Three-Peak Mountain Snowflake Certification

The Three-Peak Mountain Snowflake Certification has approved Bridgestone’s new WeatherPeak touring tire.

On June 14, 2022, Bridgestone announced the release of their new WeatherPeak touring tire. This is the company’s first all-season tire to receive Three-Peak Mountain Snowflake certification (3PMSF). Tires with the 3PMSF classification have superior snow traction than standard all-season tires.

“The Bridgestone WeatherPeak tire leverages our latest technology innovations to push the all-season category to new heights,” Bridgestone Senior Product Manager Ian McKenney adds. Ridges in the groove channel increase snow compaction and superior high-speed water flow, which are design advantages of the tire. WeatherPeak tires, according to the manufacturer, outperform its top competitors in wet and dry circumstances in terms of acceleration and braking performance.

Bridgestone will sell the tire in 56 sizes, with the company claiming that it will fit 87% of cars, SUVs, and crossovers currently on the market. WeatherPeak tires have a limited warranty of 70,000 miles.

Three-Peak Mountain Snowflake (3PMSF) Certification

The United States Tire Manufacturers Association (USTMA) and the Rubber Association of Canada (RAC) created the Three-Peak Mountain Snowflake (3PMSF) designation in 1999 as a performance-based standard to assist consumers in identifying tires with greater all-weather capability. The popular M+S (mud and snow) designation is based more on tread pattern and geometry than performance.

The American Society for Testing and Materials uses the traction test to test the traction of a tire and acquire the 3PMSF classification. It must have a traction index of at least 110 when compared to a reference tire rated at 100. The test only evaluates acceleration and traction. We do not measure braking and turning on snow, as well as performance on ice.

While 3PMSF tires outperform all-season M+S tires in snow, they cannot compete with the traction of dedicated winter/snow tires.

The Top Three-Peak Mountain Snowflake Certification Rated All-Terrain Tires

Driving a truck or SUV has its perks when the first large winter snow falls, or when you travel to the mountains for some excitement. Crossing snow and ice is considerably easier and safer, especially if you have the proper all-terrain car tires.

Most all-terrain tires are designed to function on a range of surfaces, including dirt, gravel, and light snow, but severe cold weather may exceed their capabilities. If you intend to drive in heavy snow and ice, you’ll need all-terrain tires with the 3-Peak Mountain Snowflake (3PMSF) grade.

In this piece, we’ll define the 3PMSF grade and explain how tires with this designation perform well in cold weather. We’ll also go through some of the best all-terrain snow tires. We guarantee that there is one for every budget and need out there.

What Exactly Are All-Terrain Tires?

Let’s begin our investigation of 3PMSF all-terrain tires by understanding what a typical all-terrain tire performs.

All-terrain tires, often referred to as A/T tires operate well both on and off the road. They can manage both rainy and dry situations, as well as dirt, gravel, and mild snow. Consider them the happy medium between “mud tires” and highway tires. They’ll give you a smooth and safe ride on the road, gravel, and mud.

A/T tires are suitable for both 4WD and 2WD cars. People start their search for all-terrain vehicle tires, but manufacturers only produce them for light trucks, SUVs, and select CUVs – they never make them for passenger cars. Many truck owners choose A/T tires for their vehicles so that they can manage a wider range of road types and weather conditions.

What is the snowflake rating of Three-Peak Mountain? Why do I require it?

Symbol of Three-Peak Mountain Snowflake Certification What distinguishes a 3PMSF symbol-branded tire from a standard A/T tire?

A 3-peak mountain snowflake rating signifies that the Rubber Manufacturers Association has approved the tire as meeting the minimal requirements for performance in severe snow conditions. As long as the testing conditions are met, the 3PMSF grade can be found on both all-season and all-terrain tires.

Tires with this symbol outperform tires without the rating in terms of winter performance and traction on ice and heavy snow. Remember that this testing only evaluates a tire’s acceleration traction on medium snow, not braking, turning or ice traction.

Where did the snow-rated all-terrain tire emblem come from?

The United States Tire Manufacturers Association (USTMA) and the Rubber Association of Canada (RAC) agreed to develop a performance-based standard in 1999. This would be used to identify truck tires with a traction index of 110 or higher when tested on snow. A higher grade indicates better traction in snowy situations.

What is the difference between an M+S tire and a 3PMSF tire?

The main difference is that 3PMSF all-terrain tires have better snow traction than M+S all-season tires.

M+S tires are performance-rated, however, 3-Peak Mountain Snowflake-rated all-terrain tires are not. The M+S rating differentiated knobby bias ply tires from early radial automobiles and light truck tires with rib treads.

It became a benchmark for comparing summer with all-season tires. M+S tires are geometrically designed for better mud and compacted snow traction, but we haven’t tested them for ice, slush, or cold dry roads. Thus, a tire manufacturer’s claim that the tire can handle snow doesn’t fully assess winter tire performance.

M+S tires are performance-rated, however, 3-Peak Mountain Snowflake-rated all-terrain tires are not. The M+S rating differentiated knobby bias ply tires from early radial automobiles and light truck tires with rib treads.

It became a benchmark for comparing summer with all-season tires. M+S tires are geometrically designed for better mud and compacted snow traction, but they haven’t been tested for ice, slush, or cold dry roads. Thus, a tire manufacturer’s claim that the tire can handle snow doesn’t fully assess winter tire performance.

Tire authority standardizes the 3PMSF grade. All-season tires’ alpine snowflake logo is cold-weather-tested.

M+S tires are performance-rated; however, 3-Peak Mountain Snowflake-rated all-terrain tires are not. The M+S rating differentiated knobby bias-ply tires from early radial automobiles and light truck tires with rib treads.

It became a benchmark for comparing summer with all-season tires. M+S tires are geometrically designed for better mud and compacted snow traction, but they haven’t been tested for ice, slush, or cold, dry roads. Thus, a tire manufacturer’s claim that the tire can handle snow doesn’t fully assess winter tire performance.

The tire authority standardizes the 3PMSF grade. All-season tires’ alpine snowflake logo is cold-weather-tested.

Best All-Terrain Tires with Three Peak Mountain Snowflake Rating

• Toyo Open Country AT III
• BFGoodrich All-Terrain T/A KO2
• Cooper Discoverer AT3 4S
• Falken Wildpeak A/T Trail
• Goodyear Wrangler Trailrunner AT
• Kenda Klever A/T2
• Yokohama Geolandar A/T G015
• Falken Wildpeak A/T3W
• Goodyear Wrangler Silent Armor
• Toyo Open Country C/T
• Michelin X-Ice Snow Tires
• Toyo Celsius All-Season Tire

1. Toyo Open Country AT III

This all-terrain tire was created with the versatility of the driver in mind. Whether you drive a pickup, Jeep, or crossover, the Toyo Open Country AT III provides the severe snow service and general traction you require. The specific tread compound distributes void areas uniformly, and the pattern provides exceptional stability whether driving on or off the road. This tire will carry you home or on an adventure, no matter where you’re headed.

Features:

To boost hydroplaning resistance, general lateral grooves are used.
2-layer polyester casing
High-tensile steel belts in pairs
3D Multi-Wave Sipes for wet traction and stability 
Cut-and-chip resistant tread compound

Price: Each tire costs between $110 and $357

Size: There are over 100 sizes available for 15″ to 22″ wheels

On dry tarmac, excellent traction and braking

Great hydroplaning resistance even in severe rain

Good traction, braking, and turning grip on wet roads

Excellent traction on turf and hardpacked surfaces (such as soil and gravel)

On any terrain, the sound is barely discernible

Excellent traction and handling in snowy conditions

Long tread life and a comprehensive warranty

Reasonably priced

On a slick road, inactive

The steering is uncommunicative and unresponsive

2. BFGoodrich All-Terrain T/A KO2 – Three-Peak Mountain Snowflake Certification

The BF Goodrich All-Terrain T/A KO2 tire is well-liked for a variety of reasons. Drivers prefer it above competition because its sidewalls are 20% stronger than the other BFGoodrich all-terrain tires. The tread compound is aggressive and computer-optimized to deliver the maximum possible traction in mud, snow, rain, and dry conditions.

Features:

Race-proven CoreGard Technology
A revised tread pattern on the tire’s shoulder 
Increased protection in the upper sidewall
Twin steel belts strengthened with spirally wrapped nylon
3-poly polyester cord sidewalls

Price: Tires cost between $159 and $487

Size: Available in over 50 different sizes ranging from 15″ to 22″ wheels

Durable tire material

In muddy circumstances, the vehicle performs admirably off-road

Snow handling that is light and stable

In the dry, it has good handling and traction

The driving experience is unstable

Highway noise pollution must be addressed

3. Cooper Discoverer AT3 4S

The Cooper Discoverer AT3 4S, one of the best all-terrain tires for 2020, features revolutionary snow groove technology to grip the snow in its tread, providing increased snow-on-snow traction and above-average stopping power. While the channels drain water and slush, the all-terrain pattern allows for off-road driving. This tire is popular among truck and SUV drivers due to its great driving comfort and longevity.

Features:

The 2-ply polyester casing is strong and long-lasting.
Belts made of high-strength steel for long-term durability
Aqua Vac Circumferential Channels
Wide lateral notches for water evacuation
Outboard grooves have saw-tooth block edges.

Price: Each tire costs between $125 and $291

Size: There are over 40 sizes available for 15″ to 22″ wheels

Superior traction on wet and dry surfaces

Considering it is a highway tire, it is quite quiet

Exceptionally stable at high speeds

Pricey

4. Falken Wildpeak A/T Trail – Three-Peak Mountain Snowflake Certification

Unlike the majority of the 3PMSF all-terrain tires on this list, the Falken Wildpeak A/T Trail is designed exclusively for current Crossover cars. On most routes, it provides toughness and durability, as well as comfort and quietness. The tire was created to provide exceptional traction in wet, snowy, and dry situations, and its unique architecture ensures premium handling at all times.

Features:

Crossover design for improved maneuverability
Improved tread design
Polyester 2-ply structure
Upper sidewall protection 
3D Canyon Sipe Technology 
Tread depth increase

Price: Tires range in price from $114 to $203

Size: Available in 30 sizes for 16” to 20” wheels

The ideal general

Work well in a muddy environment

Even with off-road tires

A striking asymmetrical tread system

Acceleration-related loud noise

5. Goodyear Wrangler Trailrunner AT

The Goodyear Wrangler Trailrunner AT tire is preferred by drivers that require great performance on highways as well as off-road characteristics. This tire strikes an ideal mix between aggressive traction and extended mileage, eliminating the need to sacrifice tire life for safety. Its tread pattern is also intended for noise reduction, especially on rougher surfaces.

Features:

Large interlocking tread blocks for long-lasting performance
Edges of saw-tooth blocks
Traction sipes with several angles
Deep muck and snow require a rugged stepped shoulder

Price: Per tire, between $109 and $249

Size: 40+ sizes are available for 15″ to 22″ wheels

Excellent for off-roading conditions

Snow does a fantastic job

It comes in P-Metric and has a 55,000-mile warranty

Noise levels have slightly increased

It will slog through a lot of mud

6. Kenda Klever A/T2: Three-Peak Mountain Snowflake Certification

The Kenda Klever A/T2 is a premium all-terrain tire, used on 4×4 vehicles as well as light trucks and SUVs. If you want a quiet ride with excellent traction, this tire is an excellent candidate. It’s approved for severe winter-weather usage, and yet its performance is stellar in a variety of conditions.

Features:

Biting edges for an aggressive performance
Superior all-weather compound
Interlocking tread blocks for good traction
Kenda-optimized noise results
Aggressive styling and tread design

Price: Between $162 and $213 per tire

Size: Available in two sizes for 15” to 20” wheels

Excellent traction on damp surfaces

Off-road traction is excellent (on moderate applications)

Winter capability is marked by a three-peak mountain snowflake

Price range

Warranty on longer tread life

Appropriate for work trucks

Capability for towing and hauling

There are no three-ply sidewalls available in all sizes

On highway travels, there is a slight humming sound

7. Yokohama Geolandar A/T G015

Drivers of light trucks and SUVs choose the Yokohama Geolandar A/T G015 for its durability, long tread life, and year-round traction capabilities. Designed with the highest level of traction and grip in mind, this tire offers a superb grip without sacrificing its on-road handling. You’ll experience great traction wherever you are, but it’s one of the best light truck tires for snow.

Features:

Two-ply polyester cord casing
Two high-tensile steel belts
Circumferential grooves for water evacuation
Hydroplaning resistance
3D sipes and lug grooves

Price: Between $121 and $370 per tire

Size: Available in sizes for 15” to 22” wheels

Traction over difficult or risky terrain

Outstanding performance in wet and snowy conditions

Highways run smoothly

Lasts longer than other off-road tires

Deal with deep sludge and huge rocks

8. Falken Wildpeak A/T3W – Three-Peak Mountain Snowflake Certification

The Falken Wildpeak A/T3W is a versatile choice for those who need an all-terrain tire that works on and off-road. It offers a quiet highway ride as well as excellent off-road traction. With Falken Tire’s best technology, this tire maintains a great performance and appearance throughout its entire life. Truck and SUV lovers will experience the tire’s many benefits during the winter months.

Features:

Big central tread lugs
Open shoulders bridged for stability
Balanced performance capabilities
Raised knobs on the upper sidewall
Full-depth tread grooves for consistent performance

Price: Between $127 and $437 per tire

Size: Available in sizes for 15” to 22” wheels

Outstanding snow performance

It is capable of handling practically any off-road situation

Noise levels are surprisingly low

The dry and wet performance is excellent

On the ice, traction is quite limited

The tire is not the most responsive in the category

9. Goodyear Wrangler Silent Armor – Three-Peak Mountain Snowflake Certification

One of the best all-terrain snow tires, the Goodyear Wrangler Silent Armor delivers excellent traction in rugged circumstances. Drivers of pickups, vans, and SUVs choose this tire for its toughness, as well as its ability to handle dry, wet, and snowy conditions. You’ll get a smooth, quiet ride as well as safety wherever your journey may take you.

Features:

Durawall rubber compound used in sidewalls
Armor Zone of twin, high-tensile steel belts
Reinforced by a layer of DuPont KEVLAR cord
Resistance to abrasion and scuffing
Rim guard to protect from off-roading accidents

Price: Between $69 and $122 per tire

Size: Available in sizes for 16” to 17” wheels

Outstanding off-road traction and handling in dry, rainy, and mild terrain

Good traction on snow and ice

Amazing ride low road noise and comfort

In this class, tread life is above average 

The performance of deeper mud could be enhanced

10. Toyo Open Country C/T

This all-weather, all-terrain light truck tire is perfect for SUVs and pickups in various terrains and weather conditions. It provides a smooth, comfortable drive on most road types and gives commercial-grade durability and traction. Whether you’re using it on paved roads or while off-roading, the Toyo Open Country C/T optimizes control without sacrificing durability.

Features:

A new tread rubber compound that balances cut/chip resistance
Improved winter performance
Aggress all-terrain tread pattern with unique deep tread grooves
3-ply construction
Deeper siping and open notches

Price: Between $110 and $233 per tire

Size: Available in 23+ sizes for 16” to 20” wheels

Off-road traction is excellent on gravel, dirt, rocks, and mud

Excellent dry handling

Tread life

Despite the mountain/snowflake insignia, struggles on ice and snow

12. Michelin X-Ice Snow Tires

Michelin rates these snow tires as 3PMS and manufactures them for passenger cars, SUV crossovers, and luxury performance vehicles. They’re also Ulibari’s budget-friendly pick, with an estimated 40,000-mile life. “As it starts wearing, it creates an almost rough texture on the tread that helps get that additional traction for stopping, handling, and acceleration,” he says.

Incredible traction and handling on ice and snow

Outstanding ice and snow braking

Priced reasonably

Long-term 

40,000-mile warranty

Not as good in damp weather as it is in snow and ice

13. Toyo Celsius All-Season Tire – Three-Peak Mountain Snowflake Certification

This 3PMS-rated Toyo all-season tire also gets Ulibari’s vote for its year-round ability and winter-weather performance. It comes in passenger cars, SUV/crossover SUVs, and commercial grades.

Snow grip and braking performance are exceptional for an all-season/all-weather tire

Great traction on snow and slush

Excellent resistance to hydroplaning in rain and slush

On wet tarmac, usable traction and grip

Even on poor pavement, the ride is really comfortable

High  and lengthy treadwear warranty for a winter tire

At higher speeds, there is a noticeable tread growl

Not as responsive to driving as standard all-season tires

The cornering grip on warm and dry roads is poor

Need Assistance Locating Three-Peak Mountain Snowflake Tires?

You’ve come to the perfect place if you’re seeking off-road snow tires that will function in a range of scenarios. Tires Easy is dedicated to assisting our customers in locating the right tire for their specific vehicle. We know what works best for all-terrain tires in snow or rain, on gravel, dirt, or concrete.

Contact us immediately for expert guidance on the best all-terrain truck tires, as well as fast and free shipping on purchases. We’ll answer any questions you have about the 3-peak Mountain Snowflake tires, as well as other options that might be a good fit for you.

Winter tires 3PMSF explained

3MPSF_symbolWinter or snow tires with the official snowflake insignia, often known as the 3PMSF’3 Peak Mountain Snow Flake symbol, provide verified safety in harsh snow conditions.

The European ECE rule 117.02 specifies the definition of a winter tire. It specifies that the tire’s tread pattern, tread material, or structure must be principally designed to provide superior characteristics than standard tires in terms of acceleration, traction, and stopping under adverse winter circumstances and that it must confirm this.

EU authorities define and supervise the 3PMSF symbol, ensuring that the product undergoes rigorous testing and is suitable for use in adverse weather circumstances.

Regulation testing has approved 3PMSF-designated tires to ensure a greater degree of performance under winter circumstances as specified in European ECE regulation 117.02.

Engineers have engineered 3PMSF winter tires to remain flexible in temperatures below 7°C while ensuring good traction on snow, slush, wet roads, and bare asphalt The aggressive tread pattern and siping give grip and stability in the snow while also dispersing water and wet snow slush.

3PMSF winter tires outperform M+S tires in terms of braking and cornering performance on wet and abrasive ice, soft and hard-packed snow, and slush. You cannot market a tire as a snow or winter tire if it does not bear the 3MPSF label

M+S tires are described

The M+S sign on tires is extremely deceptive. It is a declaration from the tire manufacturer that the product performs better in mud and snow than their standard models. However, because the M+S designation merely refers to the tread pattern, there are no performance standards or traction/stopping tests to pass.

We can see the M+S symbol on off-road, All-Terrain (AT), and many summer all-season tires. Summer tires with a high-speed rating (Y) may also have this classification. It says nothing about the rubber compound of the tire or how it will perform in snow, slush, and ice.

There are no mandatory performance tests for M+S-labeled tires, so M+S-marked tires do not have any performance guarantee. The M+S rating is based on a tire’s shape rather than how well it performs in mud or snow tests.

All-Weather tires (also known as winter tires)

A new type of winter tire manufactured and marketed exclusively for year-round use, with a special tread compound and significant tread siping to provide high levels of traction and braking grip at low temperatures. The 3PMSF Mountain Snowflake Alpine emblem indicates ECE 117.02 snow test clearance for extreme snow conditions.

Some of the All-weather tires offered in Australia are the Nokian WR G3, Nokian WR A3, Nokian WR D4, Nokian WR SUV 3, and Nokian WR C3.

All-Terrain/off-road tires are defined

M+S_3PMSF_picTyres advertised as AT Tyres (All-Terrain/Mud-Terrain/Off Road), even if they bear the 3PMSF emblem, are not winter tires.

An AT tire that meets the FMVSS 139 requirements (1 test method) does not meet the UNECE R117 (3 test methods) criteria since these rules need different properties.

This is understandable given that AT tires have minimal to no siping.

Sipings are small openings in the tread surface that improve grip in snow and ice.

The source of troubles on alpine roads is not necessarily an icy road surface; heavy wet snow slush can quickly change a driver into a passenger.

Hydroplaning or aquaplaning on a wet country road is risky. Slush planing, which can happen when driving on wet soft snow on alpine roads, is far more dangerous. Slush planing prevents you from steering or braking since the tire loses touch with the road even at modest speeds.

Even the most experienced driver can be put in danger by the combination of heavy slushy melting snow, a coating of water on the road surface, and possibly ice. Slush has a higher viscosity than water, making it pastier and unable to flow as quickly through tire tread channels.

An M+S tire’s tread pattern will not disperse this moist snow slush from beneath the tire. The tire’s contact with the road will be lost, as will the grip.

How Can Slush Planning and Aquaplaning Be Prevented?

To effectively minimize slush planing and aquaplaning, Nokian winter tires contain polished grooves that allow slush and water to flow smoothly and efficiently through the main grooves to the side, as shown in this video.

Making Use of Snow Chains

Snow chains are designed to enable vehicles to climb steeper slopes than the grip level of their tires. It is a requirement of state rules that all vehicles in Victoria, and two-wheelers in NSW, carry wheel chains that can be properly connected to your tires as needed. The Owner’s Manual of your vehicle will specify the wheels and tires that can be used to install wheel chains. Wheel chains must penetrate the compacted snow surface in order to provide the maximum degree of traction.

When the snow and/or ice begins to break up and melt into slush, it may cause the loss of traction and wheel spin, which is what wears out the chains. The vehicle may slide on the wheel chains in certain scenarios.

Conducting a Traction Test

When driving in difficult winter conditions, here is a safe approach to measure how much tire grip is available for any vehicle.

Apply the brakes hard until the wheels lock up and the ABS is activated while maintaining a safe pace and ensuring there is no one close behind you when it is safe to do so.
Continue to depress the brake pedal until the vehicle comes to a complete stop.
This will provide you with a clear sense of the grip available at that time.
You can repeat this test to check grip in a variety of settings.
This simple test process will reveal your tires’ grip level and emphasize the necessity for proper 3PMSF winter tires for safer winter driving. Our checking your winter grip page contains more information.

Victoria’s Wheel Chain Regulations Will Change in 2020

Victorian authorities are revising wheel chain restrictions and applying them to all resort regions in Victoria.

The new VicRoads standards will require wheel chains to meet the European ON-V5117 Standard.

Ladder chains are not permitted.
AWD cars equipped with designated winter/snow tires are likely to classify wheel chain fitment differently.
Winter/snow tires must pass the ECE 117.02 snow test and be identifiable by the 3PMSF’snow flake’ alpine emblem.
This new classification will not recognize all-terrain tires or tires with only the M+S label.

What Is the Meaning of the 3-Peak Mountain Snowflake Symbol?

The 3-Peak Mountain Snowflake Symbol (3PMS) appears on tires that meet certain criteria. It consists of a six-pointed snowflake inside a three-peak mountain. The symbol signifies that the tire underwent evaluation for acceleration on medium-packed snow. The testing does not include braking or turning.

Tires bearing the 3PMS mark have a traction index of at least 110. This indicates they accelerate at least 10% faster than a conventional 3PMS-rated all-season tire. (The 3PMS designation is used for all-season tires.)

In 1999, the US Tire Manufacturers Association and the Tire and Rubber Association of Canada created the 3PMS sign. In the United States, Canada, and Europe, tire manufacturers are required to fulfill the 3PMS symbol criteria.

Tires with the 3PMS designation often comprise a softer rubber that does not harden in subzero temperatures. These tires also have a form of microscopic slit across their surface known as siping. This helps with traction on snow and ice.

During a winter storm in the Rockies, there is no replacement for 3PMS tires, according to Paul Ulibari, general manager of Colorado Tire and Service in Denver. “They just don’t compare,” he explains.

Where Can I Find This Symbol?

“The symbol is on the sidewall, and it’s very distinct,” Ulibari explains.

Customers frequently confuse mud and snow tires with 3PMS tires, he says, due to the former’s size and knobby shape. The sidewall of mud and snow tires will bear an “MS” emblem. “People believe that the bigger and worse the tire looks, the better it will perform in the snow,” Ulibari explains. “But that’s not the case.”

Do some vehicles require Three-Peak Mountain Snowflake Certification Tires?

From December to March, drivers in British Columbia and Quebec must have 3PMS tires on their vehicles. During winter storms, Colorado also enforces a traction regulation that requires drivers to use tires with at least 3-1/16-in. tread depth and the 3PMS sign.

Who Produces Tires Bearing the 3PMS Symbol?

Goodyear, Michelin, Hankook, Cooper, Nokian, Toyo, BF Goodrich, Yokohama, Kumho, Nitto, and Vredestein make 3PMS tires.

During the Winter, a New Rule Requires Certified Snow Tires

AP reported that during weather limitations on Utah roadways, authorities will require drivers of most passenger automobiles and light-duty trucks to have approved snow tires with the three-peak mountain snowflake certification mark or an authorized traction device, such as chains.

The new UDOT rule became effective on September 1. Although this week’s storm is unlikely to produce weather-related traffic limitations in Utah canyons, drivers should be mindful of the change if it occurs.

The modification does not apply to four-wheel or all-wheel drive vehicles, but it does apply to all two-wheel drive vehicles weighing less than 12,000 pounds gross vehicle weight.

“It’s a certification that the state has recently required, but it’s been out in the tire industry for several years,” Keith Brown, a Tire World employee in Salt Lake City, explained. “It still doesn’t match a full-on winter tire in terms of compounding and such, but it gives you significantly better handling and control in bad weather than a standard all-season.”

The tire testing and certification authorities have tested and certified it for use on roads with 4/4 and chain restrictions, as indicated by the emblem. These tires have various tread patterns intended to help drivers maintain control in snow and rain.

In the past, two-wheel-drive vehicles could get away with mud & snow (M+S or M/S) tires in canyons during severe winter weather.

Four-wheel and all-wheel drive vehicles, RVs, buses, and semitrailers can still use these tires, but two-wheel-drive vehicles on highways under severe winter weather limitations now require the mountain/snowflake tire, also known as the 3PMSF tire.

According to UDOT authorities, road conditions also permit chains as traction devices when necessary.

Why Do Winter Tires Have the Mountain Snowflake Symbol?

How can you know if a tire has received the necessary certification for use on Canadian roads? Simply check the sidewall of your winter tires and genuine all-weather tires for the made-in-Canada severe service emblem.

The severe service emblem, represented by a pictograph of a mountain peak with a snowflake in the center, denotes that a winter tire is capable of handling snowy and slick roads as well as low temperatures and satisfies the minimal standards for providing snow traction.

How the Mountain Snowflake Emblem Is Obtained for Winter Tires

The U.S. Rubber Manufacturers Association and the Tire and Rubber Association of Canada (TRAC) looked for a means to make it easier for drivers to recognize tires that were made to function in harsh snow and icy conditions in the 1990s.

Winter tires are required to pass a snow traction test in order to be awarded what is now known as the severe service insignia, which features a snowflake on a mountain peak. This test was developed in 1999.

For optimum vehicle handling when driving in icy, cold conditions, Transport Canada and the Rubber Association of Canada advise fitting winter tires with the mountain snowflake symbol on all four tires.

How Winter Tires Are Examined

The American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) establishes standards for testing winter tires. These tests can be carried out by tire manufacturers directly or by contracting a professional testing firm. The outcomes of these tests are used by manufacturers to decide whether they may mark their tires with the mountain snowflake logo.

A testing facility will imitate the conditions under which winter tires are utilized to ensure that tires are operating at their peak performance. They’ll examine the:

Air temperature: At +7 C, the summertime rubber compound hardens. Winter tires have a unique rubber composition that keeps them supple and pliable even in subzero temperatures.
Snow temperature: For the best testing conditions, the temperature should range from -15 C to -3 C.
Continuity of the snowfall: Winter tires are put to the test for snow traction in medium-pack snow because the tread can bite into it. This type of snow is neither too light and fluffy nor too hard and close to the ice. The test team will, if necessary, break and shift snow using specialist tools for snow preparation.

Where the Sign Won’t Be Present

The severe service emblem is not present on 3-season tires, generally known as M+S (mud and snow) tires. This is due to the fact that 3-season tires are safe in most situations but are not made to provide traction on ice or in really cold temperatures.

At temperatures below +7 C, 3-season and summer tires harden, reducing traction and posing a safety hazard. To differentiate between winter tires and 3-season tires, the severe service emblem was developed.

Did you know that the peaked mountain and snowflake emblem is used to identify all-terrain and all-weather tires?

All-weather tires, which are intended for winter use but also serve as dependable summer tires and year-round tires, spare you the trouble and expense of keeping a second pair of tires in storage. Read more about the distinctions between all-season, all-weather, and winter tires in this post.

Three-Peak Mountain Snowflake Accreditation Is Given to Vipal Retreads

According to Vipal, VM729 is made for radial tires and drive axles and offers uniform wear, less noise, and superior driving on both dry and wet terrain. For long-distance services on paved surfaces, the firm suggests it.

Vipal claims that VDE2 has good drive power, excellent tread direction, and resistance to abrasion wear. It is appropriate for moving freight by roadway.

The ECO version of the VM729 and VDE2 treads is also offered.

Leandro Rigon, Vipal’s head of international operations, stated that the company has been working hard to meet the increasingly stringent criteria of the European market, primarily seeking to ensure greater tread safety and in products that respect human health and the environment.

The Three-Peak Mountain Snowflake certification and the Alpine Symbol seal designation on the tread side are now required for all tires in Europe, including retreads. standards for a tire to be certified and to get the symbol are listed in European regulations ECE R117 and ECE R109, which also describe the testing methodology. These standards include a grip index on snowy surfaces, or a snow grip index (SGI), which is 25 percent higher than a standard tire.

According to Vipal, tests on the tires were carried out at the Test World laboratory in Finland, which conducts examinations on automobiles, tires, and other parts.

Vipal runs three facilities in Brazil and many distribution facilities all over the world.

Three-Peak Mountain Snowflake Certification and Fuel Efficiency Ratings Are Available on the Goodyear Fuel Max Rtd

The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company is introducing 3 new sizes for the Goodyear Fuel Max RTD (Regional Traction Drive) tire line in response to the quickly expanding regional-haul trucking industry. All 6 Fuel Max RTD sizes will be offered at original equipment (OE) and Goodyear authorized dealers starting in the second quarter of 2020.

The Goodyear Fuel Max RTD is Goodyear’s best premium regional drive tire, blending fuel efficiency with traction and long miles to removal. It was created to increase the operating efficiency of regional and urban trucking fleets.

The tire includes a new, low rolling resistance compound, is in compliance with Phase 2 Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Fuel Efficiency Standards, and is finished with a Three-Peak Mountain Snowflake Certification for improved grip in all weather situations.

“Three-Peak Mountain Snowflake Certification testing is conducted in the harshest winter conditions at a Goodyear facility in Finland above the Arctic Circle,” stated Dustin Lancy, Goodyear’s commercial product marketing manager. This traction improves the tire’s performance to increase grip, fuel efficiency, and long miles to removal when combined with our revolutionary tread design and compounds.

Many different vehicle types, including straight trucks, day cabs, box trucks, heavy-duty pickups, utility vehicles, and any regional truck needing more traction in all weather situations, are suitable applications for this tire.

Current OE sizes for the Goodyear Fuel Max RTD range are 255/70R22.5 (Load Range H) and 11R22.5 (Load Ranges G and H). The tire, which is SmartWay® validated for environmentally friendly transportation, will be offered in sizes 225/70R19.5 (Load Range G), 245/70R19.5 (Load Range H), and 295/75R22.5 (Load Range G) by the second quarter of 2020. The regional and urban segments are seeing some of the fastest growth in the 19.5 and 22.5-inch sizes.

The Three-Peak Mountain Snowflake Certification Symbol for Sale

Customers who look at the sidewall of their tires are likely to see a confusing array of numbers and letters. However, you can assist as a tire salesman. From the Tire Review Continental Garage Studio at Babcox Media, Tire Review’s Maddie Winer reviews the one symbol on tires that you can show to clients if they want to drive safely in snowy weather.

If you’ve ever sold a set of tires to a customer, you’ve probably noticed a tire sidewall with a mountain symbol and a snowflake on top. Tires marked with the three-peak mountain snowflake sign are classified as severely snow service-rated if they pass snow testing.

To ensure that it can be used in winter weather, the tire has undergone further testing. The three-peak mountain snowflake certification was chosen as the standard in 1999 by the U.S. Tire Manufacturers Association (USTMA) and the Rubber Association of Canada (RAC) to denote passenger and light truck tires that achieve a traction index of 110 or higher during traction tests.

An acceleration test to gauge traction on medium-packed snow is the required test by the industry to evaluate whether a tire qualifies for the three-peak mountain snowflake logo. The test does not include elements like braking, turning, or ice traction.

Tire manufacturers anticipate that tires marked with the three-peak mountain snowflake insignia will offer superior snow grip over a typical M+S-branded all-season tire.

So, the next time a customer enters your store worried about purchasing tires that will provide traction in the snow, show them the three-peak mountain emblem and explain it to them. They’ll probably feel more at ease when exposed to the elements thanks to it.

A new UN regulation harmonizes tire studding identification and snow performance

Many countries require winter tires for safe driving on snowy or icy roads. Winter tires in most countries are marked. M+S tires are cheaper winter tires. For intense snow, advanced winter tires have an alpine symbol or the Three Peak Mountain Snowflake (3PMSF):

UN Regulation No. 117 requires type approval and a snow traction test for these tires.

Hard-studded winter tires improve traction on ice and compacted snow. The snow grip insignia or UN Regulation No. 117 do not cover studded tires, despite their high performance. In many countries, studded tires as winter tires are controversial.

To reduce the gap, the World Forum for Harmonization of Vehicle Regulations (WP.29) adopted a new UN Regulation on studded tire performance and labeling this week. A government and tire industry panel led by Finland prepared the draft. The revised Regulation is expected in September 2022.

The new Regulation will increase road safety by standardizing studded tire snow grip. Finland, Sweden, Norway, Estonia, the Russian Federation, and several other European countries that allow studded tires will similarly simplify their regulatory frameworks. Consumers will benefit from clearer winter tire indicators.

The new Regulation sets strict criteria and protocols for testing studded tire snow grip for passenger cars, buses, and trucks. Only studded tires that meet minimal performance specifications can be branded. The alpine sign 3PMSF from UN Regulation No. 117 and the Cyrillic character “Sha,” the initial letter in the Russian word for “studs,” make up this marking (see figure). Add “STUDDED” to the tire sidewall.

The revised Regulation only covers snow grip performance and markings. Passenger car studded tire ice grip protocols and markings will follow.

What Does the Three-Peak Mountain Snowflake Symbol Represent?

Currently, a big influx of severe snow service-rated all-season and all-terrain tires with the three-peak mountain snowflake (3PMSF) insignia is being witnessed. We anticipate that the three-peak mountain snowflake sign will become the norm for all-season tires in the future. While people frequently wrongly classify these tires as ‘all-weather’ tires (Learn More), what is more important than their name is what they symbolize. When a tire bears the three-peak mountain snowflake sign, it indicates that it has surpassed a minimum performance standard. In contrast, the ‘M+S’ branding commonly found on all-season tires is solely based on tread pattern geometry and does not provide any guarantees of specific performance characteristics

So, What Exactly Does the 3PMSF Symbol Mean?

The United States Tire Manufacturers Association (USTMA) and the Rubber Association of Canada (RAC) agreed on a performance-based standard in 1999 to identify passenger and light truck tires that achieve a traction index of 110 or higher (compared to a reference tire rated 100) during the specified American Society for Testing and Materials traction tests on packed snow. The standard is intended to help drivers identify tires that give a better level of snow grip and tires that fulfill the standard are labeled with the three-peak mountain snowflake (3PMSF) emblem.

Conclusion

Only on medium-packed snow is a tire’s acceleration traction measured. The test does not include braking and turning on snow, as well as ice traction. Expect better snow traction from tires bearing the 3PMSF symbol compared to standard M+S-branded all-season tires; however, please note that 3PMSF-branded all-season and all-terrain tires cannot match the traction of dedicated winter/snow tires in all winter weather conditions, and you should not consider them a replacement for situations where a dedicated winter tire is required.