I'm not sure if the rules are the same everywhere, but I found out the there is a BIG DIFFERENCE between an actual "Snow Rated" tire and a tire that is "M&S". The rubber compound on a snow tire is much softer in cold temps, that much I knew. But, "Mud & Snow" rated tires don't cut it in many places for insurance reasons. In Quebec, Canada for the winter months, you MUST have actual snow tires on your car or truck. And in many other parts, if you get into an accident and it's because of your tires, insurance won't cover you. "Mud and Snow" tires although more agressive in tread pattern, will not legally save you in the winter.
Look for that little snowflake symbol on the sidewall, or you may be sorry!

 

Good stuff... hope I never need to know that!

 

The snowflake-on-the-mountain symbol is the official "snow rated" of the RMA (rubber manufacturers association).

BFG A/Ts have this symbol on them.

jh

 

Yes, that's why I put a set of BFG A/T KOs on my new Ram instead of the Toyo A/Ts. Good thing too, because the next day we had another dump of snow!

 

I've never even heard of "snow rated" tires. Interesting info...

 

I run dedicated snow tires on all my vehicles in the winter. It's not exactly cheap, but once you have used "real" snow tires, nothing else is acceptable in the winter.
mishkaya

 

I'll bite which brands and models are snow tires?

I live in CA and M/S rated tires are all the hiway dept puts on their road signs. That makes me wonder about the snow tire law being done per each state.

 

In Oregon, when chains are required there is often an exemption for vehicles that are engaged in 4x4 that have snow rated tires (as long as GVWR is under 10k and not towing).