This is part two of an in-depth series written by Dr. Edwin Pang, who writes more about tires @toptirereview.com.

The 3 Peak Mountain Snowflake (3PMSF) symbol is a winter tire certification given to tires that meet specific performance criteria in snowy conditions. This certification is recognized internationally and indicates that a tire is suitable for use in severe snow conditions. In this article, we will discuss the legal requirements for obtaining the 3PMSF certification, the testing methods used to evaluate snow traction, and provide a list of the top 3PMSF certified tires available.

Legal Requirements

To obtain the 3PMSF certification, a tire must meet the requirements set by the European Union (EU) and the United States (US) Department of Transportation (DOT). In the EU, Regulation (EC) No 661/2009 sets the requirements for winter tires, including the 3PMSF certification. In the US, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) requires a tire to meet the 3PMSF criteria to be labeled as a winter tire.

The 3PMSF certification is not required by law, but many countries and regions, such as Germany and the Alps, mandate the use of winter tires during the winter months. In these areas, drivers must use winter tires that meet the 3PMSF criteria or have the M+S (Mud and Snow) symbol. Do note that M+S does not require you to pass any predefined snow traction test. This means that any tire manufacturer who thinks their tire is mud and snow capable could use the M+S symbol without any testing data required.

Testing Methods

The main testing standards can be found in the ASTM F1805 and ISO 16750-1 tests. However, we will not bore you with the technical standards and just explain the critical points. The primary objective of the test is to ensure that your tire performs at least 10% better than the defined reference tire, which is the SRTT (Standard Reference Test Tire) shown below.

Please note that the pattern shown above resembles an all-season tire structure, which makes achieving 10% more snow traction more challenging in comparison to a summer pattern with minimal sipes. Tires that pass the 10% snow traction threshold are considered worthy of a 3 peak mountain logo.

“In 1999, The U.S. Tire Manufacturers Association (USTMA) and the Rubber Association of Canada (RAC) agreed on a performance-based standard to identify passenger and light truck tires that attain a traction index equal to, or greater than 110 (compared to a reference tire which is rated 100) during the specified American Society for Testing and Materials traction tests on packed snow. The standard is intended to help ensure drivers can easily identify tires that provide a higher level of snow traction, and tires meeting that standard are branded with the three-peak mountain snowflake (3PMSF) symbol.”

Top 3PMSF Certified Tires

All Season tires (US: All Weather) - Traction Index range: ~110-118

Michelin CrossClimate 2

Michelin CrossClimate was the first all-season tire to receive a 3 peak mountain logo certification in the tire industry. This was considered a game-changer at the time because no all-season tire had been able to perform so well in snowy conditions. With the introduction of CrossClimate in 2015, a whole new segment of all-season 3 peak mountain certified tires was created, which subsequently took a significant share of the market.

Middle European Winter tires (US: Performance Winter Tires) - Traction Index range: ~118-125

Bridgestone Blizzak LM005

Middle European winter tires traditionally carry the 3 peak mountain logo as they generally provide a higher level of snow traction compared to all-season tires. With a heavy focus on wet braking and snow performance, these tires are particularly popular in countries such as Germany and France.

Studless/Nordic tires (US: Snow Tires) - Traction Index range: ~125-135

Continental Viking Contact 7

These tires are the best in class for snow traction and stand at the top of the hierarchy in terms of performance in snowy conditions. They are mostly used in countries with extremely cold weather, such as Canada, Sweden, Denmark, and Norway

Conclusion

The 3 Peak Mountain Snowflake certification is a recognized standard for winter tires that meet specific performance criteria in snowy conditions. To obtain this certification, tires must meet the requirements set by the EU and DOT and undergo rigorous testing to ensure they meet the outlined standards.