hard way with a fine - and Switzerland is quite well known for high fines...
With respect to headlights and wipers you are in look as these days modern European cars come with sensors that switch them on automatically for you...
When you do head out down to places like Flumserberg , you will find the police stopping you as you leave the motorway, going up the hill without 4 wheel drive or chains is forbidden.
DC
Hi to those in Zurich and surrounding areas,
tomorrow, the temperature is about zero in the morning.
Yes, someone even told me it may snow.
So for those who have had their winter tires fitted by now, this is the time to feel "proud that you did it" before everyone else...
Cheers,
HAT
Does anybody know what the legal requirement is for the profile of a winter tyre in CH ?
Just came back from the garrage and they told me I need a whole set of new tyres because the profile is less than 4mm ??
I always though 1,5mm was enough ?
1.5mm is the absolute minimum; I think typically they'll warn you at 4mm
New tyres typically have between 8 and 11mm when new, I think.
Is there an offical web site on this someplace ?
There you go.
4mm is recommended. 1.6mm is the legal limit (must be consistent wear)
Cheers
Since the weather is very nice and thanx(!) to global warming,it wont probably snow anymore,so can we take the snow tires off? Or can the police still bust my as*? :P
It's a bit early to take them off, it could snow right up until April.
Yep, Lou is right.Leave them on until after Easter...
Winter tyres aren't just for snow...
It may go cold again without snow.
Summer tyres lose grip quickly below around 7 degrees Celsius
Well the thing is,my current winter tires are getting old,and instead of buying new ones in the winter,i could take them off and install my original 4 season tyres,since they are new (i did only 1000kms with them).So i might buy the new winter tyres,when they get cheaper (late spring maybe).
The thing i'm wondering is,is there a specific law or something?Cuz i have never read or seen any policemen checking the snow tyres.
All-season tyres should be ok for down here. Should being the operative word.
You should also have decent tread on your winter tyres (recommended 4mm). It makes sense - because it does make a difference.
i gather from this that until the temperature is always above 7 degrees then winter tyres should be kept on, when do people in usually take them off??
thanks