What does O bis O mean – and what does it have to do with the tyres on my car?
Take a drive through the suburbs of a German city on a Saturday or Sunday in April and it’s not uncommon to see groups of neighbours passing lug wrenches back and forth across the garden fence.
The phrase O bis O means from Easter (Ostern) to October and acts as a reminder that car owners in Germany need to change from winter tyres to summer tyres in the spring, and then back to winter tyres again in the autumn. This tends to be a DIY activity – most German homes will have four wheels stashed away somewhere in the cellar or garage – although your friendly local mechanic will happily take on the task.
Is there a fixed date for changing my tyres?
Winter tyres have a tread of at least 3mm and carry a symbol of a snowflake trapped inside a mountain. Fitting them on your car in winter is mandatory, but O to O is a rule of thumb rather than a hard and fast regulation.
Winter weather in Germany can be unpredictable – even more so than usual in recent years – often mild, but with sudden periods of heavy frost and snow possible until well into April. As a general rule, winter tyres are no longer necessary once the outside temperature is consistently above 7 degrees Celsius.
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Wouldn’t it be easier to drive on winter tyres all year round?
Driving on summer tyres in winter conditions is illegal. You can be fined up to €120, lose your driving licence (or at least receive penalty points) and, in the event of an accident, find that your insurance company refuses to pay out – even if you weren’t at fault.
Driving on winter tyres in summer isn’t against the law but does have a number of drawbacks. Winter tyres are made from a special rubber compound which makes them flexible in freezing temperatures. It also means they wear out much more quickly in warmer weather (meaning they will need to be replaced more frequently). In addition, driving on tyres with a deeper tread increases rolling resistance, which means fewer miles per gallon of petrol.
An all-season alternative is available if you want to avoid the trouble of changing your tyres twice a year – as long as they still display the snowflake and mountain symbol. It’s a compliant and hassle-free solution (ideal for people who drive infrequently and/or live in cities) – but it does mean marginally less traction in winter conditions and marginally inferior fuel-efficiency in the summer.
Maintaining and changing tyres – what do I need to know?
The set of wheels you’re not currently using should be stored in a dry room away from direct sunlight – and don’t forget to mark them so you know which is which! In Germany, the convention is VL (vorne links), VR, HR (hinten rechts), HL. The wheels can be safely stacked on top of each other.
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Ideally, tyres should be replaced every eight years due to natural aging – or sooner, if necessary. Before putting your winter tyres away for the summer, check if you need to order new ones for the winter. The ADAC (Allgemeiner Deutscher Automobil-Club) recommends a tread depth of 3mm (although only 1.6mm is required by law). The gold edge of a €1 coin is exactly 3mm thick.
Push a coin into the tread; if you can’t see gold, you’re good to go for another year.
Before you start driving, make sure your summer tyres have the recommended air pressure. If you notice an unfamiliar vibration once you start driving, the wheels may be unbalanced (or rotating unevenly). Your local mechanic can help but so, in all probability, can your neighbours. Germany is the land of responsible car ownership – and most people will jump at the chance to demonstrate their knowledge of all things tyres!
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