Winter tyres: the rules

bretti_kivi · Post by **bretti_kivi** » Fri Oct 08, 2004 12:28 pm

okay, was going to ask a question about this, but i found something else instead, which i thought you might like to know about...

Winter tyres compulsory

In Finland all cars, vans and their trailers equipped with brakes must use winter tyres in December, January and February. At other times, the use of winter tyres is optional. As of December 1999, foreign-registered cars and vans must also use winter tyres (or all-season tyres) in Finland. The tread groove of winter tyres must be at least 3 millimetres. Winter tyres do not have to be studded tyres.

Studded winter tyres may be used between the beginning of November and the end of March (or the Monday following Easter Monday if this is later than the end of March). At other times, they may be used only if the weather conditions so require. The period during which studded winter tyres may be used is restricted because they wear down the road surface.

Snow chains may be used on winter tyres provided that they do not produce excessive wear on the road surface. In practice, snow chains are rarely used in Finland.

Regulations on tyres in Finland

During the time of compulsory use of winter tyres the allowed tyre types are: winter tyres, tyres intended for all-season use and studded winter tyres.

Winter tyres
(or tyres intended for all-season use)
Compulsory from 1.12. To 29.2.

Winter tyres without studs may be used throughout the year.

Minimum tread groove 3 mm. The tyre is marked with M+S.

Studded winter tyres
May be used from 1.11. To 31.3. Only.
However, the time period may be extended according to weather conditions.

Summer tyres
May be used from 1.3. To 30.11.
Minimum tread groove 1.6 mm.

source: http://www.mintc.fi/www/sivut/english/drive/winter.htm

anybody know anything different?

Bret

**Sponsor:**

Rosamunda · Post by **Rosamunda** » Fri Oct 08, 2004 1:40 pm

There is a certain degree of tolerance on the dates for studded tyres because the garages can't cope with hundreds of thousands of tyre changes on the 1st November. I have a lease car and mine are being changed on 25th October.

Otherwise your thing sounds right to me.

PeterF · Post by **PeterF** » Fri Oct 08, 2004 2:07 pm

These are the important bits..
Winter tyres
"Compulsory" from 1.12. To 29.2.

Winter tyres
"May be used" from 1.11. To 31.3. Only.

However, the time period may be extended according to weather conditions.

In other word if it is snowing on Oct 1st in Lapland..weather conditions clause applies...but if we have heat wave from Nov until Mid Dec.

.it does not mater by mid night 30th Nov winter tyres must be fitted.
So...
Get them fitted asap in November where you live earlier if the weather turns icey.

bretti_kivi · Post by **bretti_kivi** » Fri Oct 08, 2004 2:21 pm

we have kitkats at the moment, so we'll be making an appointment for the week after next for heating and tyres. real winter tyres may well turn up shortly, depending on the requirements for the winter...

do the garages normally offer to store wheels/tyres for the winter? how much does one normally pay for such a service? and is it any good? i have some nice alloys i don't want scratched / abused...

ta muchly

Bret

Post by **neil** » Fri Oct 08, 2004 2:25 pm

You can control the rules but you cannot control the weather. From what I have known speaking as a 'man on the ground', it would appear that there is a month either side of the proposed dates that is 'the norm'.

FYI: you can buy a 2.5 ton trolley jack in Biltaema for less than the cost of taking the car to the garage to have the tyres changed. All you need in addition is a bit of arm muscle

Mook · Post by **Mook** » Fri Oct 08, 2004 2:35 pm

bretti_kivi wrote:do the garages normally offer to store wheels/tyres for the winter? how much does one normally pay for such a service? and is it any good? i have some nice alloys i don't want scratched / abused...

Jep, there are tyre places that do this. (I can't think of any example just now; the girlfriend used a place out in Malmi beside Bilia)

For 50 Euros, or so, they'll change the tyres and then keep them until you next need them (i.e. 100 Euros/year for all changing and storing)

-Mook

PeterF · Post by **PeterF** » Fri Oct 08, 2004 2:54 pm

If you live in an appartment there could well be a tyre store cellar.

Hank keeps his under his bed!! (lost the cellar key

!)
Last year they were under his desk at work but now he is one the fifth floor he cant hack the stairs and they and he together dont fit in the lift.

Ask your neighbours...there is probably a local hidy hole somewhere.

Mook · Post by **Mook** » Fri Oct 08, 2004 3:07 pm

Mine are in the attic. Five flights of stairs and no lift

PeterF · Post by **PeterF** » Fri Oct 08, 2004 3:21 pm

Perhaps we should add talvi renkaita to the list of reason we love Finland.

.
It is fact that every year there are always 100´s of cars driving around Finland with tyres (occasionaly in large bin liners) wedged onto back seats (boot already full)..
They are either about to be changed..not found the cheapest/quickest place yet....or already been changed...not found somewhere to store them yet!

bretti_kivi · Post by **bretti_kivi** » Fri Oct 08, 2004 3:34 pm

mine only fit in the car if i drop the seats (!)

50 euros for changing? i presume that includes balancing? otherwise it's seriously expensive?! i'm used to paying 25 euros incl. balancing and fitting them back onto the car. it's no real hassle doing it myself, but i need the winter tyres balanced anyway...

Bret

JasonS · Post by **JasonS** » Fri Oct 08, 2004 3:36 pm

I changed my wheels over last winter using the little jack and bits hidden with the spare wheel. Is this not a good idea? I put bricks around the other wheels to make sure the car was steady and remembered to loosen the nuts a bit before i jacked it up.

McLaren mechanics would have been proud!

...on that note i see this weekend's Japanese GP qualifying has been postponed due to a typhoon. it will now take place 3½ hours before the race.

PeterF · Post by **PeterF** » Fri Oct 08, 2004 3:49 pm

If you take your car into a small friendly houlto place..not a main dealer or swish tyre sales point..ask that they do a "talvi checki ja vaihta renkaita"

They will check/change/top up your antifreeze..check the battery..give it a boost charge..change/balance your wheels. ..breeth on the timing setting for winter richness..for a pre-negotiated cash payment

noin 40€ max into back pocket.. Dont ask for a receipt!

One of the arts of driving in Finland is to locate such a good/friendly sensible priced houlto paika!
You look after them they look after you.

Mook · Post by **Mook** » Fri Oct 08, 2004 3:58 pm

bretti_kivi wrote:mine only fit in the car if i drop the seats (!)

50 euros for changing? i presume that includes balancing? otherwise it's seriously expensive?! Bret

Nope, but it does include 6 months storage!

meenfreem · Post by **meenfreem** » Fri Oct 08, 2004 5:28 pm

we at europcar start changing tires next week

ohwell, i'm not footing the bill in case of tickets

and by the way, is it tire or tyre?

mrjimsfc · Post by **mrjimsfc** » Fri Oct 08, 2004 5:41 pm

meenfreem wrote: by the way, is it tire or tyre?

It's obviously tire, not tyre

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