Does The 3pmsf Severe Snow Rating Matter?

[Chapap]

As I understand, This rating means it passed an acceleration test in some icy condition. Is there anything I can assume about a tire with this rating, or is it more of a meaningless stamp? It seems counterintuitive that a tire can be a severe snow tire but not a snow tire.

I'm hunting for some highway tires in Florida and have run across some tires that have good looking highway tread (boring) but have this rating. Should I leave them off the list?

My current guess is that they are regular touring or all season tires with more "biting edges" than a regular ole touring type tire.

Here’s the logo you’d see molded into the sidewall.

 

[RobbieD]

Jump on it. Next time Florida has a blizzard, you can still get to the liquor store.

Otherwise, I don't have a clue . . .

 

[sgtsandman]

I’ve never heard of it. I have found that some tread designs do perform better than others when it comes to snow. Not exactly something I could describe. I have to see the tread pattern. Nor could I tell you if a touring tire is better or worse than a standard all season tire. Again, I would have to look at the tread.

As far as Florida goes, I’m not sure any of that would matter all that much. Deep South states tend to get freezing rain rather than snow from what I understand. Not much of anything in a tire without studs or chains do all that well with ice.

Dedicated winter tires do better but I would figure those would be an almost complete waste of money for those in the deep south.

 

[RobbieD]

Seems like I read somewhere that snow tires are also different in the rubber composition; that they're formulated to stay more pliable when cold, which is why they wear more in the hot months.

 

[Chapap]

I’ve never heard of it. I have found that some tread designs do perform better than others when it comes to snow. Not exactly something I could describe. I have to see the tread pattern. Nor could I tell you if a touring tire is better or worse than a standard all season tire. Again, I would have to look at the tread.

As far as Florida goes, I’m not sure any of that would matter all that much. Deep South states tend to get freezing rain rather than snow from what I understand. Not much of anything in a tire without studs or chains do all that well with ice.

Dedicated winter tires do better but I would figure those would be an almost complete waste of money for those in the deep south.

I added the logo to the original post of that jogs any memories. I really couldn’t care less about a snow rating… I just don’t want to sacrifice important stuff (service life, noise, comfort).

 

[RobbieD]

"Recognizing a need for a more up-to-date and helpful measurement of true winter performance, as well as a way to differentiate all-season tires from winter tires, the Rubber Manufacturers Association (RMA) came up with the Mountain/Snowflake symbol for tires. When you see this icon on the sidewall of your tire, you can be assured it meets more stringent winter traction performance requirements and has been rated for “severe snow service”. This includes snowy, slippery roads and low temperature or freezing roads. Most all-season tires do not qualify for the Mountain/Snowflake symbol because the tread rubber in all-season and summer tires become hard at temperatures below 40 F. Only dedicated winter tires, select all-terrain light truck and SUV tires, and some of the latest generation “all-weather tires” meet the traction qualifications for the Mountain/Snowflake symbol’s severe snow service rating. "

Source:
https://www.tires-easy.com/blog/mountainsnowflake-symbol/

 

[sgtsandman]

I’ve found the Mountain and Snow Flake symbol to mean very little. I’ve seen tires with those symbols on them that performed very poorly in winter conditions and others that were quite good.

Again, it goes back to tread pattern as a primary driver. Tread compound makes a difference as well. The better compounds are going to have a lower tread wear rating because they are softer and more pliable.

It seems the ones with the 40,000 mile warranty do better than say one with an 80,000 mile warranty, which are usually a harder compound from what I’ve seen.

 

[RonD]

+1 ^^^^ RobbieD

Not a tread design at all
Its the rubber compound used to make the tire

Straight snow tires are best in colder climates for the winter months but they will wear out faster when temps get up above 60degF, the hotter it gets the faster they wear down, because they use a rubber compound that is "softer" so it stays pliable under 32degF, too pliable above 60degF, lol
You change to summer(regular) tires in the spring

The newer mountain/snow flake rating means it will stay pliable at lower temps, not as pliable as snow tires, but a good trade off if you don't have 4 or 5 months of winter driving every year, lol
Good for ski trips or sledding, or occasional snows storm, certainly not for full time COLD for months at a time
Very area specific and use specific

 

[Josh B]

I wouldn't touch them! First three foot of snow yall get everyone in town will want you to drive em!