Würzburg, September 11, 2007
Despite the CO2 debate, sport utility vehicles (SUVs) of all classes continue to sell extremely well. According to the KBA, sales figures for SUVs rose again in August by 12.4 percent compared to the previous month - even though the overall market is shrinking.
However, car buyers who are buying an SUV for the first time should bear a few things in mind - especially when it comes to tires. For example, many drivers believe that a four-wheel drive vehicle does not need winter tires. This is a fatal misconception: four-wheel drive only has a positive effect when starting off. When braking, however, a four-wheel drive vehicle behaves in exactly the same way as a conventional vehicle: on snowy or icy roads, braking distances with summer tires are dangerously long. Winter tires are therefore mandatory and also required by law on snow and ice.
When choosing tires, however, there is another SUV peculiarity to consider. Virtually all tires for this vehicle class bear the relevant "M & S" marking in various spellings on their sidewalls. This means "mud and snow" and is sufficient proof of winter suitability in accordance with the German Road Traffic Regulations. However, not all of these tires are actually suitable for winter conditions! The term "M&S" is not protected and can be used for practically any tire without proof or inspection. Many manufacturers therefore use another symbol to identify their winter tires: a stylized snowflake. Tires of this type must demonstrate minimum values for traction on snow in a procedure developed by the American road safety authority NHTSA.
However, choosing the right tires for the SUV is not enough. With particularly large tire formats, which are particularly common in this vehicle class, and with sidewall-reinforced run-flat tires, mounting also causes problems. These tires are particularly rigid and offer considerably more resistance to any deformation of the sidewall and bead than standard tires. If the fitter simply compensates for these properties with higher forces or uses unsuitable fitting machines, the consequences can be dire. The tire suffers damage that may not be visible from the outside, but in extreme cases can lead to blowouts.
SUV drivers should therefore ask specifically when changing tires whether the workshop has experience with fitting extreme formats. It is also advisable to visit the workshop immediately at the first sign of tire problems (e.g. loss of pressure, vibrations or messages from the tire pressure monitoring system).
"kfz-betrieb" is a trade magazine published by Vogel Auto Medien, Würzburg. The most widely read trade magazine in the automotive industry has been informing the automotive trade and service sector for 97 years. "kfz-betrieb" is the official organ of the German automotive trade (ZDK), the professional lobby for over 40,000 car dealerships and workshops. Daily news from the entire automotive industry can be found at www.kfz-betrieb.de and in the daily newsletter.
If you have any questions, please contact
Jan Rosenow
Service & Technology" department
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