Fog, wet roads and colorful autumn leaves - it's time for many drivers to switch from summer to winter tires.

What you have to consider – here are answers to the most important questions at a glance:

When do winter tires have to be fitted?

According to the Road Traffic Act (StVO), there is no generally prescribed time for changing tires in Germany.

The legislator only stipulates that the equipment must be "adapted to the weather conditions".

Winter tires are therefore only compulsory in poor road conditions, such as snow, ice and frost.

According to Autoklub ACE, the widespread rule of thumb that winter tires belong on the car “from October to Easter” has proven its worth, because sudden cold snaps can occur as early as October.

Basically, the tires should have a tread depth of at least four millimeters.

Why are winter tires so important?

At lower temperatures, the driver can brake better with winter tires and drive more confidently.

The rubber compound of summer tires hardens at very low plus temperatures, which can noticeably reduce grip on the road.

Winter tires consist of a softer rubber compound with additional grooves in which snow and mud do not even get stuck.

They are therefore called mud-and-snow tires (M+S tires).

All winter tires manufactured from January 2018 onwards are also required to carry the "Alpine" symbol, which consists of a three-pointed mountain pictogram with a snowflake in the middle.

According to the ADAC, tires with the M+S label are also suitable for winter use until the end of September 2024 if they were manufactured by the end of 2017.

How long do winter tires last?

According to the ADAC, they lose some of their winter properties from around the age of six.

The automobile club therefore advises against winter tires that are more than eight years old.

When buying new, the tires should be no more than two years old according to ADAC, and no more than 18 months according to ACE.

This can be checked using the so-called DOT number – the four-digit number on the tire sidewall.

For example, the number 2321 means that the tires were manufactured in the 23rd week of the year 2021.

The decisive factor for tires is the tread depth.

What fines do drivers with summer tires have to expect?

If the police catch a driver with summer tires in snow and ice, 60 euros are due.

There is also a point in Flensburg.

Motorists who use summer tires and obstruct others – for example by breaking down in traffic – have to reckon with 80 euros and also a point in the traffic offender file.

Is there insurance cover in winter with summer tires?

As a rule yes - according to the General Association of the German Insurance Industry, liability protection for drivers with summer tires remains in place if they cause an accident in winter.

This means that the insurance company pays the damage to the accident victim.

However, the situation may be different with comprehensive insurance, which is intended to cover damage to your own car.

If it can be proven that the driver was negligently driving with summer tires, the insurance company can reduce the payment.

How do winter tires perform in the test?

In the current ADAC winter tire test, four out of 33 tires for small cars were rated as good.

Seven is still satisfactory.

The two test losers show serious deficiencies when braking on wet roads.

In the case of tires for SUVs, four models received the rating "particularly recommendable", twelve are satisfactory.

What is the best way to store summer tires?

Summer tires should be stored dry, dark and not too warm in winter.

It is best to stack the tires on top of each other on the rims on a pallet and cover them.

Tires without rims, on the other hand, stand up better and should be turned around every four weeks to avoid dents.

Car owners should write the position on the car with chalk on the tires before removing them - this makes mounting easier in the spring.