M+S vs. 3PMSF tires on a Sprinter Van
What’s the difference between M+S and 3PMSF rated tires?
3PMSF (Three peak Mountain Snow Flake) tires meet more stringent winter traction performance requirements and have been rated for "severe snow service." These tires perform better than all-season tire on snowy, slippery roads and low temperature or freezing roads. This is accomplished by a different rubber compound that provides more grip on snow and on cold pavement than an all- season tire.
When a tire has M+S on it, that means that it meets the Rubber Manufacturers Association (MA) guidelines for a mud and snow tire. Tires with the M+S symbol continue to be the broader definition for the minimum acceptable levels of winter traction.
The M+S rating means that a tire has better mud/snow traction than a summer tire, but the rating doesn't reflect traction for wet, soupy mud, slush, ice, fresh snow or even cold, dry pavement. Most all-season tires do not qualify for the 3PMSF symbol because the tread rubber in all-season and summer tires become hard at temperatures below 40 F.
Some important information to remember about 3PMSF branding.
Testing measures a tire's acceleration traction on medium-packed snow only. Braking and turning on snow, along with ice traction are not components of the test.
Tires branded with the 3PMSF symbol are expected to provide improved snow traction beyond a standard M+S branded all-season tire, however 3PMSF-branded all-season and all-terrain tires cannot match the traction of dedicated winter / snow tires in all winter weather conditions and should not be considered a replacement for where and when a dedicated winter tire is needed.
Our Tire Tests
We have been testing various tires for our adventure use. We typically care about a few things:
Getting there on pavement - mileage and noise
Wet conditions and traction
Snow conditions and traction
Off-road capability and durability
M+S (Mud + Snow Tires)
3PMSF (3 Peak Mountain Snow Flake Tires)
Dedicated Snow Tires
